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The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Imperial Valley hosted a vibrant Women in Business Networking event Saturday morning at the Cambria Imperial Hotel, drawing aspiring and established female entrepreneurs from across the region.
Held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the bilingual event offered a platform for women to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional collaboration. It is part of the SBDC’s broader mission to empower women with the tools, knowledge, and community support necessary to thrive in today’s business landscape.
“This was an opportunity for women in business to learn the power of networking and collaboration,” said Viridiana Rosales-Trujillo, center manager for the SBDC.
Participants included both new and seasoned business owners who shared their success stories and experiences working with the SBDC.
Ashley Contreras, founder of Valley Crafts and a nonprofit organization, said the program has been instrumental to her journey and she has been attending these meetings since the very first one. “It all came to coming to these events and collaborating with other women and sharing and bouncing ideas off each other,” Contreras said.
Tammy Summers, owner of Leadership Learners, credited the SBDC for helping her launch and grow her leadership and communication business. “Without SBDC, I would not be able to have this table before me and market this business, put a business plan together, and get clients,” she said. “I want to thank SBDC for also being one of my clients who helped with their leadership, communication, and cultural sensitivity.”
Women continue to play an increasingly vital role in the small business sector across the United States. According to the latest data from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), women-owned businesses account for approximately 42% of all businesses nationwide, employing over 9.4 million workers and generating $1.9 trillion in revenue annually.
In California, home to the largest number of women-owned businesses in the country, the trend is equally strong. The state boasts over 1.5 million women-owned businesses, representing a diverse range of industries, including retail, health care, education, and professional services. California leads in both the number and growth rate of women-owned enterprises.
SBDC offers no-cost, confidential support to entrepreneurs and small business owners through expert advising, training, and resources. Services include help with business planning, marketing strategies, financial management, access to capital, and guidance for startups and existing businesses. The SBDC empowers individuals to launch, grow, and strengthen their businesses across all industries.
The SBDC of Imperial Valley continues to play a crucial role in cultivating business development, particularly for women, who are increasingly recognized as a driving force in the U.S. economy.