EWC 26 Program Book

26th ANNUAL

September 20, 2012McCorMiCk PlaCe-West

2301 s. indiana avenue ChiCago, illinois

The oldest national conference and business opportunities fair for women business owners in the country.

2012 ConFerenCe PrograM

Presented by the Women’s business Development Center (WbDC)

Conference sponsors | 3

Sponsors listed are those confirmed by August 1, 2012*�The�Deluxe�Corporation�Foundation�is�serving�in�an�Honorary�Sponsorship�capacity.

Honorary Co-ChairsHonorable Danny K. Davis, U.S. Congressman, Illinois – 7th DistrictHonorable Pat Quinn, Governor, State of IllinoisHonorable John J. Cullerton, Illinois Senate PresidentHonorable Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board PresidentHonorable Rahm Emanuel, Mayor, City of ChicagoHonorable Judith A. Roussel, Illinois District Director,

U.S. Small Business Administration

Conference Co-ChairsCheryl Pearson-McNeil

Senior Vice President Public Affairs and Government Relations

Nielsen

Mindy Mercaldo

Illinois Division President Citibank, N.A.

ConFerenCe

sPonsors

Marquee Sponsors*

Premier WBE Sponsors

VIVA

VIVA

VIVA

Major Sponsors

Premier Media Sponsors

Official Television SponsorOfficial Carrier

Official Technology & Cyber Café Sponsors

Premier Sponsors

WBE Sponsors

Media Sponsors

®

© 2012 Deluxe Enterprise Operations, Inc. All rights reserved.

Is proud to offer WBDC clients greater flexibility

by sponsoring the development of business

education courses online/on-demand.

DeluxeCorporationFoundation

Welcome | 5

For business and job creation in the U.S., the case for diversity is clear and uncompromising. Corporate America is committed to strengthening its relationships and to sustaining and increasing market share with women and people of color as consumers of their goods and services and also as employees, vendors and suppliers.

What you and the WBDC want is a level playing field, parity and equal opportunity. There’s much we can do together. We can support efforts to strengthen supplier diversity and vendor development initiatives. We can encourage, commend and buy from corporations that have diversity in employment and purchasing plans, and let these companies know we recognize and appreciate their fair-minded practices.

The 26 years of the WBDC’s Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference supports the achievements of affirmative action in the private and public sector. Join us at this year’s Women’s Business & Buyers Mart to build relationships and find opportunities with the committed corporations and government agencies who, like us, understand the value of diversity and the business case for the utilization of diverse suppliers.

Our country’s economic strength depends upon all of us, and the health and vitality of our businesses, our families, our communities and our country are strengthened by diversity and parity.

S. Carol Dougal and Hedy m. ratnerCo-Founders and Co-Presidents Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

the Women’s business Development Center (WbDC) is celebrating its 26th year of progress for women and minority-owned businesses. since its inception, the WBdC has been committed to affirmative action and the implementation of contracting goals, advocacy, public policies, and programs and services that strengthen women and minority-owned businesses.

Unfortunately, parity has not yet been achieved for women and minority-owned businesses, but we have made major progress. Women and minority-owned businesses are now the majority of businesses in the U.S. However, the annual revenues of 80% of all businesses and over 90% of minority and women-owned businesses in the U.S. are under $500,000.

As we exit from our economic recession, small business is the driving force of the economy – responsible for nearly half of all sales, employing more people, creating more jobs and starting businesses at a faster rate. Women and minority-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of our economy today, and our success is enhanced by the private and public sectors’ commitment to and implementation of diversity and economic opportunity contracting programs.

The horizon is looking brighter at the federal, state and local levels.

The U. S. Small Business Administration is committed to implementing an expanded 5% contracting goal for women business enterprises for every federal agency.

In Illinois, Governor Quinn expanded the power of the Illinois Business Enterprise Council to ensure that women and minority businesses will have significant access to contracts and subcontracting opportunities with the State of Illinois and all its State agencies and institutions, including state colleges and universities.

In Cook County, President Preckwinkle’s administration has increased the goals for women and minority businesses in all county agencies; monitoring and compliance are enhanced and new initiatives on bonding and insurance and prompt payment are being implemented.

In the City of Chicago under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, new and increased resources expedite W/MBE certification and the commitment to contract compliance is enhanced. All City sister agencies are on board to expand business opportunities for women and minority business enterprises, and new initiatives are being implemented to provide more prime contracting opportunities.

WelCoMe

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Insertion Date: September 2012

BMO Harris BankSM is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC*U.S. Department of Commerce. “A Profile of U.S. Exporting Companies, 2007 - 2008.” Reprinted in U.S. Census Bureau Report, 13 Apr 2010.

Small businesses make up 97%of U.S. exporters.*There’s nothing small about small business.

It might be called a small business, but it’s a big deal to you. BMO Harris Bank shares that mindset.

And our full range of small business services can help your business succeed. Working together,

we’ll help keep your small business right where you want it. To learn more, call 1-888-489-2265,

stop in, or visit bmoharris.com/smallbusiness.

table of Contents | 7

Welcome Letter from WBDC Co-Presidents 5

Schedule of Events 9

Letters from our Conference Co-Chairs 11, 13

Proclamations, Resolutions and Honorary Co-Chair Letters 14 – 20

26th Annual Women’s Forum Breakfast 23 – 25

26th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon 29 – 37

26th Annual Women’s Business & Buyers Mart 39 � Please�turn�this�book�over�for�the�Women’s�Business�&�Buyers�� Mart�Directory�and�a�complete�listing�of�exhibitor�information

Contract Connections 39

Launching Your Own Business: From Dream to Reality 42 – 43 � Workshop�for�start-ups

Ask the Experts: Solutions for Your Business 45 � Roundtable�sessions�for�business�owners�of�all�levels

Get Down to Business Networking Reception 47

General Conference Information 51

Sponsor Acknowledgements 52 – 53

Partner Organizations Acknowledgements 57

About the WBDC 59

Ad Index 100

taBle oF

Contents

BP is honored to partner with Team USA.Just as we fuel Team USA, BP is committed to relationships

that energize business opportunities with Minority and Women

Owned Business Enterprises. Through a culture of inclusion,

we connect with the most innovative and performance-

driven suppliers within BP’s community. Find out more at

bp.com/supplierdiversity

© 2012 BP America Inc. 36 USC 220506

Client: BP Campaign: BP Energy Security Ad #: BP_12_139 Ad Title: BP is honored to partner with Team USA. Version/Revision #: V3 Date Modified: July 11, 2012 Operator: mh/AC Schawk Docket #:909718A02

Media Vendor / Publication: WBDC - Chicago

Safety: 7” x 10” Trim: 8” x 10.5” Bleed: 8.25” x 10.75”

Mechanical Scale: 100% Format: Full Page 4C

Printer:

schedule of events | 9

sChedule oF

eventsThursday, September 20, 20127:30 a.m. Registration Opens

Located�outside�Skyline�Ballroom

8:00 – 9:30 a.m. 26th Annual Women’s Forum Breakfast Skyline�Ballroom�A-C

��

9:30 – 11:45 a.m. Women’s Business & Buyers Mart Skyline�Ballroom�D�&�E

9:45 – 11:45 a.m. Launching Your Own Business: From Dream to Reality Breakout�Room�180�(workshop�for�start-ups)

9:45 – 11:45 a.m. Contract Connections Skyline�Ballroom�D�&�E�(by�appointment�only)

Noon – 1:45 p.m. 26th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon Skyline�Ballroom�A-C

��

1:45 – 5:00 p.m. Women’s Business & Buyers Mart Skyline�Ballroom�D�&�E

2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Contract Connections Skyline�Ballroom�D�&�E�(by�appointment�only)

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Ask the Experts: Solutions for Your Business Breakout�Room�181�(for�business�owners�of�all�levels)

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Get Down to Business Networking Reception Skyline�Ballroom�Terrace

Marquee Sponsors*

*The Deluxe Corporation Foundation is serving in an Honorary Sponsorship capacity.

Keynote presenter: Lisa price Founder, Carol’s Daughter, Inc.

Sponsored by

Featuring Moderator

terry Savage

Sponsored by

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Program Guide

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You stand behindwomen entrepreneurs everywhere.We stand behind you.Citi is proud to support the Women’s Business Development Center.

Congratulations on 26 years of success and paving the way for women

in business everywhere.

© 2012 Citigroup Inc. Citi and Arc Design is a registered service mark of Citigroup Inc.

S:7.5”S:10”

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Conference Co-Chair | 11

mindy mercaldoIllinois Division President

Citibank, N.A.

ConFerenCe

Co-Chair

Nielsen is committed to increasing our spend with minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBEs).

Nielsen recognizes the tremendous purchasing power of MWBEs. Our policy is to build collaborative, mutual alliances and to provide economic development opportunities in our procurement process with certified minority and women owned business enterprises.

To register your company information, visit www.nielsen.com/supplierdiversity and complete an online profile.

Copyright © 2012 The Nielsen Company. All rights reserved.

Questions? Contact us at 877-603-9122

or email us at [email protected]

www.nielsen.com

SD_fullpageAd.indd 1 1/6/12 9:35 AM

Conference Co-Chair | 13

Cheryl pearson-mcNeilSenior Vice President

Public Affairs and Government Relations, Nielsen

ConFerenCe

Co-Chair

Nielsen

200 W. Jackson Blvd.

Suite 2700

Chicago, IL

tel 312-385-6505 fax 312-385-6515

www.nielsen.com

Dear Friends: When Bonnie Raitt wrote the song "Let's Give Them Something to Talk About" she wasn't singing about women currently controlling $12 trillion of the $18 trillion of buying power across the globe. Or, the fact that U.S. women-owned businesses generate $1.2 trillion in sales in the United States, but it sure is something we should be talking about, isn't it? What I love most about Hedy M. Ratner and S. Carol Dougal, the co-founders and co-presidents of the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC), is that as advocates and a resource outlet for women business owners across the Midwest, they have for 26 consecutive years given women entrepreneurs a voice. The 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference & Buyers Mart is no exception. As a representative of Nielsen, the leading global measurement and insights company that measures what consumers watch and what consumers buy, I am honored to serve as a co-chair for the event that is always "buzz" worthy. We hope that you network, and mix and mingle your way through the conference and learn all of the latest best practices. And we encourage you to think strategically about how to marry your business acumen with your female consumer instincts, so you'll return to your respective consumers reenergized and recommitted to meeting their every need...which is exactly what you want your clients talking about when it comes to YOUR business. Embrace Your Power,

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Relations

letters & Proclamations | 14

Congress of the United StatesHouse of Representatives

Washington, D.C.

Danny K. Davis7 District - Illinoisth

August 2, 2012

Hedy M. RatnerCo-PresidentWomen's Business Development Center8 South Michigan Avenue – 4th FloorChicago, Illinois 60603

Dear Ms. Ratner:

Please extend to all of the participants at the 26 Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference,th

September 20, 2012 at Chicago’s McCormick Place my hearty welcome and greetings. Your conference,as always, is both a milestone and beacon of hope along the road to economic equality for women.

Over the past twenty-six years of your existence women have made significant gains in wage equalityand business opportunity. Women owned businesses are a dynamic and growing share of our economy –almost half of privately held U.S. businesses. We celebrate these gains and the accompanying social andpolitical benefits to America. The fact is, that without women owned businesses, our economy cannotgrow and thrive.

It logically follows that we must not lose sight of the need for continued progress. The wage gap hasnarrowed but is nowhere near closed. The glass ceiling now has some openings but still remains a barrierfor the majority of women. Until we end gender discrimination and disparities we can not claim to be afair and just society.

The Women’s Business Development Center can, and should, take some of the credit for the successeswhich have been scored. By that same logic, the Women’s Business Development Center must also thenrenew its commitment to continuing the work it has begun. This conference is proof of that commitment.

I extend my congratulations along with my very best wishes and trust that the conference will be a greatsuccess and that all those in attendance will come away renewed and empowered.

