Who We Are
The Women’s Business Center (WBC) at Cornerstone Alliance has helped small businesses start and grow in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties since 2004. We open the doors of opportunity by providing targeted individuals who are interested in starting, expanding or growing their business with access to critical resources such as business counseling, financial education, and responsible financial products.
The Women’s Business Center focuses on individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional financing or resources to engage in entrepreneurship and enhance their economic well-being, particularly women, people of color, veterans, and low-income individuals. As such, the WBC promotes and assists in advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency opportunities
Developing and nurturing home-grown business is key to our community's economic future. The Women's Business Center professional staff is ready to help you turn your dreams of entrepreneurship into reality.
The WBC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration to serve Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. Contact us today to learn how the Women's Business Center can help you turn your dreams into reality.
The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance would like to thank our funders:
Partners
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of Michigan
The Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of Michigan provide local businesses with the resources and know-how to successfully obtain government contracts. They work to help all Michigan companies successfully obtain and perform under local, state and federal government contracts. Since 1985, the PTACs of Michigan have assisted businesses in securing contract awards, and are ready to help you too.
PTAC provides no-fee, expert counseling services and electronic Bid-Match systems in addition to seminars, workshops and trade shows. They help business position themselves to identify opportunities and expand by selling to the government.
For more information, visit Southwest Michigan PTAC
Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council
The Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) is a non-profit committed to driving economic growth within minority communities. The MMSDC advances this mission by facilitating over $20 billion annually in business contracts between corporations and certified minority business enterprises (MBEs). Founded in 1977, the MMSDC certifies minority businesses, provides MBEs with access to procurement opportunities, and develops capacity for minority business development.
The MMSDC serves two distinct audiences: minority owned businesses and large, majority-owned corporations. Their work enables minority owned businesses to grow their operations, hire more employees, and create wealth in their respective communities. Visit MMSDC for more information.
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years.
Serving Southwestern Michigan, the Kalamazoo Chapter of SCORE has over 30 mentors with over 30 backgrounds. They provide one-on-one, confidential counseling at no charge. SCORE volunteers are available by appointment, at the Cornerstone Alliance office, 80 West Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI. For an appointment contact us or contact SCORE directly by visiting SCORE.
Michigan Small Business Development Center
The Michigan Small Business Development Center provides counseling, training and secondary market research for Michigan’s new business ventures, existing small businesses, expanding new businesses and new technology companies. The MI-SBDC Southwest Michigan is located at the Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business. Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access services by visiting SBDCMichigan.
Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. They recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace.
SBA's programs include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans. SBA also provides loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade. SBA's suite of tools can help you at any stage of your business venture. From initial counseling and business planning to contracting with the government and finding seminars to grow your business – there's something for every entrepreneur to get the help they need. Visit SBA for more information.