A study presented to Virginia’s Department of Minority Business Enterprise showcased that over a four-year period, the Commonwealth of Virginia spent over $9 billion on goods and services, and of that $9 billion only 3% of contracts went to companies owned by women or minorities.  SB 651 instructs the Governor to remedy this revelation and level the playing field to provide equal opportunity for contract bidding by women-owned, or minority-owned, businesses.

Learn more about Cole’s efforts and her company Assura in the full Work It, Richmond article here.

Reach out to the subcommittee’s legislators here.

Women-owned businesses are under-utilized by Commonwealth of Virginia agencies.  This was first proven in the Department of Minority Business Enterprise’s 2004 study. The same conclusions were determined again after the DMBE conducted another study in 2011.  Both of these independent studies revealed that women-owned businesses get the least amount of business revenue from Virginia government organizations for goods and services.

Is it that there are not enough women-owned businesses that want to do work with Virginia government?

Most definitely not.  A National Economic Council Report from 2010 showed that women own 30 percent of all privately held U.S. small businesses, and female business ownership grew by 44 percent during a ten-year stretch from 1997 to 2007.

Are there no women-owned businesses qualified to sell their goods and services to Virginia government?

Completely false.  Roughly 206,000 women-owned businesses would love to have the work!

So, what gives?

Virginia’s government agencies are encouraged, but not required, to meet “utilization targets.”  Small, women, and minority owned businesses are just that:  targets to be aimed at, but not actively hit.  And even more surprisingly, although we are far beyond the strictly housewife stereotype, there are still many people who believe that female-owned businesses are actually run by their husbands because a woman cannot successfully run a company.  (Insert cringe here!)

Woman-owned businesses are not asking for special treatment, but simply a level playing field that allows for the same opportunities of obtaining business.

How can YOU help to level the playing field?  Well, glad you asked!

Introduced by Senator Donald McEachin, SB 651 is a bill that has been passed by the Virginia Senate, but still needs to be passed by the House of Delegates.   This bill directly addresses the need to stop treating women-owned businesses as targets and makes the Governor, as well as all Virginia government organizations, ensure that women-owned businesses receive a fair and equitable portion of goods and services purchased by the state government.  SB 651 fixes the problem of requiring government agencies to have programs and plans in place to use women-owned businesses.  As it stands, there are unnecessary requirements in place that have no actual bearing on a company’s ability to deliver great goods and services that in turn prevent small, women and minority owned businesses from bidding on work.  Some contracts require that a company who bids on a project must have revenues over $50 million to even qualify.  This is absurd!

Our legislators need to hear a loud and proud message that female business owners need to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as the big guys!  Help us tell them!

Send a message to all members of the House of Delegates on the General Law’s Committee and show them that Virginia is for lovers of equal business opportunity!

Jones(chair): DelCJones@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1076
Laquinto (vice-chair): DelSIaquinto@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1084
Albo: DelDAlbo@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1042
Wright: DelTWright@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1061
Gilbert: DelTGilbert@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1015
Peace: DelCPeace@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1097
Anderson: DelRAnderson@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1051
Greason: DelTGreason@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1032
Knight: DelBKnight@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1061
LeMunyon: DelJLeMunyon@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1067
Cox, J: DelJCox@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1055
Helsel: DelGHelsel@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1091
Farrell: DelPFarrell@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1056
Watson: DelMWatson@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1093
Rush: DelNRush@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1007
Ward: DelJWard@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1092
Dance: DelRDance@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1063
Bulova: DelDBulova@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1037
James: DelMJames@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1080
Carr: DelBCarr@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1069
McQuinn: DelDMcQuinn@house.virginia.gov , or phone (804) 698-1070
Torian: DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov, or phone (804) 698-1052

Women Impacting Public Policy, Inc., or easily said by the acronym WIPP, is the voice of female-business owners on the legislative level.  As a national, nonpartisan public policy organization, WIPP educates and advocates for women in business, guiding through legislative processes, building bridges and alliances, all the while creating economic opportunities.  Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Liberals, and Conservatives – all are welcomed into the half a million members strong, issue centric, organization.  WIPP’s mission to educate about public policy and current legislative initiatives that impact the health and growth of business have lead us to compile a list of upcoming webinars that we think, as the ultimate female business cheerleader, will be beneficial for you and your business.