Sincerely,

Danny K. DavisMember of Congress

DKD:ic



Friends, It is an honor to help welcome you to the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. On behalf of the members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus and the constituents of the 6th Legislative District, I’d like to salute those who will be participating in the oldest national conference and business opportunities fair for women business owners in the country. Your work to support female and minority business ownership and economic development throughout Illinois is both noble and inspiring. This conference offers women business owners real solutions to the current problems they are facing and the opportunity to increase the profitability of their businesses by establishing relationships with corporate and government buyers, business experts and other women business owners. Again, I am proud to recognize your past contributions and extend my congratulations to the Women’s Business Development Center on hosting its 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference. I wish the very best for continued success and progress.

Sincerely,

John J. Cullerton Senate President





B OA R D o f CO M M I S S I O N E R S TERRENCE J. O’BRIEN BARBARA J. MCGOWAN CYNTHIA M. SANTOS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT CHAIRMAN OF FINANCE

MICHAEL A. ALVAREZ FRANK AVILA PATRICIA HORTON

KATHLEEN THERESE MEANY DEBRA SHORE MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS

DAVID ST. PIERREEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DATED THIS 9th DAY of AUGUST 2012.

M E T RO P O L I TA N WAT E R R E C L A M AT I O N D I S T R I C T o f G R E AT E R C H I C AG O

SPONSORED by the BOARD of COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZING

THE 26th ANNUAL ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMAN’S CONFERENCE AND THE WOMEN’S BUSINESS

AND BUYER’S MART ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is a nationally recognized non-profit women’s busi-ness assistance organization devoted to providing services and programs that support and accelerate women’s business owner-ship and strengthen the impact of women on the economy; and

WHEREAS, the WBDC will hold its 26th Annual Entre-preneurial Woman’s Conference and Women’s Business and Buyers Mart on September 20, 2012, at McCormick Place-West; and

WHEREAS, this conference will offer the par-ticipants an opportunity to increase the prof-itability of their businesses by building rela-tionships with corporate and government buyers, business experts, and other women business owners; and

WHEREAS, the WBDC has put forth cre-ative and innovative approaches to empower-ing women and their families, striving to influ-ence the larger political and economic environment in a way that encourages and supports women’s eco-nomic empowerment; and

WHEREAS, the WBDC was founded in 1986 by S. Carol Dougal and Hedy M. Ratner and since then more than 50,000 women business owners have used its programs and services including one-on-one counseling, workshops, entrepreneurial training, Women’s Business Finance program, Women’s Busi-ness Enterprise Certification program, Procurement and Tech-nical Assistance program, Child Care Business Initiative and program, and Women’s Tech and Venture program; and

WHEREAS, the WBDC has taught more than 50,000 wom-en entrepreneurs practical business skills through one-on-one

counseling and training workshops; successfully implemented a bilingual initiative to assist Latinas with business develop-ment; launched the Asian American Women Business Initia-tive with Women’s Bureau, Department of Labor and Asian American alliance to assist Asian women back into entrepre-neurship; helped women-owned businesses win over $250 mil-lion in government and private sector contracts; and facilitated over $35,000,000 in loans; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has been a pioneer in

recognizing the economic contribution of busi-ness women; and

WHEREAS, this recognition is evidenced by the District’s early adoption and continuing advocacy of a policy which supports the legiti-mate aspirations of women’s businesses within

its jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, the development of women’s busi-ness enterprises is in the best interest of the District,

City of Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois and United States of America; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, here-by join in recognizing the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference and Women’s Business and Buyers Mart; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclama-tion District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suit-ably engrossed, be presented to the Women’s Business Devel-opment Center.

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Job Mgr.# Last DateGoldman Sachs GOLD12KB0045A_10KSBRecrAng1 11322 8-3-2012 2:51 PM

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WBDC: PDF/X-1a via e-mail to [email protected] +1Prf to Futura Marketing, 9531 W. 78St., Ste 250, Eden Prarie, MN 55349, 303-691-0821

GOLD12KB0045A – 10KSB RECRUITMENT_Angelica – A size

Publications: Live Insertion date Due Date WBDC Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference 7.5 x 10 PROGRAM 8/3

© 2012 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

Knowing when to stand your ground and when to budge can make a good deal great. Our program with the City Colleges of Chicago gives you valuable skills for growing your business, the opportunity to access financial capital, powerful networking opportunities and more, at no cost to you. Just ask Angelica.

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S:7.5”S:1

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The Chicago Sun-Times is proud to support the Women's Business Development Center.

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Subscribe today with our best offer for friends, family and partners of the Chicago Sun-Times. Just $26 for 26 weeks. Visit suntimes.com/friend or call 888-848-4637.

Women’s Forum Breakfast | 23

Thursday, September 20, 20128:00 – 9:30 a.m. Skyline Ballroom A-C, McCormick Place-West

Sponsored by

For over 20 years the Women’s Forum has remained one of the most popular and prestigious elements of the Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. Learn from, and be inspired by, nationally-renowned women business owners as moderator Terry Savage, appearing courtesy of the Chicago�Sun-Times, leads this year’s panel through another lively, candid, open — and always fascinating — discussion about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

The�last�twenty�minutes�will�be�open�to�audience�questions.

ForuM ModeratorTerry SavageChicago Sun-Times Financial Columnist and Best-Selling Author of “The Savage Truth on Money” President, Terry Savage Productions, Ltd.

Terry Savage is a nationally recognized, award-winning financial authority, television personality and the author of best-selling books on personal finance. Her most recent book, The�New�Savage�Number:�How�Much�Money�Do�You�Really�Need�to�Retire? was released in 2009, and released in 2011 was a new edition of The�Savage�Truth�on�Money, which was named one of the ten best money books of the year by Amazon.com when the first edition came out a decade ago. Says Terry: “Those Truths remain valid, though I’ve updated guidance and numbers in this edition, which is aimed at those just starting out — or starting over!”

Terry is a nationally syndicated finance columnist for the Chicago�Sun-Times, and a regular contributor to the popular investing websites MoneyShow.com, YahooFinance.com and TheStreet.com. A frequent guest on radio and television shows including CNN, NBC and CNBC — appearing several times on Oprah! — Terry co-hosted her CBS-TV’s Chicago morning show in 2010 and is in demand as a speaker at meetings across the country. You can read her columns and post questions on her blog at www.TerrySavage.com. Terry’s financial expertise comes from experience. A founding member and the first woman trader on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, she is also the president of her own company, Terry Savage Productions, Ltd.

WoMen’s

ForuM BreakFast


WoMen’s

ForuM BreakFast2012 ForuM Panelists

Sue BhatiaChief Executive Officer Rose International, Inc.

Ranked 13th on Fast�Company’s list of the Top 25 Women Business Builders in North America, Bhatia founded Rose International in the spring of 1993. Under her leadership, Rose emerged as a force in the IT and Business Services arena, and is a leader in providing innovative end-to-end technology services to both commercial organizations and government agencies from branch offices, Centralized Recruiting Centers and development centers in 21 U.S. cities and India. With 6,000+ associates and steady revenue growth, Rose International is recognized as one of the country’s fastest-growing and most successful companies, and the largest woman-owned business in St. Louis, MO.

A recipient of numerous awards for her business acumen, Rose has also been highlighted in such prestigious business publications as Inc. and BusinessWeek and was ranked second on Staffing Industry Analysts’ Fastest-Growing U.S. Staffing Firms list in the summer of 2011. While her responsibilities at Rose occupy most of her available time, Bhatia has always found time to develop and promote women entrepreneurs both in the United States and around the world. Furthering global women’s business development is an important area of focus for her and she has participated in numerous events furthering this mission in such places as China, Switzerland, Tokyo and Turkey, to name a few. Bhatia currently serves on the Immigration Steering Committee in St. Louis to help promote immigration in the area, and she previously served on the President’s Initiative on Race and on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Christie HefnerFormer CEO, Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Executive Chairman, Canyon Ranch Enterprises

Christie Hefner serves as Executive Chairman of Canyon Ranch Enterprises, a new company leveraging the brand and knowledge of Canyon Ranch via media and business partnerships. From 1988-2008 she served as Chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. overseeing global expansion of Playboy’s legendary brand to a wide array of new platforms and markets, transforming a domestic publishing-based business into a global multi-media and lifestyle company. She was the longest serving female CEO ever of a public company, and she was named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World by Forbes magazine for three consecutive years.

As the first woman elected to the Chicago chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization, Christie helped to found the Committee of 200, an international organization of preeminent women business owners and executives, whose mission is to foster, celebrate and advance women’s leadership in business. She is also a founding member of The Chicago Network, an organization of professional women in the Chicago area in business, the arts, and government. Christie currently sits on the Council of National Advisors for Springboard Enterprises, which supports women-led growth ventures; is a Director at the Center for American Progress, the leading progressive public policy think tank started and run by John Podesta; is on the board of Trustees for Rush University Medical Center; and has distinguished herself as a committed HIV/AIDS activist.


Laura RickettsDirector of Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball Chairman of the Board, Chicago Cubs

Laura Ricketts is a director and part owner of the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball club as well as Chairman of the Board for Chicago Cubs Charities. Much of her work with the Cubs is focused on community relations, government relations and philanthropy.

Prior to her current position, Ricketts practiced law at the Chicago law firm of Schiff, Hardin & Waite (now Schiff Hardin LLP) where she was an associate in the Corporate and Securities Practice Group and concentrated her practice in mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and general corporate and securities law matters. She left the practice of law to co-found Ecotravel, LLC. Dedicated to fostering and promoting ecotourism worldwide, Ecotravel, LLC operated Ecotravel.com, an online magazine of ecotourism news and information and directory of ecotourism service providers. Selected as one of the top ecotourism websites by the Wall�Street�Journal in 2002, Ecotravel.com provided information and resources to educate travelers and facilitate travel planning while assisting ecotourism providers in promoting their services.

Ricketts is involved with several organizations in the Chicago area community and beyond. She currently serves on the National Leadership Council for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, a national non-profit organization that litigates, educates and engages in public policy work on behalf of LGBT civil rights. Ricketts also Co-Chairs the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT Leadership Council and is a member of U.S. Representative Mike Quigley’s LGBT Advisory Council.

Richelle ShawChief Executive Officer RTS Publishing, LLC

Richelle Shaw’s story of entrepreneurial success is one of true tenacity, hardship and hard work. A featured expert and leading authority on building successful million dollar businesses, Richelle’s expertise comes from experience.

In 1993, Richelle began working as a sales person for Colorado River Communications working her way to Executive Vice President in 4 years and leading the company in record sales. While there, she helped build the company from a $300,000 operation to a $36 million dollar operation with 52 employees. In her role, Richelle oversaw both domestic and international sales with Norway and Mexico. When the owner’s plans to take the company public did not materialize, he decided he wanted to focus on international business only. Richelle knew that the domestic side of the business was still viable, she recognized an opportunity and in 1999 she purchased the assets of the company and rolled them into Communication Experts, Inc., a competitive local exchange carrier/reseller providing local, long distance, cellular and internet service, thus making her the sole owner and the only female, African American public utility owner in the nation. After the 9-11 tragedies, Richelle was forced to file bankruptcy and rebuild her business. In 2002, pulling from her own personal experience, she developed the FreshStart Program for credit challenged customers to obtain the services her company offered without deposits or credit checks, and with this program she was able to rebuild her million dollar business in 5 months. In 2007, Richelle decided to sell the company to another reseller who sold to CenturyLink within 6 months.

Since 2007, Richelle has been committed to helping entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes she made in her business, and has successfully mentored over 12,000 men and women, in 98 different industries, through her international coaching programs for small businesses. She is the author of How�to�Build�A�Million�Dollar�Business�in�Las�Vegas�–�Without�the�Casinos and she currently serves as the featured Money Expert on her FOX5 local affiliate, The�MORE�Show.

Grainger is a proud, active member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and a Founding Member of the Diverse Manufacturing Supply Chain Alliance.

We recognize the importance of meeting supplier diversity goals.

As one of North America’s leading suppliers of facilities maintenance supplies, our supplier diversity program provides quality products in every category, from cleaning supplies and casters to tools and fasteners that help our customers get their jobs done.

