February 2021
Issue No. 1
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CERTIFY . DEVELOP . CONNECT . ADVOCATE |
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From your MBEIC Chair
Grab Your Lunch & a Front Row Seat !!!
REGISTER !! REGISTER !!! IT’S TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL STAKEHOLDERS MEETING and THIS YEAR WE ARE ADDING A COLLABORATION & INNOVATION MEETUP EVENT!
This is a 2-Day Event Thursday February 25th and Friday February 26th.
YES! All Regions including the State of Oklahoma and the State of New Mexico, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Rio Grande Valley, Laredo/Eagle Pass - Del Rio, Midland/Odessa will be able to attend, no costly travel required! You get a front row seat to SMSDC's Virtual 2021 Annual Stakeholders Meeting .
Sign up and Show up is the beginning to New Opportunities and Building New Relationship…Let's make this the Largest attended STAKEHOLDERS Meeting!
Let's begin by giving ALL of our speakers strong support for taking the time to participate in SMSDC's 2021 Annual Stakeholders Meeting.
After the Stakeholders' Meeting, we will have an exciting new event, "Virtual Collaboration and Innovation Meetup" with SMSDC, WOMEN’S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE and TOYOTA from 5:30 to 7:30. You MUST Register for this event separately. The Collaboration helps bring MBE’s & WBE’s together with opportunities of “Doing Business Together”. Corporations are coming together to meet with MBE’s. You must register to participate in the Breakout rooms. A list has been provide during your registration… Pick the Top 4 Corporations you would like to start to build a relationship with, here are few successful key points…
Before your meeting take the time and visit the Corporations you have selected website…
- Research their Mission Statement and Vision
- Register your company if they have a Procurement Portal
- Search to see what the are buying so then you can plan your approach
And please join us for a Virtual Happy Hour during the Collaboration event!!!
MBE’s, I invite you to participate in Capacity Plus+ developmental classes. These class given by Reginald K. Layton (Chair of the Board) feature courses like, What Only CEOs Can Do , Establishing Long – Term Strategic Partnerships With the F500 , Establishing an Impactful Advisory Board , Developing a Compelling Value Proposition.
- These class help with Responding to RFP’s
- Leveraging Joint Ventures, Teaming Agreements
- Strategic Alliance’s and Acquisition to growing your business
SMALL PRICE for A LARGE RETURN
Lastly, I am honored to CONGRATULATE TO OUR 2020 MBE IDOL, Season Elliott President of WiseChoice Foods her company makes WISE PIES PIZZA … she did the most important thing!!! Competed and WON!! Dell may not buy Pizza but they know who does and will bring these two companies together for a Collaborative Opportunity.
Your MBEIC Chair,
Debbie Trevino
President
Treco Services
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And the 2020 MBE "Idol" Winner is....
Season Elliott, President of WiseChoise Foods
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National Minority Supplier Development Council
Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council
News Release
Sponsored by Dell Computers
Albuquerque, NM – January 15, 2021 – WiseChoice Foods LLC announced today their victory surrounding the 2020 SMSDC Minority Business Enterprise Idol competition developed by the minority business certifying agency, Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council (SMSDC), a regional affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). WiseChoice Foods LLC showcased their development and 2020 launch of the retail WisePies Pizza brand as a clean-label frozen pizza line with recent successes earning sought-after frozen shelf space in major retailers across 10 states in more than 550 grocery stores to include Costco Wholesale, Whole Foods, Albertsons Market, United Markets and Kroger brands – Smiths, Fry’s, Ralphs, King Soopers and City Market.
“We are incredibly thankful to be a member of the SMSDC and for our Hispanic-owned, female-led company to win the title of 2020 Minority Business Enterprise Idol. We will hold this award in the highest regard and are grateful to the group that organized the competition. Our team is focused on a successful 2021 with our eyes set only on the positive growth of this strong New Mexican company,” stated Season Elliott, President of WiseChoice Foods LLC.
“We’re very proud of our MBEs. They hit a home run out of the ballpark on their presentations. Congratulations to WisePies Pizza,” expressed Karen Box, President & CEO of SMSDC.
MBE Idol 2020 is a competition where SMSDC’s certified minority members pitch their business strategy in a series of three virtual presentations to a panel of judges including representatives from Dell, Toyota North America and ConocoPhillips. Each round becomes more challenging with a rising level of competition and a smaller field of participants. As the winner, WiseChoice Foods will gain valuable exposure to Dell business partners and the entire SMSDC network. Criteria for success in this competition includes having a clear business strategy, key product differentiators, a well-rounded marketing plan, strong and concise messaging, sustainability and diversity efforts as well as a passion for business and a demonstrated commitment to success.
WiseChoice Foods will be working with Dell over the next few months to grow through strategic business partners and have the honor of addressing the council membership at a speaking engagement at the SMSDC’s 2021 Stakeholder’s meeting on February 25, 2021.
