qualify for this certification. (http://affiliate.nmsdc.org/carolinasmsdc)


As a Site Visitor for the National Women Business Owners Corporation, I discussed Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification, capability statements and the importance of having your business certifications posted on your website. (NWBOC.org)


La-Tasha Best-Gaddy, Assistant Director of Business Development North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development (NCIMED) made introductions and moderated the two afternoon panels. The NCIMED partnered in 2000 with the SBA to form The Women’s Business Center. Their mission is to promote economic self- sufficiency for all women of North Carolina through entrepreneurship. This organization provides, among many other services, excellent workshops, seminars and online webinars.


I highly recommend


participating in their events. (http://www.ncimed.com/index.php?optio n=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemi d=33)


Joyce Siler, Director of the Women’s Business Center, where she oversees the development of education and training programs that address the needs of women entrepreneurs, was the moderator for the Women Entrepreneurs Panel. Ms. Aycock participated on this panel, along with Lynn Ivey, founder and CEO of The Ivey (http://theivey.com), a not-for-profit adult day care center located in South Park, and Jessica Hope Murrell Berryman, owner of Lango Kids RTP, (http://www.langokidsrtp.com) where children between the ages of 18 months and 11 years are taught how to be fluent in French, Mandarin and Spanish.


34


The Resources for Women-Money, Market and Management panel included Hilary Coman, Principal of the Coman Company (http://www.comancompany.com), Cathy Critz, Principal at Solutions FYS (http://www.solutionsfys.com) Roberta McCullough, Financial Services Director of the North Carolina Minority Support Center (http://www.ncmsc.org) and David A. Willis, Principal at NuLevel Strategic Solutions (http://www.nulevelsolutions.com). Some topics discussed were strategic planning, market analysis, optimizing manufacturing and business processes, business innovation, capital formation and funding available through credit unions.


The high energy in the room was contagious and I believe that everyone who was in attendance acquired a vast amount of knowledge.


The State of North


Carolina provides us with very effective business resources whose mission is to help women and minority business owners and I urge you to contact them.


Contact Information:


Vilma Betancourt-O'Day Women Wrule 803.517.4030 vilmaoday@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/vilmabetancourtoda ywomenwrule


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