OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

In This Edition

Message from Chuck Hendrix
Certification Tips
Call for Board Nominations
Event Calendar
New Members
WBE Spotlight
In Case You Missed It
WBENC Updates
Staff Spotlight
In the News

Dear WBEC ORV Community,

For those who have not seen the news, I am excited to share that Dr. Fredrica Singletary has been appointed as the incoming President & CEO. It has been my honor to lead during this time of transition, and I am leaving you in incredibly capable hands as I slowly transition back to my WBENC role.

WBEC ORV will continue to have the full support of WBENC, and I will not be a stranger at your RPO events - you all are too much fun!

I also wanted to share that we have been benchmarking against other RPOs in the spirit of continuous improvement. To that end, the team will soon be launching comprehensive sponsorship packages for both WBEs and Corporate Members in the coming weeks. Our goal is to give you the full scope of opportunities to support our 2026 programming and plan your budgets and calendars accordingly.

If there is anything I can do to support your supplier inclusion efforts now or in the future, please let me know. Thank you for making my time with WBEC ORV fun and fulfilling!

Chuck

Not Certified Yet?

Certification Tips

Document Reminders

Balance Sheets are mandatory for all applicants.
If there is a change in ownership you need to supply the purchase agreements(s) and any financing for the transfer of ownership along with updated legal documents.

Taxes

Provide the 2024 federal taxes for the business including all schedules for review.

Processing Time

The processing time is generally 90 days for all applicants. Apply early!
Check WBENCLink for pending Q&As, provide the requested document(s) to keep your application moving forward.
With the changes the SBA has made regarding the WOSB Certification, WBENC is auditing the records to ensure we maintain compliance with the SBA and the WBENC Guidelines.
Corporations – review your legal documents regarding shareholder and BOD meetings and ensure that your stock transfer ledger is up to date.
LLCs - all are required to have an operating agreement for the WOSB Certification.
Whitelist wbenclink@wbenclink.org to receive notifications from the system.

Questions?

Email info@wbecorv.org.

New Applicants

Recertification

Board Nominations

The WBEC ORV Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Board of Directors. These are volunteer positions, and members are elected for 3-year terms.

Applications Open: September 11 – October 31
Interviews: October – November
Board Approval: December
Onboarding: January

November Event Video Overview

Dr. K walks us through upcoming events and what you can expect to get out of each one.

Watch Video

Newly Certified WBE Onboarding Workshop

Oct. 16, 2025 | 11:00am-12:00pm

Virtual

Learn More / Register

Government Ready, Women-Owned

Nov. 4, 2025 | 11:00am-12:00pm

Virtual

Learn More / Register

Becoming a Certified WBE

Nov. 6, 2025 | 11:00am-12:00pm

Virtual

Learn More / Register

ORVBDP Info Session

Nov. 6, 2025 | 3:00pm-4:00pm

Virtual

Learn More / Register

WBE Connect: West Virginia

Nov. 12, 2025 | 11:00am-12:00pm | Virtual

Learn More / Register

Women of Color: Why Should I Get Certified?

Nov. 19, 2025 | 6:00pm-7:00pm

Virtual

Learn More / Register

Newly Certified WBE Onboarding Workshop

Nov. 20, 2025 | 11:00am-12:00pm

Virtual

Learn More / Register

WBE Highlights

Newly Certified WBEs

Congratulations to our newly certified Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs)! We are excited to welcome you to our community and look forward to supporting your success.

Natajlia Benn

Telemind Primary Health & Wellness, LLC

Faith Biddle

GenAIsis, LLC

Jessica Brewer

WinnSue, Inc.

Dr. Nina Deep

Nina Deep Aesthetics

Jamie Dugger-Faulkner

Jamie's Interiors Inc

Jutta Lafley

Gris Gris Cocktail Magic

Johari Mitchell

J.P. Mitchell Creative LLC

Heather Moran

Level Ascent Solutions LLC

Emma Mwaura-Gatoto

Delightful Hearts Homecare

Donna Pelfrey

DTP Machining, LLC

Dr. Courtney Revels-Turner

The Higher Standard Consulting LLC

Rosemarie Rossetti

Rossetti Enterprises LLC

Spotlight on Women in Business

WBENC Pitch Competition Semi-Finals

The National WBENCPitch Semi-Finals will be held in a live-virtual format on October 27-28, 2025, from 2:00 - 5:00 PM EST. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

The best pitches will advance to the Final Round Competition, where they will compete for grants and other prizes to invest in their business.