Today, more and more minority-owned and woman-owned businesses are working as suppliers for our daily operations.

So whether you supply our company with the products and services we need, or supply the products that we distribute to our customers, we’ll partner with you to meet both our goals.

To register for Grainger’s Supplier Diversity Program, visit https://app.suppliergateway.com/grainger

Look for the Supplier Diversity symbol throughout our catalog. For the most current listings of Grainger diverse supplier products, click on the Supplier Diversity logo on the Grainger.com® home page.

Partner with Grainger.©

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Fulfill your dreams and your goals.

Supplier diversity at OfficeMax® is built on our commitment to building strong relationships with our certified diverse suppliers of all sizes—and helping customers like you achieve your business goals.

We are continuously looking for new ways to help small businesses reach their full potential, while helping us deliver exceptional products and services. We hope that you will join us on this meaningful journey.

Please contact your sales representative at 877.969.OMAX (6629) to start doing business with OfficeMax, or visit diversitybusiness.com/officemax to register as a diverse supplier.

Creating opportunities for diverse businesses to grow and thrive.

© 2012 OMX, Inc.

Contact Allan Rollins for more information Call: 630.864.5644 or email: [email protected]

© 2010 Commonwealth Edison Company

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER CREATES AN ENERGY ALL ITS OWN.Diversity is the foundation of any strong organization. That’s why ComEd is proud to lend our support to programs that bring people together in the spirit of community.

ComEd is very proud to support the Women’s Business Development Center. Best wishes for a wonderful conference!

www.ComEd.com | 1-800-EDISON-1

hall of Fame awards luncheon | 29

26th annual hall oF FaMe

aWards lunCheonThursday, September 20, 2012Noon – 1:45 p.m. Skyline Ballroom A-C, McCormick Place-West

Sponsored by

Each year the Women’s Business Development Center’s (WBDC) Hall of Fame Awards recognize women entrepreneurs who have demonstrated unequaled strength, perseverance and creativity in their businesses, and who have embodied entrepreneurial success in various ways. The WBDC also recognizes advocates, corporations and government agencies who have demonstrated their enthusiastic commitment to the strengthening of women’s business ownership and economic development.

keynote PresenterLisa PriceFounder, Carol’s Daughter, Inc.

From humble beginnings in her Brooklyn kitchen, Lisa Price transformed her beloved hobby of mixing up fragrances and creams at home into a multi-million dollar beauty empire. In the early 1990s, Lisa began experimenting, making her own fragrances and perfume sprays when she wasn’t busy working on the legendary sitcom The�Cosby�Show. When the show finished its TV run in 1992, Lisa used the end of one chapter of her life to embark on another. With $100 in cash, her own kitchen, and the simple notion that people should follow their hearts, she started building the collection that would become a beauty revolution. In August of 1994, Lisa officially established Carol’s Daughter, lovingly named after her mother. Today, Carol’s Daughter sells millions of dollars worth of products annually,

employs more than 80 staff members, and has nine stores across the country, with a flagship store in Harlem, and hopes to continue expanding Carol’s Daughter to other cities. Lisa is an active philanthropist and is dedicated to giving back to the community through both her business and her personal life. Most recently, she was appointed as a council member of the National Women’s Business Council, an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues that face female business owners.

We hope you will join us in honoring our 2012 Award Recipients.(see�pages�31-37)

km1221_ad WBENC.pdf 1 7/11/12 2:35 PM

award recipients | 31

Cassandra SanfordChief Executive Officer

KellyMitchell Group

26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year

With over fifteen years of experience in the professional services industry for Fortune 500 corporations, with a specialized focus in technology consulting, Cassandra Sanford is the CEO and co-founder of KellyMitchell, and is responsible for the daily operations and management. Since founding KellyMitchell fourteen years ago, Cassandra has grown the company from a local firm with 3 employees to a national organization with over 1000 employees in 45 states. KellyMitchell is headquartered in St. Louis, with offices in Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Miami, New York, Richmond, San Francisco and Seattle.

A recipient of numerous awards for her business acumen and philanthropic endeavors, Cassandra is a WBENC-certified WBE and a member of both the Committee of 200 and the Women’s Presidents’ Organization (WPO), and makes a practice of mentoring other women and giving back to her community. She is an active guest speaker for various entrepreneur courses in the St. Louis area and a member of the Billiken’s Angel Network, an angel investment group. She serves on various boards including the St. Louis Regional Commerce Growth Association, the United Way, and The Magic House. She is Chairman of the Women’s Leadership Society of the United Way, and is an advisory board member of FTL Capital, whose mission is to finance businesses in under-capitalized communities.

Linda Johnson Photography

2012 aWard

reCiPients

The Women’s Business Development Center is proud to honor the outstanding accomplishments of its longtime supporter, dedicated women’s business advocate and friend, Cassandra Sanford, with the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year Award.

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Our unconventional approach combined with our full suite of in-house services results in a promotional marketing programthat is effortless, efficientand cost effective. And it’sall brought to you withstellar customer service from people who love what they do.


Since founding Overture in 2001 with just 3 employees and limited office space, Heather Sanderson has taken her company from a small, start-up business to one of the industry’s leading promotional marketing companies, as noted by its inclusion in the Top 50 Distributors for five consecutive years running by Promotional�Marketing magazine. Today, Overture is a certified WBE, composed of 65 employees and year-after-year revenue growth, all housed in a 70,000 square foot building. With more than 2,500 clients spanning nearly 20 industries, this diversity in client markets enables Overture to provide client-teams comprised of members with industry-specific experience.

Prior to founding Overture, Heather was CFO of an ASI industry supplier, with five different divisions located in Texas and California, for ten years. As CEO and owner of Overture, Heather uses her business expertise to lead the management team and company with a long-term business strategy based on a foundation of controlled growth. Even as Overture continues to grow, she is a permanent member of the company’s Mentor Program, passing her ad specialty expertise on to the next generation. Dedicated to the promotional marketing industry as well as to the growth of Overture, Heather spearheaded the Mentor Program which has now graduated five successful product experts, two of which are women that have secured over $1 million in sales in 2011. Heather also functions as the company’s official spokesperson, and is a core member of the company’s corporate sales team responsible for acquiring large, contracted promotional clients, and is the company’s liaison with its many activities related to its WBENC certified WBE status.

2012 aWard

reCiPients

The Women’s Business Development Center is proud to honor the outstanding accomplishments and WBE success of our client, supporter and friend, Heather Sanderson, with the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year – WBE Success Award.

Heather SandersonCEO and Owner

Overture Premiums & Promotions LLC

26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year – WBE Success


Danielle HrzicPresident and Co-Founder Gourmet Gorilla

26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year – Rising Star

Danielle Hrzic, is co-founder and president of Gourmet Gorilla, a school food service company providing local and organic meals to over 90 schools throughout northern Illinois. Gourmet Gorilla began out of a need to provide healthier meals at her son’s school in Chicago’s South Loop and currently provides over 5,000 meals per day at private and charter preschools, early childhood and elementary schools, with a mission of supporting local farmers and businesses.

Having started the company on a personal credit card and an $8,000 microloan, the company has managed to grow with minimal debt, reinvestment of profits and a great deal of hard work and focus. Danielle is a driven professional who has created a strong, profitable business model for serving the children of our community with healthy, organic food choices.

An alumnus of the Goldman Sachs 10,000�Small�Businesses program, Danielle was recently featured on the Morning�Joe program on MSNBC, joined by Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and billionaire investor Warren Buffett.

The Women’s Business Development Center is thrilled to honor the outstanding accomplishments of our client, friend and supporter, Danielle Hrzic, with the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year – Rising Star Award.

2012 aWard

reCiPients


26th annual advoCaCy aWardsThe Women’s Business Development Center is thrilled to honor the outstanding accomplishments of both Pamela Prince-Eason of WBENC and Joset Wright of NMSDC for their tremendous advocacy efforts on behalf of women and minority business owners nationally with the 26th Annual Advocacy Awards.

The WBDC is proud to be the largest certifying partner of WBENC, and proud of the partnership we have shared with the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (CMSDC) since our inception – 26 years ago. This collaboration is what has led to much of the important legislation that supports the creation and growth of women and minority-owned businesses in the State of Illinois, the County of Cook and the City of Chicago.

Pamela Prince-EasonPresident & CEO Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

Pamela Prince-Eason is the president and CEO of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). She is the former Chair of the WBENC Board of Directors and prior to coming to WBENC held the position of vice president of Worldwide Procurement for Pfizer Inc, headquartered in New York City.

Prince-Eason’s professional career as both corporate executive and woman business owner has honed her expertise in supplier

diversity, strategic leadership, management best practices and cost ownership processes. Prior to her roles at Pfizer, she held various leadership positions at Texas Instruments, GSE Systems, Warner Lambert and as a co-owner of women-run RMR Associates, a business process consulting company.

Prince-Eason’s dedication to women’s business leadership is illustrated in her many professional and personal roles advancing women’s excellence and opportunity. In addition to WBENC, she has been a strong supporter of the Institute of Supply Management (ISM), the premier supply management association in the world, and the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC). She serves as a member of the U.S. Department of State’s International Council on Women’s Business Leadership (ICWBL) Subcommittee on Access to Markets; is an active collaborator on Small Business and Women & Girl’s initiatives through the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and on the advisory committees of several Corporations including Wal-mart’s Women Owned Business Advisory Council.

Joset B. WrightPresident National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (NMSDC)®

Joset B. Wright is president of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), a private non-profit organization that expands business opportunities for minority-owned companies of all sizes. NMSDC encourages mutually beneficial economic links between minority suppliers and the public and private sectors, and helps build a stronger, more equitable society by supporting and promoting minority business development.

The NMSDC Network includes a national office in New York and 37 Regional Councils across the country. There are 3,500 corporate

members throughout the network, including America’s top publicly-owned, privately-owned and foreign-owned companies as well as universities, hospitals and other buying institutions. The Regional Councils certify and match more than 16,000 MBEs with member corporations that want to purchase their goods and services.

Wright is an attorney and former procurement executive with a broad range of professional experience in the corporate and private sectors. She honed her leadership, strategic planning and management skills during a 13-year career in the telecommunications industry that began as an attorney at Indiana Bell, a subsidiary of Ameritech Corporation, and was later named vice president of procurement and property services, where she managed the acquisition of $4 billion annually in goods and services, and introduced strategic sourcing across the $33 billion enterprise. After a merger between Ameritech Corporation and SBC Corporation, she was named president of Ameritech Illinois – then the largest communications company in Illinois with $4.5 billion in annual operating revenues. She was responsible for all regulatory, legislative and external relations activities.

Today, we honor the two leading advocacy organizations working on behalf of women and minority business owners nationally. We commend the incredible progress they have made and their continuous, ongoing efforts.

GOOD HANDS®

WORKING TOGETHER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

© 2012 Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL

Allstate is proud to sponsor the26th Annual WBDC Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference.

People come first. Everything else is second.

To learn more about Allstate'sSupplier Diversity program

visit www.allstate.com/procurement

That’s Allstate’s Stand.®


2012 aWard

reCiPientsThe Women’s Business Development Center is proud to honor the longtime diversity accomplishments of Allstate, and our many friends inside who make these accomplishments possible, with the 26th Annual Corporate Support Award.

26th annual CorPorate suPPort aWardAllstate Insurance CompanyThe Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is proud to honor Allstate as its 26th Annual Corporate Support Award recipient for their ongoing commitment to the advancement of women and minority-owned businesses. Allstate has proudly supported the efforts of the WBDC since 1988.

In this role Cheryl and her team are responsible for optimizing Allstate’s spend portfolio of $14B through collaboration with internal business partners and driving innovation with external suppliers. Included in this role is oversight of Allstate’s Supplier Diversity program focused on increasing opportunities for small, women and minority-owned businesses to be included in the supply chain and driving approaches for their on-going growth and development.

