WBEC-East Podcast Interview
WBEC-East was recently interviewed by Loraine Ballard-Morrill, Director of News and Community Affairs for iHeartMedia. Liz Walsh, President, and Affiong Inyang-ITIAT, Engagement Coordinator, spoke about WBEC-East's history, our mission, and the exciting things coming up ahead!

The interview debuted this past weekend on the programs ' What’s Going On' & 'Insight' which airs on Q102, The Breeze 106.1, 105.3 WDAS FM , Radio 104.5, Power 99 and The Gambler 1480 am.
Getting Ready for Conference
February  25, 11:30 - 3:30 PM
Camden, NJ
This interactive workshop will help you better network and create business contacts, no matter the event you have in the future!
Whether you plan on attending the 2020 WBENC National Conference, Summit and Salute, or any other industry conference, we’ll help you put your best foot forward.
Women's Conference & Resource Fair
February 26, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Cheyney University, Cheyney PA
This brand new event is an all-day conference for women in business, with learning sessions, meet-and-greets with buyers, a women-owned marketplace and women-focused, women-led conversations and resources.
FastTrac
10 Weeks, March 12 - May 21
Thursday Evenings, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Philadelphia
Whether you’re starting a food truck or a factory, you need a plan. This 10-week series offered twice a year can help. The program is most appropriate for those who are within a year of launching their business; either you're within a year of launching your business or have launched within the past year and are seeking a plan for establishing your business.
Women's History Month Luncheon
March 27, 12:00 - 2:30 PM
Valley Forge Casino Resort, King of Prussia 
The Executive Leadership Luncheon links women business owners, supplier diversity leaders, purchasing professionals, and community leaders to gain access to opportunities and to build social and power networks. Attendees will hear stories from established women in business who exemplify this year’s National Women’s History Month’s theme of “ Valiant Women. ”
Highlights from our Annual Meeting!
January 31, Wilmington DE
Thank you to everyone who attended and kicked off our 25th anniversary year with us! We started 2020 with a bang, with record breaking attendance & completely filled meet & greet tables our Annual Meeting couldn't have gone any smoother.

Our guests included our corporate and government sponsors, community partners, and business owners from all industries- all gathered to support women's entrepreneurship.

Missed out? Keep an eye out for details about a very special 2020 Desserts & More...
Message from Women's United
Annual Meeting Good Works Project - Supply the Cycle
It was a pleasure meeting you at the WBEC-East Annual Meeting. Thank you for your time and interest in  Women United ! As an integral part of United Way ,  Women United fights to empower women and families in our community to build strong, independent lives from cradle to career.  We invite you to explore our  website  to learn more details and find photos from this and past events.

Women United's Impact Portfolio:
  • Early Learning. Vello, connects local students with 1-on-1 tutors through virtual learning. If you have 30 minutes and a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, you can make a difference in a student's life. 
  • Opportunity, Employment & Entrepreneurship. Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow (GTLT) supports youth development and college and career readiness for young girls. Mentoring sessions take place on the second Saturday of each month, September through June.  
  • Financial Empowerment. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provides fast, free and confidential tax preparation services for low-to-moderate income individuals. Be a part of a rewarding effort that brings millions of dollars in refunds back to working families.

With so many ways to get involved, we would love to connect with you to learn how you and/or your colleagues can best engage in Women United’s work. Click here  to schedule time with the Women United Chair that best aligns with your interests.

Want to join Women United?  Click here    
2020 WBE Star - Kari Donovan
Our very own Kari Donovan - President of Precis Commissioning, Inc - will be honored as a “ 2020 Women’s Business Enterprise Star”, the nation’s premier award for women’s excellence in business leadership!

The WBE Stars are awarded each year at WBENC's Summit & Salute. Celebrate the success of WBENC Women's Business Enterprise Stars & America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises in Nashville.

Participate in experiential learning circuits, formal & informal networking, & the Salute! Awards Dinner.
Will you be at this event to celebrate all the 2020 WBE Stars?
Call for Presentations
WBENC seeks speakers and presenters who can deliver content on ranging skill levels, interest areas, and perspectives. Proof of performance is key to the selection of proposals and is required to make the proposal complete.

