2010 Winner, Better Business Bureau of North Alabama Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
2010 Alabama Women's Business Center of Excellence
2007 Non-Profit of the Year
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| Women's Business Center of North Alabama
November 2011 Newsletter
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Newsletter Sponsored by
www.services-sps.com |
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Society of 75 Member Profile
Project XYZ
1500 Perimeter Parkway; Suite 126
Huntsville, Alabama 35806
256-721-9001
www.projectxyz.com
In Business Since: 2002
Executive Officer: Kimberly Lewis
Number of Employees: 25
Describe what your company does:
Project XYZ is an Information Technology and Engineering Services company. Type of customers: We serve the Department of Defense and Healthcare Organizations. What sets your company apart from your competitors: Project XYZ is committed to making sure the customer is our first priority; whether it is a soldier on the ground or a patient in a hospital. Your advice to budding entrepreneurs: Always look for a solution to your customer's issues or problems. Enjoy what you are doing, because it will take up all of your time. Your hopes for the Women's Business Center of North Alabama: To continue to grow and be a wealth of knowledge to companies in our community. I still rely on the WBCNA and I have been in business for almost 10 years now. Favorite Quote: Always put God first and the rest will fall into place. |
November Lunch and Learn
"Business or Politics...What is the Difference?
10 Thoughts for Small Business Success"
Mayor Paul Finley, City of Madison
Sponsored by:
Friday, November 18, 2011
11:15 a.m. Registration
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Luncheon & Program
(last half hour reserved for networking)
[Huntsville, AL] - The WBCNA has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville-Madison County to present a Lunch & Learn session in November. The Lunch & Learn event will take place on Friday, November 18, 2011, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Registration begins at 11:15 a.m. November's guest speaker is Mayor Paul Finley, City of Madison, and he will present, "Business or Politics...What is the Difference? 10 Thoughts for Small Business Success." The event is sponsored by Superior Bank.
The Lunch & Learn will be held at the Chamber of Commerce Auditorium at 225 Church Street in downtown Huntsville. A map with directions can be found on the website.
Reservations are required. The cost is $35. A $5 discount is available for WBCNA clients and Chamber members. Please call 256-535-2038 for the discount code prior to registering online. Credit card payment is required at the time of online registration. Reservations can be made online via our calendar at www.wbcna.org.
Registration/Cancellation Policy: Lunch registrations and/or cancellations must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday before the Lunch & Learn. If you are unable to attend and do not cancel by the deadline, you will be responsible for payment.
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| Alabama Immigration Law Discussion with Attorney General Luther Strange
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange appeared on FOX News in late October to discuss Alabama's immigration law.
Click here to watch the interview.
Strange noted, "Alabama wants to cooperate with the federal government to fulfill the goals established by Congress in the manner that Congress provided. The Alabama law represents a spirit of cooperation with the federal government. It now is time to cool the overheated rhetoric and work together to enforce the rule of law - the very foundation on which all of our freedoms are based.
"Even as our state actively encourages lawful immigration, the proliferation of illegal immigration causes many problems to Alabama and other states. Therefore, the State has a legitimate and reasonable purpose to address these problems. Alabama is suffering from an unemployment rate that is above the national average. Yet unauthorized aliens comprise approximately four percent of our workforce. We cannot turn a blind eye to the effects of illegal immigration when, on average, ten percent of our citizens are jobless. This is especially true in many of our counties where the unemployment rate is at 20 percent-more than twice the national average.
"I do not read this law as "anti-immigrant" and any suggestion to the contrary would be totally inconsistent with the values and aims of our state. Alabama's history of welcoming legal immigrants and the State Constitution's express encouragement of lawful immigration. From Mercedes and Hyundai to NASA to Thyssen-Krupp, and countless other examples, Alabama has continually sought to encourage people from around the world to come work and live here."
Contact Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange via http://lutherstrange.com.
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SBA-Proposed Size Standard Increases
Proposed changes for the Information and Administrative Services Industries reflect marketplace changes.
Proposed rules published today for comment in The Federal Register by the U.S. Small Business Administration would adjust the size definition of small businesses in 52 industries in two broad categories of businesses, ranging from travel agencies and movie production to waste management.