Prior to joining Allstate, Cheryl served as the Americas Procurement Delivery Lead at Accenture LLP. In her role Cheryl was responsible

for driving Source-to-Pay solutions for 7 commercial clients managing $10B in addressable spend and delivering greater than $200M in savings per year. Another of Cheryl’s responsibilities included championing Supplier Diversity across Accenture’s global organization, notably serving as the U.S Supplier Diversity Director – resulting in greater than 16% of Accenture spend in the U.S channeled to women and minority-owned businesses – and the launch of the Diverse Supplier Development Program in both the U.S. and Canada.

Cheryl A. Harris, C.P.M.Senior Vice President, Sourcing and Procurement Solutions Allstate Insurance Company

Margaret has worked at Allstate for over 25 years. She began her career in the Allstate New Jersey Claim Department taking loss reports in Spanish while on a summer break from intended career as a teacher. Margaret has since held a variety of positions in the Claim Department in the states of Arizona, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Washington and at Allstate’s corporate headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois.

When Allstate made the strategic decision to centralize its procurement processes, Margaret was asked to join that

department as Director of Procurement with a focus on the services and commodities that supported the claim discipline. After holding that position for four years, in June of 2006, Margaret was appointed Director of Allstate’s Supplier Diversity initiative. In this capacity it is her responsibility to work with minority suppliers and help the minority supplier earn the opportunity to compete for Allstate’s business.

Margaret KlinsportDirector of Supplier Diversity Allstate Insurance Company

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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(DO NOT PRINT DOTTED LINE OR BELOW )Job #: MSFT1416 Job Name: MSFT1416_DiversityAd_Final.inddDescription: Microsoft Print - DiversityClient: MicrosoftTraffic/Production: Dawn Taflinger / Ralph CandelarioSize: Trim: 10.75” x 13”; Live: 10” x 11.75” Laser Scale: 75% Date: 07/16/08 Publication: Diversity/Careers in Engineering & Information Technology

(713)877-8777

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At Microsoft®, we see no limits to the potential we all might reach.

We believe in creating opportunities for people to succeed – in ourproducts, in our workplace, and among our suppliers. For that reason,we are strongly committed to diversity, including seeking certifi edminority, woman, service-disabled veteran, and veteran owned business enterprises from which to purchase competitively priced quality goods and services.

Together with our suppliers, we are continuously innovating to lowerthe cost of technology, making it accessible to all and showingleadership in supporting the communities in which we work and live.

Visit http://www.microsoft.com/procurement/diversityto learn more about how to do business with Microsoft.

Women’s Business & Buyers Mart | 39

microsoft pavilion – technology SolutionsMicrosoft has a network of dedicated partners specializing in small business technology needs. Our small business focused partners are saving business owners from costly and time consuming mistakes, and can help keep everyone in your company connected, so your team can operate more efficiently and stay on top of new business developments. During the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference, our WBE Certified Partners will be available for one-on-one technology consultations to discuss new technologies that will make your business more productive and efficient. Please stop by the Microsoft Pavilion at the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart to learn more!

26th annual WoMen’s Business &

Buyers MartThursday, September 20, 20129:30 – 11:45 a.m. & 1:45 – 5:00 p.m. Skyline Ballroom D & E, McCormick Place-West

Sponsored by

Now in its third decade of success, the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart is the oldest business opportunities fair for women business owners in the country.

Featuring over 200 corporate and government entities seeking women as vendors, suppliers or contractors, the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart provides an opportunity for women business owners to enhance the profitability of their business by establishing relationships with corporate and government buyers, and with other women entrepreneurs. The Women’s Business & Buyers Mart also provides women business owners with access to information, resources and contacts to assist with their business needs and boost their bottom line.

We encourage women business owners to display their materials in the popular Resource Center, located inside the exhibit hall.

The WBDC is pleased to offer free WiFi and access to laptop computers during this year’s conference at the Cyber Café, located on the Mart floor, courtesy of CDW and Microsoft Corporation. Stay connected to your important business contacts!

ContraCt ConneCtionsThursday, September 20, 20129:45 – 11:45 a.m. & 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Skyline Ballroom D & E, McCormick Place-WestLocated�inside�the�Women’s�Business�&�Buyers�Mart

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is thrilled to be presenting the 10th Annual Contract Connections program at this year’s Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. The purpose of this program is to establish connections between certified Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) and purchasing decision-makers from corporations and government agencies seeking WBE suppliers for specific opportunities.

WBE�companies�were�pre-selected�for�these�meetings�prior�to�the�event;�the�meetings�are�by�appointment�only.

Please turn this book over for the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart Directory and a complete listing of exhibitor information.

IT’S EASY TO STAND OUTwhen your ideas are as diverse as your employees.

To learn more about our careers, our procurement opportunities, our services, and our company, log on to our Web sites.

www.bcbsil.comwww.bcbsnm.comwww.bcbsok.comwww.bcbstx.com

Divisions of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. EOE M/F/D/V

The blend of talents, backgrounds, ideas, and approaches unifi es our commitment to serve and promote the health and wellness of our members and communities. It’s our employees who are the heart of our company, and it’s our differences that set us apart. We build a high-performance work culture that is successful and distinct. And we accomplish that by attracting, retaining and developing a diverse community of skilled, engaged and prepared employees.

We hope you’ll join our diverse, inclusive and caring community.

Workshop / Panel discussions | 42

WorkshoP / Panel

disCussionsSponsored by Cardinal�Health;�Federal�Reserve�Bank�of�Chicago,�Kansas�City,�Minneapolis�&�St.�Louis;�Harley-Davidson�Motor�Company;�Health�Care�Service�Corporation�(HCSC);�Microsoft�Corp.;�RubinBrown�LLP;�Target�Corporation;�The�University�of�Chicago;�and�The�University�of�Chicago�Medical�Center

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is a recognized leader in the development of innovative and effective programs that serve all stages of business owners. The same standards used to create the workshops presented year-round in our Center and throughout our nine-state Midwestern Region have been used to create the workshops presented at our annual Conference.

Prior to the event, the WBDC hosted a workshop in each of the four major markets of our Midwest Region for all certified WBEs and event attendees, and we would like to thank our facilitator, Michelle Kantor, and our host sponsors of that workshop: Microsoft, Target, RubinBrown LLP and Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

launChing your oWn Business: FroM dreaM to realityThursday, September 20, 20129:45 – 11:45 a.m. Breakout Room 180, McCormick Place-WestWorkshop�for�start-ups

Are you ready to turn your dream of business ownership into reality? Before you do, attend this dynamic session featuring inspiring women business owners who will present lessons they wished they known before starting their enterprises. Gain an insider’s perspective on financing your business as well. This stimulating, interactive session, designed by the collective intelligence of the women business owners in the WBDC community, will provide you with tools, inspiration and guidance to launch a successful business.

ModeratorMeg HermanDirector, Entrepreneurial Services, Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

Meg Herman helps strengthen women-owned businesses by connecting entrepreneurs with the WBDC’s counseling and training services, planning high-impact business development offerings for the Center, and reaching out to allied organizations to let emerging and established business know about WBDC services. Meg is a professional and corporate certified coach (PCC, CCC) and prior to joining the WBDC, she was the founding partner of a successful professional coaching and consulting practice, Managing Horizons, LLC, for over 10 years. Additionally, Meg has designed and facilitated adult learning opportunities for profit and non-profit organizations for over 30 years.

Workshop / Panel discussions | 43

Priscilla CorderoLending Team Manager, Accion Chicago

Priscilla Cordero has been with Accion Chicago since 2007. As Lending Team Manager, she is responsible for assessing small business owners’ financing and technical assistance needs and guiding them through the loan process, developing relationships with partners and banks in the south suburbs of Chicago and Lake and Porter Counties in Indiana, and managing a team of loan officers. She has worked in the financial industry for more than a decade, including several years as a loan specialist at Women’s Business Development Center where she facilitated $1.9 million in financing for small business owners. Priscilla has a bachelor’s of science degree in economics with a concentration in economic development from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Teresa GingOwner, Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique

In 2006, with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago in economics and statistics and an established career in finance, Teresa Ging left her executive level position to attend Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie program in Paris. Upon completing the program, she returned to Chicago and set out to pursue a dream—to open a cupcake boutique. She spent eight months testing cupcake recipes and, in 2007, Teresa finalized the over twenty flavors in the Sugar Bliss cupcake collection and launched the catering and delivery side of the business. In January 2009, Teresa opened the first Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique in downtown Chicago, and in October 2011, Sugar Bliss opened its second location in River North. The sophisticated shops serve fresh specialty cupcakes baked from scratch daily in the kitchen, using only high quality, natural ingredients such as European cocoa, Nielsen Massey Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, and real strawberries, bananas and other fruit.

Toni HunterAssistant Vice President, Business Banking Officer, PNC Bank

Toni Hunter has over 10 years of experience in the financial service industry. She began her career at PNC in 2005 in their underwriting group focusing on companies with revenues between $10 - $50 million. She has a background in cash management and takes great pride in assisting businesses with cash flow options and financing alternatives. Toni spends the majority of her time working with companies with revenues between $1 - $10 million and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in various industries.

Lynn SuttonPresident, Kairos Consulting Worldwide

Lynn Sutton founded Kairos Consulting Worldwide in 2004 to apply engineering principals to critical business processes, creating time and cost efficiencies that also reduce errors and increase quality. Citing Kairos’ success, Lynn was named “Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year – Rising Star” in 2006 by the Women’s Business Development Center. Among its recent accomplishments, Kairos produced $24 million in savings for the US Navy / Department of Defense, created 25 productivity improvements for Luthansa Technick and increased productivity by 40 percent within the IT division of Hospira Worldwide, Inc. Lynn is a national partner in Women Impacting Public Policy and a member of Women Presidents Organization.

Michelle VondrasekFounder and President, Von Technologies

Michelle Vondrasek seamlessly blends 20+ years of technical knowledge with a devotion to exceptional customer service that has positioned Von Technologies as an emerging leader in the information technology consulting industry. She leads the growth of her company through dynamic leadership, sustainable corporate practices, and a powerful system of teambuilding and sales. Michelle remains diligent in her pursuit of continued growth through serving many of the largest public and private companies throughout the United States.

2012 WorkshoP Panelists

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WE GET DIVERSITY......As a leading provider of technology solutions for business, healthcare, government and education, CDW makes valuing diversity an important priority. A diverse supplier network adds innovation to our business and helps us serve our customers best. Visit diversityatcdw.com to learn more.

116161-AD-Supplier Diversity.indd 2 7/20/12 4:02 PM

ask the experts | 45

solutions For your Business

ask the exPertsThursday, September 20, 20122:00 – 4:00 p.m. Breakout Room 181, McCormick Place-West

Sponsored by Charter One Bank

Learn. Network. Grow.Ask the Experts is a dynamic session designed to help fuel your business growth. This speed business coaching session provides you with access to business experts ready to deliver high-level, cutting-edge strategies to fire up your enterprise.

Learn: gain information from experts ready to help you build your business Network: meet other business owners tackling similar issuesGrow: take your business to the next level

The room will be set up with round tables that seat 10-12 people. Each table will be identified by a specific topic and the name of the expert speaking on that topic. Every twenty minutes the facilitator will signal the end of the session. At that time, rotate to another roundtable and seek out another expert.

roundtaBle exPertsFacilitator – Debbi Lyall Director of Certification, Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

Alternative Financing WBDC

boosting Sales Sandler Training, Selloquent

branding Your business Futura Marketing Inc.

business Growth through peer Advisory Groups Vistage

business Start-Up essentials WBDC

Cloud Computing: What You Need to Know Microsoft Corp. and Onshore Technology Group

Federal Set-Asides for Women-Owned Small businesses WBDC Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

High-Impact public relations Chris Ruys Communications

Insurance 101 Janice Axelrod & Associates Inc.

