July 11, 2025

In today's newsletter:

  • Submit your 1-minute video for the WBEC Florida Virtual Pitch Competition by Friday, July 18
  • Register to watch the WBEC Florida Virtual Pitch Competition live on Friday, August 15
  • Remembering Pam: Sharing memories of WBENC CEO and President Pamela Prince-Eason
  • Register to become a possible PGA Championship vendor!
  • Webinars on Doing Business with Orange County Public Schools
  • Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards applications now open
  • Sign up for our Certification 101 webinar on Thursday, August 14

Your Minute to Win It:

From Local Star to National Sensation


Deadline for 60-Second Pitch Videos is Friday, July 18

You’ve built something powerful — and we want to hear your story.


In just 60 seconds, your company’s journey could inspire thousands and take you all the way to the national stage.


Submit a one-minute video sharing your story — bold, creative and YOU.


This is your moment!


Are you ready to join three other WBEC Florida members who have won the national WBENC Pitch in recent years? Start working on your pitch!


To participate, you'll need to submit a one-minute video telling the story about who you are, why you founded your company, and who you help.


Only 10 applicants will be chosen to move forward to the official WBEC Florida pitch competition, where they will be required to do a 3-minute live presentation on Zoom before a panel of 5 judges. The judges will choose 4 finalists to move on to the national semifinals.


Remember, it's all about the storytelling!


Here are the deadlines and key dates:


  • Friday, July 18: WBEC FL submissions due


  • July 21-25: WBEC FL submissions evaluated



  • Tuesday, July 29: WBEC FL finalists notified and announced




  • Oct. 27-28: National Semifinals


  • November 2025 (TBA): National Finals

Dhomonique Murphy of Sarasota (left) won one of the national competitions in 2024, presented at the national conference by WBEC Florida President and CEO Nancy Allen (center) and WBENC President and CEO Pamela Prince-Eason.

Watch the Pitches at Our Regional Event


The WBEC Florida Regional Pitch Competition will take place on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.


Watch the regional event live!

Remembering Pam Eason

Share Your Memories with Our Community

To pay tribute to our WBENC President and CEO Pamela Prince-Eason, who passed away suddenly this week, and help us all grieve together, we are gathering memories from members and sharing them on our WBEC Florida LinkedIn page.


Pam made such an impact on people all over the world, including here in Florida, and we want to honor her memory and legacy.

Thank you to those of you who have already sent us your memories.


If you had the opportunity to work with, meet or be inspired by Pam, we invite you to share a short memory or message (up to about 100 words). Please feel free to also share a photo of you with Pam — or a photo of yourself that we can include with your tribute.

 

Please send your contribution to dianesears@wbecflorida.org as soon as you can. We will post these throughout the next couple of weeks.

 

UPDATE: WBENC is also collecting memories about Pam on a national level. Submit your memories here.


Thank you for helping us celebrate a leader who gave so much to all of us. Your reflections will help keep her spirit alive in our community and beyond!

WeIGNITE Executive Education Program

Application deadline is Monday, July 21


Are you a WBENC-Certified WBE ready to break through growth barriers and lead with intention? WeIGNITE is a highly interactive, in-person executive education experience designed to help you do exactly that.


Apply to join a select group of your WBENC sisters in Charlotte, North Carolina, from August 4-6 for this immersive program!

Opportunities

Register for the PGA VendorMatch!


The 2026 Senior PGA Championship is coming to Bradenton next April!


The PGA of America is inviting local businesses to register for PGA VendorMatch to be considered for possible sourcing opportunities in support of this major spectator championship. Registration will open on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.


PGA VendorMatch underscores the PGA of America's commitment to local economic growth, community impacts, and supplier inclusion in the host communities of its major spectator events.


Sourcing opportunities will be available in 20 categories ranging from food and beverage to cleaning services, florals, staffing, and more. ​​

Webinars: Doing Business with OCPS


Next sessions:


  • 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 24
  • 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, August 22

2025 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards Applications Are Now Open

This distinguished award, presented by the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) and Women Elevating Women (W.E.W.)™, honors and celebrates the remarkable professional achievements and community service of entrepreneurial women of color in North America. 


Applications close August 5, 2025


Qualifications:

  • CEO/President of privately held, for-profit business
  • Identify as a woman of color
  • Based in North America
  • At least $500,000 in revenue in 2024
  • Not a previous recipient of the award


Eight winners will be selected in each of 3 revenue categories:

  • $500,000 to $1 million
  • $1 million to $10 million
  • $10 million plus

Certification 101 with WBEC Florida

Explains Ins and Outs of the Process

 

Next Session: 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14

 

If you’re applying for certification or considering joining WBENC as a certified women’s business enterprise (WBE), this session is for you! Learn how you can become authorized to use the Women Owned logo.


WBEC Florida Certification Director Lisa Roblejo will walk you through the process of applying and help guide you on the next steps of using your credentials.

 

Join us on the second Thursday of each month at 2 p.m.This session is free of charge.


Sign up today! And be sure to tell your friends.



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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