How I Went From "Funding is Impossible" to $45K in 47 Days (A Real Woman's
Story)
Spoiler alert: I was my own biggest obstacle (and you probably are
too)
Hey! I'm Sarah, and I'm writing this from my cluttered home office in
Portland where I run my sustainable packaging company. Last year I was
convinced that business funding was some mythical thing that only happened
to other people. This year? I've got a $45K SBA loan and three other women
asking me how I did it. Buckle up - this is going to be honest.
The Day I Realized I Was Being an Idiot
Picture this: I'm at a women entrepreneurs meetup, complaining loudly about
how "impossible" it is to get funding as a woman. You know, really working
myself up into a good victim complex.
Then this badass woman named Lisa looks at me and goes, "Have you actually
applied for anything?"
Crickets. Dead silence. Because the answer was no.
I hadn't applied for a single thing. Not one grant, not one loan, nothing.
I was so busy being intimidated that I'd convinced myself it wasn't worth
trying.
Ugh, talk about self-sabotage.
My "Oh Shit" Realization
That night I went home and did what any self-respecting millennial does
when they're having an existential crisis - I Googled everything. "Women
business funding 2025," "SBA loans for women," "how to get business grants
without losing your mind."
What I found blew me away. There wasn't just funding available - there
was a TON of it. And the approval rates? Way higher than I thought.
The Numbers That Made Me Stop Making Excuses
Let me hit you with some facts that'll make you sit up straight:
$750B+
Total funding available
72.3%
SBA approval rate in 2025
23%
Women who actually apply
That last stat hit me like a truck. 77% of women-owned businesses never even try to get formal funding. We're literally leaving money
on the table!
And here's the kicker - my friend mentioned that her tech consulting buddy
just got approved for an SBA loan with a 72.3% approval rate. When I heard
that, I almost choked on my overpriced Portland coffee.
I mean, come on. Those are pretty decent odds, right?
My 47-Day Journey from Skeptic to Success
Okay, so after my reality check, I decided to get serious. I needed $45,000
to upgrade my packaging equipment and finally expand into biodegradable
options. Time to put my money where my mouth was.
Here's exactly how those 47 days went down:
Week 1: The Research Rabbit Hole
I became completely obsessed. And I mean OBSESSED. I created this massive
spreadsheet with 15 different funding sources - SBA loans, state grants,
women-focused programs, you name it.
My husband walked into my office and found me surrounded by printouts at 2
AM. "Honey, maybe take a break?" he suggested. I just held up my hand and
kept typing.
Pro tip: This research phase is crucial, but don't let it become an excuse
to procrastinate. Trust me, I could've researched for six months and still
found new programs.
Week 2: Document Hell
Oh boy. The paperwork phase nearly broke me. Three years of financial
statements, business plans, tax returns, letters of recommendation from
clients. I'm pretty organized, but this was next level.
The hardest part? Admitting I needed help with financial projections. I'm
good at making sustainable packaging, not predicting cash flow for the next
three years. Swallowing my pride and hiring my accountant for an extra
consultation was the best $300 I ever spent.
The Mistake I Almost Made
I almost submitted generic applications to multiple programs. Thank God
my accountant stopped me. "Sarah," she said, "these people can smell
copy-paste from a mile away." So I spent extra time customizing each
application. Pain in the ass? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
Week 3: The Networking Game
Here's something nobody tells you: funding is about relationships. I
started showing up to every SBA workshop I could find. Not just for the
information (though that was helpful), but to meet the actual humans who
review these applications.
I had coffee with three different SBA reps. These weren't sales pitches -
just genuine conversations about my business, the local market, my
challenges. These people want to see businesses succeed. They're rooting for
you!
Week 4-7: The Waiting Game
I submitted my SBA loan application on a Tuesday. Then came the longest 47
days of my entrepreneurial life.
