A Word from the Co-Presidents
Greetings!
A new year brings with it time to pause and reassess - to look back on this very difficult past year but to also look forward to new opportunities and overcoming challenges in the year to come. It's a great time to recognize past accomplishments and set personal and business goals for the future.
Many are calling the past ten years the "digital decade," and while computers got smaller, faster and cheaper, the WBDC also made great strides to grow and incorporate new technology into what we do. Our goal is that all our digital advances will serve to strengthen and reinforce the WBDC's mission to "provide services and programs that support and accelerate women's business ownership and strengthen their impact on the economy."
Technologically, in the past decade the WBDC has:
As you make your business resolutions for the New Year, whether they are digitally related or not, remember that the WBDC stands ready to guide and assist you. Be sure to check out our website at www.wbdc.org. We look forward to the opportunities this new decade will bring!
Happy, healthy and successful New Year!
Hedy M. Ratner & Carol Dougal
Co-Presidents
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| WBDC Technology Makeover Competition Winner Announced
Julie Savitt Wins $35,000 in Free Technology |
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Front row (from left): Joanna Sobran, President, MXOtech; Julie Savitt, Owner, AMS Earth Movers, Inc.; Carol Dougal & Hedy Ratner, Co-Presidents, WBDC; Karen James, Principal, Director of Sales, Techcare, LLC; Back row (from left): Karen Dale, Regional Marketing Manager, Comcast; Courtney Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Market M, LLC; Gregory Jiede, President and CEO, Synergistic Networks, Inc.
Julie Savitt, owner of AMS Earth Movers, Inc., in Lake Bluff, IL, was recently named the winner of the WBDC's Technology Makeover Competition. AMS Earth Movers is a construction material hauling company whose primary service is the hauling of aggregate, brick, broken asphalt, soil and contaminated soil to and from job sites in the greater Chicago area. Read more>> |
| WBE Spotlight
Colt SAFETY, Inc. |
 Christine Bierman (pictured right) is founder and CEO of Colt SAFETY, Inc, a warehousing and distribution company providing personal protective equipment and industrial supplies. Founded in 1980, Colt SAFETY currently has headquarters in St. Louis, MO and a warehouse in Las Vegas, NV.
Since the beginning Christine has focused on being a quality managed and technically oriented company. Read more>> |
| Funder Spotlight
The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust |
| The WBDC is honored to be funded in part by The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust. The WBDC is enormously grateful to include The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust as a supporter. For many years now they have helped to make our critical work possible. Read more>> |
| WBDC New Staff
WBDC Welcomes New Procurement & Certification Professionals |
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Pictured (from left): Freida Curry, Kristin Travis, Leon Moore, Jo-Ann Hunigan
The WBDC is pleased to announce the addition of new staff members Freida Curry, Procurement Technical Assistance Center Director; Jo-Ann Hunigan, Procurement Technical Assistance Center Consultant; Leon Moore, Certification Specialist; and Kristin Travis, Program Assistant. Read more>> |
| WBDC Advocacy Report
WBDC Active in Area Advocacy Efforts |
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Since its founding, the WBDC has been actively involved in advocacy efforts on the issues of women and minority business ownership and economic development. Read more>> | |
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| New Workshops in 2010! |
5 Wednesdays starting January 20, 12:15-1:00pm
Cost: Free
Business Plan Group Counseling
February 2, 12:00-1:30pm
Cost: Free
Call 312-853-3477 ext.0 to register.
Introduction to Sustainable Business Series, co-sponsored by the Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance
Cost: $65.00 per workshop |
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Save the Date!
24th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference |
September 22, 2010
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL |
| Support the WBDC! |
For 24 years, the WBDC has been THE place for women to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams of starting, strengthening and expanding their businesses.
The WBDC thanks all the sponsors and donors who supported our work in 2009! We invite you to view our annual thank you ad which recently ran in The Chicago Sun-Times and Crain's Chicago Business.
Now in our third decade, we continue to 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. To donate online click here. |
| Send us your success stories! |
The WBDC wants to share in your business success! Over the past 24 years, the WBDC has helped over 60,000 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 as an inspiration to all. Please contact Danae Kovac at dkovac@wbdc.org. |
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