Women build businesses
By Jessica Cross

Building a business requires both drive and skill, which is why several women's business organizations in the Columbia area provide businesswomen with the necessary tools to create a firm foundation.

A primary tool for many entrepreneurs is the business club. The clubs not only offer networking opportunities, but they also offer a support system.

One such club in Columbia is the "Women's Networking Club." This four- month- old club meets monthly and informally, according to member Gail Trebuchon. The group is not planning to collect dues, she said.

Trebuchon, an advertising sales representative for The Columbia Star , said the club wants to avoid overlapping careers being represented when it comes to exchanging leads. The group is currently seeking to increase membership.

"We're looking for someone who wants to grow a business," Trebuchon said.

The Women's Networking Club invites Columbia businesswomen to exchange leads and personal business experiences as a member. For more information on becoming a member of the group, call 261-0006.

Another organization dedicated to building women's businesses is the South Carolina Alliance for women, which is a partnership between the South Carolina Commission on Women and Columbia College. Part of its purpose is to increase the number of women in business by acting as a networking group and by researching the stumbling blocks that hinder women's success in general.

Linda Salane works with the Alliance. She said the program offers support to women in a variety of areas, such as counseling or helping women get established in business.

Salane also said the Alliance tends to act as a referral resource. For example, the Alliance may refer a woman in business who is searching for connections to a group such as the Women's Networking Club.

Visit allianceforwomen.net, or call 786-3748 for more information.

The Alliance often works hand- in- hand with organizations like the South Carolina Women's Business Center, which tends to be more "hands on" than the Alliance.

Executive director of the center's Columbia Chapter, Haidee Stith, said, "We are really committed to helping entrepreneurs be successful, especially women."

In 2006, the center worked with over 700 people in areas such as web site development, loan packaging, and business plan development.

Workshops and training are available to both men and women through the business center, but the organization works primarily with women.

With access to these and other tools, women are able to build a successful business.

For more information, visit scwbc.org or call 461-8900.