North Dakota Women's Business Center Empowers Female Entrepreneurs

The organization provides coaching, connections, and funding resources to support women-owned businesses across the state.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The North Dakota Women's Business Center (NDWBC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting female entrepreneurs in the state. Founded in the early 2000s, the NDWBC has evolved to focus on the biggest pain points shared by women business owners, including access to capital, childcare, and networking opportunities. The center offers job coaching, grant application assistance, and monthly training and listening sessions tailored to each community's needs. The NDWBC also recently launched a 12-week program to provide childcare business owners with financial literacy, leadership, and strategic planning skills.

Why it matters

The NDWBC plays a crucial role in supporting women-owned businesses in North Dakota, which face unique challenges such as access to funding and childcare. By providing coaching, connections, and resources, the organization helps empower female entrepreneurs to start and grow their companies, contributing to the economic development and transformation of local communities.

The details

According to a recent survey by the NDWBC, 74% of the 914 women business owners surveyed said they were in immediate need of funding, with 63% unable to secure less than $50,000 due to barriers like down payments, collateral, fear of rejection, and personal credit history. The NDWBC does not directly offer financing but helps clients apply for grants and other funding sources. The organization also provides virtual childcare training for daycare operators, addressing the mental load of caring for children and aging parents that many female business owners face.

  • The NDWBC was founded in the early 2000s.
  • In 2022, the organization conducted listening sessions across the state to reorganize and focus on the biggest pain points shared by female business owners.
  • The NDWBC recently launched a 12-week program to provide childcare business owners with professional development and training.

The players

Christy Dauer

The executive director of the North Dakota Women's Business Center.

Aimee Hanson

The founder of Grateful Cratefulls, a business that sells crates filled with products from Midwest-based small businesses.

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What they’re saying

“When women lead, communities don't just grow — they transform. International Women's Day reminds us that every voice lifted, every glass shattered and every dream pursued strengthens the path for those who follow.”

— Christy Dauer, Executive Director, North Dakota Women's Business Center (inforum.com)

“We were just completely blown away by how kind and generous not just family friends were, but the small businesses around the community, the Midwest really. We just felt this need to do something, mainly to give back to others in the way that people helped us.”

— Aimee Hanson (inforum.com)

What’s next

The NDWBC will be hosting a summit on May 5-7 in Medora, North Dakota, featuring keynote speeches, workshops, and opportunities for business owners to connect with NDWBC staff and other entrepreneurs.

The takeaway

The North Dakota Women's Business Center is a vital resource for female entrepreneurs in the state, providing coaching, connections, and funding assistance to help women-owned businesses overcome challenges and thrive. By supporting the growth of these companies, the NDWBC is contributing to the economic empowerment and transformation of local communities.