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Volume 1 Issue 5 | December 01, 2025

A Note from the CEO & Co-Founder

Coming out of Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for this powerful WPG community. We’re closing the year strong and gearing up for January’s Jump Start Your Business—your launchpad for 2025 government contracting success, featuring expert panels, SBA updates, and procurement leaders.


To keep delivering high-value content and world-class speakers, we welcome sponsors for January and our Annual Women’s Conference in May. Your partnership fuels learning, networking, and opportunities that change trajectories for women-owned businesses.


Thank you for being part of WPG. Here’s to a purposeful 2025—together.


With gratitude,

Stephanie Bolton James

CEO & Co-founder

Women of Prince George’s

www.womenofpg.com

What's Inside This Issue

Featured Small Business


Tip of the Month


Where Is She Now


Announcements


Pic of the Month


Business Predicaments

Small Business of the Month

Since 2017, Dr. Sharon H. Porter has grown SHP Enterprise into a multifaceted media and publishing company elevating voices through V&P LifeStyle Magazine & Media, the SHP Media & Broadcasting Studio, Perfect Time SHP Publishing, and Leadership SHP. WPG’s high-value workshops and community have fueled SHP’s growth—sharpening branding, operations, and scale for authors and leaders.

Next Up for SHP Enterprise

  • Expanding the publishing catalog
  • Recruiting new authors
  • Enhancing hybrid packages
  • Launching multimedia learning—workshops, online courses, and digital resources that blend leadership, publishing, and branding.

Proudly based in Prince George’s County, SHP thrives on community-centered collaboration and the county’s diverse, prosperous professional ecosystem.


Contact Dr. Sharon H. Porter, CEO & Owner Publisher at sharonhporter@perfecttimeshp.com

Entrepreneur Tip of the Month

Focus Area

Product Development

Key Tips: Run a small “test launch.” Pick one problem your offer solves. Ask 10 ideal customers to use it for two weeks. Ask three things: what confused them, what they loved, and what must change. Try a simple pre-order to confirm price. Set one clear success goal and a decision date. Use what you learn to tune up for January.

Where Is She Now?

Where She Leads Now:

Tara Gates Williams, CEO

UnRestricted Branding and Marketing, LLC 


At UnRestricted Branding and Marketing, I am championing diverse voices in brand storytelling by helping small and minority-owned businesses develop bold, authentic brand identities through workshops and mentorship, while also leading an initiative that equips women entrepreneurs with AI-powered marketing tools to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and data-driven growth. 


The Women of Prince George’s community have been a transformational force in my journey, offering visibility, resources, mentorship, and a powerful network that has strengthened my leadership and deepened my commitment to elevating women’s voices across industries. WPG serves as an essential ecosystem for entrepreneurs by cultivating spaces where women can exchange real-world wisdom, access meaningful business resources, and build partnerships that drive measurable progress. As UnRestricted prepares for upcoming collaborations within county and state government contracting, we are focused on delivering branding, communications, and digital engagement strategies that enhance public awareness, strengthen community connection, and modernize outreach across Maryland agencies. The WPG community can support this work by continuing to foster opportunities for collaboration and visibility, featuring UnRestricted’s expertise in future programming, and opening doors to connect with county and state agencies—empowering us to expand our impact and uplift the stories of the women entrepreneurs we serve.


Want to learn more of Tara’s journey?

Contact her at UnRestricted Branding and Marketing, LLC at info@taragateswilliams.com

🎉 Join Women of Prince George’s for a powerful half-day session focused on helping women-owned businesses gain clarity, connections, and practical strategies for government contracting success. Hear from expert speakers, learn about current opportunities and resources, and leave with actionable next steps to grow your business in 2026.

🎤 Hear from the Experts

📝 Register now


Space is limited — reserve your spot now.

Jump Start Your Business is Coming!

This is not business as Usual!

January 30, 2026 9 AM -1 PM

Mark Your Calendar!

This event features intentionally curated sessions designed to help you navigate today’s business landscape, unlock new opportunities, and bring clients directly to your door.

Pic of the Month

Women of Prince George’s was honored to be selected as a finalist for the WBEC DMV and NYC Power in Partnership Award, which recognizes organizations that embody the spirit of collaboration and transform partnerships into meaningful, lasting impact. This acknowledgment reflects our commitment to bringing people together, strengthening community connections, and driving collective progress. We were deeply humbled to be recognized for our outreach and education efforts by such a respected women business owner certification and education organization, and we remain inspired to continue fostering partnerships that uplift and empower our community.

Right to left pics

  1. Fairmont Hotel, Washington, D.C.
  2. Nominees
  3. Stephanie Bolton James, CEO, Women of Prince George’s, Carolyn Howell, Events USA (former WPG Board), Sharon Pinder, former President and CEO, Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council
  4. Stephanie Bolton James, President and CEO, Women of Prince George’s, and Donald Cravins Jr., President and CEO, National Minority Supplier Development Council

Business Dilemma Scenario

A Business Dilemma: Scenario for Group Exercise

Every month, we present a realistic workplace challenge. After reading it aloud, have participants discuss:


  • What’s the core issue?
  • What are the possible actions?
  • What are the risks and consequences?
  • What would they do and why?


Resistance to Change


Walter questions a proposed solution without offering alternatives. The meeting becomes repetitive and unproductive.

_______


💬 Discussion Prompt: How do you handle passive resistance? What’s the best way to move forward?

🧠 Suggested Answer to Business Dilemma Scenario


Answer:  Acknowledge Walter’s concerns, then ask for alternative suggestions. If none are offered, the team can move forward while documenting dissent respectfully.

Resources for Federal Employees

The state of Maryland is offering a no-interest loan program for “excepted” (essential) federal employees required to work without pay: up to $700 one-time.

A broader Maryland resource page lists food, cash & housing assistance for federal employees and contractors impacted by the shutdown.

• For general food pantry help in Maryland, you can call 211 or use the Maryland Food Bank site.

WPG Mission Statement

The Women of Prince George’s leverages a strategic roster of business relationships across the Washington, D.C. area to build mutually beneficial connections between key businesses and local women. The organization connects professional women and entrepreneurs with neighboring markets while providing exposure for businesses serving the Prince George’s County community. Through mentorship, education, workshops, and professional guidance, The Women of Prince George’s strives to educate women, strengthen families and communities, and elevate economic opportunity and leadership on a global scale.

Questions? Contact us at womenofpg@gmail.com

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