Workshop to study women-owned small businesses

Erin Andrew, assistant administrator for Office of Women’s Business Ownership with U.S. Small Business Administration, will be keynote speaker at the “Innovative Strategies for Women-Owned Small Businesses” workshop. (CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE – Managers and employees of women-owned small businesses (WOSB) can learn about business endeavors with the government at the “Innovative Strategies for Women-Owned Small Businesses” workshop.

Women’s Business Center of North Alabama (WBCNA) invites individuals to attend the workshop on April 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Dynetics Solutions Complex, 1002 Explorer Blvd. NW in Huntsville. ServisFirst Bank is presenting the workshop.

“This powerful one-day event is constructed to attract current women-owned small businesses and those interested in certifying as” this business model, WBCNA program director Erin Bloxham Curtis.

Bloxham Curtis expects more than 100 individuals to attend “and leave with not only a better understanding of the Federal Procurement Program for Women but also how to best market your WOSB certification to the government.”

Keynote speaker will be Erin Andrew, assistant administrator for Office of Women’s Business Ownership with U.S. Small Business Administration. Andrew empowers women with “access to capital, contracts and counseling to start and grow their business,” Bloxham Curtis said.

Several other speakers are scheduled, including David Brock, small business specialist with Marshall Space Flight Center at NASA, who will talk about keys to personal and business success. David Mathis, ServisFirst Bank senior vice president, will discuss developing strong banking relationships for government contracting.

A panel will examine effectively using sources. Panelists will be Darlene Brakefield, WOSB Program Manager, AMCOM; Lee Rosenberg, Director of Office of Small Business Programs, Missile Defense Agency; and Sherry Fenn, Office Chief, MSFC Office of Procurement.

Irma Tuder, principal with Tuder Investments LLC, will discuss growing and selling a company. Another panel will include Bobby Bradley, Partner, Genesis II; Jami Peyton, President and CEO, Canvas Inc.; and Donna Coleman, President and CEO, Aetos Systems Inc.

Sponsors are Anglin Reichmann Snellgrove & Armstrong, Lockheed Martin, Fountain Parker Harbarger & Associates, Woody Anderson Ford and BID Designs.

To register, visit wbcna.org/calendar. Advance tickets by May 27 are $79 or $99 afterwards. Half-day tickets are $45.

For more information, visit wbcna.org.