I checked my email approximately 847 times per day. Every unknown number
that called made my heart race. My poor husband started screening my calls
because I was driving myself (and him) absolutely insane.
The Call That Changed Everything
Day 47. I'm in my kitchen making lunch when my phone rings. Unknown
number. I almost let it go to voicemail because I couldn't handle another
rejection.
But something made me answer.
"Sarah? This is Jennifer from the SBA. I have some good news about your
loan application..."
I literally did a victory dance in my kitchen. My neighbor probably
thought I'd lost my mind, but I didn't care. Forty-five thousand dollars
approved!
What I Learned That They Don't Tell You
Going through this process taught me some things that no "How to Get
Business Funding" article ever mentioned:
It's Not About Perfect Credit or Perfect Plans
My credit score isn't amazing. My business plan had holes you could drive a
truck through. But what I did have was genuine market demand, realistic
projections, and a clear understanding of how the money would help my
business grow.
The loan officer told me later that what sealed the deal was my client
testimonials and my waiting list of 30+ customers wanting biodegradable
packaging options.
The "Community Impact" Angle is Gold
My first draft was all about what I needed. My final application was about
what I could do for my community, my customers, and the environment. Huge
difference in how it was received.
Follow-Up is Everything
After I submitted, I sent a polite follow-up email every two weeks. Not
pushy, just a friendly "Hey, wondering if you need any additional
information." The loan officer later told me this showed I was serious and
organized.
The Stories That Keep Me Going
Since getting my loan, I've helped three other women with their
applications. Their stories are way better than mine:
Jessica's Rural Miracle
Jessica runs a furniture restoration business in rural Montana. She was
convinced that being in "the middle of nowhere" was a disadvantage.
Wrong!
She combined a $75K USDA Rural Development grant with a $55K SBA microloan.
Total funding: $130K. Her secret? She focused on job creation in her tiny
community. Now she employs eight people in a town of 2,000.
"I thought being rural was my biggest weakness. Turns out it was my biggest
strength." - Jessica
Maria's Tech Breakthrough
Maria had this brilliant AI healthcare platform but was convinced that
grants were only for "traditional" businesses. After some encouragement
(okay, nagging), she applied for NIH SBIR grants.
Result? $200K in non-dilutive funding. Her application secret? She didn't
just talk about her technology - she talked about the patients it would help
and had real testimonials from beta users.
The Lisa Story That Started It All
Remember Lisa from the meetup? Turns out she almost didn't apply for a
$60K grant because she thought her house-cleaning business was "too
simple." I practically forced her to apply.
She got approved because she demonstrated clear market demand (50+ people
on her waiting list) and had a solid expansion plan. Sometimes the
"simple" businesses are exactly what communities need!
The Mistakes That'll Kill Your Application
I've now seen enough applications (successful and failed) to spot the
patterns. Here are the killers:
Waiting for the "Perfect" Time
I spent six months "getting ready" to apply. In reality, I was just scared.
If I could do it over, I'd apply earlier with a decent application rather
than waiting for perfection that never came.
The Generic Application Trap
I see women applying to ten different programs with the exact same
application. Red flag! Each program has different priorities. Customize that
thing!
Underselling Your Impact
We're socialized to be modest. Bad strategy for funding applications. If
your business solves real problems for real people, say so! Loudly!
What's Working Right Now (Based on Real Success Stories)
After watching my friends and helping other women, here's the magic
formula:
Proven Market Demand + Realistic Financial Projections + Community Impact Story = Funding Success
It's not about having the most innovative idea or the biggest dreams. It's
about showing that you solve real problems for real people, and you can do
it profitably.
The women I know who've been most successful share these traits:
-
They're patient but persistent. They follow up professionally and maintain relationships even after
rejections.
-
They tell compelling stories. Real stories about real problems they solve.
-
They know their numbers cold. Current financials, market size, competition, growth potential -
the whole picture.
Should You Hire a Consultant? My Honest Take
Everyone asks me this. My answer? It depends on your comfort level with
paperwork and your available time.
