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Business Resources

Organizations

OrganizationDescription
NFWBO National Foundation for Women Business Owners (NFWBO) is the premier source of knowledge about women business owners and their enterprises worldwide.
FCEM World Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM), pioneer association uniting women business owners from the world over.
IWPR Women's Policy Research (IWPR) is a public policy research organization dedicated to informing and stimulating the debate on public policy issues of critical importance to women and their families.
Center For Women's Business Research Center For Women's Business Research, founded as the National Foundation for Women Business Owners, is the premier source of knowledge about women business owners and their enterprises worldwide.

ACcess to Capital

OrganizationDescription
Bank of America
Count-Me-In For Women's Economic Independence. Get loans of $500 to $10,000 for women starting new businesses.
Venture One Venture capital and private equity research
Women's Financial Network

Certification

OrganizationDescription
CPUC The California Public Utilities Council regulates privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. The CPUC serves the public interest by protecting consumers and ensuring the provision of safe, reliable utility service and infrastructure at reasonable rates, with a commitment to environmental enhancement and a healthy California economy. We regulate utility services, stimulate innovation, and promote competitive markets, where possible. On this website you'll find information about the many initiatives underway at the CPUC. Click her for CPUC Certification or call 800-359-7998 adobe Supplier Clearinghouse Brochure
DGS California Department of General Services. The Department of General Services, Procurement Division (DGS-PD) strives to make doing business with the State easier.  Our contractor for the eProcurement system, BidSync, provides one location to advertise procurement opportunities and to get certified as a California Small or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise supplier. Contact DGS
MWD

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Consultants and vendors who would like to receive solicitation notices from Metropolitan must register. Consultants and vendors are encouraged to review Metropolitan’s Web site announcements regularly for contracting opportunities.
By registering with Metropolitan, small businesses and local firms can qualify for special consideration in accordance with Metropolitan’s Business Outreach Program. Small and/or local businesses receive preference for purposes of bid evaluation only as follows:

  • Small business enterprises will have their bids reduced by an amount equal to 5% of the lowest non-SBE bid.
  • Local businesses, those operating within the MWD service area, will have their bids reduced by an amount equal to 5% of the lowest, non-SBE bid.
NWBOC Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) pioneers initiatives to enhance competition by women business owners for corporate and government contracts, nwboc.economicengine.com

The National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) has led the way for women business owners to obtain WBE Certification. Created in 1995, NWBOC was established to increase competition for corporate and government contracts through implementation of a national certification program for women business owners. The development of our national Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) certification program, sponsored by IBM, involved cooperation and input from over 700 public and private sector individuals. The result was the creation of the WBE Application, the process, and the NWBOC Standards and Procedures.

NWBOC was created in response to needs identified by the Procurement Special Interest Group of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO.) The investigation revealed that to a large degree corporate America and government agencies had not received, nor recognized, the benefits of contracting with women suppliers. Only a small fraction of corporate and government contracts were with women-owned firms. This mindset prevented purchasers from obtaining the best value in their procurements, and it limited women business owners from penetrating these markets, which has stymied their business growth. Research has shown that after developing supplier partnerships with women-owned firms, many companies and government agencies have enhanced their bottom line for their shareholders, and taxpayers, respectively.

NMSDC The National Minority Supplier Development Council ® (NMSDC®) provides a direct link between corporate America and minority-owned businesses. NMSDC is one of the country's leading business membership organizations. It was chartered in 1972 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes.
SBA Small Business Administration Before you can begin business with the government your business must obtain the proper certifications. Small business certifications are like professional certifications; they document a special capability or status that will help you compete in the marketplace. Unlike permits and licenses, you do not need to obtain certifications to legally operate. However, in order to take advantage of business opportunities, such as government contracts, you may need to obtain some certifications. 866-606-8220
SCMSDC Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc., an affiliate regional council of NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.), is the largest nonprofit minority business advocacy organization in Southern California, serving 1,500 minority business enterprises and 200 corporate members throughout 13 counties. SCMBSC seeks to support and develop minority owned businesses.213 689 6960
SCRPC Southern California Regional Purchasing Council
WBENC The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), founded in 1997, is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. WBENC, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, partners with 14 Regional Partner Organizations to provide its world class standard of certification to women-owned businesses throughout the country. WBENC  is also the nation's leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America's corporations.
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President's Message

Ursula Mentjes For the past eight years, I have been a proud member of the National Association of Women Business Owners. I have served the Inland Empire chapter as the Affiliates Chair, Corporate Partner Chair, President Elect, President, and then President of...read more

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