Webinars, or web-based seminars, are interactive presentations, lectures, and workshops that are transmitted via the World Wide Web, so you have the convenience of connecting with a variety of individuals eager to share their knowledge and know-how, while remaining seated in front of your old faithful computer screen.

Without further ado, here is the list we have put together of useful webinars that will make both you and your business happy.

Tuesday, February 21st, 12:00 p.m.

Women Accessing Capital 150: Increasing Financial Health- The 5 Steps to Grow Your Money
The 5 key steps every woman must take to embrace their own financial destiny.

• Start growing your money
• Reasons why women often sabotage their own financial health
• Simple systems that invite wealth
• The quickest way to get on track to reach financial goals
• One common mistake investors make with their money and how to avoid this costly mistake

This course will be led by instructor Camille Gaines, CEO & Founder of Financial Woman.
Register for the webinar here.
Women Accessing Capital

Thursday, February 23rd, 2:00 p.m.

WATT110: Free and Low-Cost Cloud Solutions for Your Business
Get effective and efficient content organization regardless of your business size.

• Uncover new opportunities that are very lost cost and low commitment
• Get the functionality you need to stay competitive and organized, and ensure your key information is safe and protected
• These solutions provide built-in disaster recovery and mobility
• Side-by-side comparisons of various cloud computing companies to figure out which is right for you and your business

This course will be lead by instructor Joy Spicer, President & CEO of Elegrity, Inc.
Register for the webinar here.
Women And Technology Today  

Wednesday, February 29th, 3:00 p.m.

Give Me 5 141: Intro to Teaming
Teaming is a great option for small businesses looking to win government contracts and expand business.

This course will be lead by instructors Michelle Thompson-Dolberry, President of EMDO Enterprises and WIPP Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Denise Rodrigues-Lopez, Esq. President & CEO of The KMJ Company.
Register for the webinar here.

Tuesday, March 20th, 11:30 a.m.

WATT 142: Total Email Domination- Get Control of Your Inbox
Learn simple strategies for keeping your Inbox empty, plus learn about new tools to help you regain control over your email.

This course will be lead by instructor Marisa Smith, Founder & President of The Whole Brain Group.
Register for the webinar here.

As we’re sure all 50 women on the list can vouch for:  pursuing a successful career requires countless amounts of time and energy. If you want to make it to the top it has to be your first priority; which ultimately means personal relationships and family time take to the backburner.

So how do successful, career-driven women make time for a relationship, let alone children? Women everywhere have been trying to come up with the perfect formula for balancing a work and family life – from cutting hours at work to trying to bring work home with them. Most agree that with establishing clear values, setting realistic goals, and a little time management, it’s not impossible to have the best of both worlds.

Our Enterprising Women of Excellence Awards keynote speaker Meg Hirshberg just happens to be an expert on this subject. She currently writes a column for Inc. Magazine entitled “Balancing Acts,” that discusses work/life balance issues for female entrepreneurs.

Meg speaks all over the country about the joys of owning a family business with her spouse, how to not let business problems interfere with your marriage, and how to always make time for fun with the kids. As a mother, wife, entrepreneur and author, she’s pretty much a balance expert.

According to her website, her book, For Better or For Worse, is “a vital guide to navigating the emotional and logistical terrain of business-building while simultaneously enjoying a fulfilling family life.”

We can’t wait to hear what new ideas Meg has to share with us at this year’s Enterprising Women of Excellence Awards!

February 14th, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Willow Oaks Country Club

Registration is now open! 

Brought to you by NAWBO and The Greater Richmond Chamber’s Extraordinary Women’s Exchange!

Madge Zacharias

About Madge Zacharias:

In 2002, Dr. Zacharias founded Zacharias Ganey Health Institute which expanded the Positively Fit program to include adults as well as teens.  The program, now called Knowledge, Energy and You (KEY), has evolved into the most comprehensive and successful weight management and preventive health care programs in the state of Virginia.

 Many thanks to our program sponsor:

In 1927, the founders of Citizens and Farmers Bank recognized the need for a strong, solid financial institution that would serve local businesses and the customers that lived and worked in our communities.  Through the years, C&F Bank has proved that dedicated, well-trained employees, a commitment to outstanding service and a diverse offering of quality financial products are the keys to success and growth.   We believe that it is our job to help you “get what you want and do it better than anyone else.”