Accepted forms of proof of performance are: Video Recordings of the proposed speaker presenting a session to an audience and/or a summary of evaluations from a program the speaker previously presented. Note that preference is given to video recording evidence.
WBE Spotlight
For the first time in the Philadelphia Auto Show's 118 years, they have a female chairperson, one of our WBEs Pacifico Auto Group. Maria Pacifico, President of Pacifico Auto Group, is not only the first female chairperson but she's also the first second-generation chairperson.

Her father was a previous chair and now the honour passes on to her, a lifelong car lover. This year's Philadelphia Auto Show is from Feb 8 - Feb. 17th. 2019's show had the second-biggest crowd in the show’s 118-year history.

Regarding the show Maria says “We’re thrilled to take advantage of the holiday weekend and stay open for 10 days this year. We’re coming off our second-largest Auto Show ever. Consumer interest in the event has never been higher. To be able to offer an extra day to our guests to check out the 36 participating manufacturers during what is traditionally a very busy sales time is a real win for everyone.”
Maria Pacifico (pictured in the middle) at the Philadelphia Auto Show
Welcome Newly Certified WBEs!
Certified In January 2020
A Woman Owned Contractor
aiaTranslations LLC
Architecture Workshop INC
B R Howard & Associates INC
Burke & Company, LLC DBA S.P. McCarl & Company
Carpet Mill Direct Outlet , Inc
CC Cleaning Services
CGC Geoservices, LLC
Construction Apprentice Preparatory Program LLC DBA CAPP
Duffield Associates, Inc.
EKS Solutions LLC

Freedom Manufacturing, Inc
Green Chem Laboratories, LLC
Growing Children with Challenges, Inc
Innovative Development, LLC
JAMA Enterprises Inc. DBA Strategic Consulting Partners
M & M Tile Inc
Pacifico Hyundai
Premier Food & Beverage LLC
Sniff N Smile Cleaning Services LLC
The Venue Specialist LLC
Zhang, Yu Juan DBA Eisenwood PA Products
Opportunity & Grants
Electronic Press Releases Services
DEADLINE: February 18

The Bank is looking to identify suppliers who could perform the service of disseminating full-text press releases to the aggregation of media outlets. The services needed would require an entity to issue Bank press releases to a wide host of media outlets/contacts.

Please note that the Bank does not need a supplier to write the press releases, only serve as the conduit by which the press releases reach various audiences.

Also, this service is different than Constant Contact (used as email to members) or Edgars (SEC releases).
Bidder's Conference for City of Philadelphia Street Lighting RFQ
February 19, 3pm
Philadelphia, PA

PECO is pleased to invite potential respondents to the City of Philadelphia’s REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) for LED Streetlighting, Controls and Networking, to a bidder’s conference on February 19, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at PECO’s Main Office Building at 2301 Market Street in Philadelphia. A webinar option will also be available. The conference will provide information regarding the company’s smart street light rate, incentives and communications system capabilities.

In recognition of the increasing interest of our communities in transitioning to energy efficient LED streetlights, PECO established a new smart street light rate (SL-C) to incentivize the deployment of LED lighting and smart platforms capable of usage measurement and controls. The company will describe this rate for potential RFQ respondents, as well as provide an update on the transition to its Phase IV energy efficiency programs under Pennsylvania’s Act 129 program scheduled to begin in June 2021.

Potential bidders interested in attending should contact Steve DeMott at (215) 841-3876.
Housing Needs Assessment
DEADLINE: February 25

FHLBank Pittsburgh seeks professional consulting services to develop an assessment of housing characteristics and needs within its district of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The Housing Needs Assessment will provide a factual resource for the FHLBank’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council in planning for the allocation of funds through the Affordable Housing Program.