I didn't use one for my SBA loan, but I did work with a consultant for a
more complex state grant application. Here's my rule: if you're comfortable
with research and paperwork, you can probably handle SBA loans and smaller
grants yourself.
But if you're completely overwhelmed or dealing with complex applications,
a good consultant can be worth it. Just make sure they have actual success
stories and transparent fees. I've seen consultants charge $5K for
applications entrepreneurs could handle themselves.
Red Flags to Watch For
-
Guaranteeing approval (nobody can do that)
-
Charging fees upfront before seeing your business
-
Generic "we can get you funding" pitches
-
Pressure to sign immediately
What I'd Do Differently (And What You Should Learn)
Looking back, here's what I'd change:
Start earlier. I wasted so
much time being scared. The worst they can say is no, and that's not the end
of the world.
Build relationships first. I
should've been attending SBA workshops and networking events long before I
needed funding.
Apply to more programs. I was
so focused on my SBA loan that I missed other opportunities. Now I keep a
running list of programs I might be eligible for.
Document everything. Keep
track of every interaction, every requirement, every deadline. Organization
wins funding.
Why I'm Stupidly Optimistic About Women's Funding
Here's the thing - I think we're in a golden age for women's business
funding. There's more awareness, more programs, and more success stories
inspiring other women to take the leap.
The data backs this up. Approval rates are higher than ever. There are
programs specifically designed for women entrepreneurs. The ecosystem is
more supportive than it's ever been.
But here's the catch - we have to actually apply. We have to stop letting
fear and imposter syndrome keep us on the sidelines.
My challenge to you: If
you've been thinking about seeking funding, commit to taking one concrete
step this week. Research one program, attend one webinar, or have one
conversation with a funding professional. Trust me on this one - small steps
lead to big changes.
The Real Talk Section
Let me be completely honest with you. Getting funding wasn't just about the
money - it was about validation, growth, and proving to myself that I could
build the business I envisioned.
That $45K loan didn't just buy new equipment. It bought confidence. It
bought credibility with suppliers. It bought the ability to take bigger
risks because I had a safety net.
And every time I help another woman secure funding, it gets a little easier
for the next one. We're building momentum here.
So... What's Your Excuse?
I'm not trying to be harsh, but I'm curious. If you're still reading this,
you're probably thinking about funding for your business. What's stopping
you?
Is it fear of rejection? Trust me, I get it. But rejection isn't the end of
the world - it's feedback.
Is it imposter syndrome? Yeah, I had that too. But here's the secret:
everyone has imposter syndrome. The successful ones apply anyway.
Is it not knowing where to start? Start with one program. Just one.
Research the requirements, mark the deadline on your calendar, and take the
first step.
The funding landscape isn't perfect, but it's more accessible than ever
before. The question is: are you going to take advantage of it, or let
someone else beat you to it?
Your Next Step (If You're Ready)
Here's what I want you to do right now:
-
Pick one funding program that might fit your business
-
Mark the application deadline on your calendar
-
Set aside 2 hours this weekend to start gathering documents
-
Schedule coffee with one person who's been through the process
That's it. Four simple steps. No commitment beyond getting
informed.
Final Thoughts From My Cluttered Office
Writing this post has reminded me how far I've come since that day when I
was convinced funding was impossible. My business is stronger, I'm more
confident, and I've helped other women achieve their funding goals.
The truth is, funding for women entrepreneurs isn't just about money - it's
about building the businesses our communities need. Every woman who secures
funding makes it easier for the next one.
So here's to taking chances, learning from mistakes, and building something
meaningful. The funding is out there - we just need to stop making excuses
and go get it.
What's your funding story going to be?
P.S. If you're on a similar
journey, I'd love to hear about it. Connect with me - I love meeting fellow
women entrepreneurs who are brave enough to bet on themselves. We're
stronger when we support each other.