The proposed adjustments to size standards in 15 industries in Sector 51 of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), "Information," and in 37 industries in Sector 56, "Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services," reflect changes in marketplace conditions in those sectors.
In both sectors, the proposed changes are based on annual gross revenues. The standards delineate how large a business can be and still qualify as small for federal government programs. The dollar limits refer to annual revenues averaged over three years.
As part of the ongoing comprehensive review of all size standards that began in 2007, the SBA evaluated all industries in these sectors that have revenue-based size standards to determine whether the existing size standards should be adjusted. Before 2007, the last overall review of size standards occurred more than 25 years ago. Under provisions in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, SBA will continue its comprehensive review of all size standards for several years.
The proposed changes take into account the structural characteristics within individual industries, including average firm size, degree of competition, and federal government contracting trends. This ensures that size definitions reflect current economic conditions within those industries.
The upward revisions would allow some small businesses that are close to exceeding their current size standards to retain small business eligibility under the proposed higher size standards, and give federal agencies a larger selection of small businesses to choose from for small business procurement opportunities. They also would allow more small businesses to qualify for SBA financial assistance. SBA estimates that up to 500 more firms in Sector 51 and 2,700 more companies in Sector 56 will qualify for SBA assistance and other federal programs if the proposed revisions are adopted.
An SBA White Paper entitled "Size Standards Methodology" was issued on Oct. 21, 2009, explaining how SBA establishes, reviews and modifies its receipts-based and employee-based small business size standards. It is available for viewing at http://www.sba.gov/size.
Interested parties can submit comments on these proposed rules on or before Dec. 12, 2011. The SBA recommends that comments be submitted online at www.regulations.gov or mailed to Khem R. Sharma, Chief, Size Standards Division, 409 3rd St., SW, Mail Code 6530, Washington, D.C. 20416.
The SBA will post all comments to www.regulations.gov for public review. The SBA does not accept comments submitted by email.
For more information about SBA's revisions to its small business size standards, click on "What's New with Size Standards" on SBA's website at http://www.sba.gov/size.
Source: SBA.gov
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10 Secrets of Successful Leaders
Author: Kara Ohngren, Entrepreneur.com
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader, a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves." But, becoming a great leader isn't easy. Successfully maneuvering a team through the ups and downs of starting a new business can be one of the greatest challenges a small-business owner faces.
Leadership is one of the areas that many entrepreneurs tend to overlook, according leadership coach John C. Maxwell, whose books include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (Thomas Nelson, 1998) and Developing the Leader Within You (Thomas Nelson, 1993).
"You work hard to develop your product or service. You fight to solve your financial issues. You go out and promote your business and sell your product. But you don't think enough about leading your own people and finding the best staff," Maxwell says.
It turns out, the skills and talents necessary to guide your team in the right direction can be simple, and anyone with the determination can develop them. Here's a list of 10 tips drawn from the secrets of successful leaders.
1. Assemble a dedicated team.
Your team needs to be committed to you and the business. Successful entrepreneurs have not only social and selling smarts, but also the know-how to hire effectively, says leadership trainer Harvey Mackay, who wrote Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive (Ivy Books, 1995). "A colossal business idea simply isn't enough. You have to be able to identify, attract and retain talent who can turn your concept into a register-ringing success," he says.
When putting your team together, look for people whose values are aligned with the purpose and mission of your company. Suzanne Bates, a Wellesley, Mass.-based leadership consultant and author of Speak Like a CEO (McGraw Hill, 2005), says her team members rallied around each other during the worst part of the recession because they all believed in what they were doing. "Having people on your team who have tenacity and a candid spirit is really important," she says.
2. Overcommunicate.
This one's a biggie. Even with a staff of only five or 10, it can be tough to know what's going on with everyone. In an effort to overcommunicate, Bates compiles a weekly news update she calls a Friday Forecast, and emails it to her staff. "My team is always surprised at all the good news I send out each week," Bates says. "It makes everyone feel like you really have a lot of momentum, even in difficult times."
3. Don't assume.
When you run a small business, you might assume your team understands your goals and mission -- and they may. But, everybody needs to be reminded of where the company's going and what things will look like when you get there. Your employees may ask, "What's in it for me?" It's important to paint that picture for your team. Take the time to really understand the people who are helping you build your business.
