In This Edition
• Following Up After Conference
• Save the Date 2023: Desserts & More
• Grow with Google Webinars
• Special Thanks to Prelude Solutions
• WBEC-East Webinars and Events
• SBA Update - OSHA Webinar Series
• Welcome Newly Certified WBEs
• DBW American Water Summit
• Ben Franklin $50,000 Big Idea
• National Kitty Fund Grant for
Momprenuer's
• Girls Inc. Intern Sponsorship
Following Up After Conference
Wednesday, April 5th, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
 
You're back from the conference... now what? How can you make sure you maximize the travel dollars you spent and days away from the office? You've got dozens of business cards in your suitcase from other business owners, resource partners, procurement representatives, and more. Now comes the important part... following up!

Join three networking superstars - two WBEs and one Corporate Representative - to hear their success stories and best practices for making the most out of any conference.

Anyone is welcome, whether you attended the WBENC Conference in Nashville or not!
 
You'll walk away with:
  • Tips for organizing your new contacts and keeping track of details
  • Best practices for following up without being pushy
  • Valuable insight into how to approach a potential corporate client
  • Motivation to turn your business cards into business prospects
 
PLUS: After the panel discussion, we'll break out into smaller networking rooms so you can reconnect with people you met in Nashville!
 
Our Panelists:
  • Sharon Manker, AmeriHealth Caritas
  • Hala Barson, VoIP Doctors
  • Kristen Riley, Prelude Solutions
SAVE THE DATE
2023 Desserts & More
Annual Fundraiser & Awards Celebration
FREE WEBINARS
Grow with Google Workshops- Launch Customer Focused Marketing Part 1 & Part 2
April 25 - 6:00 – 7:00 PM
As a new entrepreneur, you’ll need more than good products or services to grow your business. It’s also important to have strong customer-focused marketing strategies to reach your audience and turn them into loyal customers. In part one of this two-part workshop, you will learn how to create a compelling brand, define the right audience for your business, and shape the customer journey from awareness to consideration.
April 26 - 6:00 – 7:00 PM
In part two of this two-part workshop, you will learn the last stages of the customer journey from purchase to advocacy. We will walk through how to convert customers with the right content and an easy checkout process, as well as how to build loyalty and advocacy with online reviews and referral programs.
Special Thanks to Prelude Solutions
Last week we were honored during our RPO Gathering in Nashville by receiving a generous donation from Cate Heaman (CEO) and the entire Prelude Solutions team for $2,169.66 and an additional $16,700 coming soon! Prelude Solutions has been a certified WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise with WBEC-East since October 2018.

Thank you for your generous donation and continued support of WBEC-East!
WBEC-East Webinars & Events
April 4, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

In this interactive webinar, we'll learn about Christiana Care's supplier diversity and procurement initiatives. 
April 11, 1:00 - 2:00 PM

If you've always dreamed of owning your own business, or if you'd like to understand how WBEC-East can help your business grow, our free online webinar- Orientation and Business Assessment workshop is for you!
April 14, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

We'll show you how to gain the prestigious Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) certificate and use it to build your business
April 18, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

In this interactive webinar, we'll learn about Highmark Health's supplier diversity and procurement initiatives. 
April 28, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Whether you’re newly certified or have been for years, we'll show you how to make the best of your certification and grow your business.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Joyce Cadesca via email at jcadesca@wbeceast.com to make arrangements.
SBA Update
SBA Presents: OSHA Webinar Series
3rd session:
OSHA Consultations – Thursday, April 13
12:00 – 1:00 PM EST

This webinar discusses OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program that offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small- and medium-sized businesses, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-Site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations.
Welcome Newly Certified WBES!
Certified February 2023
• Anthony Biddle Contractors Inc.
• B the Queen LLC
• Creative Benefits Inc.
• E & A Homes LLC
• Empire Inspection Services, LLC
• Founding Principals LLC
• Green Dot Public Relations, LLC
• HWH Learning Solutions and
Consulting LLC
• Intentional Integration Consulting LLC
• Joseph B. Callaghan, Inc.
• Karmapants Photography LLC
• KCG Transport LLC
• One Planet Corporation
• P-III Contractors, Inc.
• Sethi Clarity Advisors of Pennsylvania,
Inc.
• SNORKKEL WHALENGTON LLC
• Vetnow, LLC
• Wolford HR Consulting, LLC
Partner Updates
Doing Business With Pennsylvania American Water- Supplier Summit
Thursday, April 13
9:30 – 3:00 PM   

Come meet engineers and operators to earn how you can become a vendor!

Pennsylvania American Water plans to invest more than $2 billion into our water and wastewater systems over the next several years and we need your help! They are seeking new contractors to help us complete construction on pipe replacements,
facility upgrades, and other water infrastructure improvements. Diverse suppliers such as certified VBE, WBE, MBE, LGBTQ, Disabled and Service Disabled
businesses are strongly encouraged to attend. They welcome a variety of suppliers and strive to maintain a diverse list of companies who work with them.

This event will be held in person at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh - Green Tre 500 Mansfield Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15205.
Ben Franklin’s $50,000 BIG IDEA Contest
Apply by Tuesday, April 18, 2023

In partnership with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Ben Franklin Technology Partners is looking for innovators with BIG IDEAS located in Cameron, Elk, Forest, McKean, or Warren County, PA.

They're looking for entrepreneurs who are developing or crafting a product, process, or innovation related to the maker economy, outdoors and recreation, forest products, manufacturing, and technology. If this sounds like you, please apply!
The $25,000 National Grant Application for Mother-owned Businesses Is Now Open!
Application deadline has been extended to April 17, 2023.

In partnership with Founders First CDC, we are excited to announce the National Kitty Fund Grant focused on supporting Momentrepreneurs in the country. The $25,000 fund will make investments of $1,000 each to 25Mompreneurs across the United States.

Is my business eligible?
  • Identify as a mother
  • Must be a CEO, President, or Business Owner
  • Business must be located in the United States
  • Business annual revenue does not exceed $5M
  • Must have between 2 to 50 employees
Become an Internship Sponsor!

Mission of Project Accelerate
To speed the entry of young women, especially women of color, into positions of influence and leadership in meaningful careers; advance young women's educational attainment and skills development; and support change toward equity in the workplace.

Objectives of Internship Program
Provide young women with relevant, paid work experience in their field of interest Introduce young women to positive adult role models in a supportive and educational work environment. Help young women formalize a postsecondary plan for college or careers.

Funded in part through Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Liz Walsh at 215-936-9392 or ewalsh@wbeceast.com