Category: Press Release

Commemorates 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote ANNAPOLIS, MD, December 12, 2019—Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed 2020 as the Year of the Woman in Maryland as the state prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote. At the kickoff event held at The Lightbox Studio in Annapolis, Governor Hogan was joined by members of the Governor’s Commission on the Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment, including Major General (ret.) Linda Singh, the first female Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard and chair of the Commission. “Our state’s history has been shaped by extraordinary women leaders, and our administration remains committed to empowering and advocating for women in Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “I look forward to the many events taking place statewide to commemorate the Year of the Woman. ” “We are pleased…

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Maryland Has the Highest Concentration of Women-Owned Businesses in the Country Rockville, Md., December 6, 2019–Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today joined Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) and Montgomery County women business leaders for a roundtable discussion about the issues women business owners face as they operate and grow their businesses. “I take great pride in Maryland’s distinction as the state with the highest concentration of women-owned businesses in the country,” Ranking Member Cardin said. “The women entrepreneurs I heard from this morning affirmed the importance of the vital programs provided by SBA, such as the Maryland Women’s Business Center and the various SBA loan programs. Today’s discussion also made clear that while women entrepreneurs have made great strides, we in Congress must provide SBA with the tools and resources it needs to address the pervasive historical…

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Proposals will be accepted electronically until Friday, October 4, 2019. Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI)–the economic development organization for the City of Rockville, Maryland–is seeking a marketing/design firm to to develop a refreshed brand, marketing materials, and websites for REDI and its initiatives, including the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) program. Each entity has its own audiences and strategy. Download the complete scope of work outlined in the RFP. Download the Question & Answer document. If interested, please submit your electronic response to this RFP by Friday, October 4, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. to Cindy Stewart, Executive Director, via email:  Stewart@rockvilleredi.org. 

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MWBC recognizes how hard female entrepreneurs work to launch their businesses. They work long hours, creatively market their products/services, hustle for funding, evaluate business options and outcomes, make sacrifices to boost their start-ups, and much more. In short, female entrepreneurs get it done. But when a start-up is ready to grow, a pivotal shift must occur so that the “get it done” entrepreneur fully evolves into an effective CEO. MWBC’s WEgrow Maryland program helps women entrepreneurs successfully transition into capable organizational leaders who nurture long-term business growth. WEgrow Maryland offers emerging leaders these benefits: Improved executive presence and confidence, which is essential when pitching to potential investors, partners, and clients. Expanded knowledge of financing options for business growth. Enhanced negotiation skills. Assessment of leadership strengths and techniques to use them more effectively. Defined & succinct value proposition. Advanced communication skills that build trust. Impactful organizational story that increases sales. Practical…

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Maryland Women’s Business Center to present awards during Annual Awards Luncheon on October 17. ROCKVILLE, Md. – July 16, 2019—Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC)—an initiative of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI)—is pleased to announce it is accepting nominations to honor women entrepreneurs from across the state who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments in their businesses and communities this year. Nominations will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2019. Awards will be presented at MWBC’s Annual Awards Luncheon, which will be held at The Universities at Shady Grove on October 17, 2019. Maryland remains a top state in the nation for women entrepreneurs. According to a 2018 survey conducted by Paychex entitled “Business Owner Diversity: A Look at Certified Business Enterprises in the U.S.,” Maryland has the highest rate of per-capita women business ownership in the United States, with nearly 18 female owners per 100,000 residents. Every day, Maryland’s…

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Managing Director of Maryland Women’s Business Center and AWBC Board Member Testifies Before Congress on Impact of Women’s Business Centers Program Testimony detailed the impact of WBCs and recommendations for program reauthorization Washington, D.C. – May 1, 2019 – Today, the Managing Director of the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC), Kiesha Haughton, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in a hearing on reauthorization of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) entrepreneurial development programs. Ms. Haughton, who is also on the Board of the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC), updated the Committee on the success of the Women’s Business Center (WBC) program in assisting women entrepreneurs through business training, counseling, and access to capital, as well as the efforts of the Maryland WBC to tailor its services to the Maryland small business community. In addition, she presented recommendations for improving the WBC program during reauthorization. In…

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Along with Gartner and Forrester Research, Fedmine has been awarded a multiple award, firm-fixed-price DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) valued at $446M, with Fedmine the only small business on the contract. Rockville, MD – May 2, 2019 – Founded in 2004, Fedmine is the fastest-growing federal business intelligence platform for organizations seeking real-time information on federal contracts and business opportunities. It is the most dominant SaaS platform on federal spending data and is widely accepted as the most reliable and accurate source of information that relates to federal spending. With an astounding track record that boasts many other firsts, it is now considered to be the largest library of ready-to-run federal spending reports on the Internet. The addition of the Department of Defense (DoD) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) award clearly attests to its wide acceptance in the federal sector. Providing business intelligence data to federal prime…

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In our final installment of celebrating women entrepreneurs during Women’s History Month, MWBC is pleased to feature its 2018 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Mercedita Roxas-Murray, CEO fo Montage Marketing. Montage Marketing  is an integrated marketing company with a core focus on experiential marketing. MWBC was instrumental in preparing Mercedita for starting her business by helping her create a business plan and hone her company’s service offerings for clients. Mercedita’s business helps create a relationship between a brand, product, or service to its audience. Similarly, Maryland Women’s Business Center can help create a stronger relationship between your business and its customers through its many training workshops, resources, and knowledgeable business counselors.

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In our ongoing series to recognize women entrepreneurs during Women’s History Month, MWBC is pleased to feature Renee Watson, CEO and president of ProARC, Inc., MWBC’s 2018 Minority Woman Business Owner of the Year. “This is my first go-round as an entrepreneur … MWBC was a great support to our business,” remarks Renee whose firm offers program management, enterprise architecture, and systems engineering services mostly in the technology field. Renee encourages women to start up businesses particularly in STEM fields because all levels of minority diversity is needed in engineering and related fields. MWBC can help every women-owned business in every phase of its growth by offering access to resources, training, and business counselors who offer tremendous guidance on navigating new business issues.

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In our ongoing series to recognize women entrepreneurs during Women’s History Month, MWBC proudly spotlights Makeba Clay, CEO and president of Innovative Global Solutions Consulting, LLC. “MWBC is an invaluable resource for me,” remarks Makeba whose boutique global firm offers leadership development, organizational change strategy, and best practices in inclusion. MWBC connects women through a powerful network, inspires confidence despite business challenges, and provides referrals to other resources to help women-owned businesses thrive. Makeba continues to support MWBC by making client referrals and leading roundtable sessions that help other women entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. In recognition of her commitment and services she provides across the global, Makeba was named MWBC’s 2018 Exporter of the Year.

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