ABOUT WISECHOICE FOODS LLC:
Started in 2018, WiseChoice Foods LLC launched the revolutionary frozen pizza line - WisePies Pizza – A Smarter Way to Pizza - as a crossover between the natural foods and traditional premium pizza categories that carries a clean label promise and elevates sustainability as a priority. The team at WiseChoice Foods feels like delicious food can and should also support overall consumer health through better food choices. They are committed to retail grocers, food service providers and pizza lovers by creating innovative and proprietary all-natural pizza products inspired by regional, ethnic flavor profiles that reflect diversity, are unique to the frozen pizza category and are incredibly delicious.
WisePies Pizza products were developed with shifting consumer purchasing behaviors in mind that include natural, healthier choices that are high quality and quick to prepare without sacrificing the robust flavors that pizza lovers crave. WiseChoice Foods is locally owned and operated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the first and only frozen pizza company from New Mexico and is certified minority-owned since 2018 by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Southwest Division. WisePies Pizza is now available in more than 550 grocery stores and through food service distributors across the country.
Visit www.wisepiespizza.com to locate the grocery store closest to you that carries WisePies Pizza and to find out more about WiseChoice Foods, WisePies Pizza products and how we're impacting our community.
Instagram - @wisepiespizzausa Facebook - @wisepiespizzausa and @wisechoicefoodsnm
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Certified MBEs Doing Great Things!!! |
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Watch an interview between CanAm Wireless and Dr. Chotani, click here.
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NEW CERTIFIED MBEs
JANUARY 2021
ATD Partners, LLC - Austin, TX
BBS Construction Services - Madill, OK
Buckley Patent Law, LLC - Austin, TX
DNA Real Estate, LLC - Austin, TX
Extreme Well Testing, LLC - Mission, TX
Inclusive Market Research Group, LLC - Benalillo, NM
Mindful Media, LLC - Austin, TX
Pride Automation Inc - San Antonio, TX
RRH-Austin, LLC - Austin, TX
The HABITS Group - Austin, TX
DECEMBER 2020
Comm-Tron, LLC - Boerne, TX
Cross-National Communications Partners, LLC - San Antonio, TX
FurtherPerformance Services, LLC - Austin, TX
Goodman Communication Services, LLC - Fredericksburg, TX
Goodman Telecom Services, LLC - Fredericksburg, TX
Hays Brothers Painting Services, Inc - Moore, TX
Jalem Welding Services, LLC - McAllen, TX
Miles Architecture, LLC - Oklahoma City, OK
Mtech Partners, LLC - Cedar Park, TX
Siembra y Cosecha, LLC - Weslaco, TX
TekHouse, LLC - Tulsa, OK
NOVEMBER 2020
Applause App Quality, Inc - Austin, TX
Ann Shenethia Manuel, LLC - Norman, OK
Capital Filtrations, Inc - Austin, TX
Cheddies, LLC - San Antonio, TX
Cross-National Resource Partners - San Antonio, TX
E&V Powerwash and Lube, LLC - Midland, TX
Global Containers & Custom Packaging, Inc - El Paso, TX
Goodman Telecom Holdings, LLC - Fredericksburg, TX
Mobile Vroom Pack - San Antonio, TX
Sweets By Justus - Oklahoma City, OK
Traclabs, Inc - San Antonio, TX
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RE-CERTIFIED MBEs
JANUARY 2020
ACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
AK Telecom
Deeleslie Landscaping Services, LLC
Diversa LLC
Eclipse Logistics Solutions, LLC
ves Enterprises Inc.
ESL INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Forma Automotive, LLC
Garza EMC, LLC
Horizone Construction, 1 Ltd
InGenesis Compliance, LLC
InGenesis Healthcare Network, LLC
InGenesis Payroll, LLC
InGenesis Solutions, LLC
Mencar LLC
Mirador Enterprises, Inc
My Business Matches, Inc.
Navales Enterprises, Inc.
Nexlegacy LLC
Office Express Janitorial Services, Inc
Opifex LLC
Precision Tool & Die Mfg. Company
Ragar Transportation, Ltd.
RD2 Austin, LLC
Reliable Staffing Corporation
RMP Inc. dba RMP Temps, Inc.
RMP, Inc. dba R. M. Personnel, Inc.
Strickler & Prieto LLP
Transmaquila, Inc
Unilink Transportation
Westwind Computer Products Inc.
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REQUIREMENT FOR ALL NEW & INTERESTED APPLICANTS FOR MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE) CERTIFICATION:
You must participate in the session prior to the Certification Committee reviews your application.
