Business ideas and opportunities for women abound, and women-owned businesses in particular are on the rise. In fact, about 30 percent of small businesses today are owned and operated by women, compared to just 5 percent in 1970. It’s an accomplishment worth celebrating, especially during the month of October, which once again has been named National Women’s Small Business Month.

Highlighting the month’s designation as such, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting a series of weekly web chats designed especially to help women who are interested in starting or growing their own work-at-home or other small business. Participants are invited to ask questions online in advance or during the live sessions.

A list of the web chat topics and the corresponding links follows:

Oct. 4, 3 p.m. ET: “Starting and Growing Your Business” with Erin Andrew, of SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development. Participants can join the live web chat, and also post questions beforehand by visiting https://www.sba.gov/, and clicking on the web chat event under “What’s New.”

Oct. 11, 4 p.m. ET: “Finding Capital” with Jeanne Hulit, Associate Administrator, Office of Capital Access

https://web.sba.gov/livemeeting/public/dsp_meeting_view.cfm?meetngid=184

Oct. 16, 3 p.m. ET: “Contracting with the Federal Government” with John Shoraka, Associate Administrator, Office of Government Contracting and Business Development

https://web.sba.gov/livemeeting/public/dsp_meeting_view.cfm?meetngid=185

Oct. 25, 2 p.m. ET: “Business Opportunities for Young Women” with Ana Harvey, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership

https://web.sba.gov/livemeeting/public/dsp_meeting_view.cfm?meetngid=186