Transcript WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Building Opportunity
for
Texas Women
Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance
Serving women-owned businesses in 94 Texas counties
WBEA Mission
To increase business opportunities for
women-owned businesses
and provide
qualified suppliers to buyers.
About the Organization
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WBEA is a nationally-recognized purchasing council
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WBEA Membership
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A 501 (c) 3 , headquartered in Houston
500 Certified WBEA WBEs
100 Corporate members
WBEA works to increase business opportunities for
WBEs in 94 South Texas counties
WBEA Service Area
Serving women-owned businesses in 94 Texas counties
WBEA: WBENC National Affiliate
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WBEA utilizes national certification standards
and procedures to certify a business as a
Woman Business Enterprise (WBE)
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WBEA is a certification partner of the Women’s
Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
What is WBENC?
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WBENC provides certification standards and
procedures for which WBEA certifies WBEs
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WBENC trains staff and certification committees
members
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WBENC conducts annual on-site reviews of its 13
other national affiliates
WHY GET CERTIFIED?
Corporations
depend on it!
 Certification standards identify bona-fide WBES
 WBEA Certification assures that appropriate programs benefit the
intended constituencies.
 Standardized procedures help corporations confidently award contracts
 WBE certification simplifies reporting of WBE dollar spend and utilization
data
WHO CAN BE A CERTIFIED WBE?
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Independent business
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No exclusive agreements
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51% ownership, management and control
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Background, experience, and technical
competence/working knowledge
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U.S. Citizen(s) or Legal Resident Alien(s)
CERTIFICATION: 7 SIMPLE STEPS
1. Submit a complete and notarized
application and affidavit
2. Desk audit performed
3. Application is submitted to Certification
Committee
4. Certification Committee reviews
application
CERTIFICATION: 7 SIMPLE STEPS
5. An on-site interview is conducted
6. Certification Committee either approves or
denies application
7. Executive Director makes final decision and
informs applicant
 If denied, applicant has two opportunities for
appeal
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
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Mentoring Program
ChevronTexaco 2nd Friday Educational Seminars
Executive Scholarship Program
“Keys to Success” Luncheons and Trade Fairs
Business Opportunity Breakfasts
Email RFPs, RFQs, etc.
Suppliers to Buyers Link
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Suppliers Guide (online, on disk, email)
Buyers Guide (disk, email)
Annual Women’s Business Opportunity Expo
Annual Awards Program
WBEA Website (www.wbea-texas.org)
HOW DO VENDORS FIND YOU?
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WBE Sourcing
www. wbea-texas.org
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Click on Certified WBE’s
Search by
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Product/Service Category
SIC/NAICS Code
Company Name
Key Word
www.wbenc.org
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
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Join the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance
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Get Certified
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Get involved in committees
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Attend events
2004 Events
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Business Opportunities Breakfast
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Quarterly Luncheons
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February 19, June 17, November 18
Annual WBE Business Opportunity Expo
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March 3, August 26, October28
May 12-13 @ Reliant Center
Golf Tournament
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October 11, Wild Cat Golf Tournament
Contact Us
Danielle Vara-Aleman
Marketing Coordinator
713-681-WBEA, x13
[email protected]
Susan Repka
Certification Manager
713-681-9232 x11
[email protected]
Business Is Looking Up For Texas Women
Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance
Building Opportunity for Texas Women
713-681-WBEA or www.wbea-texas.org