Women’s Business Center

Unique in Oregon

The Women’s Business Center at Mercy Corps NW is the only Women’s Business Center (WBc) in Oregon. We are partially funded by the US Small Business Administration.

Our Clients
The WBC at Mercy Corps NW works to assist motivated low-income individuals improve their lives through starting or expanding a small business. We provide funding, matched savings and other services that help clients increase their economic self-sufficiency through self-employment. Our programs serve women, men, minorities and veterans.

Our Advisory Committee
The Women’s Business Center at Mercy Corps Northwest is directed by staff and a volunteer-led Advisory Committee which represents diverse backgrounds and experience and contribute to the success of our economic development programs.

Workshops and Training
We offer trainings to support our entrepreneurs at every phase of their business. Our Orientation, seminars, and Foundations Business Planning classes are offered to help our clients grow and run their enterprises, but are also open to anyone wanting to build their small business skills.

Loans
Mercy Corps NW is a nationally recognized microfinance organization that has been delivering small business loans since 2001. The MCNW loan program provides needed capital to qualified individuals who cannot obtain traditional bank loans in Washington and Oregon. We move beyond banks in our funding and support services. MCNW loans range from $500 to $50,000. The average loan is around $10,000. Terms average three years but are up to five years and at commercial rates. Find out if a MCNW loan is right for you.

Earn a Matching Grant for Your Business Savings with an IDA
Individual Development Accounts, or IDAs, are matched savings accounts that enable low-income American families to save, build assets, and enter the financial mainstream. IDAs reward the monthly savings of working families who are building towards purchasing an asset - most commonly buying their first home, paying for post-secondary education, or starting a small business. Mercy Corps Northwest offers small business IDAs. Learn more about this special savings program.

New Business Spotlight

Name:Alison Eberhard

Business: Everyday Dog

Involved In: Foundations Business Planning Course

Everyday Dog is a new dog training center in Vancouver, Washington that focuses on preparing dogs to become active members of the family. Classes are available for everything from first-time puppies to household manners to advanced skills, fun and games. Alison Eberhard is a Mercy Corps Northwest client and the business owner of this brand new establishment. In September Alison sat down with a Mercy Corps Northwest staff member to discuss life as a business owner so far…

How did you get started in the dog training business? I grew up around animals. My mom was an avid animal rescue person and she did obedience training. That’s all I’ve ever known – dogs and dog training.

What is the greatest reward you get from being a business owner? I really love having a key to my store and walking in and knowing that is my key, it’s my door, its my building, and I can put anything anywhere I want.

What are your future business goals? I would like to open a non-profit training and placement facility for service dogs that would operate out of the training shop, and then once the dogs are trained they would be donated to families who need them.

How can people get in contact with you? My website is http://www.everydaydognw.com and I’m located at 10214 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Suite A in Vancouver, WA.

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Mercy Corps NW is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration (SBA) All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.