Womenable is a research, program and policy development consultancy whose mission is to improve the environment for women-owned businesses worldwide.

At issue is federal funding for the women's business center (WBC) program. As many of you know, women-focused business development assistance was one of the four main building blocks contained in the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988. While it's always struggled to gain acceptance, and keep its funding, things have never been more dire for WBCs than they are now.

The House Small Business Committee, in its recent "Views and Estimates" letter to the House Budget Committee, has recommended the elimination of funding for WBCs, and the Senate is under increasing pressure to look for places to make deep budget cuts as well.  We need to make sure that the WBC program - one of only three programs in the US government to help women business owners (the other two being the National Women's Business Council and the new Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting program) - is not eliminated in this budget-cutting frenzy.

"Time to Raise a Ruckus" as posted May 25, 2011 by Womanable

As I write this, the US House Small Business Committee is convening a "foregone conclusion" hearing focusing on the duplication of entrepreneurial development services at the SBA. Why is it a foregone conclusion? They've already sent in their Views and Estimates letter 

to the House Budget Committee - not only saying that there is duplication of business development services but recommending the elimination of funding for the nation's 110 women's business centers (WBCs) in FY2012. And they've denied any women's business center leader or the Association of Women's Business Centers the opportunity to testify in defense of the program at this hearing. We've tried, and sent in letters and research findings refuting their contention, to no avail.

Yes, the economy is still sputtering. Yes, the budget deficit is a serious issue that must be addressed. And, yes, there is most certainly some duplication of services in the economic development efforts of the federal government (as mentioned in the recent GAO report). But do we really think, at the very time we want to get small businesses booming again, that this is the time to cut programs that provide direct support to business creation and job growth? And do we really think that a "one size fits all" approach to business development will work when business trends in general are moving toward "mass customization" and the "mass market of one "?

We can't sit idly by and allow budget-cutting fervor to outweigh the need for a variety of approaches to economic development assistance.  

Here's why Chairman Graves is wrong:

• WBCs have a proven track record of results: In an analysis of WBC program outcomes conducted by the National Women's Business Council (see this link for a research summary), it was found that the federal investment in WBCs yielded a 14: return on investment in terms of business revenues added to the economy.
• The services provided by WBCs are not duplicative: This same study found that there was no difference in program outcomes of WBCs based on their proximity to an SDBC - the clients they serve and support provided are different and number of firms launched or businesses created are the same. Thus, they are not duplicative.
• WBCs differ from SBDCs and SCORE in some very important ways: 

1. WBCs provide longer-term, more relational support, whereas SBDCs and SCORE are more likely to provide one-time, transactional support;
2. WBCs provide a variety of services (counseling, training, peer groups, mentoring), whereas SBDCs and SCORE are more likely to provide 1 solution to their clients; and  
3. Given that the are locally-designed and embedded within local economic development groups, WBC support is more customized and tailored to the needs of a particular community, whereas SBDCs and SCORE are more likely to look similar regardless of location.

And, here's where Congressman Graves and the GAO are right: 

• Women business owners are "the largest growing class of small business owners in the country." (Views and Estimates letter, p. 9) Quite true, so why, then, eliminate one of only three line-itemed programs for women business owners in the entire Federal budget?
• "Without quality data on program outcomes, these agencies lack key information that could help them better manage their programs. " (GAO report, p. 45). Absolutely right, we need better information on outcomes and impact. We are confident that if there were better information, the value of WBCs would be clearer. An invaluable program is definitely being hampered by incomplete data.

What can you do? Write to your  members of Congress - especially if they are a member of either the House or Senate Small Business committees, and tell them that the women's business center program has been invaluable for women's enterprise creation, and that this is no time to eliminate a program that has a proven economic benefit. All the ammunition you need is contained in the points above (plus your own personal story).

For more information about what you can do to support WBCNA or to share your story with Alabama's leaders, contact Joanne Randolph, President & CEO of WBCNA via joanne.randolph@wbcna.org.  

WBCNA Assists with Disaster Relief  

Following the April 27 tornadoes, the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) asked the WBCNA to help staff a booth at the Monrovia Church of Christ for small business owners who are victims of the storm and need disaster relief.  An SBA Disaster Relief Lending Specialist was there to help them with applying for financial assistance, and WBCNA was on-site to inform them of the services that we have available for them.  WBCNA is the only SBA Resource Partner that was asked to participate.

If your small business was affected by the storms, we are here to help you get back on your feet.  Call Stephanie at 256-535-2038 to receive immediate assistance.    

Many thanks to Foster Campbell, Bob Beck, Kellie Andrews, Rob Kuehn, Chris Gattis, Shannon Drake, Kay Howe, Melody Tholstrup, Stephanie Sellers, Karessa Acosta and Valeria Curtis who helped us staff our booth.   

Alabama companies have an excellent opportunity to meet with potential new customers during the 2011 Alabama Wholesale Market to be held September 29^th and 30^th at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center in Florence, Alabama.   The AWM is limited exclusively to Alabama companies and their products. 

Examples of Alabama products that could be exhibited include: gifts, jewelry, specialty apparel, pottery, decorative accessories, gourmet foods, garden accessories, personal accessories, art and framed art, linens, bath care products, aromatherapy products, candles, gourmet coffees and teas, children's accessories, specialty furniture, store supplies such as gift wrap, spiritual products, services used by retailers or exhibitors and more. 

