Women’s Business Center Launches in South Los Angeles, Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Amidst a Surge in New Business Applications

Recently, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attended the launch of the first federally recognized Women’s Business Center at the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) in South Los Angeles. The center aims to provide resources and support for women entrepreneurs who are looking to start or grow their businesses in the local community.

Small businesses contribute more than 40% of the U.S. economic output, according to the Small Business Administration. The agency also reports that the country is currently experiencing a “historic Small Business Boom,” with over 17.5 million new business applications filed since President Biden took office. In California alone, there have been 1.7 million new business applications.

The surge in new business applications is largely driven by people of color and women, who are starting businesses at higher rates than their male counterparts. The establishment of this Women’s Business Center at VSEDC is aimed at supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs in South Los Angeles as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of starting and running their own businesses.