Just wondering if anyone was able to get a grant to start their small business. I have been searching, but it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I thought maybe there would be assistance for female owned or small start ups. (??)

there are a few programs in aus i know of that are run through charities such as mission australia. We also have a small business site set up and run through the governemnt that is full of resources and information on how to access grants and such, have you done a google search for anything? where abouts are you?

Have you tried asking your local Small Business Administration office? One of their services is helping people find money.

http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/WBC_2010_GRANT_ANNOUNCEMENT.html

The small biz grants are not designed to help people open any biz they want. You have to be opening either a non-profit org that directly benefits your area like a women's shelter or such, or an education facility such as a training center that helps others obtain job skills. Or some sort of biz the provides a service specifically to the government.

Eventhough they say there are grants for minors/women to start businesses it still has to fall into one of the categories.

What really sucks is there are all these scammers that promise to help you get your grant for a fee and they tell you anyone who is a minority or a woman can get one easily to open a business or to reinvest in an existing business, some even say you can get grants for everyday expenses. It is a lie All you get is a book that you can go to the library and read for free that lists basically what the criteria are and bakeries and food establishments just do not qualify unless you are wanting to open a soup kitchen for your area, but then again you would have to prove your area is one that is in need of such a thing. Crazy.

The government is not going to give you free money to start a for-profit business. EVERYONE would want some of that. You can borrow low interest money, but there's no free money.

I got a small business loan for $100 K , its paid back already, but thats what I did a few yrs ago.

in PA they have a program that helps you start your own business... BUT their annual budget is very very low... so by Jan 2010 (2nd week) their budget was depleted.... I think they give it to the people that have "pull" u know.... a friend of a friend that works there or the Mayor's newphew... lol
that's my opinion... because how can ur budget run out in 2 weeks???? when it's an annual budget!!!
I know someone that was able to open a regular mom & pop store through them... but it's NOT free $$$ to do as you wish... u have to account for every penny u spend and the expensae has to be valid (as per their "acceptable expenses" list....

I don't know for sure, one cake shop owner told me she gets a grant that covers her expenses. All she has to do is give arts and craft classes to under privlidged kids once a month.