In addition to conducting secondary research by examining current housing data and existing housing plans and studies, the consultant will be expected to hold several in-person focus group interviews. The final product will be a written report that analyzes the findings and provides informed policy recommendations.
EDGE Grants
DEADLINE: February 28 at 11:59 p.m.
Majority Located in Delaware

Your small business could win up to $50,000/$100,000 for a wide variety of expenses through an EDGE Grant from the Delaware Division of Small Business . The Spring 2020 application round is now open, and you have just one more month to apply. Fill out an application today for a chance to get the funding you need to take your company to the next level!   
Contracting Opportunity with City of Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia Board of Pensions and Retirement issued three notices of contract opportunity for the following services:

  • General Investment Consultant – Closing Date March 6, 2020
  • Private Equity Consultant – Closing Date March 9, 2020
  • Global Equity Manager – Closing Date March 10, 2020
 
If you have questions about the bidding process call 215.685.3407
Become an Approved UPMC Vendor or Supplier!
March 26  
Pittsburgh, PA

UPMC wants to do more business in Pittsburgh & surrounding regions.

In FY 2018, UPMC achieved $225 million in spending with 400+ diverse suppliers - YOUR BUSINESS CAN BE NEXT!

Qualifications: Seeking Business Opportunities with UPMC Supplier Diversity Department
  1. Business Owners: Minority, Women, Veteran, Disabled, LGBTQ
  2. All Industries Welcomes: Service, Manufacturing, Retail
  3. Receive 50+ Comprehensive Sales Materials
From Our Partners
Rowland School of Business hosting "Accelerating Women in Industry" for International Women's Day
March 6  - Deadline to register is Feb. 28th
Pittsburgh, PA

In honor of International Women's Day, the Rowland School of Business will host "A WIN — Accelerating Women in Industry," a day of workshops open to the public and Point Park University students, faculty and staff on Friday, March 6, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is in collaboration with the University's Women in Industry Speaker Series. Workshops and panel discussions (featuring Elizabeth Walsh) will focus on celebrating the successes of women, while acknowledging challenges they've faced in the professional world.
Stand and Deliver Workshop
February 21, 8 - 12:30pm  
Philadelphia, PA

Stand and Deliver is a presentation, public speaking and story skills workshop that teaches you how to develop a strategic story, how to use it to support your message and presentation, and how to actually tell it.

You'll learn:
  • How to develop a strategic story that carries out your messaging
  • How to integrate your story into your presentation
  • Best practices in public speaking

The workshop offers one-on-one coaching and the support of a group setting. There are break-out sessions and individualized feedback which culminate in the opportunity to stand and deliver your story in front of the group.
There's a 10% discount for those in the WBEC-East network! Use code WBE at checkout.
Entrepreneur Works: Start It. Grow It.
Begins February 25
Philadelphia, PA

Start It. Grow It. is a 10-12 week business course designed to cover the fundamentals of starting or growing a business.
Participants will complete SIGI with:
  • Business Plan
  • 1-on-1 Business Consultations
  • Access to Entrepreneur Works business resources & GoDaddy Product Bundle which includes a FREE GoDaddy website and training
Learn How To:
  • Make money in your business
  • Get lenders, investors, customers
  • Identify your competition and compete
  • Research your industry/market
  • Price your product/service
  • Strategize for funding
  • Set goals and achieve them
Get Your I$H Together
February 27, 8 - 12:30pm  
Philadelphia, PA

Get Your I$H Together is a crash course on the tax process for entrepreneurs interested in financial literacy!

Led by the Philly tax expert and financial guru Marquita Eshun, of Araba and Associates Financial Consulting LLC, this 3-hour workshop will walk guests through the tax process step by step while offering solutions to common tax questions in a welcoming, judgement free environment.

This workshop is specifically designed for entrepreneurs who operate as a freelancer or individual independent contractor. If you're self employed and seeking clarity on how taxes apply to you, this workshop is perfect for you!
Road to Run: Philadelphia
March 9, 5:30-7:45
Philadelphia, PA

At Road to Run: Philadelphia, we will examine and discuss the importance of women taking their first steps toward new leadership opportunities, political or otherwise. 
 
The evening will begin with a presentation featuring Jovida Hill, Executive Director of the Office of Engagement for Women in Philadelphia on the topic of equality, including her own experience with bias and advice for how we can work toward seeing true equality for all women. Her presentation will be followed by a Q&A where you'll be able to get answers that you can apply to your own leadership journey or while supporting others on theirs.