Women's Business Alliance

What Women's Business Alliance does

Women's Business Alliance (WBA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 in Mobile, Alabama, and headquartered in Chickasaw, Alabama. It functions as the umbrella organization for two regional Women's Business Centers — the Women's Business Center of South Alabama (WBCSA) serving Baldwin and Mobile counties, and the Women's Business Center of Rural Alabama (WBCRAL) serving Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe, and Washington counties — collectively covering nine counties in South Alabama. Its core mission is the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs through business education, confidential coaching and consulting, structured networking events, mentorship, and access to SBA loan program technical assistance.

WBA monetizes primarily through a diversified nonprofit revenue model: annual membership dues ($200/year), Pay It Forward recurring donations ($10/month), event registration fees ($149-$169 for forum participants, $199-$250 for vendor booths), scholarship program access ($1,800/year), and grant funding from sources including the U.S. Small Business Administration, Wells Fargo Foundation, and the Community Foundation of South Alabama. The operating model is community-led and event-driven, anchored by a network of over 100 members, a newsletter reach of more than 3,500 people, and over 25 strategic partners across banking, government, education, and business development organizations. The organization is supported by a small staff of approximately 6 employees and a volunteer board of directors, with no technology products, no proprietary software, and no AI components — its value proposition rests entirely on human-led programs, partnerships, and community convening.

Name

Women's Business Alliance

Legal name

Women's Business Alliance

Website

https://womensbusinessalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Women's Business Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that operates two SBA-affiliated Women's Business Centers across nine South Alabama counties, providing business education, coaching, networking, and financial literacy programs to women entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Business Center / Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Business Associations (81391), Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Women business center
• Small business education
• Entrepreneur networking events
• Financial literacy training
• Small business coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Chickasaw

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues providing access to networking events, educational programs, member directory, website advertising, and newsletter recognition.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from forum participant tickets ($149-$169), vendor booth fees ($199-$250), and special events like catamaran rides.
3. Grants and Donations: Grant funding from organizations including the Community Foundation of South Alabama, Wells Fargo Foundation, and U.S. Small Business Administration to fund programs like Know Your Money Grow Your Money financial literacy.
4. Pay It Forward Program: Monthly recurring donations of $10/month from members supporting the organization's mission.
5. Scholarship Program: Annual scholarship access program at $1800/year for women entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Women's Business Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides business education, confidential coaching and consulting, structured networking, and access to SBA loan-program technical assistance for women entrepreneurs and small business owners in South Alabama. It operates the Women's Business Center of South Alabama (WBCSA) and Women's Business Center of Rural Alabama (WBCRAL) under contract with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Women's Business Ownership, and supplements these with an annual forum conference, monthly luncheons, a small business directory, scholarship access, and a financial literacy program (Know Your Money Grow Your Money).

