DIV_HN_SCD_4Q09 7/31/09 2:58 PM Page 1
Two-way Street By Chris Ruys
For Arabel Alva Rosales, the whether to continue her career in the
Women’s Business Development government sector, join corporate
Center (WBDC) in Chicago has been America or start a business. Today,
a godsend by helping her 10-year- her fast-growing company, which
old company, AAR & Associates, Ltd. specializes in developing technology
www.aar-alvarosales.com, grow into a infrastructure, proprietary manage–
profitable endeavor with 50 employees ment tools and the installation
and a prestigious client roster. In of hardware for Dell Computers
return, Rosales has helped the Center. and Scholastic Books, counts the
An instrumental force in the creation Chicago Public Schools, several City THE WOMEN’S BUSINESS
of its Latina Business Initiative (today of Chicago departments and large DEVELOPMENT CENTER (WBDC)
more than 10,000 successful businesses private companies as its clients. envisions a world in which all women
strong), Rosales also serves on the “It has been extremely rewarding to business owners are able to compete
WBDC’s Board of Directors and as see the growth and success of Arabel’s equally in the business sector and
chair of its annual Child Care Business business,” states Hedy Ratner, WBDC have the opportunity to reach
Expo. co-founder and co-president. “Along economic independence through
“The WBDC is a great vehicle to the way, she has provided important entrepreneurship. The WBDC
get from and give to,” says Rosales, inroads into the Latino community provides services and programs
who is also a WBENC certified WBE. that have been a springboard to that support and accelerate women’s
“They’ve helped me in so many ways, our own success. And, she’s always business ownership and strengthen
and in return, I felt it was important available to counsel other WBEs who their impact on the economy.
to give back.” may be struggling.” For more information on the
Rosales first turned to the WBDC Rosales is the proud recipient WBDC and its program and events
when she was contemplating of more than 30 national and local please visit
www.wbdc.org or
awards, including the U.S. Hispanic contact
wbdc@wbdc.org.
Chamber’s “Hispanic Business
Advocate Award,” and in January
UPCOMING WBDC EVENTS
2010, she became the second woman
in the 20 year history of the Illinois 12
th
Annual Child Care Business
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Expo, May 22, 2010 at the Chicago
to be named Chairman of the Board Hilton and Towers (this event is
of Directors, She has also served presented in both Spanish and English)
Building partnerships.
Our Supply Chain Diversity Program
as a commissioner of the Illinois
Human Rights Commission, is a past 24
th
Annual Entrepreneurial
Sharing opportunities.
consists of 3 areas:
member of the U.S. Department of Woman’s Conference, Women’s
Transportation’s Business Advisory Business & Buyers Mart, the oldest
Inspiring success.
Vendor Diversity
We’re committed to ensuring that HUBs are well
Council, and has also led international conference and WBE business
represented in our product assortment and have
trade missions to Latin America. opportunities fair for women business
equal opportunity in our vendor selection process.
owners in the country, September 22,
At Office Depot
®
, we’re providing smart
2010 at McCormick Place Chicago
opportunities and resources for
Supplier Diversity
We actively seek out promising HUBs to ensure
Historically Underutilized Businesses equal opportunity in the Office Depot internal
(HUBs
*
) like women- and minority-owned
supplier selection process.
enterprises everywhere.
Tier One Program
This is our national network of independently
owned HUB partners. What sets it apart from
competitor programs is the mentoring and training
we provide our partners helping lead them to their
long term success.
* HUBs (Historically Underutilized Businesses) include certified minority, women, disabled, veteran and small [SBA 8(a), SDB, and HUB Zone] enterprises.
For more information, visit us at
www.officedepot.com/diversity
The Office Depot
®
name
The
and
Office
log
De
o
pot
are
name
registered
and logo are
trademar
registered tr
ks
ademarks
of The
of
Of
The
fice
Office
Club
Club
,
, Inc
Inc
.
.
©
©2009
Office Depot,
Office
Inc.
Depot, Inc. All rights reserved.
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