"Entrepreneurs have the vision, the energy, and they're out there trying to make it happen. But, so often with their staff, they are assuming too much," says Beverly Flaxington, founder of The Collaborative, a business-advising company in Medfield, Mass. "It's almost like they think their enthusiasm by extension will be infectious -- but it's not. You have to bring people into your world and communicate really proactively."
4. Be authentic.
Good leaders instill their personality and beliefs into the fabric of their organization, Flaxington says. If you be yourself, and not try to act like someone else, and surround yourself with people who are aligned with your values, your business is more likely to succeed, she says.
"Every business is different and every entrepreneur has her own personality," Flaxington says. "If you're authentic, you attract the right people to your organization -- employees and customers."
5. Know your obstacles.
Most entrepreneurs are optimistic and certain that they're driving toward their goals. But, Flaxington says, it's a short-sighted leader who doesn't take the time to understand his obstacles.
"You need to know what you're up against and be able to plan around those things," she says. "It's folly to think that just because you've got this energy and enthusiasm that you're going to be able to conquer all. It's much smarter to take a step back and figure out what your obstacles are, so the plan that you're putting into place takes that into account."
6. Create a 'team charter.'
Too many new teams race down the road before they even figure out who they are, where they're going, and what will guide their journey, says Ken Blanchard, co-author of The One-Minute Manager (William Morrow & Co., 1982) and founder of The Ken Blanchard Cos., a workplace- and leadership-training firm. Just calling together a team and giving them a clear charge does not mean the team will succeed.
"It's important to create a set of agreements that clearly states what the team is to accomplish, why it is important and how the team will work together to achieve the desired results," says Blanchard, who is based in Escondido, Calif. "The charter provides a record of common agreements and can be modified as the business grows and the team's needs change."
7. Believe in your people.
Entrepreneurial leaders must help their people develop confidence, especially during tough times. As Napoleon Bonaparte said, "Leaders are dealers in hope." That confidence comes in part from believing in your team, says Maxwell, who is based in West Palm Beach, Fla. "I think of my people as 10s, I treat them like 10s, and as a result, they try to perform like 10s," he says. "But believing in people alone isn't enough. You have to help them win."
8. Dole out credit.
Mackay says a good salesperson knows what the sweetest sound in the world is: The sound of their name on someone else's lips. But too many entrepreneurs think it's either the crinkle of freshly minted currency, or the dull thud of a competitor's body hitting the pavement.
"Many entrepreneurs are too in love with their own ideas and don't know how to distribute credit," Mackay says. "A good quarterback always gives props to his offensive line."
9. Keep your team engaged.
Great leaders give their teams challenges and get them excited about them, says leadership expert Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Free Press, 1989). He pointed to the example of a small pizza shop in a moderate-sized town that was killing a big fast-food chain in sales. The big difference between the chain and the small pizza joint was the leader, he says.
Every week he gathered his teenage employees in a huddle and excitedly asked them: "What can we do this week that we've never done before?" The kids loved the challenge. They started texting all their friends whenever a pizza special was on. They took the credit-card machine to the curb so passing motorists could buy pizza right off the street. They loaded up a truck with hot pizzas and sold them at high-school games. The money poured in and the store owner never had problems with employee turnover, says Covey, who is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
10. Stay calm.
An entrepreneur has to backstop the team from overreacting to short-term situations, says Mackay, who is based in Minneapolis. This is particularly important now, when news of the sour economic environment is everywhere.
"The media has been hanging black crepe paper since 2008," he says. "But look at all the phenomenal companies and brands that were born in downturns, names like iPod, GE and Federal Express."
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The World is Open for Business: Your Business
Today it's easier than ever for a company like yours, regardless of size, to sell goods and services across the globe. Depending on what you're selling, with the right kind of phone directory for Toronto or Vancouver, you can make sales calls and ship product to Canada tomorrow. In fact, more small U.S. companies sell to Canadian buyers than to buyers in any other country.