Product overview

Women's Business Alliance is a nonprofit organization that operates as a platform providing business education, coaching, and networking services for women entrepreneurs in South Alabama. The organization functions as an umbrella for two regional Women's Business Centers (WBCSA and WBCRAL), offering a suite of products including business education programs, structured networking events, a small business directory, and membership services. Additional offerings include financial literacy programs (KYMGYM), scholarship opportunities, and international dating services. The core value proposition centers on empowering women to start and grow successful small businesses through mentorship, training, and community support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WBA Annual Membership Annual membership at $200 providing member rates for WBA events, monthly networking luncheons, quarterly education meetings, after-hours networking events, holiday event, silent auctions, expedited access to WBA resources, business featured on WBA Facebook page, newsletter recognition, online membership directory listing, and advertising space on the WBA website.
• Pay It Forward Monthly Support Monthly recurring donation program at $10/month from members and supporters to sustain the Women's Business Alliance mission and access WBA resources.
• Scholarship Program Access One-year subscription access at $1,800 for 365 days, non-recurring, providing women entrepreneurs with scholarship-supported access to WBA resources and programs.
• Business Education Programs Business education, confidential business coaching and consulting services offered through the Women's Business Center Programs to start-up and existing small business owners, delivered by WBCSA and WBCRAL Project Directors and Training Manager.
• Networking Events Structured networking events including monthly luncheons, quarterly education meetings, after-hours networking events, and a holiday event where business owners and stakeholders can meet one another to promote their businesses.
• Annual Forum Conference Multi-day annual forum with Early Bird Participant tickets at $149, General Participant tickets at $169, and vendor booth fees of $199 (Early Bird) or $250 (General, with $50 per additional representative). Includes Sunday and Monday events, a Saturday night catamaran ride, and a Sunday mixer at LuLu's.
• Women's Business Center of South Alabama (WBCSA) Certified Technical Assistance Provider for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Loan Program, delivering business training, coaching, and networking for women entrepreneurs in Baldwin and Mobile counties, Alabama.
• Women's Business Center of Rural Alabama (WBCRAL) Certified Technical Assistance Provider for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Loan Program, delivering business training, coaching, and networking for women entrepreneurs in Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe, and Washington counties, Alabama.
• Small Business Directory The only known source for listing small businesses in the Mobile and surrounding areas, providing visibility for member businesses in a seven-county region.
• Know Your Money Grow Your Money (KYMGYM) Financial Literacy Program Eight-component financial literacy curriculum covering credit card debt dangers, personal budgeting, saving and investing, and banking basics, delivered to high school seniors in five rural Alabama counties, with Money Smart variant also reaching veterans and students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provides the only small business directory in a seven-county area
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Small Business Administration - Office of Women's Business OwnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Primary federal partner since May 1993. The organization has been contracted continuously with SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership from 1993 to present. This partnership provides official recognition, funding support, and access to SBA resources and programs for women entrepreneurs.
• Alabama Power CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting the organization's training programs and networking events.
• City of MobileminorOthersMunicipal partner providing support for local economic development initiatives.
• Mobile CountyminorOthersCounty government partner for regional economic opportunity.
• Junior League of MobileminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's service organization partner contributing to community development and women's empowerment.
• University of MobileminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner supporting business development and education programs.
• Alabama State Council on the ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState arts council partner supporting cultural and creative economy development.
• Mobile Arts CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts organization partner for creative business support.
• Mobile Area Water and Sewer SystemminorOthersUtility partner supporting infrastructure for local businesses.
• Wind Creek HospitalityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality partner providing event venues and accommodations for forum events. Also provides discounted hotel rates for conference attendees at SpringHill Suites Orange Beach.
• Lucy Buffett's LuLu's at Homeport MarinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant and entertainment venue partner hosting Sunday night mixer events for forum attendees.
• Greater Mobile Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development organization partner supporting small business growth.
• Prichard, Dewberry & Hodges, PCminorOthersProfessional services firm partner contributing expertise to business support.
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Cooper & Co. Inc., REALTORSminorOthersReal estate partner supporting property and business development.
• Press RegisterminorOthersLocal media partner providing press coverage and visibility.
• Sail Wild HeartsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCatamaran excursion provider for Saturday night kick-off event at the annual forum.
• SpringHill Suites Orange BeachminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHotel partner offering discounted room rates for forum attendees, with rooms blocked Friday-Sunday at reduced rate.
• SCORE - Mobile ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentor partner providing business expertise and counseling through SCORE volunteers.
• SCORE - Baldwin County ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentor partner providing business expertise and counseling in Baldwin County.
• University of South Alabama Small Business Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity-based resource partner providing business development support and counseling.
• Mobile Area Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber partnership providing networking and business support resources.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce: National chamber-style advocacy organization for women in business, offering membership, networking, education, and policy representation. Comparable mission and member-supported business model to WBA.
• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free mentoring, education, and resources to small business owners across the US. WBA itself partners with SCORE chapters in Mobile and Baldwin County, and both organizations serve overlapping entrepreneurs with similar coaching/training services.
• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): National membership organization for women entrepreneurs offering networking, education, and advocacy. Directly comparable to WBA's mission of empowering women business owners through community, mentorship, and policy engagement.

Emerging players

• AEO (Association for Enterprise Opportunity): National nonprofit trade association for organizations supporting micro and small business development, including CDFIs and WBCs. WBA could plausibly be an AEO member; both serve under-resourced entrepreneurs.
• Springboard Enterprises: Nonprofit accelerator focused on scaling women entrepreneurs through networks of investors and advisors. Different stage focus (high-growth ventures vs. WBA's SMB focus) but overlapping women entrepreneurship mission.

Broad incumbents

• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): National nonprofit providing certification and development for women-owned businesses. Larger and more specialized than WBA (focus on WBE certification), but serves the same women entrepreneur demographic with education and networking programming.
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network: Federally-funded SBDC network (University of South Alabama SBDC is already a WBA partner) delivers counseling, training, and capital access to entrepreneurs. Parallels WBA's SBA-partnered training/coaching model but at broader scale.

Regional players

• Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce: Existing WBA partner and the dominant business membership organization in WBA's primary service area. Provides overlapping networking, advocacy, and business education to the same South Alabama SMB community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WBAofAL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women's-business-alliance_2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women's Business Alliance