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Join Debbie Hurst, President of WBCS, at the Arlington Chamber of Commerce's Lunch with Leaders event: "Leveling the Playing Field for Minority & Women-Owned Businesses". August 1, 2017 11:30a.m. - 1:00p.m. Learn More and Register Here Arlington Chamber of Commerce | 505 E Border St Speakers: Reginald Cleveland, City of Arlington MWBE Coordinator Demetri Bivens, Executive Director DLB Consultants Debbie Hurst, President Women's Business Council - Southwest

The Women's Business Council - Southwest's President, Debbie Hurst, was recently featured in the Texas Comptroller's FiscalNotes publication speaking about women-owned businesses and access to capital. "Access to capital can be a major hurdle in women-owned businesses' ability to scale. They need education about financing and determining what options are right for their businesses." - Debbie Hurst Read the full article here .

Parkland’s Supplier Diversity is pleased to host a Let’s Talk Business Forum – Information Technology and I.T. Opportunities at Parkland. You are invited to: Meet and network with Parkland’s Contracts, Information Technology leadership, Diversity staff and our prime IT contractors. Learn about the future I.T. prime and subcontracting opportunities. Date: Tuesday July 25, 2017 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00PM. RSVP IS REQUIRED to [email protected]

"Businesses owned by women of color have the hardest time of all business owners in building a network for doing business. Getting both certifications (WBE and MBE) provides you a head start in building a viable network to grow and improve your business. Why not do both? You will be glad you did!" Terri Quinton, Chief Executive Officer of Q2 Marketing Group and Alliance of Diversity Printers, LLC , has been a member of WBCS since 2010. She currently serves on our Board of Directors and is a co-chair for the annual Women of Color outreach event. Being active in both WBCS and the DFW Minority

Dinah Miller is the President of Nymble Recruiting, a highly-experienced recruiting and hiring solutions company. A certified WBE for just two years, and Miller has already grown her revenue by $4 million. She knows the power of relationships in business, "you can't do business with people you don't know". Since getting certified shes partnered with another WBE and served on a committee to aide in the building of relationships with key individuals. How/why did you start this business and how did you learn about certification? My company has existed since 2002. I took full ownership in 2015

The deadline to apply for the next Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort is this Friday, June 23rd. You Built Your Business. Let us Help You Grow It. Develop A Growth Winning Strategy! The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses-DCCCD site is now taking applications for our upcoming cohort 10. We are looking for eligible small businesses who are eager to link learning to action to take their businesses to the next level. Transform your business and build success with: Practical business education Education about access to capital A powerful and supportive network of advisers and peers All

We are pleased to invite you to The Study's Ribbon Cutting on June 22, 2017 at 1pm. Register today! Please join Mayor Stopfer, former Mayor and HUD Regional Administrator Van Duyne, Council members, Irving ISD Superintendent Dr. Parra, and others as we introduce this newly renovated business and entrepreneur center to the City of Irving. The Study's Mission: To converge, collaborate, and create through the collision of academic partners, companies, small businesses, start-ups, and the Community. Come join us, visit www.thestudyus.com .

"The best reason for another WBE to get certified is all the possibilities to grow & develop their business through collaboration & new channels of business opportunities either with other WBEs or Sustaining Members." Melinda Zito O'Brien is the CEO & Chief Energy Strategist of Energy Utility Group (EUG). In her 4 years as a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Melinda has effectively utilized the Women's Business Council- Southwest network to create new business opportunities for EUG and value for her clients. Melinda currently serves on the 2017 Austin Committee. Read the full case

One of our WBE members was featured recently in Forbes Woman . Nina Vaca, CEO of Pinnacle Group has leveraged the power of certification to help her grow her business. With revenue exceeding $1 billion, Pinnacle Group sets an example of ingenuity. Importantly, Nina shared advice from the mainstage, which included becoming a certified minority/women-owned business. “Certification has been integral in the growth of Pinnacle,” said Nina. It doesn’t give you the business. It gives you access to opportunities but you have to prove yourself, she explained. Certification is more than just access