Resource Center

This year we celebrate the amazing work of the WBDC team in assisting over 65,000 women attain economic independence through business ownership, in the expansion of the WBDC to a nine-state Midwestern region and the progress women have made politically, economically and in business success over the past 25 years.  We’re also sharing our vision for the future and look forward to planning what the next 25 years will bring.

The reception debuted the WBDC’s HERstory display, a tribute to over 25 successful women business owners and longtime WBDC clients as well as memorable moments in the WBDC’s history.  Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres by certified WBE caterer Limelight Catering and a dessert buffet provided by women-owned businesses Sarah’s Pastries and Candies, Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique and Sweet Cheeks Cakes and Pastries.  Other certified WBE contributors included Overture Premiums and Promotions, Desert Rose Design, Consolidated Printing and J&J Exhibitors Service.

The festivities included remarks from former Illinois governor James R. Thompson, the founding funder of the WBDC; Judith Roussel, Illinois district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Cristal Thomas, Illinois deputy governor; Kurt Summers, chief of staff to Cook County board president; John P. Daley, Cook County commissioner; Deborah Sawyer, founder and CEO of Environmental Design International representing our award –winning WBE clients of the WBDC; Debra Jennings-Johnson, director of supplier diversity at BP America and WBDC board chair; and WBDC co-founders and co-presidents Hedy Ratner and Carol Dougal.

The WBDC is also especially grateful to our 25th Anniversary Marquee Sponsors – BP America, Fleishman Hillard, Harris and Keurig.

Click here to view the 25th Anniversary Reception Photo Gallery.

Sponsored by the organization’s founding partners, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP and M&I Bank, as well as a number of women-owned companies and corporate partners, the event was attended by over 200 women entrepreneurs, corporate supplier diversity representatives and local community partners.

Since its launch in 2003, the WBDC-MN has undergone tremendous growth, creating a powerful network of over 300 women’s business enterprises (WBEs).  With combined revenues of over $2.5 billion dollars, this growing network of women-owned businesses is finding success by targeting Fortune 500 corporations as clients, as well as doing business with each other.

• WBE of the Year Award – Jennifer Smith, CEO, Innovative Office Solutions
• Corporate Partner of the Year Award – SUPERVALU
• Giving Back Award – Jeremy Gibson, purchasing & contracts representative, Marathon Petroleum Company, LLC
• Advocacy Award – Jeanne Crain, president, Minnesota Region of M&I Bank

Click here for more photos from the WBDC-MN’s Fifth Anniversary event.

Like many businesses, Desert Rose struggled through the economic downturn of the past few years.  Due to the need to adapt to a new buyer mentality and longer sales cycle, they’ve focused on providing a clear return on investment for clients and relied on advice from a trusted advisory board.  Desert Rose has also found new business through strategic partnerships with other companies that can complement their own services.

Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification and building long-term relationships with supplier diversity contacts have also been extremely important in creating opportunities for Desert Rose.  Kathy says, “WBE certification is another chance to get in the door, but you still have to have an excellent product and earn the business.” 

Most recently Desert Rose was selected for a five year contract as a preferred vendor for Microsoft, and they just finished their first project, an internal online community site to increase collaboration and sharing of best practices between Microsoft sales professionals.  Desert Rose was also recently selected for a website design of the City Colleges of Chicago Reinvention Initiative.  Helen says, “The WBDC has been extremely helpful through workshops, events and relationships and neither of these contracts would have happened if not for their assistance.”

Helen and Kathy are proud to foster a culture at Desert Rose of giving back and educating others.  Since the beginning, they have been interested in helping small nonprofit organizations through service donations or special pricing structures.  They also focus on education through various speaking engagements and curriculum development with Chicago-area schools and a hands-on twelve week internship program at Desert Rose.

For more information on Desert Rose Design, please click here.

“Allstate has long been a leader in all aspects of diversity.  We recognized the importance of supporting Chicago’s women entrepreneurs as the WBDC was being formed and are proud of our long partnership.  Our involvement with the WBDC continues as we continue to find outstanding suppliers who have partnered with Allstate to bring the best in services and products to our customers.  We look forward to the continued evolution of this important relationship,” says Cheryl Harris, chief procurement officer for Allstate.

The WBDC is enormously grateful for the support of Cheryl Harris and Margaret Klinsport, director supplier diversity for Allstate, who continue to champion the WBDC and the importance of supplier diversity in Allstate’s procurement processes.  The importance of Cheryl’s, Margaret’s and Allstate’s support cannot be overstated, and the WBDC is proud to count them as a corporate partner. 

The 13th Annual Child Care Business Expo will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Avenue, and will explore various ideas of what it means to be a relentless and resilient business leader. 

Why Attend the Expo:
Are you ready to grow your business? Gain tips on running your business more efficiently and effectively?  Or, are you in the early stages of launching your business and want to learn about resources available to you?  The 13th Annual Child Care Business Expo offers child care entrepreneurs an energizing and informative day, providing access to creative solutions to today’s business issues and to a new network of resources and support. 

The Expo is the only event of its kind in the nation—a unique one-stop clearinghouse for child care business solutions, resources, products, information and services for everyone from seasoned child care entrepreneurs to those just starting out.  The entire event will be presented bilingually in Spanish and English.

Given the new economic realities and state budgetary cuts, child care providers need support now more than ever.  The Expo is a powerful business tool for both new and existing entrepreneurs—a solid “go to” event where you can explore the powerful questions being posed to you as a business owner and leader.

2011 Expo highlights will include:

• In-depth panel discussions, presented in Spanish and English, featuring business experts, veteran providers and information on getting started given today’s economic realities, supplementing your wages, marketing in a time of recession, keeping records, asking the right questions before you start, accessing financing, balancing business and self and more!
• Speed Business Coaching sessions where attendees will have a chance to ask business and industry experts direct questions in a small group format.
• Exhibition Hall of more than 50 booths featuring insurance vendors, bankers, child care associations, state agencies which regulate the industry and toy and curriculum vendors.
• Annual Child Care Applause Awards Breakfast, honoring outstanding child care providers and activists in the child care community.
• Luncheon featuring a keynote presentation on “Women Business Owners: The Agents of Change in the New Economy” by Sondra Solarte of FOX Chicago and a Door Prize Drawing from Southwest Airlines

The premiere sponsor of the event is the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Other Major Sponsors include Fifth Third Bank, Southwest Airlines, as well as Chase, Citi, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and The Turner Construction Company Foundation. 

“The judges were moved by Linda’s passion for her firm’s mission, as well as her incredible entrepreneurial spirit,” said Hedy M. Ratner, co-president with Carol Dougal of the WBDC. “She was very clear about how the top prize would impact her firm.”

The competition was open to Chicago area women-owned businesses that have been in business at least two years, maintain a minimum of five employee workstations and have at least $500,000 in revenue, and over 50 women entered the competition billed as “A New Year, A New Makeover.”

Linda will receive $60,000 in free technology products and business services provided by the competition’s sponsors.  The prize package includes three notebook computers; a printer and projector; a $30,000 scholarship to executive business training; website development including brand design and content; a web platform content management system; training and hosting for one year; up to 5 licenses of Microsoft Small Business Server Premium 2008; Microsoft Office Professional 2010 and Windows 7 Ultimate; business training on Microsoft Office 2010, SharePoint, Windows 7 Ultimate; and complimentary registrations for up to 4 employees to the WBDC’s 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference.  Each finalist will receive nearly $10,000 in free technology products and business services, including a laptop computer.