All new MBE's must attend a Pre-Certification & Post-Certification session. The sessions will be held by conference call several times a month. Please make sure to attend one pre-certification & one post-certification session in order to complete the certification process. Please contact Alana Ortega, Certification Manager, at alana@smsdc.org to register.
The following are dates available for FEBRUARY:
Wednesday, February 3rd
Wednesday, February 10th
Wednesday, February 17th
Wednesday, February 24th
Trainings are available from 10am – 12pm CST on the dates listed above for the month of February. Training may take about 30 minutes however please allow additional time depending on your company structure and questions you may have.
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NMSDC MBE2MBE
Search Tool
NMSDC certified MBEs have long been encouraged to team and partner with their MBE colleagues. The MBE2MBE search tool enables MBEs to:
- Build and grow relationships within their council region
- Increase capacity through teaming, partnerships and/or strategic alliances
- Discover MBEs to include in their supply chain activities
This is available once you log-in with your username and password onto the SMSDC application portal for Certified MBEs ONLY.
If you have any questions regarding MBE Certification please email alana@smsdc.org
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION for all MBEs:
If this is a New Application, and you are having trouble uploading your documents, please contact Alana Ortega at 512.297.6478 during regular business hours or send an e-mail to alana@smsdc.org.
If this is a ReCertification, and you are having trouble uploading your documents, please contact Gabrielle Ramirez at 512.694.0522 during regular business hours or send an e-mail to gabrielle@smsdc.org.
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To obtain a copy of your MBE logo, please follow the steps below:
- Login with email/password associated with your SMSDC Certification
- You will see options such as applying for recertification or viewing/printing current certificate
- To obtain logo select “NMSDC Logo Pack” from the bottom right-hand corner and press the download button
The MBE logo is available for use on your company’s marketing print and electronic material. The MBE logo will only be available for your use as long as your company has a current & active MBE certification.
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In alignment of SMSDC’s four pillars, Certify. Develop. Connect. Advocate., education continues to be fundamental. Launched in 2012, SMSDC continues to offer the PLUS+ Platform classes: Benchmarking Plus & Capacity Plus. These signature programs are a mix of in person & online courses presented by supplier diversity expert Reginald K. Layton, Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Supply Chain Sustainability for Johnson Controls’ Inc and Ralph G. Moore, CPA, president of Ralph G. Moore & Associates (RGMA). Moore is recognized as one of the world’s foremost thought-leaders in the area of supplier diversity and minority business development.
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For CORPORATE MEMBERS ONLY is a process to accelerate supplier diversity initiatives based on real world experimentation. Benchmarking Plus delivers the tools and management perspective to help your corporation strengthen your supplier diversity processes.
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For CERTIFIED MBEs is a process to enhance sales and marketing processes and build their capacity to work with Fortune 500 corporations.
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Benchmarking Plus & Capacity Plus are led by Johnson Controls Inc, a world leader in supplier diversity, with more than 600 diverse suppliers and $1.8 billion in diverse spend.
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Corporate Members: The annual cost for Benchmarking Plus is $999. The registration fee includes access to all webinars, featured courses, online & onsite classes. If you are interested in signing up, please register for the BENCHMARKING PLUS PLATFORM here.
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Certified MBEs: The annual cost for Capacity Plus is $499. The registration fee includes access to all webinars, featured courses, online & onsite classes. If you are interested in signing up, please register for the CAPACITY PLUS PLATFORM here.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Mayra Pena at mayra@smsdc.org or call 915.433.0612.
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2021 Virtual Annual Stakeholders' Meeting
February 25, 2021
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In many ways 2020 was a challenging year for most of us. The current pandemic affected us in many ways professionally and personally. We quickly pivoted and learned how to do business in the new normal. Join us on February 25th as we discuss the challenges faced in 2020 and plan for a better 2021.
This virtual meeting, sponsored by Toyota, will give you an opportunity to get to know SMSDC's Board of Directors, Leadership, Staff, Corporate Members and Certified MBEs.
The VIRTUAL annual meeting will take place on Thursday, February 25th via Zoom Webinar.
AGENDA
2020 Year in Review
Introduction of the State of the Council/Network
2021 Goals & Services
2021 MBE "IDOL" Kickoff
USMCA PART II Presentation
Collaboration & Innovation MeetUp Event (see below)
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VIRTUAL
COLLABORATION & INNOVATION MEETUP
February 25th - 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
February 26th - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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Online Registration is now open!
Register now to meet with your industry of choice. You must be a Certified MWBE to participate.
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SMSDC PAST VIRTUAL EVENTS
Access to SMSDC's past virtual events, please click on the link below or visit www.smsdc.org, click on events and scroll to the bottom of the webpage.
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Have a recent achievement or new development in your organization? We'd love to share your story too! Click the "SHARE YOUR STORY"link below to leave your name and contact information and we'll reach out to you.
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SMSDC affiliate council of NMSDC
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