In today's newsletter:

• Members collaborate on WBEC Florida parade float at the conference
• Enter the WBEC Florida Virtual Pitch Competition by Friday, July 18
• Register to watch the WBEC Florida Virtual Pitch Competition live
• GROW FL taking applications for Florida Companies to Watch
• Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards applications now open

Transformation Collaboration

WBEC Florida members and friends gathered on the first day of the WBENC National Conference in New Orleans for a challenging task: Create a parade float to represent our region, with the theme of "Metamorphosis" featuring our WBEC Florida mascot, the monarch butterfly.

Everyone divided into teams by task: steam-iron butterfly wing costumes, decorate wooden butterfly wings, create cardboard and foam caterpillars, stuff bags with Mardi Gras beads, and attach all the decorations to the float platform.

When we were finished, WBEC Florida President and CEO Nancy Allen and North Florida Regional Director Steph McFee initiated everyone into the Order of the Monarchs with an official button.

Then it was time for our VIPs to walk in the parade, and they danced through the march, wings flowing. The crowd cheered as our WBEC Florida section of the audience shook orange pompoms. For the rest of the conference, an unofficial poll showed we would have won if there had been a competition! The butterflies made a big impression.

But it was not about winning ... it was about the camaraderie of collaboration. Women business owners and our supporters can do anything we put our minds to. And it was fun!

We thank all the members, sponsors, partners and friends who participated in the project or stopped by to offer support. You transformed piles of construction paper, ribbon and a LOT of double-sided tape into a work of art.

Didn't get to attend? We missed you, and next time we will save a seat for you!

As your WBEC Florida team heads home, check out our LinkedIn page for more pictures and details. Watch for more news from the conference in next week's newsletter!

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.

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 members 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

• Friday, July 25: Accelerate Your Story virtual training by WBENC, Noon – 2pm. Register for the WBENC Pitch Academy

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

• Friday, Aug. 8: Build Your Impact Statement virtual training by WBENC, Noon – 2pm. Register for the WBENC Pitch Academy

• Friday, Aug. 15: Live Virtual WBEC FL pitch competition. Register to attend

• Oct. 27-28: National Semifinals

• November 2025 (TBA): National Finals

Watch the Pitches at Our Regional Event

GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch

Is Now Taking Applications

GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch recognizes second-stage companies in Florida that are making a significant impact. To qualify, your company must show a track record of innovation, growth and community involvement that makes you a contender for this prestigious award.

Applications close June 30, 2025

Qualifications:

• Privately owned.
• Headquartered in Florida. 
• Between 6 and 150 full-time equivalent employees in 2024. 
• Between $750,000 and $100 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants in 2024. 
• Not a past recipient of this award.
• Intention and capacity to grow.

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

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.