Take Your Business Global: Where will your next customer come from? Small businesses looking to increase sales and profit are taking their businesses global. Nearly 96 percent of consumers and over two-thirds of the world's purchasing power reside outside the U.S. There are many good reasons to export: reduced dependence on the domestic market; diversified sources of revenue; extended sales potential and product shelf life of existing products; and stabilized seasonal markets and sales fluctuations, to name a few. SBA provides counseling, training and financing to support small business export opportunities. Explore ExportingDoing business internationally may seem overwhelming at first. However, there are a number of government programs that offer training, counseling, and financial assistance to small businesses wanting to export their products and services. Basic Information The following resources will prepare you to start exporting your products and services overseas. - Guide to Exporting: This guide, available for purchase from the Department of Commerce, explains exporting basics such as identifying markets, financing export transactions and handling orders.
- Export Basics: A primer to help you assess your business's export readiness.
- Exporter's Guide to Trade Agreements: A list of all trade agreements affecting U.S. businesses in the international markets.
Source: SBA.gov Click here for specific resources to explore exporting.
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Exporting Webinar Series: Business Opportunities in Asia for U.S. Companies
In preparation for Trade Winds Asia 2012 that will be held on May 14-22, 2012 in Singapore, Export.gov has developed a number of webinars to introduce you to the business opportunities that are available in Asia. Export.gov brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today's global marketplace.
Business Opportunities in Asia for U.S. Companies- Webinar Series
November 9, 2011 - Singapore
December 9, 2011 - Vietnam
January 9, 2012 - Thailand
February 9, 2012 - Indonesia
March 9, 2012 - Malaysia
Time: 9:00-10:15AM EST
Cost: $35 per webinar, per participant or $150 per company for the series
Southeast Asia, one of the most lucrative regions in the world, presents great opportunities for U.S. Businesses. Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service's Trade Winds Team, this webinar series will help your company learn how to successfully do business in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Gain knowledge about the export opportunities and best prospects in the region. Meet key contacts at the U.S. Commercial Service Offices in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Click here to register for the webinar series.
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How to Protect Your Identity- Part 1
In this 3-part series, Martinson & Beason, PC provide strategic ways to protect your identity.
Part 1: How to deter identity theft
Identity theft is a serious crime across the state of Alabama. In fact, in 2010, Alabama ranked number 15 for the number of identity theft complaints made to the Federal Trade Commission.
Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal identifying information (PII), such as your Social Security number, date of birth, address or financial account information.
How do identity thieves steal your personal identifying information? Identity theft can be a low-tech crime. Criminals can obtain your PII by:
- Stealing records while they're on the job (doctor's office or bank employees)
- Bribing an employee who has access to your records
- Stealing your mail or trash
- Hacking your computer
Identity thieves may use your personal identifying information to commit fraud, like opening an account in your name or making unauthorized charges on your credit or debit card. Victims of identity theft often spend months or years trying to clear their name with their creditors and credit reporting agencies, such as Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.
Additionally, victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for school, housing, or cars. In some cases, victims may even get arrested for crimes they did not commit!
Here are tips on how you can deter an identity thief:
- Obtain your credit report from Equifax, Experian and Trans Union, at least once a year by calling 1-877-322-8228 or mailing your written request to Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5271. Call or e-mail us for a free credit report request form. www.martinsonandbeason.com
- Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal identifying information before you discard them.
- Protect your Social Security number. Don't give out your Social Security number and do not write it on your checks.
- Don't give out your personal identifying information over the telephone, internet or mail, unless you know who you are dealing with.
- Never click on links sent in unsolicited e-mails. Use firewalls and anti-spam software to protect your home computer from phishing scams and computer viruses.
- Don't use obvious passwords, such as your name, date of birth or last four digits of your Social Security number.
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You Asked, We Listened!
WBCNA announces new registration system
In order to better serve our clients, WBCNA upgraded the online registration system for workshops and training events. Effective October 28, 2011, registrations will be processed via Eventbrite. You can still visit the WBCNA online calendar for all of the latest training opportunities. Please contact our office with any questions regarding registrations. Call (256) 535-2038.
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QUICK LINKS
WBCNA Services
More About Us
About our Training
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UPCOMING WBCNA EVENTS
AND WORKSHOPS
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HUNTSVILLE
Business Expo Training Series- November 1
DECATUR
Quarterly Breakfast & Biz-
November 4
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NETWORKING
OPPORTUNITIES AND WORKSHOPS ACROSS
NORTH ALABAMA
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MADISON COUNTY
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville-Madison County Business Expo- November 1
Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours- November 10
Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast & Biz- November 15
Women's Business Council Quarterly Luncheon Forum- November 15
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WHO IS A WBCNA CLIENT?
