In This Edition
• WBEC-East Annual Awards Program
• WBENCPitch Regional Round Opens
• JumpStart Series Starting Soon
• WBEC-East Webinars and Events
• New Women Who Own It Blog
• SBA Update and Events
• Welcome Newly Certified WBE's
• CCBA Women Changing the City!
• Penn Law IP Clinic Fall Application
• Support Girls Inc.–Online Auction
• WBENC: 8-Week Industry Accelerator Program
WBEC-East Annual Award Program
Nominations Due Friday, August 4th
 
The WBEC-East Annual Awards Program is a chance to celebrate women-owned businesses and corporations committed to supporting women entrepreneurship. This is your chance to say thank you to the advocates who believed in you, recognize your colleague who inspires others, or send gratitude to yourself for never giving up on your business dreams!

View our list of award categories and start your nomination today.
All award winners will be honored at the combined Desserts & More Annual Fundraiser & Awards Celebration held on October 11th, 5:30-9pm at the Vie by Cescaphe, Philadelphia, PA.

Join WBEC-East for a formal evening with a decadent buffet of desserts, cocktails, a sit-down dinner, and a fun opportunity to network.

Early bird registration ends September 1st!
WBENCPitch Regional Round
Submissions Open August 3rd - August 31st

WBENCPitch is a series of pitch competitions to help WBEs hone their business pitch, gain exposure, and win prizes up to 50k! To participate, simply send us a 60-second video recording of your pitch via a YouTube link or similar video sharing platform.
Also, register now for the next WBENCPitch Academy scheduled for August 10th at 12:00-2:00 PM EDT. This workshop is designed to prepare WBEs to apply and participate in WBENCPitch competitions.

WBEs who participate in the WBENCPitch Academy can expect to hone their business pitch and prepare to maximize pitching opportunities.
2023 JumpStart Series
Starts September 7th, 6:00 - 9:00PM ET
 
Our JumpStart series is a low cost, flexible five-week workshop series that helps prospective business owners increase their chances for success and reduce the risks associated with starting a business. Register here for the entire series at $155.00, or go to the calendar to select only the workshops that interest you at $35 per workshop.

The JumpStart Series workshops:

  • September 7, 2023 - Before You Start: Learn how to move from employee to business owner.
  • September 14, 2023 - Market Research: Teaches how to assess the feasibility of your business ideas.
  • September 21, 2023 - Financial Analysis: Provides financial basics critical to business success.
  • September 28, 2023 - Business Plan: Intro to how a business plan helps business owners plan for growth and profitability.
  • October 5, 2023 - Business Launch: Understand the legal, financial, insurance, employment and tax requirements needed in place before launching your dream.
 
All classes take place on a Thursday from 6:00 - 9:00PM. Attending all five workshops is not a requirement.
WBEC-East Webinars & Events
August 8, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Learn about PGW's supplier diversity and procurement initiatives.

PGW wants to engage with WBEs like you to discuss potential procurement opportunities.
August 16, 5:00 - 6:30 PM

If you’re just starting out on your business journey or have always dreamed of owning your own business, this free workshop is for you! We'll introduce you to all WBEC-East has to offer to help you on the entrepreneurial journey.
August 22, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

In this interactive webinar, we'll learn about M. Davis & Sons, Inc.'s supplier diversity and procurement initiatives.
August 24, 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.
August 30, 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!
September 12, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

In this interactive webinar, we'll learn about Giant Eagle's supplier diversity and procurement initiatives. 
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.
New "Women Who Own It" Blog Post
We’re honored to share the story of one of our Delaware-based WBEs, Sherell Flagg, founder and CEO of Pretty Moody!

Sherell lives her menopause story OUT LOUD and reminds us that menopause is a natural yet challenging part of life, and no one needs to go through it alone.

Enjoy Sherell’s blog and share with someone who celebrates self-care and is living in their “second spring!”
SBA Update
Biden-Harris Administration to Establish Reforms to Transform Public-Private Investment Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) finalized a rule to modernize the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. Part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, the SBIC Investment Diversification and Growth Rule will increase access and diversify funding for the small business, start-up, and investment management communities. 
Welcome Newly Certified WBES!
Certified June 2023
• ALLEGHENY BROKERAGE
• Battlefield Enterprises LLC
• Beacon Industrial Cleaning Inc
• Dosso Beauty LLC
• EMPIRE CAR MOVEMENT, INC.
• F. R. BEINKE WRECKING, INC.
• Fairville Management Company, LLC
• Global One Partners
• Init Esports Inc
• KLM Consulting, LLC
• LARUE, LLC
• Martin Communications, Inc.
• Mattress Smart and Decor
• MonMass, Inc
• POD Creative Collective, L.L.C.
• Quigley Management Consulting LLC
• Regency Crest Realty Inc
• The Oakley Group
• Tier 1 Testing and Commissioning Inc.
• Take Time To Breathe, LLC
• Trace Services LP
• Trinity Solutions and Services LLC
• TruEdge Construction of PA LLC
• WPL Supply & Services
Partner Opportunities
CCBA's Women Changing the City
September 13th | 8:00 – 10:00 AM ET | Location TBD

Join Center City Business Association members and friends for a moderated discussion as we learn from our dynamic panel how their experience, knowledge and drive have enabled productivity and success - how they as leaders create and inspire change in people, projects, business and our city.

$30 for Members and Partners, $60 for Guests. Event includes panel discussion, time for Q&A, networking, and light refreshments. Space is limited. Reservations and pre-payment are required.
Penn Law IP Clinic Fall Applications Open
Need free intellectual property legal help this fall?

Penn Carey Law is now accepting clients for the new semester of the Detkin Intellectual Property and Technology Legal Clinic. Potential clients may apply by submitting an online application at www.pennipc.com.

Applications accepted on a rolling basis through the end of August.
Support the Girls Inc. 2023 Online Auction
Would you be willing to donate items, services, or experiences to help their cause?

The Girls Inc. mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. They deliver research-based programs on healthy decision making, academic enrichment and life skills to thousands of girls and young women each year.

Between November 9th and Nov 17th, 2023, they will host an online auction to raise funds to support their mission. In order to make this event a true triumph, we want to ask for your help.

The auction will be viewed by thousands of people and they will link to your website and promote your organization and donation. So, your donation will both support Girls, Inc. and provide a great marketing opportunity for you! Plus, they are a nonprofit 501c3, and your contribution should qualify as a charitable deduction for income tax purposes.
Industry Accelerator: Kroger Feeding Growth Opportunities for WBEs
August 3rd - October 5th | 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST
 
The WBENC Industry Accelerator: Kroger Feeding Growth Opportunities is an 8-week cohort-style accelerator program featuring education, mentoring, pitching opportunities and more.

All WBENC Certified WBEs interested in learning more about Kroger and their brands are invited to attend the Kickoff Education and Information Session: “How to do Business with Kroger,” on August 3, 2023, from 12:00-2:00 PM EST.

During this session, WBEs will:
  • Hear directly from Kroger about how to do business with this multi-faceted national company of brands.
  • Learn how to best prepare and position their businesses, and
  • Explore and hear more details about this new Industry Accelerator, including the criteria to qualify and the next steps to apply for participation.

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