Women’s Business Development Center Celebrates 25 Years
Helping Launch, Expand Women-owned Businesses
rabel Alva Rosales first turned to the Women’s Business Development Center when she had a major career decision to make. Should she stay in the government sector, join corporate America or start a business.
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She chose entrepreneurship and has never regretted the decision. Her 12-year-old company, AAR & Associates, Ltd., is a profitable endeavor with more than 50 employees and a prestigious client roster. Her fast-growing company specializes in providing technology infrastructure, proprietary management tools and the installation of hardware, and software implementation for Dell computers and Scholastic books, to the Chicago Public Schools, several city of Chicago departments and large private companies. Today, she is poised to take advantage of her 8(a) certification to win federal contracts.
“I’m in a hurry to succeed,” she states. “The WBDC understands my sense of urgency and has provided invaluable advice and direction to make the process of winning government contracts less daunting and more understandable.”
That heartfelt sentiment is what propels the WBDC’s Co-Founders and Co-Presidents, Hedy Ratner and Carol Dougal, to enthusiastically continue with the organization’s mission. They have helped over 65,000 women get the tools and support they need to become successful entrepreneurs.
Among their greatest accomplishments was the establishment of the nation’s first third-party Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification program for women business owners, which has grown to include more than 1,500 women business owners. Today, the WBDC is a regional certifying partner organization of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the leading national WBE certification program founded in 1997 and accepted by over 700 major corporations and government agencies. According to Ratner: “Certification is the cornerstone of what we do; it helps women win corporate and government contracts. Once a woman business owner is certified, she can take advantage of our role as match- makers, ultimately increasing her capacity and grow her
business to the next level.” Since the WBDC was established in 1986, its clients have been awarded over $800 million in government and corporate contracts. In addition, the WBDC is committed to providing high- quality programs including one- on-one business counseling, entrepreneurial training, and financial and procurement assistance for women business owners of all levels offered in both English and Spanish. It has helped clients receive more than $80 million in business loans. Its Latina Initiative provides business counseling, training and financial assistance – in Spanish – to Chicagoland’s growing Hispanic population.
“Through our programs, women gain the knowledge and self- confidence to start or expand a business,” says Ratner. “It is a very empowering experience.” The WBDC is most proud
Anniversary Celebration will be held on Wednesday, September 14, at Chicago’s McCormick Place-West. “The conference provides an excellent opportunity for women to develop new marketing opportunities with corporations and government agencies, as well as learn and share critical business information through workshops, panel discussions and networking,” says Ratner. Other Conference highlights are the Women’s Forum Breakfast, featuring several prominent entrepreneurs, and its Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon, honoring successful female entrepreneurs and supporters of women’s economic development.
of its annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference and Women’s Business & Buyers Mart which attracts over 2,300 attendees annually. This year, the 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference and 25th
Over the years, the WBDC has been at the forefront of public policy to strengthen and accelerate the growth of women-owned businesses. It has been an advocate, both locally and nationally, on legislative and governmental issues to help level the playing field for women-owned businesses, and internationally as a role model and advisor on women’s business issues. Further information about the WBDC and 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference are available at
www.WBDC.org or by calling (312) 853-3477.
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