| A Word from the Co-Presidents
Greetings!
In the midst of this current recession, we are all very conscious of the effects the changing economy is having on small business owners. Each day at the Center we hear the stories and struggles of women business owners seeking to survive and keep their businesses afloat.
For these women business owners and others, the WBDC remains strong in our mission of "providing services and programs that support and accelerate women's business ownership and strengthen their impact on the economy." We continue to seek new ways to meet the needs of today's women business owners - our upcoming Small Business Survival Series is one such way (see below) - and advocate on their behalf.
As numerous experts have stated, and we also believe, the economy will turn around, and we will emerge smarter and stronger because of our perseverance. Last week President Obama and reputable economists said that "we're starting to see glimmers of hope across the economy." It is our hope that these glimmers are reflected in the small business community throughout the U.S.
Hedy Ratner & Carol Dougal
Co-Presidents |
| Eleventh Annual Child Care Business Expo
The Business of Child Care: Challenging Times, Emerging Opportunities |
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Pictured at the WBDC's Tenth Anniversary Child Care Business Expo: (back row, from left) Arabel Alva Rosales, Expo Chair and President, AAR Enterprises and Board Member, Women's Business Development Center; Dianira Ulin, Little Stars Home Day Care, Unsung Hero Award Winner; Sondra Solarte, FOX 32 Reporter and Expo MC; Erica Okezie-Phillips, McCormick Foundation, Program Officer; Jack Lavin, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Champion of Child Care Award Winner; Deneen Grover, Chicago Pre-School Academy, Fast Track Award Winner; Patricia Makris, Children's Center of Cicero-Berwyn, Friend of Child Care Award Winner; Alina Rosales, Honorary Co-Chair; (front row, from left) Hedy Ratner and Carol Dougal, Co-Presidents, Women's Business Development Center; Hannah Sommerlad, Honorary Co-Chair.
The 11th Annual Child Care Business Expo will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Avenue. The Expo is a unique one-stop clearinghouse event for child care business solutions, resources, products, information and services. The entire event will be presented bilingually in Spanish and English. Read more>> |
 Thriving in a Challenging Economy
Small Business Survival Forum Series: April-June 2009 |
| The WBDC Small Business Survival Forum Series, with lead sponsor Sara Lee Foundation, is designed to provide key resources and strategies to sustain and strengthen small businesses in this challenging economy. Read more>> |
| Funder Spotlight
Sara Lee Foundation |
 The WBDC is honored to be funded in part by the Sara Lee Foundation. For over 22 years, Sara Lee has supported the WBDC's programs through a variety of grants focused on increasing women's self-sufficiency. Read more>> |
| WBE Spotlight
All America Transportation, Inc. |
 Lianne Reizer (pictured left) is President and owner of All America Transportation, Inc., a freight shipping company located in St. Louis, Missouri and certified WBE. Hear how Lianne's WBE Certification and involvment with the WBDC have opened doors for her company. Read more>>
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| 2009 Small Business Administration (SBA) Award Winners Announced
WBDC Friends Selected for Honors |
The WBDC is pleased to announce that Jonathan Brereton (ACCION Chicago) and Colette Holt (Colette Holt & Associates) have been selected as the 2009 SBA Financial Services Champion of the Year and 2009 SBA Women in Business Champion of the Year, respectively. Read more>> |
| U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Announces Increased Access to Capital
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act |
The SBA recently announced the implementation of key provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which will provide increased access to capital for small businesses. Read more>> |
| Clinton Foundation's Entrepreneur Mentoring Program Comes to Chicago
WBDC Clients Receive Entrepreneurial Mentoring |
The WBDC is pleased to announce that three WBDC clients have been chosen to participate in the Clinton Foundation's Entrepreneur Mentoring Program in Chicago: Carol Courtney (J&J Exhibitors Services), Millie Maddocks (MAC Medical) and Queta Bauer (Cultural Communications, LLC). Read more>> | |
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Save the Date!
23rd Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference |
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September 16, 2009
Navy Pier |
| Support the WBDC! |
For 22 years, the WBDC has been THE place for women to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams of starting, strengthening, and expanding their businesses.
As we enter our third decade of assisting women at every stage of business development, we need your help to meet the ongoing challenges of delivering high-quality services to our clients and achieving our organizational goals.
Please consider giving generously to the WBDC today. Donate online here. |
| Send us your success stories! |
The WBDC wants to share in Your business success! Over the past 22 years, the WBDC has helped over 55,000 women start or expand their businesses.
Please share your success stories with us so that we may share them in our newsletters and media features with other women business owners as an inspiration to them. Please contact Danae Kovac at dkovac@wbdc.org. |
| Upcoming Workshops |
Wisdom, Wine & Cheese
May 7, 5:30-7:00pm
Cost: Free
JumpStart5 week series, starts May 13, 12:30-3:30pm or May 14, 5:45-8:45pm Cost: $165 for series, $45 for individual workshops |
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