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A Word from the Co-Presidents
Greetings!
The WBDC is pleased to announce a new Small Business Loan Program for emerging and established entrepreneurs in communities throughout Chicagoland! Through a partnership with The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the WBDC will receive $625,000 to provide up to 40 small business loans to newly-formed and existing businesses located in Illinois over the next two years. Loans will range from up to $50,000 for newly-formed businesses and up to $75,000 for existing small businesses.
The primary objective of the Small Business Loan Program is growth, expansion and job creation and retention. We applaud the State of Illinois' recognition of the importance of small businesses to our economy and their struggles to access much needed capital.
The WBDC will hold three outreach events this week to explain the loan program and available technical assistance. Business owners will be able to submit their loan applications on-site. Events are free, and the $25.00 loan application fee will be waived for event participants.
Events will be held:
- October 27, 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago, IL
- October 28, 9:00-11:00 a.m. at White (Willye B.) Park, 1610 W. Howard St., Chicago, IL
- October 29, 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Northern Trust Bank, Community Room, 7801 S. State St., Chicago, IL
Hedy M. Ratner & Carol Dougal
Co-Founders and Co-Presidents |
| WBDC 24th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference Wrap-Up
September 22, 2010 at McCormick Place-West, Chicago, IL |
 | | Pictured (from left): Francine Manilow, owner & president of Manilow Suites, Inc., 2010 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year; Kimberlee J. Burt, owner & executive director of A Child's Space, 2010 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year - Rising Star; Arabel Alva Rosales, president of AAR & Associates, Ltd., 2010 Advocacy Award; Conference Co-Chair Christina V. Rother, senior vice president, sales, CDW, LLC; Mellody Hobson; Marie L. O'Brien, president & CEO of Enterforce, Inc., 2010 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year - Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) Success; and Conference Co-Chair Anne Pramaggiore, president & COO, ComEd. Not pictured: Larry Wert, president, central and western region of NBC Local Media, and Deborah O. Brown, NBC5 director of station relations; NBC5 Chicago received the 2010 Corporate Support Award. |
The WBDC held its 24th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference and Women's Business & Buyers Mart on September 22, 2010 at Chicago's McCormick Place-West, attracting over 2,000 participants seeking contract opportunities and resources to start or expand their businesses. Read more>> |
| Nielsen Consumer Products Enhancement Competition
Funder Spotlight: The Nielsen Company |  The WBDC is honored to be funded in part by The Nielsen Company. A new supporter in 2010, The Nielsen Company was a Premier Sponsor of the 24th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference and used that platform to announce an exciting opportunity for women business owners - The Nielsen Consumer Products Enhancement Competition. Read more>> |
| WBDC 2010 Technology Makeover Competition
Over $60,000 in FREE Technology Available! |
The WBDC is excited to announce our second Small Business Technology Makeover Competition! Visit www.technologymakeover.com where you can apply to win over $60,000 in FREE technology products and business services to help your business grow. Read more>> |
| New SBA Rule on Women's Procurement Program
Victory for Women's Business Community | |
On October 4, 2010 the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) contracting program. This is a huge victory for the women's business community, who has been advocating for full implementation of the women's procurement program since it was established by legislation in 2000. What does this mean for women-owned small businesses? Read more>> |
| Small Business Jobs Act 2010
Increased Access to Capital and Assistance for Small Businesses | |
The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, signed by President Obama on September 27, includes many important provisions which will help small businesses continue to create jobs and drive economic growth. Some of the major provisions include access to capital, tax relief for small businesses, strengthened ability to compete for government contracts and promotion of small business exporting. Read more>> |
| WBDC Co-President Travels to Moldova
Hedy M. Ratner Shares Expertise on Women's Business Issues | |
WBDC Co-President Hedy M. Ratner spent October 2-8 in Chisinau, Moldova, at the request of the U.S. State Department. Her mission was to discuss women's entrepreneurship and leadership, and to encourage women to play a larger role in the Moldovan business community. Read more>> |
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Connection Points: Exclusive Industry-Specific Networking Events |
Nov 11, 5:30-7:30pm
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Save the Date!
25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference |
September 2011
Chicago, IL |
| Support the WBDC! | |
For 25 years, the WBDC has been THE place for women to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams of starting, strengthening and expanding their businesses.
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 25 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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