It’s everybody’s business: Going Green Consolidated Printing Company and the Green Mama

Legal Issues for Small businesses Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

marketing Smarts MGroup Worldwide, Inc.

the measure of business Success: tracking Your profits Osher & Associates, CPA

Social media 101 Janice Bond, Savant Savant

technical Challenges: run Your business more efficiently Microsoft Corp. and VIVA USA

traditional Financing for Your business WBDC, Citibank and SomerCor 504

Using Your Wbe Status to Sell to Corporations UPS and Overture Premiums & Promotions

At U.S. Bank, we are committed to making the communities in which we work and live a better place. Our commitment means supporting the programs and organizations that enrich the quality of life for our neighbors. Because when our community succeeds,

everyone wins.

A great event inspires more than just the attendees.It inspires the entire community.

Proud to support the Women’s Business Development Center’s 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference

usbank.comMember FDIC

get down to Business networking reception | 47

get doWn to

BusinessnetWorking reCePtion

Thursday, September 20, 20125:00 – 7:00 p.m. Skyline Ballroom Terrace, McCormick Place-West

marquee Sponsors* Corporate reception Sponsor

premier Wbe Sponsors

Many of the top business owners of today cite networking and relationship building as two of the most important attributes to growing their businesses. Join us at this entertaining, wrap-up Reception where women business owners and corporate and government procurement representatives can connect in a relaxed, business setting.

Peruse our magnificent Silent Auction items or bid on our premier Live Auction items, including airfare for two, courtesy of United Airlines, and a laptop and Office10 software, courtesy of CDW and Microsoft Corporation.

Grab a bite to eat, a refreshing drink and relax after a long day on the tradeshow floor – or kick up your heels on our dance floor!

WBdC Milestones

Stay ConneCted! Follow @WBdC and use the official conference hashtag #ewc26.

66,000+ Clients Served

12,300+ entrepreneurial training Sessions

$81 Million+ Financial assistance Secured for Clients

$900 Million+ Contracts achieved with Procurement assistance

1,400+ WBes Certified annually

11,000+ Business Counseling Sessions Held

*�The�Deluxe�Corporation�Foundation�is�serving�in�an�Honorary�Sponsorship�capacity.

Supplier Diversity Program

“Embracing the EconomicGrowth of Diverse Businesses”

The University of Illinois supports the growth and development of minority, female and persons with disabilities owned businesses!

Mission: The mission of the University of Illinois Supplier Diversity Program is to expandprocurement opportunities to businesses that have been historically underrepresented in the procurement process by increasing utilization of businesses owned by minorities, females, and persons with disabilities to twenty percent of allowable University expenditures. The University will accomplish this mission by providing the necessary resources, outreach activities, procurement system support,and engagement with faculty, staff, administration, and national and local business support andadvocacy organizations to foster a quality, inclusive procurement supply chain for the University, andthereby strengthen the diversity of the University of Illinois community.

Guiding Principles: The University of Illinois Supplier Diversity Program will make the followingprinciples the hallmark of our effort: Quality, Integrity, Transparency, Inclusivity, Innovation, and CostEffectiveness.

Michael BassSenior Associate Vice President and Deputy Comptroller

For more information, contact:

FredColeman,III,PhD,PMPDirectorofDiversityUniversityOfficeofCapitalProgramsand

RealEstateServices807S.WrightStreet,Suite340

Champaign,IL61820(217)244-1001

E-mail:[email protected]

Women’s empowerment is about inclusion and doing the right thing.

Mike DukePresident and CEO, Walmart

Unique.Talented.Inspired.

“ ”

FINAL RELEASE

LASER OUTPUT @ None

Promo 092308 XX/XX/XXXX Diversity/Inclusion Market: WBDC EntrepWomanConferenceTRIM: CD: CB: CW: SEP:LIVE: CM: BCM: CE: Printer: BLEED: AD: OPS: CP: CREATED AT: AG: IHP: PB: COLOR:

100%

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N/A Marsha.Trainer N/A Periscope Aaron.Melander N/A Ethan Miller N/A p/u 062305 Marla Etheridge N/A N/A Amy Roark Kathy Carson

PRO

Apple Macintosh, Application/Version: InDesign 7.0.4Layout CP: None Date: NoneMech CP: None Date: NoneMech Release CP: Karuna.KrishnaMurthy Date: 04/11/2012Final Board CP: None Date: NoneFinal Release CP: Sarah.Schroeder Date: 04/17/2012

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

At Target, we believe in supporting the communities where we all live. That means identifying and partnering with diverse businesses and the organizations that support them. When we work together to develop mutually beneficial business opportunities, we can all succeed. To learn more about our Supplier Diversity initiative at Target, visit Target.com/diversity.

Our suppliers are as diverseas the product on our shelves.

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general Conference information | 51

general ConFerenCe

inForMationRegistration & LocationMcCormick Place-West 2301 S. Indiana Avenue | Chicago, IL

Chicago’s McCormick Place-West is the official site of the WBDC’s 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. All scheduled events for this year’s

conference will take place at McCormick Place-West. Registration is located outside of the Skyline Ballroom, on the 3rd floor of the facility, directly above the Gate 40 (Indiana Street entrance) taxi turn-around and drop-off point, and south of the McCormick Place-West Parking Lot A. Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2012. All facilities are handicapped accessible.

TransportationDue to the proximity of our host hotel for this year’s event, shuttle transportation will not be provided. Please follow the directional signs from the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, McCormick Place-West Parking Lot A, or the taxi drop-off area for McCormick Place-West (Gate 40, Indiana entrance) and the escalators (inside to the left) directly to the Skyline Ballroom for event registration.

ParkingParking is also available at McCormick Place-West. Please follow the signs to Lot A parking; garage level 4 is equal to building level 3 which is where our event is located. At this time, there are no discounts on parking.

ID Badges & TicketsYour badge is your admission to the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart, the tradeshow element of the Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. Tickets are required for all conference meals and receptions. Please wear your badge at all times. Meal tickets cannot be replaced; please present your tickets at the door of each luncheon.

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W175a1,642 sq. ft.

W175b1,106 sq. ft.

W176b1,112 sq. ft.

W175c1,648 sq. ft.

W176c1,639 sq. ft.

W176a1,658 sq. ft.

W177784 sq. ft.

W178a3,501 sq. ft.

W178b1,932 sq. ft.

W179a3,501 sq. ft.

W179b1,932 sq. ft.

W1803,582 sq. ft.

W181b1,931 sq. ft.W181c

2,009 sq. ft.

W183b4,662 sq. ft.

W183a4,755 sq. ft.

W183c4,195 sq. ft.

W184a2,292 sq. ft.

W184bc4,280 sq. ft.

W184d2,292 sq. ft.

W185a2,292 sq. ft.

W185bc4,280 sq. ft.

W185d2,292 sq. ft.

W186c1,992sq. ft.

AccessTo/From Level 3

WP1WP2 WS2

Hyatt RegencyConference Center

Available UponRequest

WF1

WS3

WS4

WF2

WF3


Gate 40Taxi Pick-up& Drop off

Information

WP6WP7

WF4

WP9WP8


ConferenceCenter

Access To/From Level 3

WS5

WS7

WS6

WF9

WF7

WF11

W190a5,239 sq. ft.

W191908 sq. ft.

W193a1,532 sq. ft.

W193b1,481 sq. ft.

W190b2,012 sq. ft.

WS8WS9

W192b2,935 sq. ft.

W192c2,014 sq. ft.

W192a2,012 sq. ft.

W194a1,482 sq. ft.

W194b2,754 sq. ft. W195

1,712 sq. ft.

W196a4,800 sq. ft.

W196b4,743 sq. ft.

W196c4,799 sq. ft.

Gate 42


WP15WP14

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W1821,058 sq. ft.

W181a2,091 sq. ft.

W186a1,012 sq. ft.

W186b1,063 sq. ft.

WP 12WP 13

W187a1,871 sq. ft.

W187b2,206 sq. ft.

W187c1,893 sq. ft.

Access To/From Level 2 ConferenceCenter

Truck Ramp

CC12d

CC12c

CC12b

CC12a

CC11b

CC11a

CC10d

CC10c

CC10b

CC10a

WF8

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NorthStagingRoom

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HyattOffices

Car Rental

Coat & Luggage CheckA complimentary coat and luggage check will be available for your use at the event; this will be located by registration outside of the Skyline Ballroom.

Lost & FoundFor misplaced articles, please visit the registration area outside the Skyline Ballroom.

sponsor acknowledgements | 52

sPonsor

aCknoWledgeMents

Premier Sponsors ($25,000 – $49,000)Allstate Insurance CompanyBMO Harris BankCDWCitibankCNAComEdMicrosoft CorporationOfficeMaxPNCU.S. BankUnited Airlines – The�Official�Carrier�of�the�WBDCUPSW.W. Grainger, Inc.Walgreen Co.

WBE Premier Sponsors ($10,000+)Futura Marketing, Inc.INTREN, Inc.J&J Exhibitors Service, Inc.Kayhan InternationalNational Van Lines, Inc.Overture Premiums & Promotions LLCSmead Manufacturing CompanyVIVA USA

Major Sponsors ($15,000 – $24,000)AT&TDeere & CompanyFredrikson & Byron, P.A.Goldman Sachs 10,000�Small�BusinessesKraft FoodsMacy’sMasterCard WorldwideNorthern TrustOffice DepotPepsiCo Inc.RubinBrown LLPSouthwest Airlines Co.StaplesTargetU.S. Department of EnergyUniversity of IllinoisWalmartWrigley

Workshop Sponsors ($10,000)Cardinal HealthFederal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Kansas City,

Minneapolis and St. LouisHarley-Davidson Motor CompanyHealth Care Service Corporation/Blue Cross

Blue Shield of IllinoisThe University of ChicagoThe University of Chicago Medicine

WBE Sponsors ($5,000)The Bureau of EngravingEvergreen Supply CompanyKellyMitchell GroupUnited Scrap Metal

Premier Media Sponsors ($50,000 and up)Chicago�Sun-TimesComcast Crain’s�Chicago�BusinessNBC5 ChicagoPioneer�PressWVON Radio

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) extends its gratitude to the following entities for their commitment, consistent generosity and support to ensure the success of the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. Without them this conference would not be possible. (Companies�listed�are�those�committed�as�of�August�2,�2012.)

Marquee sPonsors ($50,000 and up)

BP America, Inc. Deluxe Corporation Foundation* Nielsen

*The�Deluxe�Corporation�Foundation�is�serving�in�an�honorary�capacity.

sponsor acknowledgements | 53

Media Sponsors ($10,000 – $49,000)Black�EOE�JournalEnterprising�Women�Hispanic�Network�MBEMBE�ConnectMinority�Business�News�USA�(MBN�USA)�Minority�EntrepreneurProfessional�Woman’sProject�EveToday’s�Chicago�Woman�(TCW)U.S.�Veteran’s�Women’s�Enterprise�Magazine�(WE�USA)

Official CarrierUnited Airlines

Official Technology & Cyber Café SponsorsCDWMicrosoft Corporation

Official TV SponsorNBC5 Chicago

26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference Staff & Vendors

Conference Director, Logistical and On-Site Management:

Mia M. Delano, Director of Development, Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

Conference Coordination, Registration and On-Site Management: Hoopla Communications and the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

Graphic Design: Futura Marketing Inc.

Exhibitor Service: J&J Exhibitors Service, Inc.

Photography: Jennifer Girard Photography

Printing: Consolidated Printing Company The U.S. Department of Energy

Public Relations: Chris Ruys Communications, Inc.

Security: Levy Security, Inc.

Special ThanksAlto TechSue BhatiaChicago�Sun-TimesChris Ruys CommunicationsComcastChristie HefnerHoopla CommunicationsMichelle KantorLevy Security CorporationMcCormick PlaceMindy MercaldoMotorola Solutions, Inc.NBC5 ChicagoCheryl Pearson-McNeilPioneer�PressLisa PriceLaura RickettsAllison RosatiTerry SavageSAVOR…Chicago at McCormick PlaceRichelle Shaw

The Women’s Business Development Center and its Board of Directors also extends their gratitude to all exhibitors, advertisers, breakfast & luncheon table purchasers, auction donors, Contract Connections participants, vendors, and each and every individual that participated in the success of this year’s event – we could not do this without you!

