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A Word from the Co-Presidents 
Greetings!
As we move into our 25th Anniversary year, we're excited to announce our new 25th Anniversary logo and brand, developed through the generous donation of services from Fleishman Hillard. We extend our sincere thanks to Maxine Winer, senior partner and general manager, and Bill Utter, senior vice president and partner, at Fleishman Hillard.
The 25th Anniversary logo gives the WBDC a fresh new look. Embedded within the number 25 is an equal sign, a symbol of our commitment to advocating and working for an equal society where women and minority-owned businesses have equal chances to succeed. As we celebrate the amazing work that has been done in the past 25 years, we're reminded that "progress is only the beginning" and there is still much to be done.
You'll be seeing our new logo throughout the year as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, and we hope you'll join with us, as ambassadors for the WBDC in sharing our vision for economic empowerment through business ownership.
Mark your calendars now to join us at our 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference, the oldest conference for women business owners in the country, to be held Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at Chicago's McCormick Place-West and our 25th Anniversary Celebration to be held the evening of September 13, 2011!
Warm regards,
Hedy Ratner & Carol Dougal
Co-Founders & Co-Presidents |
| WBDC Celebrates 25 Years!
25th Anniversary Kick-Off Reception Held March 29 |
 | | Pictured (from left): Carol Dougal and Hedy M. Ratner, WBDC co-presidents; Norma Lauder, audit committee chair/WBDC board; Susan Winer, former WBDC board chair; Cynthia Johnson, WBDC director of established business services; Linda Chaplik Harris, vice chair/WBDC board; and Cheryl Reich, former WBDC board chair. |
On March 29, 2011, the WBDC held our 25th Anniversary Reception at the Chicago Cultural Center, kicking-off our 25th Anniversary year and unveiling our new 25th Anniversary logo. Read more>>
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| WBDC-MN Fifth Anniversary Celebration
Celebration of Success Held March 3 |
 | | Pictured (from left): Hedy M. Ratner, WBDC co-president; Michael Byron, SUPERVALU, WBDC-MN 2010 Corporate Partner of the Year Award Recipient; Jeanne Crain, M&I Bank, WBDC-MN 2010 Advocacy of the Year Award Recipient. |
The Women's Business Development Center-Minnesota (WBDC-MN) honored the achievements and success of its members and supporters of women's economic development at its Fifth Anniversary Celebration of Success on March 3 at the Calhoun Beach Club in Minneapolis. Read more>> |
| Entrepreneurial Spotlight
Desert Rose Design |  With their diverse expertise and talents, Desert Rose Design co-founders Kathy Steele (left) and Helen Levinson (right) have been able to create a business which offers clients a unique blend of services. Founded in 2004, when Helen and Kathy merged their formerly separate businesses, Desert Rose Design is an award-winning full-service marketing firm focusing on brand positioning, digital marketing and web application development. Read more>> |
| Funder Spotlight
Allstate Insurance | |
 The WBDC is honored to be funded in part by Allstate Insurance. One of the WBDC's longtime sponsors, Allstate has provided funds to support the Center's entrepreneurial training and technical assistance, including the annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference, since 1988. In 2011, Allstate generously doubled its support to the WBDC becoming a Premier Sponsor of the 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference. Read more>>
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| 13th Annual Child Care Business Expo
Growing Businesses, Cultivating Leaders |
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Pictured (from left): Hedy M. Ratner & Carol Dougal, WBDC co-presidents; Jeanne Neifert, 2010 Friend of Child Care Award Winner; Martina Rocha, 2010 Child Care Activist Award Winner; Camille Gant, 2010 Unsung Hero Award Winner; Sondra Solarte, FOX Chicago; and Patty Kryscha, Southwest Airlines. |
The 13th Annual Child Care Business Expo will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Avenue, and will explore various ideas of what it means to be a relentless and resilient business leader. Read more>> |
| WBDC 2010 Technology Makeover
Linda Toops Named Winner of Second Annual Competition |
 | | Pictured (from left): Standing: Nadine Adam, RCN, sponsor; Dan Nolan, ETCHAsoft, sponsor; Karen James, Techcare, sponsor; Linda Toops, Clerestory Consulting, winner; Jennifer Didier, Directions Training, sponsor; Seated: Hedy M. Ratner and Carol Dougal, WBDC co-presidents. |
Linda Toops, founder and president of Clerestory Consulting was named the winner of the WBDC's Second Annual Small Business Technology Makeover Competition in January 2011. Clerestory, with offices in Chicago and Evanston, is a change-management consulting firm that focuses on helping clients receive measurable business results that lead to decreased costs and increased profitability. Read more>> |
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Upcoming Workshops |
The Business Case for Succession Planning
E-marketing Series (6 weeks)
Eligibility Requirements & How to Apply for 8(a) Certification (Webinar)
Joint Ventures: Partnerships & Other Teaming Strategies
I'm Certified, Now What? (for WBEs certified within the last year)
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Save the Date!
25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference |
September 14, 2011
McCormick Place-West
Chicago, IL |
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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. |
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Send us your success stories! | |
The WBDC wants to share in your business success! Over the past 25 years, the WBDC has helped over 65,000 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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