Our clients are women and men in North Alabama who want to start or grow a business.
Our clients are our most important stakeholders.
Our clients are not dependent on us; we are dependent on them.
Our clients are not an interruption of our work; they are the reason for it.
We are not doing our clients a favor by serving them; they are doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to serve them.
Adapted from the words of Mahatma Gandhi
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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Stephanie Sellers at WBCNA, 225 Church Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35801, or by phone at 256-535-2038 or email info@wbcna.org
 The BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organizations high standards of ethical business behavior.The BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability Reports, charity BBB"Wise Giving" Reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust,the BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints.
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GPAC offers services to the growing number of small businesses that want to do business with the government.
Services offered include:
-One-on-one individualized coaching
- CCR registration assistance
- NAICS Codes identification
- Online training
- Certifications (8a, HUBZone, MBE, WBE, DBE)
- Networking opportunities and business matchmaking
- Assistance with Capabilities Statement development and review
- Identification of Small Business Specialists (government and prime)
- Website resources for small businesses
- Identification of business opportunities and bid match assistance
Training is a major component of the GPAC.
The GPAC is presented by:
 www.bid-designs.com
If you would like more information on the GPAC and doing business with the government, call (256) 535-2038.
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VBAC offers critical training and resources to the Veterans in our region who are starting or growing small businesses that contribute to our community's economic growth and job creation.
Services are available for:
-All U.S. Military Veterans
-Service-Disabled Veterans -Reservists
-National Guard Members
-Active Duty business owners and start-up entrepreneurs in North Alabama.
The VBAC is presented by:
 www.redfcu.org
If you would like more information on the VBAC and our specialized Veteran's resources, call (256) 535-2038.------------------------------------------------
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Join Our Mailing List!
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WBCNA Needs You to Get Involved!
The WBCNA is currently overwhelmed with demand for our services (which is a good thing). We welcome your time and support as a WBCNA volunteer. Here's just a few ways to get involved:
- Administrative Support
- Business Plan Review Committee
- FastTrac Business Coach
For every two hours of volunteer time, we will provide a $25 gift certificate to use toward WBCNA workshops (one per workshop; excludes Lunch and Learn & FastTrac).
Call Karessa Acosta at (256) 535-2038 or email Karessa.Acosta@wbcna.org if you are interested and want to know more about how YOU can make a difference!
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WBCNA's Talk Radio Show for Entrepreneurs
Every Tuesday on Your Morning Drive 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
WTKI (1450 AM) Huntsville and WEKI (1490 AM) Decatur have returned to the air with a business-slanted format they call "Talk Radio for Real Life."
"Talk Radio for Entrepreneurs," hosted by Marianne and Darin Windham, is a weekly hour-long program focusing on entrepreneurs who share their best practices and lessons learned with listeners. If you would like to come on the air to talk about your business, the cost is ONLY $100.
Please contact the WBCNA at 256-535-2038.
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Alabama SBA
Lender Activity
For the period running October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011, the SBA reports the following Alabama SBA lender activity:
- 401 Loans
- $178,732,100 total loan amount
To read the entire report, including the number and amount of loans made by individual lenders, click here.
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FREE Business Plan Review from WBCNA!
The WBCNA Business Plan Review Committee is comprised of bankers, entrepreneurs, lenders, accountants, and others who can review your business plan and offer suggestions on how to make it stronger.
The need for business planning and a business plan for a new venture cannot be overemphasized. It forces entrepreneurs to consider every facet of the business and places decisions on paper; where they can be evaluated and considered before getting started.
Writing a Business Plan can be a time-consuming task. Software programs or instruction manuals can assist you with preparing your plan, but it is still important to polish and perfect the document before submitting it to investors or lenders. The best way to refine a Business Plan is to have it reviewed by other business professionals who are accustomed to seeing and reviewing Business Plans.
WBCNA's Business Plan Review Committee will help you answer these important questions:
- Is your business plan complete or are there missing components?
- Have you thought through everything?
- Is marketing sufficiently addressed?
