Free SBA Webinars for WBOs re: Federal Contracting

Women business owners are invited to learn more about increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the federal contracting arena. The hour-long webinar will be led by SBA officials, and will help to answer questions and give valuable insight to women entrepreneurs on doing business in the federal marketplace.

WHAT: SBA Office Hours Webinar on Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program

WHEN: June 26, 2014 (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET)

HOW: Registration is free, but required. Please contact LeAnn.Delaney@sba.gov to sign up.

The federal government is the biggest buyer in the world and is a must-have customer for women-owned companies. SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program presents an opportunity for small businesses to increase their presence in the federal marketplace. 

To learn more about the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program, visit http://www.sba.gov/content/women-owned-small-business-federal-contract-program.

Nominate a Woman: ATHENA Awards of Greater Pittsburgh

Do you know a woman in the Pittsburgh region who demonstrates excellence in her work and mentorship of other women? Or a younger woman who is emerging as a leader? Nominate them here by THIS Friday (June 27, 2014) for the Greater Pittsburgh ATHENA Awards.

Taking its name from the Greek goddess of strength and wisdom, the ATHENA Award recognizes women who demonstrate excellence in their profession, contribute to their community and help other women to succeed. As in 2011, the local ATHENA committee will also recognize an emerging leader age 35 or younger with the ATHENA Young Professional Award. (Click here to read more about previous award recipients.

Learn more and submit nominations here by 5 p.m. on June 27, 2014. Nominations will only be accepted online. Please also mark your calendar for the awards luncheon on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014 at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh. More than 900 women and men attended last year’s luncheon, which is one of the largest gatherings among the hundreds of ATHENA International-affiliated events presented around the world each year.

White House Rural Council in Canonsburg (June 4)

Event: White House Rural Council's Made in Rural America Regional Forum
Date: June 4, 2014 

Location: Hilton Garden Inn in the Southpointe Business Park, Canonsburg, PA 

The White House Rural Council’s Made in Rural America export and investment initiative is holding a regional forum on expanding international market opportunities. This forum will help rural firms understand ways to grow their business by finding new customers overseas or selling more to their existing international customers.  

Hosted by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the full-day forum will take place on June 4 at the Hilton Garden Inn in the Southpointe Business Park in Canonsburg, PA.

 
The regional forum in Canonsburg is the first of five across the country that will highlight federal, state, and local resources to help rural businesses and community leaders take advantage of export opportunities and access new customers and markets abroad.

The forum will highlight the role exports can play in helping rural businesses access new opportunity and helping rural communities add jobs and ensure long-term sustainable growth. Attendees will hear from experienced local exporters and from local, state, and federal organizations about resources and opportunities to help rural companies meet their export objectives. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, chair of the White House Rural Council, is invited to speak, along with Doug McKalip, Senior Policy Advisor for Rural Affairs for the White House Domestic Policy Council and ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl.
 

The event is free and will include lunch, but registration is required. Learn more here. If you have any questions, please contact ARC at ruralexports@arc.gov.

Free Webinar: Business Growth Through State & County Certification

Are you certified to do business 
with the state and county?  Should you be?  

What are the benefits of certification?
 

How certification can 
grow your business exponentially?

Find out in a FREE webinar on June 18 (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.).

There is no cost to attend this webinar, but registration is required.

Featured Speakers: 

Gayle Nuppnau
Procurement Liaison, PA Department of General Services
Bureau of Small Business Opportunities (BSBO), Harrisburg, PA


Ruth Byrd-Smith
Director, Allegheny County
Minority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Department

Learn more and register for the free Business Growth Through State & County Certification webiner here.

Fashion Entrepreneurs to Speak at E-Magnify Gala

We're delighted that entrepreneurs Kiya Tomlin and Demetria Boccella will be joining us next week as guest speakers for our Networking & Cosmetics Gala at Macy's Monroeville Mall (5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29).

Kiya and Demetria will speak about how they got started in business, touch on Spring/Summer fashion trends, and be available to help guests select a wardrobe. 

Kiya Tomlin is a women's wear designer and dressmaker, specializing in custom dresses. With a love of fashion since childhood, Kiya submerged herself in designing textbooks and and sewing manuals, creating prom dresses for friends and family. After graduating from The College of William and Mary, Kiya realized her childhood hobby was actually her true passion. She enrolled at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Art and Architectural Planning to study design formally, and continues to elevate her craft through fit and couture workshops around the country. At her new studio in Pittsburgh's East End, Kiya works closely with clients to create designs unique to their individual taste and figure. Kiya's designs are elegant and timeless, displaying her love of unusual and luxurious textiles. Clients of all ages, shapes, and sizes looking for a casual day dresses to evening couture can come "experience the design."

It's going to be a great night! Will you join us? Register for just $15 (and receive a $15 Macy's gift card). All proceeds from the night will benefit E-Magnify's programs for women business owners.

Online Events for National Small Business Week

Aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners and others are invited to attend the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week events held May 12-16, 2014.

Activities will include forums and panels discussing trends in small business, business innovation, financing, growth, matchmaking events, as well as networking opportunities and award ceremonies.  

Events will be held around the country and online. Register for online webinars and live-streaming events at www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek.

About National Small Business Week: Every year since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through National Small Business Week.  This year, events will take place across the country to engage the small business community and highlight their importance as innovators and job creators

This year's National Small Business Week will culminate in Washington, D.C., where the 2014 National Small Business Person of the Year will be named.  Candidates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico will be competing for the award. Small business owners and their employees who attend will interact with federal government officials, local elected leaders, representatives from national businesses and other small business experts.

who strengthen the nation’s economy.

Winners' Circle Awards Reception (May 21)

Register today for the 19th Annual Winners' Circle Awards Luncheon Reception. 

Date: May 21, 2014

Location: Greensburg Country Club, Greensburg, PA

Congratulations to this year's winners! 

>>ATHENA® Award
Diane Proctor (Finance Controller, Kennametal, Inc.)

>>Seton Hill University Entrepreneurial Excellence Award

The Progress Fund, represented by Karen Post, Chief Financial Office 

>>Award for Community Service
Norma Skillings (Clinical Research Coordinator, Westmoreland Neurology Associates)

>>YWCA Rising Star Award

Kristen Varoli (Owner/Stylist, Contempo Artistries Salon)

The Winners' Circle Awards Program, presented by Seton Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center, recognizes women, men, businesses, or organizations who advocate for women, women-owned business and our community. 

This year's awards lunch features a new format with food stations and a greater opportunity to network.  Register online here. (Registration deadline is May 14.)