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A Word from the Co-Presidents
Greetings!
After 25 magnificent years of helping women achieve economic independence through entrepreneurship, the WBDC is continuing to cultivate innovation and build a network of powerful partnerships. We were thrilled with the success of the celebration of our 25th anniversary in 2011 and at how bright the future looks for women in business in 2012 and beyond.
We are grateful for the support of new and longstanding sponsors during these tough economic times. The need for strong, thought-leading business connections is more evident today than ever before, and through our networking events, workshops and Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference we have cultivated those relationships to the benefit of all. We successfully held our Third Annual Technology Makeover Competition with the support of many of our partners and will be announcing the winner later this month. With the help of Discover Financial Services the WBDC is expanding our outreach and Spanish bilingual services to more Chicago communities.
For the benefit of the business community, the WBDC continues to provide programs and services that are responsive to current business needs. In 2012, we'll be offering more webinars and online joint business counseling sessions and soon will be providing online/on-demand business education supported by a grant from Deluxe Corporation Foundation. The future for the WBDC is limitless and we look forward to continuing our partnership with you in this new year.
Hedy M. Ratner & Carol Dougal
Co-Founders and Co-Presidents
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Win FREE Registration to the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference (EWC)!
Take 10 minutes to fill out the WBDC Customer Service Survey and you are automatically registered to win one of five free registrations to the EWC! We value your feedback and utilize the information provided to meet your needs.
| Take the survey here!
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 Funder Spotlight
Deluxe Corporation Foundation |  The WBDC is honored to partner with the Deluxe Corporation Foundation, a strong supporter of entrepreneurs and business education, to bring WBDC business education opportunities to a new online learning environment. Over the years, the WBDC has seen a growing need to expand our channels of distribution for the critical business materials and courses that are currently offered. Now, the $170,000 grant from Deluxe Corporation Foundation will enable the WBDC to convert its successful, manual-based in-person business education courses into online/on-demand, interactive learning opportunities, thus expanding our reach and capacity to better serve women business owners.Read More>> |
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
Inaugural Chicago Program Launched this Month
|  Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program hosted its inaugural Chicago session on Friday, January 6, 2012 at City Colleges of Chicago. The all-day session commenced an 11- session business management education program that focuses on providing practical training to successfully grow each participant's business and create jobs. Read More>> |
WBDC 2011 Technology Makeover Competition
Winner to Be Announced January 31st! |
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2010 Sponsors and Winner, from left to right: Nadine Adam, RCN; Dan Nolan, ETCHAsoft; Karen James, Techcare; Linda Toops, Winner Clerestory Consulting; Jennifer Didier, Directions Training; Front Row, Hedy M. Ratner and Carol Dougal, WBDC
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For the third consecutive year, the WBDC successfully held its Technology Makeover Competition with the support of our generous sponsors (click here to see a list of sponsors). Registration came to a close on December 15, 2011 with 25 applications received. Eligible applicants needed to be a for-profit business in Illinois with at least two years in business, a minimum of four employee workstations and at least $1,000,000 in revenue. Read more>>
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Website Development RFP
To Be Available 1/27/2012
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Thanks to funding received from Deluxe Corporation Foundation to update the WBDC's website to support online/on-demand learning, the WBDC is seeking a qualified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) to assist us in this project. We are looking for a technology partner who will host the WBDC website and work with key WBDC staff to redesign and rebuild it. The new site will provide a centralized hub of business education news, resources and educational opportunities for visitors to experience in an enriched online environment.
Interested, qualified WBEs are encouraged to respond to the Request for Proposals (RFP), which will be posted on the WBDC website no later than January 27, 2012.
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The Future is Bright for WBEs and MBEs
Officials on Every Level Focused on Creating Opportunities
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This is a unique and exciting time for more business and contracting opportunities for minority and women business enterprises with government entities. With Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Illinois Governor Quinn, we have elected officials absolutely committed to expanding new business opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses. Read More>>
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WBDC Staff Spotlight
Bethany Hartley, Katie Lang and Grace Lopez
The WBDC is pleased to announce new staff positions for Bethany Hartley, marketing assistant; Katie Lang, associate program director; and Grace Lopez, receptionist/training assistant.
|  Bethany Hartley joined the WBDC in November 2011 as the marketing assistant. Previously, Bethany was a freelance social media specialist in the South Bend, IN area. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2008 with a B.B.A. in marketing. When Bethany isn't tweeting, updating Facebook or blogging, she can be found trying out unique restaurants around Chicago.
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 Katie Lang also came to the WBDC in November 2011 as associate program director in the WBDC Minnesota office after working as a strategic consultant for Industrial Fabrics Association International. Prior to that, Katie successfully launched and sold her own custom design gift business. In her free time, Katie enjoys being an avid member of a gourmet cooking club.
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 Grace Lopez started at the WBDC in May 2011 as the receptionist/training assistant. Before joining the WBDC team, Grace was a customer support specialist for Paper Source in the West Loop. Grace plans on finishing her Liberal Arts degree at Harold Washington College in the near future. When Grace isn't greeting clients at the WBDC front desk, she can be found cheering on any and all Chicago sports teams! |
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Upcoming Events
Jumpstart Series Starts:
FastTrac Program Starts:
Jan 23, 6:00-9:00pm
Webinar: e-Marketing Series
Feb 1, 12:00-1:30pm
Child Care Business Program
Feb 7, 6:00-8:00pm
Legal Bootcamp
Procurement Best Practices for Women in Manufacturing
Feb 16, 10:00-Noon | |
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Save the Date!
14th Annual Child Care Business Expo
June 2, 2012
UIC Forum
Chicago, IL
26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference
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September 20, 2012
McCormick Place- West
Chicago, IL
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| Support the WBDC! | |
For over 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 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 Bethany Hartley at bhartley@wbdc.org.
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