C&F Bank operates eighteen retail bank branches located throughout the Hampton to Richmond corridor in Virginia and offers full investment services through its subsidiary C&F Investment Services, Inc.

C&F Bank…..Focused on You!  Our personal commitment to the communities we serve is as strong today as it was over 85 years ago – we are ready to be your Bank.  Visit us on the web at www.cffc.com.  In Chester, please visit or call Mary Schoenfelder at 414-1660

April 10
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Willow Oaks Country Club 

Our panel consisted of Kristi Lane of Visible Proof, Carmina Drummond of The Martin Agency and the Sweet Spot Girls – Chrissy Triano and Sarah Solomon, co-founders of Sweet Spot Candy LLC.

Our moderator, Kyra Oliver, did a fantastic job of leading the discussion over the following topics.

• What is a brand?
• Is the brand of your company represented by employee behavior, the interior and exterior design of your office or store, and the graphic design of your website? Which of these is most important?
• The effects that branding has on your entire team
• Opinions on branding as the new form of marketing
• Deciding on an image for your company and maintaining the flavor once it has been established
• Translating what a client or customer feels walking into your office or retail space into a sale
• What do customers and clients expect today?
• The most exciting things we’ve done with our brands, and the worst things

“Branding is what makes you special and is your vision and message,” said Triano in an article by Work It, Richmond.

The article summarizes the main discussion points of the meeting, including Lane’s advice for designing a workspace that is both welcoming and representative of your brand.

“You’ve got two audiences. The first is internal, your employees. So ask yourself, ‘does the space add to the culture of the company, increase productivity and ensure we’re getting 100 percent out of people when they get out of the car?’” she said. “The second audience is the client. Do you want them to feel confident? Relaxed? Welcomed? The way you design your space can fulfill all of that.”

A big thanks to Work It, Richmond for covering our meeting, and to all those who joined us for the luncheon!

Where: Omni Hotel, Washington D.C. 

Info from NAWBO National:
As you know, NAWBO recently relocated our headquarters back to Washington, D.C…. just in time to be in the middle of it all for the upcoming 2012 elections! I can think of no better time to be in our nation’s capital than right now as we strive to ensure that the unique needs and concerns of women business owners are being addressed by our elected officials and candidates for public office.

NAWBO is proud to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Coalition to host next year’s Small Business Summit which will feature speakers like political strategists James Carville and Mary Matalin as well as chairman, president and CEO of Fed-Ex, Frederick W. Smith!

Please consider joining more than 600 small businesses and local chamber and association leaders in Washington, D.C., at the America’s Small Business Summit 2012, from May 21—23.

As the 2012 elections loom, this will be a can’t miss opportunity to make the voice of your small business heard in Washington.

The Summit is THE premiere SMALL business event with BIG results for your business.

Here’s a preview of what you can expect at the 2012 Summit:

• Participate in policy briefings tailored to your priorities.
• Engage with your Members of Congress.
• Prepare for the 2012 elections and their impact on your community.
• Connect with small businesses and chambers and associations from across the country.
• Learn from leading business experts.

In Addition we will have a few NAWBO only sessions, the details of which are currently being finalized.

Further details on the NAWBO only sessions and the event in general will be forthcoming in another email but in the meantime we can tell you that…..

One small business will win $10,000! Applications are now being accepted for America’s Small Business Summit’s DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award! The Awards program is designed to honor our nation’s job creators and recognize their significant contributions as drivers of economic growth.

Apply online or nominate a business at www.uschambersummit.com/award.

Nominations are due on January 6 and applications are due on January 13 so please get yours in soon!

Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

• Staff training and motivation
• Community involvement
• Customer service
• Business strategies and goals
• Financial performance and business history

Someone has to win… it might as well be you or a fellow NAWBO Member!

Please consider applying yourself or nominating someone you know for this prestigious award and please mark your calendar for the America’s Small Business Summit next May 21-23! I hope to see you in Washington, D.C.!

For planning purposes we would like to secure a room block.  If you are interested in attending the Summit and would need a room in DC, please CLICK HERE to let us know.  The tentative rates at the Omni Hotel/meeting venue would be around $269 a night.