A special discounted Exhibitor registration rate of $395 is available until Thursday, June 30, 2011.  Buyers and exhibitors can register for the Alabama Wholesale Market online at  www.AlabamaWholesaleMarket.com.  You may also visit the Market on Facebook.

The Shoals Entrepreneurial Center/Culinary Center is coordinating the market, with support from the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, University of North Alabama, Northwest Shoals Community College and local and state tourism offices, as well as Mitchell Printing, and the Southeast Alabama Council for Economic Development.

For more information, contact the Giles McDaniel at the Shoals Culinary Center at 256.764.0044 or 256.760.9014 or  shoalsculinary@shoalsec.com. 

Smart phone users interested in starting or growing a small business can now find helpful resources at their fingertips via a new SBA mobile application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

"Increasingly, smart phones are the vehicle through which Americans access information.  This is certainly true of many entrepreneurs and small business owners and this new application ensures they will have access to SBA's resources and programs - literally at their fingertips," said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills.  "Greater mobility fits with the new user-focused SBA.gov launched recently, and is another example of the steps we are taking to do a better job of connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the tools to help them start or grow their businesses and create jobs."

Developed and donated as a gift by Palo Alto Software, Inc., the SBA mobile app will make the search for extensive resources more efficient, whether users are starting a new business or taking an existing business to a new level.  The app will first be available for the Apple iPhone®, with future versions for other smart phone platforms.

"Palo Alto Software's mission is to help small businesses succeed.  We've developed this mobile application for the SBA because we understand the importance of having the right tools and resources when starting or growing a business," said Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software.  "Ideas can strike entrepreneurs at any moment, and having useful resources available through mobile devices could be the impetus that begins the next big company."

The mobile app will help users connect with SBA district office staff and SBA-affiliated counselors and mentors who can provide free, personalized small business assistance.  The user-friendly format of the app will help answer questions such as: How do I start a business? Where can I go in my area to get free help with writing a business plan? And where do I begin finding funding for my business?

The SBA mobile app also features a built-in start-up cost calculator to help estimate the costs associated with getting a business off the ground, plus an SBA partner locator to help users find SBA offices, Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers and SCORE.

Users will also have mobile access to SBA video content and social media alerts to provide them with tips on the go.  This will include live updates from the SBA's YouTube channel and from SBA's Twitter feeds.  The free mobile app can be downloaded from the SBA's website at

www.sba.gov/content/sba-mobile-app.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) releases results from annual membership survey.

WIPP announced the release of 2011 survey data from its annual membership poll. WIPP annually conducts a survey of its constituency of women business owners to gain insight and information, assess the importance of economic issues, and evaluate the importance of policy issues relative to their businesses. The results shape WIPP's advocacy, outreach, and organizational agenda.

The economy continues to be at the forefront of women business owners' minds. Many women business owners are more optimistic about the future with 65% predicting an increase in revenue, compared with 52% in 2010 and 46% in 2009. Furthermore, fewer (5%) are likely to say they will downsize their companies in the coming year than in 2010 (11%), although more are uncertain regarding what the future will hold than in years past. There is, however, still an uneasiness regarding the future, and 33% of women business owners do not plan to hire additional employees.  

Healthcare is also an issue of great concern for women business owners. Fewer of them (56% compared to 65% in 2010) are offering benefits than ever reported before due to prohibitive cost. Those who currently offer healthcare benefits fear they may not be able to continue coverage if premiums continue to rise in the future. WIPP is responding to this information by increasing communication and education about healthcare reform and tax breaks during Healthcare Committee meetings (more information: http://www.wipp.org/?page=Healthcare).

It took an average of two attempts for WIPP members to successfully secure outside funding for their business whereas the national average for women-owned businesses is four (source: Center for Women's Business Research). Those who were unsuccessful in their attempts to get outside funding most often (78%) placed blame on the tightening of credit at banks. In light of this, WIPP will continue to increase focus on its Women Accessing Capital program to ensure its members have the knowledge they need to obtain financing for their businesses. Earlier this month WIPP partnered with KeyBank's Key4Women program to expand educational opportunities and access to expert financial advice.  

Other topics that members were surveyed include procurement, energy and the environment, and technology/telecommunications. To view an executive summary of the data, please visit www.wipp.org/resource/resmgr/Files/2011_Annual_Report_Executiv.pptx.  

Do you dream of being your own boss? Do you hate 9 to 5 and wish you could determine your own work schedule? The Direct Selling Industry may be a great way to gain control of your career and experience entrepreneurship under the safe umbrella of an established company.

There will be two opportunities to explore all the options that the Direct Selling Industry offers. The 2011 Home-Based Business Expo will take place on September 10^th at Parkway Place Mall from 9:00am to 9:00pm and September 24^th at Madison Square Mall from 9:00am to 9:00pm.

Representatives from many different types of Direct Selling Companies will be available to talk with you about their experience and successes in this industry. The Expo is open to the general public and admission is FREE.

If you already have an established business with a direct selling company and would like to showcase your company and products, The 2011 Home-Based Business Expo is the perfect venue for you! The early bird registration fee is $200.00 and the deadline is fast approaching! After June 15^th, the fee for registration goes up to $250.00 and exhibition space is limited. Only 13 spaces remain for Parkway Place Mall on September 10^th.

Some of the Direct Selling Companies who have already secured a spot are Rodan & Fields Dermatologists, Lia Sophia, Thirty One, Mary Kay, Team National and Stella and Dot!

If you would like more information about the 2011 Home-Based Business Expo please contact Tina Bennett with the WBCNA at (256)535-2039.