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In today's newsletter:
- Meet Our 2026 WBE Star, Cindy Zimmerman of SS Designs!
- Join 70+ for Virtual Coffee with VyStar Credit Union on Wednesday
- Book Your Hotel Today for the Salt Lake City WBENC Conference
- Apply for 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned/Led Companies
- Attend Moffitt Cancer Center Business Symposium on March 20
- Register for WBENC WeThrive Leadership Program by March 3
- Atttend WBENC Lift Session on Corporate Contracts on Feb. 24
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Meet Our 2026 WBE Star:
Cindy Zimmerman of SS Designs
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WBEC Florida is proud to announce that Cindy Zimmerman, President and CEO of SS Designs in Winter Haven, has been named the 2026 WBE Star Award recipient for our region.
The award is WBENC’s premier national recognition honoring outstanding women-owned business leaders from each of its 14 Regional Partner Organizations. These remarkable women are selected for their commitment to excellence, their dedication to their communities, and the lasting impact they make through business leadership.
Cindy embodies that spirit of impact in every sense of the word. As she puts it, “Impact is what happens when business decisions create real value — fueling opportunity, sustainability, and positive change for people, communities, and the economy.”
With more than three decades of executive leadership, Cindy has guided SS Designs through economic shifts, global trade disruptions, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — maintaining stability while driving long-term growth. The company entered its third generation of leadership last year when her son joined the staff.
Founded in 1978, SS Designs is a premium custom-branded apparel company trusted by major clients including Universal Studios, the Walt Disney Company, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and Darden Restaurants. With a 100,000-square-foot facility and a team of 75, the company produces up to 20,000 shirts a day. Yet Cindy’s approach remains deeply personal and solutions-driven: “We’re not just filling orders — we’re solving problems with creativity, strategy and heart.”
Cindy is also deeply engaged in the WBENC and WBEC Florida community, crediting the network with helping her grow as a leader through initiatives like the Tuck-WBENC Executive Program: “WBEC Florida and WBENC gave me the education and community I needed to steer the ship through the storm.”
Learn more about Cindy and the other 2026 WBE Stars here.
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Register Today! Coffee with a Corporate
Featuring VyStar Credit Union
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Event: Monthly Coffee with a Corporate webinar
Date: Wednesday, February 11
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
Cost: Free for members and nonmembers
Guests:
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Willie Johnson, VP Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, and Economic Development
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Keith McDuffie, Procurement Manager
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Join more than 70 people who have registered to attend this session featuring 30 minutes of conversation, 30 minutes of Q&A and networking ... and one powerful hour of connection!
Mark your calendar for these future Coffee with a Corporate sessions:
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March 11, 2026 — Brian Auden, Affinity Inc. magazine
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April 8, 2026 — Desiree Hanson, Moffitt Cancer Center
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May 13, 2026 — Guest TBA
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Meet Us in Salt Lake City
at the WBENC National Conference!
WBENC is raising the bar to expand the impact of our network at the 2026 WBENC National Conference, which takes place June 15-18 in Salt Lake City, Utah!
Prepare for an energizing, forward-thinking experience designed to deepen connections, unlock new opportunities, and accelerate growth at every level. Here's what you can expect:
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Productive meet-and-greets with corporate partners and other WBEs, where connections can become collaborations.
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Future-focused education in sync with today’s business challenges.
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A bustling expo featuring hundreds of exhibitors, targeted industry experiences and a new prime supplier initiative.
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A Regional Partner Organization (RPO) Meet-Up for our group from Florida and the Caribbean.
Registration opens soon, but you can book your hotel room now!
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Certification 101:
Do You Know Someone
Who Wants to Join Us?
When: 2 to 3 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month
Upcoming session: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026
Where: Online via Zoom
Registration: Free
WBEC Florida Certification Director Lisa Roblejo walks you through the process of applying for certification and helps guide you on the next steps.
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WBENC Florida Onboarding
When: 2 to 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month
Upcoming session: Thursday, Feb. 19
Where: Online via Zoom
Registration: Free
Now that you're certified, let us introduce you to the world of WBENC from a regional perspective. Learn how and where to use the branding, including the Women Owned logo, to let others know about your new credentials. Understand how the WBEC Florida region supports you and your business through events, communications and other activities. Learn about our corporate partners and helpful resources. WBEC Florida Certification Director Lisa Roblejo will be your guide.
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NATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
WPO Opens the 2026
50-Fastest Nominations
Deadline: Friday, Feb. 13
The Women Presidents Organization and J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking have launched their search for the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies for 2026. Now in its 19th year, the listing features privately owned companies that have generated at least $500,000 in revenue for each of the past five years through 2025. You do not have to be a WPO member to qualify, and there is no cost to apply.
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REGIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Small Business Symposium
at Moffitt Cancer Center
Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: Complimentary
Registration: Coming Soon
Join WBEC Florida in Tampa for Moffitt Cancer Center's annual Small Business Symposium and Vendor Fair.
Here's what to expect:
- Learn "How to do Business with Moffitt Cancer Center" and meet one-on-one with their internal departments to market your products and services.
- Learn about construction and healthcare opportunities and attend mini workshops and presentations.
- Meet one-on-one with Moffitt's prime contractors as well as local partners, healthcare institutions, government entities, and organizations.
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NATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Position Your Business to Grow and Thrive
in Today’s Economy
Registration deadline: March 3
WeTHRIVE, a popular 9-week virtual leadership program hosted by WBENC, provides essential knowledge and education in 5 foundational business disciplines:
Leadership and Communication | Financial Management | Business Strategy |
Operations and Human Resources | Digital Marketing
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NATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Build Enterprise Readiness
for Sustainable Growth
with Corporate Contracts
Event: WBENC LIFT CEO Catalyst Program
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Complimentary
Learn how to compete for and grow corporate contracts by strengthening your capabilities statement, reinforcing your value to corporate buyers, and positioning your business for long-term, scalable corporate relationships.
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NATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
What's Your Company's Economic Impact Story?
WBENC is featuring powerful Economic Impact Stories in its newsletter, social media, programs and more!
EVERY business owner has a valuable impact story to tell, whether it's about new products or services, market expansion, community giving, job development or other factors.
Submit your story today!
| | | Thank You to Our Sponsors | | |
WBEC Florida and WBENC Anti-Discrimination Policy
As a community of entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and economic development thought leaders, WBENC and the WBEC Florida Regional Partner Organization are committed to the elimination of discrimination in all areas of business and the provision of equal opportunity when accessing capital, contracts, and contacts. In compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, we do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any of our policies, procedures, or practices. This anti-discrimination policy covers admission and access to, and treatment, in all programs and activities.
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