Wealth & Investment Management | Trust & Estate Services | Private Banking | Family Office Services

For over 120 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping our suppliers, our clients and our community reach their full potential. That’s just one of the many reasons we proudly support the Women’s Business Development Center Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference.

For more information on Supplier Diversity visit northerntrust.com.

We’re committed to maximizing opportunities.

nt1021_WBDC_7.5x10.indd 1 7/30/12 3:51 PM

Supplier Diversity is a key to our success. For years, we’ve led the business world in supplier diversity, working with diversity-owned enterprises to provide products and services to AT&T around the world. Interested in joining us? Find out how at attsupplierdiversity.com.

Work togetherWin together

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or affiliated companies.

When it comes to business insurance... we can show you more.®

CNA is proud to support the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial

Women’s Conference, Women’s Business & Buyers Mart.

Insuring businesses like yours for more than 100 years.

Visit www.cna.com for more information.

CNA is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation. Copyright © 2012 CNA. All rights reserved..

Partner organizations | 57

Partner

organizations

ACCION Chicago

Action for Children

Alliance of Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs (ABLE)

Association of Women’s Business Centers

Association of Women Professionals

Astra Women’s Business Alliance

Athena International

Business & Professional Women – IL

Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED)

Center for Urban Business – UIC

Center for Women and Enterprise

Chatham Business Association

Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Chicago Innovation Awards

Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (CMSDC)

Chicago United

Chicago Women in Trades

Chicago Women Network

Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center/Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

City of Chicago, Department of Procurement Services

City of Chicago, Office of the Treasurer

College of Lake County SBDC

Coleman Entrepreneurship Center

Downtown Chicago Business and Professional Women

Federation of Women Contractors (FWC)

Greater Women’s Business Council

The Women’s Business Development Center thanks the following organizations for their assistance in promoting the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference.

Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Entrepreneurship Network – Small Business Development Center

Illinois Facilities Fund

Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education

Illinois SBDC at Governors State University

Illinois SBDC at McHenry County College

Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College

Illinois Small Business Development Center at Elgin Community College

Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU Carbondale

Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC)

Latin American Chamber of Commerce

The Law Project

Lawndale Business & Local Development Corp.

Little Village Chamber of Commerce

Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA)

National Association For Moms In Business (NAFMIB)

National Association of Women Business Owners – Chicago (NAWBO-Chicago)

National Association of Women Home Businesses

National Council of Women’s Organizations

Network of Women Entrepreneurs

NORBIC

Ohio River Valley – Women’s Business Council

POWER: Opening Doors for Women

Springboard Enterprises

U.S. Department of Labor – Women’s Bureau

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation

Women Employed

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)

Women In Bio, Chicago Chapter

Women in Management, Inc.

Women Presidents’ Educational Organization (WPEO)

Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO)

Womenetics

Women’s Business Council – Southwest

Women’s Business Development Center – Florida

Women’s Business Development Center – Minnesota

Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance

Women’s Business Enterprise Council – PA-DE-NJ

Women’s Business Enterprise Council – Great Lakes

Women’s Business Enterprise Council – South

Women’s Business Enterprise Council – West (WBEC-West)

Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

Women’s Leadership Exchange

WomenVenture

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

• Utilizing new technology channels for programs and services

• Expanding programs and services for established business owners

• Delivering sources of debt and equity capital

• Bringing programs and services to diverse communities

• Demanding equal access to business opportunities for women and minorities

LEADINGthe way…

The WBDC Board of Directors applauds

the e� orts of Hedy Ratner, Carol Dougal and their dedicated sta� and consultants. We are proud to be

working with them as they lead the way

to greater opportunities for women and

minority-owned businesses.

WBDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRPERSON

Debra Jennings-Johnson, Director, Supplier Diversity, BP America, Inc.

CO-PRESIDENTS

Hedy M. Ratner, Co-President, Women’s Business Development Center

S. Carol Dougal, Co-President, Women’s Business Development Center

VICE CHAIRPERSON

Linda Chaplik Harris, Partner, SNR Denton

SECRETARY

Pam McDonough, CEO, DeAngelo/McDonough Construction Management Company

TREASURER

Sandra Rand, Former Supplier Diversity Manager, United Airlines

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR

Norma Lauder, Director, MS Tax Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

MEMBERS

Laurel G. Bellows, Principal, The Bellows Group, P.C.

Michelle Blaise, VP Engineering & Project Management, ComEd

Alison Chung, President, TeamWerks

Risa R. Davis, Senior Business Development O� cer, Business & Commercial Banking Group, Citibank Illinois

Emilia DiMenco, Chief Operating O� cer, Women’s Business Development Center

Jeanne Mandoza, Director of Marketing for Illinois, United Parcel Service (UPS)

Arabel Alva Rosales, President, AAR & Associates, Ltd.

Shelley Stern, Citizenship & Public A� airs Director, Microsoft Corporation

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Investments, LLC and Chairman, Ariel Mutual Funds Board of Trustees

Terry Savage, Financial Analyst and President, Terry Savage Productions, Ltd.

Pamela B. Strobel

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Women’s Business Development Center8 S. Michigan Avenue, 4th Floor

Chicago, IL 60603

312.853.3477

www.WBDC.org

WBdC information | 59

S. Carol Dougal Co-Founder & Co-President

Hedy M. Ratner Co-Founder & Co-President

Emilia DiMenco Chief Operating Officer

Georgia K. Marsh Chief Development Officer

Eva BrownDeon CraytonFreida CurryMia M. DelanoCarolina DiazRebecca DiazMarlene DuranNatasha FedorovaElizabeth GardnerEllenie GirmaBethany HartleyDeborah Minor HarveyRichard HendersonMeg HermanKelly HinmanJo-Ann HuniganCynthia JohnsonDanae KovacKatie LangGrace LopezJanice LopezMaria LopezDebbi LyallTeresa PrimJuanita SmithPeggy SmithKristin Travis

WBDC Staff & Consultants

STay ConnECTED! Facebook: www.facebook.com/WBDC.ChicagoTwitter: www.twitter.com/WBDCBlog: www.wbdcchicago.wordpress.com

Women’s Business Development Center8 South Michigan Avenue4th FloorChicago, IL 60603-3302Tel: 312-853-3477Fax: 312-853-0145E-mail: [email protected]

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) – www.WBDC.org – is nationally recognized for its advocacy on behalf of small, women and minority-owned businesses, and for its responsive, innovative and effective programs.

now in its third decade of success, the WBDC serves entrepreneurs at all stages of development, from the home-based child care business to the established growth-oriented technology company, through targeted training; professional business counseling; financial assistance; and access to information and resources. The WBDC has a yearly client service base of approximately 3,500, certifies over 1,400 women-owned businesses annually as WBEs throughout its 9-state Midwestern region, and more than 4,500 women business owners participate in its events annually.

Established in 1986, the WBDC has assisted over 66,000 women since its inception; has helped establish women’s business assistance centers in six states across the nation; and is a nationally-recognized leader in the development of programs and policies affecting women’s economic development and women’s business ownership. The WBDC operates a satellite office in Minneapolis (WBDC-MN), and delivers on-going programming for its WBEs in Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and St. Louis; and, the Chicago office also offers its programs and services in Spanish to better serve the diverse spectrum of business owners in the Chicagoland area.

The WBDC is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO); is a delegate agency of the City of Chicago, Department of Community Development; a grant recipient of Cook County, Bureau of Community Development; and a certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). As a member of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network, the WBDC is an Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and an Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Defense, and The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and is a proud partner of many corporations, foundations and contributors who help make our dreams a reality.

WBDC- ConferenCe Program (9/20/12)- Single)Job #: 45138_m2080128_101 month/Week: Sept Wk4 merch: ProgramTRIM: 8.5” x 11” BLEED: .125” SAFETY/LIvE AREA: 7.5” x 10”Art Dir: Jon S. (x:7839) Writer: Damon L(x:7688) Coord: Tannya (x:5728) Production: Marilyn (x:5527)

We salute the WBDC’s passionate commitment to women entrepreneurs.

maCy’s inC. is a prouD sponsor of the 26th annual WBDC entrepreneurial Women’s ConferenCe

45138_M2080128_WBDC_9-20_R1.indd 1 8/1/12 2:32 PM

“Through our supplier diversity program, we strive to incorporate diversity and inclusion into the workplace, community, our dealers and suppliers, so they are reflected in everything the company does.”Samuel R. AllenChairman and Chief Executive Officer

SupplierDiversity.Deere.com

Agricultural Intelligent Solutions Power Systems Construction

Forestry Worldwide Parts John Deere Financial Turf

Diversity in our productsDiversity in our supply base

Go to business.comcast.com or Call 800.501.6000

to move at the speed of opportunity.Comcast Business Services is proud to support the Women’s Business Development Center and the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. Comcast Business Class delivers a wide range of products and tools designed to provide you with the advanced business technologies to meet your needs, the scalability to grow with your business, and the value to save you money.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Call for details. Comcast © 2012. All rights reserved.

can’twait

BUSinESS

WHAT FILLS FIVE DAYS, AN ENTIRE CITY AND YOUR NEED TO SUCCEED?It’s coming soon and nothing short of spectacular — Crain’s third annual Small Business Week, an unprecedented week laser-focused on the interests of small businesses. Look for Crain’s editorial package on Monday, October 1 and a daily Small Business Newscast on ChicagoBusiness.com. Plus, join thousands of business owners attending dozens of educa-tional, business developmental, and networking activities taking place across the entire Chicago area. This will be your best opportunity to gain valuable insights, initiate partner-ships and relationships…until next year’s Small Business Week. Get immersed in a weeklong growth spurt for Chicago’s smartest small businesses.

Sponsored by:

The Answer IsIt’s coming October 1 – 5, 2012!

To participate contact [email protected] visit ChicagoBusiness.com/SBW

#SmallBizWeek

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WBDC_Grn_Five_City_Succeed-2012.pdf 1 7/5/12 9:45 AM

Staples® Corporate Supplier Diversity Program’s mission is to promote and include Historically Underutilized Businesses in all levels of our supply chain. Supplier diversity strategies are designed to strengthen diverse suppliers within our communities, create new job opportunities and acknowledge the vision of these businesses nationwide.

If you are interested in becoming a Staples® supplier or to find out more information about our program visit StaplesSupplierDiversity.com.

Diversity solutions for your unique needs.

Perfect fit.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is committed to promotingopportunities to women- and minority-owned businesses. Let’s work together.

For more information, contact Mark Hands at 312-322-2968or via e-mail at [email protected]

www.chicagofed.org 230 South LaSalle Street Chicago, IL 60604-1413

ReachingOUT

Minority Business Ad_Layout 1 2/10/11 12:01 PM Page 3

For More Information, Contact:

Affirmative Action Section Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

111 East Erie Street 6th FloorChicago, IL 60611 312.751.4035 www.mwrd.org

The purpose of the Affirmative Action program at the District is to achieve equitable utilization of minority, women-owned and small businesses on District construction contracts.

Affirmative Action goals are a component of any construction contract or design contract and design projects awarded by the District where the estimated expenditure is more than $100,000.

Board of CommissionersTerrence J. O’Brien President

Barbara J. McGowan Vice President

Cynthia M. Santos Chairman of Finance

Michael A. Alvarez

Frank Avila

Patricia Horton

Kathleen Therese Meany

Debra Shore

Mariyana T. Spyropoulos

David St. Pierre Executive Director

For information on business opportunities, contact: Lynn Boccio, Vice President Avis Budget GroupP.O. Box 4319 • Huntington, NY 11743 • Phone 973-496-2174 • [email protected]

© 2012 Avis Budget Group, Inc. 22048

We are a proud sponsor of WBDC.We’re committed to women-, minority- and disadvantaged-owned business development and to creating an inclusive environment with a variety of cultures, ideas and ethnicities. And with our great cars, valuable savings and convenient locations all over the world, we’re committed to making your travels easier, too.

We know the importance of diversity.