- Is the format readable and free of typographical and grammatical errors?
To learn how WBCNA can assist you with Business Plan review, please call 256-535-2038 or email info@wbcna.org.
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Materiel Enterprise Small Business Conference- November 16-17, 2011
Presented by the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA)
November 16-17, 2011
The Westin, Huntsville, Alabama
- Learn firsthand about available business opportunities with government and leading large businesses
- Exchange information and ideas directly with senior leaders of government and small business
- Meet government decision makers who set policies and conduct acquisitions
- Small businesses: Discuss opportunities with DoD and Large Businesses
To learn more and to register for the conference, visit the NDIA conference website.
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HASBAT Monthly Luncheon Meeting- November 3, 2011
Guest Speaker: Dr. William Craig
Software Engineering Directorate, AMRDEC
November 3, 2011
11:30 am -1:00 pm
Heritage Club Bridge Street Towne Center
Reservations are required and must be received by close of business on Monday, October 31. The cost to attend is $20 per person for member companies and $30 per person for non-member companies. If we receive your reservation after the deadline, we will be happy to place you on a waiting list in the event we have any cancellations.Click here to register for this event.
We appreciate prepayment whenever possible as it makes the check-in process go much smoother on the day of the luncheon. You may pay in advance through Paypal or via credit card by phone (American Express, Discover, Master Card, Visa). You may also pay at the door with cash, check, or credit. Please indicate your payment preference when you submit your registration.
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Proposal Series for Government Contractors
Successful Proposal Strategies for Small Business
Presented by:
A new series presented by BID Designs that helps small and mid-sized businesses as well as non-profit organizations and public-sector agencies to achieve effective, efficient, and disciplined business development, proposal development, and capture management processes. The ultimate goal: increased contract awards and enhanced levels of revenue. Session 5: Proposal Reviews and Production to Ensure Compliance and Responsiveness December 7, 2012 For more information about each individual session and to register, please visit the Calendar via www.wbcna.org. To learn more about BID Designs and their services for proposal consulting and capture management, please visit www.bid-designs.com. |
WIPP Online Training
Training 132: Creating a Culture of Courage- The New Leadership Challenge
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 at 2pm CT In an ever-evolving business landscape, courage is an increasingly vital skill; we can no longer be averse to taking risks or remain complacent. Creating a Culture of Courage enables every employee and every organization to meet the demands of an uncertain future. You'll learn how to create a strong, productive could be culture/team etc that not only embraces, but thrives on change. In her humorous, poignant presentation, Cindy Solomon will leave you realizing that you can accomplish anything - in both your personal and professional life!
Course Instructor: Cindy Solomon, Keynote Speaker, Consultant, Executive Coach Click here to register for this course. |
Meet our GPAC Coaches
WBCNA recommends that every entrepreneur who wants to do business with the government get familiar with the process. Below is a list of GPAC business coaches that support WBCNA and its clients.
- Dr. Jay Billings, Defense Management Systems Corporation
- Defense Systems Acquisition, Project Management, Contract Management, Organizational Development, ISO 9000, ISO 14000
- Aerospace, Defense and Education
- Jeff Irons, ironSclad Solutions
- Communication, Strategic Planning, Marketing/Sales
- Aerospace, Defense
- Steve Reed, Go To Market Solutions
- Contracting, General Management, Marketing/Sales, Public Relations, Business Plans, Communication, Consulting, 8(a) issues, Government Contracting, IPOs, Marketing Research, Negotiation, Partnering, Recruiting, Software
- Advertising, Aerospace, Biotechnology, Computer H/W & S/W, Defense, Electronics, Healthcare, Mfg, Medical, Publishing, Telecommunication, Transportation
- Gerry Johnson, SAIC
- General Management, Consulting, Government Contracting, Recruiting, Team-Building
- Aerospace
- Janet Phillips, CohesionForce, Inc.
- Contracting, General Management, Human Resources, 8(a) Issues, Retail, Software Development, Team Building
- Computer Software, Defense
- Garfield Boon, Advoco Technology Solutions, Inc.
