On May 2 in New York City, NWBC Chair Tami Longaberger received one of three “Leading by Example” awards from the Center for Women’s Business Research during the organization’s 12th Annual Executive Roundtable.  Longaberger, who is Chair & CEO of The Longaberger Company, was honored for her commitment to enlarging the possibilities for women business owners and setting the standard for others by demonstrating courage and leadership as a role model for other women.  Other awardees were Sheila Johnson and Linda Kaplan Thaler. 

After receiving the award, Longaberger, Johnson and Kaplan Thaler participated in a roundtable discussion where they shared their experiences and insights as women business owners.  In addition to participating on the panel, NWBC Chair Longaberger highlighted the work of the Council in advancing women’s business ownership in her discussions with many participants at the event. 

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On Wednesday, May 24, the National Women’s Business Council will host a free interactive Web cast highlighting public policies affecting women business owners and their enterprises.  This event, to be broadcast live over the Internet at 11 a.m. eastern, will provide an update on what Congress is doing to address the needs of women business owners and how federal policies and regulations are being adapted to meet the current business environment.  The Web cast will also highlight what is being done at the state level to support the growth of women-owned businesses.  During the Web cast, members of the National Women’s Business Council and Congressional leaders will share their insights on the policies impacting women business owners and what challenges and opportunities are ahead for the women’s business community. 

For more information, or to register to participate in the Web cast, visit www.nwbc.gov. 

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The National Women’s Business Council organized a panel on Women-Owned Business Success Stories during the 16th Annual OSDBU Procurement Conference on April 20 in Upper Marlboro, MD.  More than 2,000 people attended the conference, approximately 1,300 of whom represented small businesses.  Other participants included exhibitors, prime contractors, and government personnel.

The panel, moderated by Nancy Small, Office of the Secretary of the Army, featured the stories of women who’ve succeeded at earning government contracts.  Participants in the panel included:  Council member Sheri Orlowitz, Shan Industries, LLC; Angela Drummond, SiloSmashers, Inc.; Jennifer Ozawa, StratEdge; Lisa Martin, LeapFrog Solutions, Inc.; Gretchen McCracken, Golden Key Group, LLC; Phyllis Shearer Jones, Elan International, LLC; Alicia Venturi, International Language Services, LLC; and Annette Merrion, SBA Procurement Center.

Nearly 100 conference participants attended the panel to learn tips and best practices on winning government contracts from women who have succeeded.  Moderator Nancy Small emphasized the importance of networking and relationships, a theme which continued through the remarks of all eight panelists. Panelists candidly discussed the challenges and benefits of government contracting, offering suggestions for those just staring out as well as those businesses looking to government contracting to support their growth. 

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Every month, the National Women’s Business Council offers free conference calls highlighting timely topics for women business owners and entrepreneurs.  April’s call, which was moderated by Council member Ann Marie Almeida, featured information about Women’s Business Centers, community-based organizations that provide education, training, technical assistance, and access to capital to over 100,000 women annually.  During the call, representatives from two Women’s Business Centers discussed the services they offer.  In addition, two entrepreneurs who participate in Women’s Business Center programs shared their experiences and promoted the value these services provide to entrepreneurs.  

Conducted the fourth Tuesday of every month, these Women’s Business Connection calls offer women business owners an opportunity to learn about issues impacting the growth and success of their businesses from business and policy experts.  For more information on previous topics or to access recorded archives of previous Women’s Business Connection calls, click here.

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In April, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship held a hearing to address reauthorization of the Small Business Administration and its financing and entrepreneurial development programs.  During the hearing, Committee Chair Olympia Snowe spoke about legislation she has introduced that will streamline the SBA’s Preferred Lenders Program, reform and enhance the Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC) program, and improve the 504 program.  Senator Snowe emphasized her opposition to elimination of the SBA Microloan program and to the SBA’s plan to charge small businesses additional fees as part of the 7(a), 504, and SBIC programs.  The hearing also included testimony from SBA Administrator Hector Barreto.  Click here for additional information on this recent hearing and to read testimony of participants.  

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL), Chair of the House Small Business Committee, introduced legislation in April that would provide a tax credit for investment in small businesses.  The Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) Act of 2006 (H.R. 5198) would create a 25 percent tax credit for investors, including angel investment pools, that invest in qualified small businesses and hold the investment for at least three years.  According to Rep. Manzullo, the incentives outlined in the bill, co-sponsored by Ways and Means Committee member Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), would encourage additional angel investment in small businesses across the country, allowing for growth and additional job creation. 

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) hosted Small Business Week 2006 in Washington, D.C., April 12-13. The two-day conference focused on small business accomplishments, highlighting small businesses recovering from disasters. During the event, the SBA presented four major awards, including National Small Business Person of the Year.  During Small Business Week 2006, the SBA honored more than 100 outstanding small business owners from around the country. President George W. Bush delivered the keynote address during the Phoenix Awards Breakfast, where he stressed the importance of small businesses to the U.S. economy. 

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SBA Administrator Hector Barreto, who has led the SBA since July 2001, announced his resignation on April 25.  Under his leadership, SBA has expanded its lending, technical assistance, and procurement programs. Barreto will now become the national chairman of the Latino Coalition, an organization whose mission is to enhance business, economic, and social development of the American Hispanic community. In his letter of resignation, Barreto stated his confidence that the foundation of “accountability, greater efficiencies and results-oriented management,” that are now part of the SBA culture will provide future benefits to small businesses. 

President Bush nominated Steven Preston, an executive vice president of Downers Grove, Ill.-based ServiceMaster Co., to succeed Barreto as head of the Small Business Administration. Preston recently led ServiceMaster’s strategic services team and has also been employed at First Data Corp. and Lehman Brothers.  Preston must be confirmed by the Senate before he can assume the SBA Administrator post.

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