There are many organizations that cater primarily to minority business owners. If you qualify to be a member of one of these organizations, joining can put you in touch with other successful businesspeople that want to see you succeed. Those potential mentors can help you find funding and avoid the pitfalls that they may have discovered along the way.

Asian Women in Business
1 West 34th Street, Suite 200, New York, NY 10001
(212) 868-1368
AWIB was founded in 1995, and supports Asian women entrepreneurs through "information, education and networking opportunities."

The National Black Chamber of Commerce
2000 L Street, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 466-6888
This organization promotes and helps sustain African-American small businesses throughout the United States. Programs offered include funding workshops, computer training and other helpful resources.

Organization of Native American Business & Entrepreneurial Network (ONABEN)
520 Southwest 6th Avenue, Suite 914, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 243-5015
This organization serves business owners in Oregon and Washington.

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
1019 19th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 842-1212
This organization promotes Hispanic businesses and supports them through technical assistance and other mentoring services.

U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce
1329 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 296-5221
This organization was founded in 1984 to represent all Asian ethnic groups involved or relating to trade. According to their website, they provide "advocacy, education, information and networking opportunities to members; promote activities that will further the business and professional interests of our members; collect, evaluate and disseminate among members information of interest to them; represent, express and give effect to the opinions of our members with respect to trade, finance, commerce, industry and related issues; and conduct charitable, educational and similar programs for the benefit of members and the Asian American community."

West Company
367 N. State St., Suite 201, Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-3553 or 306 E. Redwood Ave., Suite 2, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
(707) 964-7571
Minorities and women who live in Mendocino County, California, can get one-on-one mentoring and assistance through West Company, a microenterprise incubator that helps get small businesses on their feet. This is also a good place to go for funding if you are part of the community this organization serves.