- Contracting, General Management, Federal Acquisition Process, Consulting, Government Contracting, Negotiation
- Defense
- Sharon Steelman, Bama Jammer Mini-Storage
- General Management, Marketing/Sales, Compensation/Incentives, 8(a) Issues, Retail
- Advertising
- Chad Rogers, Paradigm Technologies/MDA
- Marketing/Sales, Government Contracting
- Defense
- Dr. Roger Schwerman, SPS
- Engineering/Science, General Management, Public Relations, Business Plans, Government Contracting, International Business, Team Building
- Aerospace, Agriculture, Architecture, Defense, Environmental
If you would like to meet with one of these business coaches, please contact WBCNA at 256-535-2038 or email us at info@wbcna.org. |
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You've Served the American People...Now Let WBCNA Serve You! 
WBCNA has established a business coaching program that matches Veterans who want to start their own business or grow an existing one with seasoned professionals. Our VBAC Business Coaches are Veterans who are successful business owners and dedicated to helping Veterans to develop valuable relationships and action plans needed to be successful in business.
Participation is free.
Call WBCNA at 256-535-2038 to schedule an appointment.
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One-Stop Resource for the Veteran's Business Status Verification Process
The Veterans First Contracting Program requires business status verification. The Veterans Administration (VA) has unique buying authority to set-aside requirements for Veteran-owned small businesses. This legislation also provides VA teams with more latitude in non-competitive contracting. Some businesses owned by surviving spouses are also eligible for the Verification Program. Under this unique buying authority, VA's large prime contractors are required to use businesses that have been officially verified for ownership and control.
Registered businesses, or businesses wishing to register in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database for the purpose of securing opportunities in the Veterans First Contracting Program, must fill out an electronic Verification application (VA Form 0877) located at the top of your VIP profile.
For complete instructions, go to the WBCNA VBAC Resources page at http://www.wbcna.org/vbac/wbcnaback.
Did you know? The most common reasons for delay of the Verification Process are:
- Not reading VA Form 0877 for complete instructions
- Not entering Business Name in Name of Company block under PART III
- Not completing your full name (i.e., A. Smith instead of Andrew Smith)
- Not sending in a complete Social Security Number (SSN) or leaving the SSN blank
- Entering non-veteran SSN information. We are not collecting non-Veteran SSNs.
- Not checking the appropriate box for "status"
- Not indicating percentage of ownership for each individual owner Ownership total does not equal 100%
- Not listing all owners
- Not signing your name in the Signature block
- Not dating your signature in the Date Signed block
- Business name in Name of Company on VA Form 0877 doesn't match the business name listed in the Vendor Information Pages profile
- Veteran's name doesn't match Veterans Benefit Administration records (veteran record hasn't been updated with VBA, i.e., name change due to marriage)
- Submission of multiple VA Form 0877s for the same business sent on different days
- For businesses with more than seven (7) owners, the majority veteran business owner should sign all additional VA Forms 0877 to expedite application processing
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Meet our VBAC Business Coaches
WBCNA recommends that every Veteran entrepreneur who wants to do business with the government get familiar with the process. Below is a list of VBAC business coaches who are Veterans themselves, and who work to support WBCNA and its clients.
- Ron Klein, Belzon
- Contracting/Agreements, General Management, Business Plans, Consulting, Government Contracting, Strategic Planning
- Aerospace, Defense
- Robert J. Kuehn, Jr., Silver Eagle Consulting, Inc.
- General Management, Marketing/Sales, Strategic Planning, Process and Organizational Enhancement (IDIQ Contract Management), Business Writing (Pipeline Development, Oportunity Capture, Proposal Support, Color Review Team Support), Training (Leadership, Business Winning Functions), Business Plans, Consulting, Due Diligence, Marketing & Research, Strategic Planning, Team Building
- Aerospace, Defense
- Larry Anderson, Alatec, Inc.
- Contracting/Agreements, Finance, General Management, DoD Program Management
- Aerospace, Computer Software, Defense
- Kris McGuire, Victory Solutions, Inc.
- Public Relations, R&D, Business Plans, Consulting, Team-Building
- Aerospace, Defense
- Thad Mauldin, Qualis Corporation
- Bill Whipple, Logistics Plus Associates
- Joe Fitzgerald, Decision Sciences
If you would like to meet with one of these business coaches, please contact WBCNA at 256-535-2038 or email us at info@wbcna.org.
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