Published July 2003

Sponsor's Message

Wells Fargo proud to help
fuel growth of women-owned firms

By Evelyn Lane
Northern Washington Business Banking Manager, Wells Fargo

Whether you’re a one-woman operation in Mountlake Terrace, the owner of a midsize company in Edmonds or the CEO of a growing concern in Everett, one of the biggest challenges you face as a woman entrepreneur is learning about business opportunities. That’s why Wells Fargo is pleased to sponsor Business Women 2003: It’s loaded with opportunities for women doing business in Snohomish County.

Whatever your role in the Snohomish County economy, Business Women 2003 is a resource you’ll want to keep at your fingertips year-round. In this issue, you’ll find valuable information about local networking opportunities, loan programs and lifestyle issues that are important to business women. There are also inspiring profiles of business women who have made an impact in and on Snohomish County.

There’s another reason Wells Fargo believes that Business Women 2003 belongs in the hands of every business woman in Snohomish County. Women-owned businesses are expanding at twice the rate of all U.S. firms, and we need as much information at the local level as possible so you can benefit and grow your business.

A Wells Fargo-sponsored study by the Center for Women’s Business Research (www.nfwbo.org) shows that the number of women-owned businesses in Washington reached 146,528 in 2002, accounting for 32 percent of all privately held firms in the state.

Between 1997 and 2002, women-owned firms in Washington increased by 19 percent; employment in those firms grew by 42 percent; and their sales jumped 54 percent.

In fact, among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., the state of Washington ranks 14th in the number of women-owned firms, 14th in employment and 15th in sales. Washington ranks 16th in the growth of women-owned firms, 19th in employment growth and 22nd in sales growth.

Wells Fargo is proud to have helped fuel that growth. In 1995, in partnership with the National Association for Women Business Owners, Wells Fargo launched the Women’s Loan Program with a specific goal of providing capital to women business owners. Our current lending goal is $15 billion over 10 years to women-owned businesses.

We also support local nonprofit organizations that provide services to women. Just a few of Wells Fargo’s community partners are Washington Women In Need, Community Capital Development, Women Business Owners and the YWCA. In all, Wells Fargo has given nearly $11 million toward Washington community projects and causes in the past six years.

When choosing a financial-services company to support your business goals, select Wells Fargo — rated No. 1 in the country for small-business lending and recognized throughout the nation for providing innovative services and resources. Since 1995, more than 337,000 women business owners have trusted us for their lending needs. Call today, and let’s talk about providing you and your business with the capital you need to grow.

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