The best options for funding the expansion of small businesses are typically debt not equity simply because there's far lower investment appetite for investing in small businesses given the risk/reward ratio. If you haven't already done so, I'd encourage you to really exhaust all the government-funded or supported entrepreneur initiatives that might be available to you.

While they vary from country to country and area to area, there are a surprising number of programs that support different economic initiatives and often even more-so for women, minorities, young people etc.

If you have exhausted those opportunities, you might look at Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, or other online initiatives that could give you some enhanced cash-flow.

Typically, investors outside of friends and family, will want far too much of your business for far too little value (money only) so I would encourage you to think of equity investors as the last resort.

Best of luck.