What's New?

NWBOC Featured in INC. Magazine May 12, 2010 Article
Janet Harris-Lange, president of NWBOC is qutoed throughout the article, which is titled "How to Become a Certified Woman-Owned Business."

New "Fast Track" WBE Certification with NWBOC
NWBOC has added a new "Fast-Track" application for women business owners who are currently WBE certified and want to add another certification. "If we have evaluated and approved the process for their current third party certification, there is no need for a woman business owner to have to wait or pay a higher fee when there is less work on our behalf to confirm this certification," said Janet Harris Lange, NWBOC President. We started the Fast-Track application in response to requests from WBEs who wanted a streamlined process. "In these tough economic times, businesses are looking for every edge they can get," said Harris-Lange. "They are getting multiple certifications so no stone is left unturned in the possibilities of the marketplace, whether it is corporate or government."

Enterprising Women Awards, March, 2010: Enterprising Women, the national magazine for women business owners, has announced its eighth annual list of the "Enterprising Women of the Year." The top women business owners from across the United States and Canada will be recognized for outstanding business growth, mentoring and supporting other women in business, and leadership in their communities. Honorees will gather March 17-19 at the Marriott Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, FL, with the gala awards dinner slated for March 18. We are pleased to announce that three of these wonderful women are NWBOC affiliated:
Rebecca Cenni of Atrium Staffing, New York, NY is one of our certifieds (over $25M category)
Karen Maples of Myutiq, LLC, Arlington, VA is one of our site visitors (up to $1M
Mary Schnack of Mary Schnack & Associates, Sedona, AZ is one of our certifieds (up to $1M)

The Center for Women's Business Research has just released their newest research results on women business owners. Highlights: WBO firms contribute $3Trillion to US economy; and employ 16% of the workforce. WOW. Read the report.

From Claudine George, Iconma, LLC, Troy, MI "Thank you very much to your organization for the support and encouragement to grow my business. Your hard work to promote and mentor women in business is very appreciated. Please accept this gift on behalf of myself and Iconma to help continue your life-changing efforts."

Check out the new bi-monthly eProcurement MarketPlace Newsletter for information about our online resource! This newsletter will provide more detailed information on the NWBOC eProcurement MarketPlace, which solves major challenges faced by both buyers and WBEs -- how to find each other and then seamlessly do business together. It also makes it easier to find and do business with other WBEs. All of the tools are easy to use with no special equipment or training required. Buyers can discover new vendors and enhance their WBE outreach, while WBEs increase the ease of sales and grow their companies. It takes only 10 minutes to register your company.  Go to NWBOC.economicengine.com. Click on "Sign Up Now-Vendors" on the left hand side menu, and follow the instructions.

NWBOC President Janet Harris-Lange was featured as "Wednesday's Woman" on Small Biz Resource.com, the essential IT blog for small businesses. Interviewed by Gayle Kesten, Harris-Lange discussed certification and it's importance for women owned businesses. To read the article,
click here.

The Biddies have been launched!  NWBOC invited their certified WBEs to form local networks to share ideas, procurement opportunities, tips, etc. Groups meet at local coffee shops and since everyone is trying to win "bids," they have been dubbed "The Biddies."  The response was overwhelming.  In a couple of days about 30 groups formed. If any of you want to take the lead on this, NWBOC will send you a list of certified companies in your area and NWBOC will buy the first round of coffee.  NWBOC will also send out an evite for you which will produce the RSVP list. Here is a testimonial from an NWBOC Certified:  "The first two meetings of the Palm Beach "Biddies" were productive and informative. The cross section of businesses represented by other female professionals was diverse. Sharing our stories, both personal and professional, was great. On a personal level, Ariela Owens, Sunray Construction Services Inc., and Sandie Foland, Baron Sign Manufacturing, have been very helpful in providing information on contacts and opportunities to help me grow my business. I recommend these meetings to all women business owners as a valuable networking tool." Thank you, Denise DeDecker, Pres. Florida Windows and Doors, Inc.