Building relationships with suppliers asdiverse as our consumers and products

At Kraft Foods, we seek suppliers as diverse as the variety of products we provide and the consumers who purchase them. Our supplier diversity initiative aims to develop strong business relationships with a talented group of minority and women-owned suppliers that offer quality products and services, excellent customer service and innovative business solutions.

Building relationships with suppliers asdiverse as our consumers and products

For more information and to register in our diverse supplier database, please visit: www.kraftsupplierdiversity.com

DiverseProdu_FullColor_8_5X11_Bleed rv1.indd 1 9/26/11 1:40 PM

This symbol identifi es products in our assortment that were originally manufacturated and/or distributed by a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB). A historically underutilized businessis a business that has not historically had equal opportunities. Look for this symbol in Offi ce Depot catalogs and online to fi nd products that will help meet your diversity goals.

Historically Underutilized Business (HUBs) include: Certifi ed Minority, Women, Disabled, Veteran, and Small [SBA 8(a), SDB, and HUB Zone] enterprises

The Offi ce Depot name and logo are registered trademarks of The Offi ce Club, Inc. © 2011 Offi ce Depot, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tier OneHUBs resell Offi ce Depot products.This program allows diverse businesses to buy products from Offi ce Depot, then resell them to other companies. What sets us apart from our competitors is the training and development we provide to our partners, leading to their long-term growth and economic viability.

Supplier DiversityHUBs sell directly to Offi ce Depot for internal use.We’re committed to ensuring that our supplier base refl ects today’s global marketplace. The Supplier Diversity Team diversifi es Offi ce Depot’s purchasing power and services, and has spent over $230 million with HUBs to date.

Vendor DiversityOffi ce Depot customers buy HUB products from Offi ce Depot.The new Offi ce Depot HUB catalog features more than 1,600 items from HUB vendors, helping our customers fulfi ll their second-tier HUB spending requirements, and providing tools and information on advancing their own Supplier Diversity programs.

The Offi ce Depot® Supply Chain Diversity Program consists of 3 dimensions:

Building partnerships

Inspiring success

Sharing opportunities

Smart Women.

Sophisticated Advisors.

Fredrikson & Byron — Counsel for Women

Counsel for Women, Fredrikson & Byron’s women attorney-led initiative, is a group of experienced business advisors focused on helping women business owners succeed. We are proud to support the Women’s Business Development Center and their Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference.

www.fredlaw.com

EMPOWERING DIVERSITY EVERY DAYAt PepsiCo we create products that refresh the world, and our minority and women-owned suppliers drive creativity and innovation to our brands.

Learn more at pepsico.com.

FILE NAME: 11_PEP_014 PEPsICo-Ad_3CREATEd: 01/30/12ModIFIEd: FEbRuARy 10, 2012 12:28 PMRTP oN: 02/13/12

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ACCouNT: sTEPHANECREATEd by: HAEdITEd by: HAPRE-FLIgHT: NC

11_PEP_014 PepsiCo-Ad_3.indd 1 2/13/12 11:07 AM

EMPOWERING DIVERSITY EVERY DAYAt PepsiCo we create products that refresh the world, and our minority and women-owned suppliers drive creativity and innovation to our brands.

Learn more at pepsico.com.

FILE NAME: 11_PEP_014 PEPsICo-Ad_3CREATEd: 01/30/12ModIFIEd: FEbRuARy 10, 2012 12:28 PMRTP oN: 02/13/12

dEV PATH:CLIENTs:PEPsICo dIVERsITy:11_PEP_014 b2b Ad CAMPAIgN:11_PEP_014:_dEV:11_PEP_014 PEPsICo-Ad_3

TRAF sPCHCK PRod gd Ad Cd QC AM CLIENT

LIVE: 7.50”X10”TRIM 8.5”X11”bLEEd: 9”X11”CoLoR/sPECs: 4C

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ADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCEADVANCING OPPORTUNITY ADVANCING COMMERCE

Supplier DiversitySupplier Diversity

Coming together onlymakes us stronger.

Our diverse supplier relationships enhance everyone’s business.As a recognized advocate of supplier diversity, MasterCard provides opportunities for businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans, as well as small businesses, to participate in our procurement processes. It’s how MasterCard is helping to grow businesses and the communities around them. It’s how MasterCard is advancing commerce.

Learn about our supplier diversity program and how it can strengthen your business at mastercard.com/supplierdiversity.

©2011 MasterCard.MasterCard and the MasterCard brand mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.

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SOUTHWEST AIRLINES®

SERVES LOW FARES TO MOREPLACES THAN EVER BEFORE

Southwest Airlines®

brings people together

with flights to over 70 destinations.

©2012 Southwest Airlines Co.

Proud Supporter of the Women’s

Business Development Center

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES®

SERVES LOW FARES TO MOREPLACES THAN EVER BEFORE

Southwest Airlines®

brings people together

with flights to over 70 destinations.

©2012 Southwest Airlines Co.

Proud Supporter of the Women’s

Business Development Center

Development Center

rubinBrown

Women’s Business proudly supports the

certified public accountants & business consultants

www.rubinbrown.com

The UniversiTy of ChiCago is a proUd sponsor of wbdC’s

26Th annUal enTrepreneUrial woman’s ConferenCe.

from oUr CampUs CommUniTy To oUr bUsiness parTners,

The UniversiTy of ChiCago sUpporTs The enTrepreneUrial woman’s ConferenCe.

To learn about opportunities for your business, contact:

nadia m. Quarlesassistant vice president of business diversity

6054 south drexel avenue, suite 445Chicago, illinois 60637

773.702.2553 [email protected]

C r e a T i n g e C o n o m i C o p p o r T U n i T i e s f o r m i n o r i T y - a n d w o m e n - o w n e d b U s i n e s s e s

Office of Business Diversity

The Urban Health Initiative (UHI) is the University of Chicago Medicine’s commitment—in partnership with civic leaders, community organizations, health care providers, and residents —to improve long-term health for people who live on the South Side of Chicago. UHI takes a comprehensive approach to improving South Side health through three main areas:

> Patient CareA network of community health centers, free clinics and hospitals helps people access affordable primary care, so patients can regularly manage all their health needs.

> ResearchGuided by the needs and values of South Side residents, UHI and its community partners are collecting information to learn what would help residents be healthier and thrive in their neighborhoods.

> EducationUHI programs expose medical students to the benefits of practicing in community health settings and provide free clinics and health education to members of the community.

For more information about the Urban Health Initiative, visit uhi.uchospitals.edu

At the Forefront of Building Healthy Communities

American Airlines supports the efforts of the WBDC.

Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary!

AmericanAirlines and AA.com are marks of American Airlines, Inc. oneworld is a mark of the oneworld Alliance, LLC. © 2011 American Airlines, Inc. All rights reserved.

JOB #: M9953

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PRINT PRODUCER: NORITA JONES

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Agency Approvals: INITIALS DATE

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M9953-16 • American Airlines Duped from M9994-1 by: byn

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U.S. DEPaRTMEnT oF EnERGy oFFiCE oF SCiEnCE

CHiCaGo oFFiCEWe are committed to increasing the contracting opportunities

awarded to small and disadvantaged businesses, establishing

goals, promulgating policy, and developing practices and

programs to encourage and increase small business participation

in departmental procurement opportunities, and guiding small and

disadvantaged businesses through the process of contracting

with the Federal government. Specifically, the Office of Small

and Disadvantaged Utilization assists small disadvantaged, 8(a),

women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and

businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Visit pioneerlocal.com/subscribeor call 847-486-9300

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CELEBRATING WOMEN IN BUSINESS IS A VERY BIG DEAL.We believe that women have the power to make a difference. That’s why we are proud to support the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. We salute the Women’s Business Development Center for the significant impact they make in Chicago’s business community.

Diversity: Together the extraordinary array of colors make up a masterpiece.

WE USA and WE Texas are honored to deliver the best in supplier diversity and inclusion to the nation. We are the number-one award winning magazine and website about women’s enterprise and diversity.

We pride ourselves in “telling your story” because “your success is our success.”

www.weusa.biz www.wetexas.biz

Diversity: Together the extraordinary array of colors make up a masterpiece.

WE USA and WE Texas are honored to deliver the best in supplier diversity and inclusion to the nation. We are the number-one award winning magazine and website about women’s enterprise and diversity.

We pride ourselves in “telling your story” because “your success is our success.”

www.weusa.biz www.wetexas.biz

MBE magazine is proud to be a media sponsor of the 26th Annual

Woman’s Entrepreneurial Conference andWomen’s Business & Buyers Mart!

Get your news and information faster, MBE® magazine is now available in digital format! Go to www.mbemag.com for a free preview.

MBE ® magazine is a publication of Enterprise Publishing Inc.

To request a media kit, order a subscription, or con tact our advertisers, go online to our website at www.mbemag.com, or call (310) 540-9398.

Certifi ed Minority Owned by:

Diversity at your FingertipsDiversity at your Fingertips

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There’s one woman in Chicago everyone wants to know.

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Enterprising Women is incredible. It leads the way for our growth and success – Barbara Kasoff, president and co-

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Enterprising Women has signifi-cantly contributed to improving the women’s business community and provided a strong network for women business owners to help one another succeed— Lynne Marie Finn, Superior Staff

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Thank you, Enterprising Women, for ten wonderful years of reaching, teaching and promoting women entrepreneurs – Janice Hamilton, JMH Education

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Enterprising Women’s vision is bold and courageous—brave enough to take on the “big boys”Susan Solovic, CEO/Co-Founder, SBTV.com

Enterprising Women is making a difference in the world. All of us who are a part of it have grown into a strong community – Pat Laus, The Atlantic Club, Inc.

Thank you, Enterprising Women, for your commitment to “going green” and sustainability. Working together, we are taking better care of our planet – Nancy Goshow, Goshow Archi-

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Enterprising Women has made a difference in the lives of thousands of business owners across the country, including one small busi-ness owner in Cincinnati – Patti Massey, Myca Multimedia &

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Being a part of the Enterprising Women community has opened up an immense network of women to me. I am proud to be a member of the Enterprising Women commu-nity—Mary Ardapple, Apple’s Bakery, Inc.

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Enterprising Women’s unwavering support has contributed to the suc-cess of numerous organizations, such as the Women’s Business Development Center, that have worked so hard to see to it that women thrive in their businesses. – Hedy Ratner and S. Carol Dou-

gal, WBDC, ChicagoKudos to Enterprising Women for all it has done for women business owners in the United States and around the world! – Julie Weeks, Womeable

Thank you to Enterprising Women for bringing together different or-ganizations, ideas and avenues to strengthen the network of support for female entrepreneurs – Patricia May, Tembua: The Preci-

sion Language Solution

Enterprising Women has supported women business owners around the globe – Leslie Grossman and Andrea

March, Women’s Leadership Exchange

Thank you for elevating the status of women in the business and world community. Enterprising Women is an inspiration to me – Elaine Buxton, Confero

Enterprising Women has forged partnerships, recognized excel-lence, and brought much-needed visibility to women who are running amazing businesses – Jean Gianfagna, Gianfagna Stra-

tegic Marketing

Thank you for giving a voice to and putting a face on successful women business owners – Beverly Holmes, Center for

Women’s Business Research

We applaud Enterprising Women’s spectacular accomplishments. What the magazine has done is akin to ‘going to the moon and back.’ Bravo! – Amy Millman, Springboard

Enterprises

I look forward to many more years of reading Enterprising Women and taking part in this wonderful com-munity the magazine has nurtured and developed – Karen Kerrigan, Women Entre-

preneurs, Inc.

