Less than two decades ago, a woman entrepreneur had to have her husband or a male relative co-sign for a bank loan. Congress outlawed that practice in 1988, and since then, women have been making great strides in business. Today, nearly half (48 percent) of all privately held U.S. firms are women-owned. The estimated growth rate in the number of these firms is nearly twice that of all others, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research.

“There has never been a better time for a woman to start a business, but our research shows that many women are still hesitant about going after capital,” says Sharon Hadary, Executive Director of the Center for Women’s Business Research. “That’s a big mistake because plenty of resources are available to help a women get started and to move ahead.”

RESOURCES

In true Savvy Miss form, you have completed your business plan, and you know how much money or capital you need to raise to make your business successful. Here are five sources of financing to help you get started: