Accessing Start-Up Capital as a Woman in the World of Small Business

Abstract

Before one can appreciate the magnitude of a problem such as the gap in access to start-up capital between men and women, one must first understand three other issues. To begin with, one must fully appreciate the significance of capital when starting up a small business. Next, he/she must understand the essential role small business plays in the United States economy. Finally, he/she must also realize the important role of women-owned small businesses as a sector of small business in general. Once these three issues are fully comprehended, the full magnitude of the problem addressed-the gap in access to capital between men and women-becomes quite clear. With this in mind, the focus of this paper is to establish the three issues mentioned above before engaging in the real problem at hand, so as to establish the ground on which the central argument is made. In this way, any questions the reader may have as to the relevance of the subject matter are eliminated.