Congratulations to Driven to Succeed LLC (Kristin Harper), Yellowcake Shop Clothing (Valerie Mayen), QuickStitch Plus (Michele Uber) and Distinct Event Planning (Lucretia Williams) for being selected to represent WBEC ORV!

Woman Owned Directory - Featuring WBEC ORV

Have you checked out the WBENC Women Owned Directory lately? In addition to new features like "Shop by Value," we were excited to see so many WBEC ORV businesses while we were browsing. Do you have a consumer-facing product but haven't joined the list yet? Register now!

Shop Now

In Case You Missed It

WBE Connect: Cincinnati

Liona Enterprises and LubriSource were the perfect hosts for our recent WBE Connect in Cincinnati! Michelle and Angela put together a great program, and we had a mix of both certified and non-certified WBEs - many of whom will be applying soon. Thanks to everyone for the great turnout!

📷: Easley Blessed Media - Full Photo Album

Webinars

Did you miss one of our recent webinars? Watch the replay at your convenience on our YouTube channel.

WBEC ORV Video Library

WBENC Updates

WBENC Events & Resource Groups

WBENC LIFT Getting Ready, brought to you by MassMutual, “The CEO Financial Mindset: Aligning Business Growth & Personal Wealth”

October 16, 2025

Build financial confidence as a CEO
Leverage financial tools to manage and scale growth
Align business performance with personal wealth-building goals

Learn More

WBENC WOC & WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence: Fueling Growth Through Cash Flow and Capital

October 21, 2025

This session will equip you with the tools and knowledge to maximize cash flow and unlock capital to grow and scale your business.
Added Benefit: Attendees will have access to the WBENC eLearning Course LIFT 102 – Operating Your Business: Understanding Your Cash Flows and Ensuring Liquidity.

Learn More

WBENC Women & Pride [And Allies] Community Social Hour

October 24, 2025

This is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ business owners and those who support them to connect and network in an informal, small group setting.
Make new connections, strengthen existing ones, and engage in authentic conversations with inclusive business owners and workforce professionals.

Learn More

Staff Spotlight

Dr. Keitiaunna Lowe | Director of Programs & Events

What is your hidden talent?

I guess it's not really a secret/hidden, but I LOVE karaoke!

What is your favorite comfort food?

Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream

What was your first job?

Hit or Miss Clothing Store

What is your favorite book?

"The Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes

What is your favorite quote?

“Do it scared.” - Ruth Soukup

In The News

Around the Network

A curated list of articles, news stories, and perspectives from entrepreneurs we think you might find interesting from around the WBENC network.

OMSDC Awards Gala

Each year, OMSDC honors the corporations, buyers, advocates, MBEs, and community partners who create opportunity, foster inclusion, and invest in the communities where we live and work.

Use code GROWTH25 for $200 off general admission (expires 10/31).

Small Business Credit Survey - We Need Your Input!

The Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey is now open. Owners and key financial decisionmakers of for-profit businesses, share your recent experiences about whether and how you use debt, what financial conditions you face, and more.

Take Survey

We Are WBEC ORV

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and advocates for women entrepreneurs. Major corporations and government agencies rely on WBENC to connect with women suppliers seeking procurement opportunities. The Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV) provides WBENC certification for women-owned companies in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia, as one of 14 Regional Partner Organizations authorized to administer this certification nationwide.

In addition to certification, WBEC ORV offers development opportunities to help businesses scale, connects members with corporations focused on economic impact, and facilitates networking among women business enterprises for collaboration and purchasing opportunities.

WBEC ORV Non-Discrimination Policy

As a community of entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and economic development thought-leaders, WBEC ORV is 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 regulation, 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 non-discrimination policy covers admission to, access to and treatment at all programs and activities.

Connect with us!

888-860-3074

Remember to follow our new Facebook page!