Women writing articles for wom-en—what a great concept!— Nicolina Stewart, Capital Man-

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Thank you, Enterprising Women, for your commitment to educating women in business on their road to success – Rosalie Edson, Meadows Office

Furniture Company

Enterprising Women has been inte-gral to transforming the credibility of women business owners and their enterprises. It has brought together the community that sup-ports women’s entrepreneurship in a collaborative and supportive environment and captured the attention of business leaders worldwide – Sharon Hadary, Sharon Hadary &

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I used to say that American women entrepreneurs were the luckiest women in the world because they had their own magazine. Now we in Latin America can read Enterpris-ing Women online! – Yaeko de Hiraoka, Lima, Peru

Enterprising Women is a global treasure. We mark up every issue as we learn about new people and new areas of interest – Edie Fraser, Diversified Search

Odgers Berndtson

Enterprising Women is a strong voice and a champion for women business owners –Sherri Macko, American AirlinesEnterprising Women is a wonder-ful magazine—every issue has relevant content! –Diane DiResta, DiResta Commu-nications

I encourage my clients to not only read Enterprising Women, but contribute to its pages and share their expertise with colleagues all over the world – Patty Briguglio, MMI Public

Relations

Enterprising Women is a commu-

nity of business owners that learn together, succeed together, and grow together. At a time when most women’s publications have failed, Enterprising Women has been a stable and influential force for women’s business enterprises. – Marsha Firestone, PhD, president

and founder, Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO)

Enterprising Women provides a tremendous network of support to women all over the world – Monique Honaman, ISHR Group

Enterprising Women is the heart-beat of economic, social and politi-cal news for the women business owner community. This magazine leads the way! – Terry Neese, founder and presi-

dent, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW)

Enterprising Women is a vital source of targeted information for women entrepreneurs, helping them grow and manage their busi-nesses – Linda Denny, president, Women’s

Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

We’ve circulated Enterprising Women at our events around the globe. Women entrepreneurs ev-erywhere find it inspiring. There is nothing else like it!— Irene Natividad, president and

founder, Global Summit of Women


Company


The community of women business owners

reads Enterprising Women

Connect today Don’t miss a

single issue!

Subscribe today at www.enterprisingwomen.com. For advertising and marketing partnerships, contact Monica Smiley, Publisher/CEO at [email protected] or call 919-362-1551. Enterprising Women is a women-owned and managed publishing company, celebrating our 12th year helping to inspire and grow women-owned enterprises.

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7Enterprising Women is incredible. It leads the way for our growth and success – Barbara Kasoff, president and co-

founder, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)

Enterprising Women is inspira-tional. It touches my heart and my spirit – Sherri Orlowitz, first recipient of

the Enterprising Women of the Year Award

Enterprising Women has signifi-cantly contributed to improving the women’s business community and provided a strong network for women business owners to help one another succeed— Lynne Marie Finn, Superior Staff

Resources, Inc.

Thank you, Enterprising Women, for ten wonderful years of reaching, teaching and promoting women entrepreneurs – Janice Hamilton, JMH Education

Marketing

Enterprising Women’s vision is bold and courageous—brave enough to take on the “big boys”Susan Solovic, CEO/Co-Founder, SBTV.com

Enterprising Women is making a difference in the world. All of us who are a part of it have grown into a strong community – Pat Laus, The Atlantic Club, Inc.

Thank you, Enterprising Women, for your commitment to “going green” and sustainability. Working together, we are taking better care of our planet – Nancy Goshow, Goshow Archi-

tects

Enterprising Women has made a difference in the lives of thousands of business owners across the country, including one small busi-ness owner in Cincinnati – Patti Massey, Myca Multimedia &

Training Solutions

Being a part of the Enterprising Women community has opened up an immense network of women to me. I am proud to be a member of the Enterprising Women commu-nity—Mary Ardapple, Apple’s Bakery, Inc.

I’ve belonged to numerous organi-zations throughout my 20 years in business, but none has matched the experience of being a part of the Enterprising Women commu-nity – Harriet Diamond, author and

management consultant

Enterprising Women’s unwavering support has contributed to the suc-cess of numerous organizations, such as the Women’s Business Development Center, that have worked so hard to see to it that women thrive in their businesses. – Hedy Ratner and S. Carol Dou-

gal, WBDC, ChicagoKudos to Enterprising Women for all it has done for women business owners in the United States and around the world! – Julie Weeks, Womeable

Thank you to Enterprising Women for bringing together different or-ganizations, ideas and avenues to strengthen the network of support for female entrepreneurs – Patricia May, Tembua: The Preci-

sion Language Solution

Enterprising Women has supported women business owners around the globe – Leslie Grossman and Andrea

March, Women’s Leadership Exchange

Thank you for elevating the status of women in the business and world community. Enterprising Women is an inspiration to me – Elaine Buxton, Confero

Enterprising Women has forged partnerships, recognized excel-lence, and brought much-needed visibility to women who are running amazing businesses – Jean Gianfagna, Gianfagna Stra-

tegic Marketing

Thank you for giving a voice to and putting a face on successful women business owners – Beverly Holmes, Center for

Women’s Business Research

We applaud Enterprising Women’s spectacular accomplishments. What the magazine has done is akin to ‘going to the moon and back.’ Bravo! – Amy Millman, Springboard

Enterprises

I look forward to many more years of reading Enterprising Women and taking part in this wonderful com-munity the magazine has nurtured and developed – Karen Kerrigan, Women Entre-

preneurs, Inc.

Women writing articles for wom-en—what a great concept!— Nicolina Stewart, Capital Man-

agement Advisors, Inc.

Thank you, Enterprising Women, for your commitment to educating women in business on their road to success – Rosalie Edson, Meadows Office

Furniture Company


Company


Enterprising Women is a global treasure. We mark up every issue as we learn about new people and new areas of interest – Edie Fraser, Diversified Search

Odgers Berndtson

Enterprising Women is a strong voice and a champion for women business owners –Sherri Macko, American AirlinesEnterprising Women is a wonder-ful magazine—every issue has relevant content! –Diane DiResta, DiResta Commu-nications

I encourage my clients to not only read Enterprising Women, but contribute to its pages and share their expertise with colleagues all over the world – Patty Briguglio, MMI Public

Relations

Enterprising Women is a commu-

nity of business owners that learn together, succeed together, and grow together. At a time when most women’s publications have failed, Enterprising Women has been a stable and influential force for women’s business enterprises. – Marsha Firestone, PhD, president

and founder, Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO)

Enterprising Women provides a tremendous network of support to women all over the world – Monique Honaman, ISHR Group

Enterprising Women is the heart-beat of economic, social and politi-cal news for the women business owner community. This magazine leads the way! – Terry Neese, founder and presi-

dent, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW)

Enterprising Women is a vital source of targeted information for women entrepreneurs, helping them grow and manage their busi-nesses – Linda Denny, president, Women’s

Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

We’ve circulated Enterprising Women at our events around the globe. Women entrepreneurs ev-erywhere find it inspiring. There is nothing else like it!— Irene Natividad, president and

founder, Global Summit of Women


Company


The community of women business owners

reads Enterprising Women

Connect today Don’t miss a

single issue!

Subscribe today at www.enterprisingwomen.com. For advertising and marketing partnerships, contact Monica Smiley, Publisher/CEO at [email protected] or call 919-362-1551. Enterprising Women is a women-owned and managed publishing company, celebrating our 12th year helping to inspire and grow women-owned enterprises.

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800-323-1962www.nationalvanlines.com

DOT 76628 © 2009 National Van Lines, Inc.

long before diversitywas in vogue

national van linesled the way. . .

The moving and storage business excels with a

woman’s touch. And Maureen Beal, president and

chairman, has been at the helm of National Van

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National Van Lines, Inc. is a woman-ownedbusiness enterprise.

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9Your event. Delivered and show-ready.

www.jjexhibitors.com

2338 South Indiana AvenueChicago, IL 60616312-225-3323 | Phone312-225-9873 | FaxJ&J Exhibitors Service is a WBE-certified business.

Associations and companies fromaround the nation trust J&J to producetheir events. We are proud to servethese partners:

• American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists

• American Medical Association

• ASICS Junior Volleyball Championship

• City of Chicago

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

• FC Business Intelligence

• Fortune Fish Company

• Kraft Foods

• Managed Funds Association

• National Association for College Admission Counseling

• National Council of Community Behavioral Healthcare

• Office Max

• Rainbow PUSH Coalition

• Smart Card Alliance

• The Art Fair Company (SOFA Chicago)

• W. W. Grainger

• Women’s Business Development Center

J&J Exhibitors Service has been at the heart of the trade show industry formore than 80 years offering exceptional and comprehensive service thatwill make your event experience worry free.

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Electric Utility Gas Utility Contractors Municipal/Co-ops Renewables Storm

OutPerforming. Everyday.

INTREN is a leader in the construction industry and a premierprovider of electrical and gas services for utility companies,

municipalities, developers and general contractors.

INTREN is proud to support the Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference

and all women who

Outperform. Everyday.

Loretta RosenmayerFounder and CEO

Contact us at815.923.2300

or online atwww.intren.com

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Fresh ideas from farm to fork. www.fu turamarket ing.com

“

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For over a decade, hard work, insight and authenticity have shaped who we are.

And, as a fellow entrepreneur, I am proud to support the efforts of the Women’s Business Development Center.

K E L L Y W O L D S M I T H | O W N E R , F U T U R A M A R K E T I N G

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Being OrganizedNever Looked So Good

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TECHNOLOGY RECRUITING AND CONSULTING See what Swoon can do for you. Call us at 312.450.8700 or email Michelle at [email protected].

Swoon is a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise.

swoontech.com

Amazing candidates. No guesswork.It’s no trick. Just the way we do business. Which is probably why

we’re one of the fastest growing technology recruitment companies in the country.

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With more than years of experience, Kayhan International is a trusted partner for commercial furniture. We help

clients with workplace strategy and the critical activities relating to speculation, coordination and installation of

furniture for corporations, education, healthcare and government facilities.

Our focus is on providing a repeatable and tailored service model that ensures high quality, on-time and

on-budget project delivery for our clients locally and globally.

kayhan.com

a Haworth preferred dealer

diverse solutions for the integrated workplace

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MANUFACTURER Surfactants, Lubricants and Chemical IntermediatesCEDAR CONCEPTS currently works with some 500 generally sought formulations of which most are solids and liquids used in a wide variety of personal care and household products, or to aid metalworking, agricultural or aerospace processes, marketed under many brand names familiar to both consumers and businesses.

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www.cedarconcepts.netChicago, Illinois 773-890-5790 MBE/WBE CertifiedISO 9001:2008

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EverLights ● 9901 S. Torrence Avenue ● Chicago, IL 60617 ● WBE Phone (773) 734-9873 ● Toll-free 877-934-9873 ● Fax (773) 734-9874 ● www.everlights.com ● [email protected]

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CONTACT US AT 636.519.1221 [email protected]

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Congratulations to the WBDC for

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USM WBDC Ad 2012.indd 1 8/8/12 11:02 AM

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ad indexAllstate Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36American Arilines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76AT&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Avis Budget Group Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66BMO Harris Bank N.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6BP America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Cardinal Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41CDW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Cedar Concepts Corporation (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96Charter One Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80Chicago Sun-Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Citibank, N.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10CNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Comcast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62ComEd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Consolidated Printing (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94Crain’s Chicago Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Deere & Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Deluxe Corporation Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Enterprising Women Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86Evergreen Supply Company (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97EverLights (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97Federal Reserve Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69Futura Marketing (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91Goldman Sachs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Grainger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Health Care Services Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40INTREN, Inc. (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90J&J Exhibitors Service, Inc. (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89Kayhan International (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95KellyMitchell Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Kraft Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Macy’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60MasterCard Worldwide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

MBE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83Metropolitan Water Reclamation District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Microsoft Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

(Mart Directory) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4National Van Lines, Inc. (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88Navistar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80NBC5 Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2The Nielsen Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Northern Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Office Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68OfficeMax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Olive Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84Overture Premiums & Promotions LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32PepsiCo, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70Pioneer Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79PNC (Mart Directory) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10RubinBrown LLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73Smead Manufacturing Company (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92Southwest Airlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Staples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Swoon Technology Resources, LLC (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . 93Target Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50TCW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85Technology Partners, Inc. (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98United Airlines (Mart Directory) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2United Scrap Metal (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99The University of Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74The University of Chicago Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75University of Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48UPS (Mart Directory) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6U.S. Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46U.S. Department of Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78VIVA USA, Inc. (WBE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87Walgreens (Mart Directory) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Walmart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49WE USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82Women’s Business Development Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Wrigley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77WVON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

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