FEMALE ENTRPRENEURS FACE FEW CONTRACTS, LITTLE FUNDING,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joanne Quinn-Smith


Public Relations


Tel. 412-628-5048


Email: Jqsdreamweaver@aol.com



FEMALE ENTRPRENEURS FACE FEW CONTRACTS, LITTLE FUNDING,

HIGHER HEALTHCARE



Giving Advocates Much to Discuss





Pittsburgh, Pa. (September 25, 2009) – Wendy Lopez, Rebecca Harris, Ana Harvy, Jayne Huston and by Bill Flanagan spoke on a Women Business Owners Advocacy panel at the 3rd Annual NAWBO Day Friday, October 2, at the Greentree Radisson Hotel, at 10 AM.



There are 10.1 billion women owned businesses in the US, about 40% of all businesses in the country. At least 5% of federal contract spending is to be awarded to certified women owned firms. Yet over the past 10 years, this mandate has not been reached. In 2008 alone, it was missed by over 12 billion dollars, according to the US Women’s Chamber of Commerce. In addition, only 2.3% of money from institutional investors went to women owned businesses. Not only are women owned firms being awarded fewer government contracts and having less access to capital than male owned firms, female entrepreneurs are also being hit harder with high healthcare costs.



"Women start small businesses at twice the rate as men and usually have less capital, so these health insurance costs have a more severe impact on female entrepreneurs." said Deborah L. Frett, CEO of Business and Professional Women's Foundation.



“Congress can't ignore the 10.1 million female entrepreneurs,” says Kelly Scanlon, chair-elect of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).



The associations and programs represented by NAWBO Day’s Advocacy Panel continue to address these issues on the local, regional and national levels. These panelists have made it their duty to educate, defend and protect female entrepreneurs. Their organizations, along with NAWBO, have been responsible for making advancement possible. They have affected such change as the acknowledgement of women as business owners, the release of statistics on women owned businesses, secured loans for female owned businesses, and the formation of specialized training to educate women on starting and growing their businesses.



The advocacy panel consists of women who are themselves business owners and program directors, having had first hand experience with the obstacles that face female entrepreneurs. These four women are joined by Bill Flanagan, who has made it his responsibility to join in the press for change for women owned businesses.



In addition to the advocacy panel discussion, NAWBO Day includes speakers, workshops, and a trade show, designed to inform business owners. Whether just starting or seeking growth, struggling or soaring, a large corporation or a consultant in any industry, this event is suited to equip Entrepreneurs.



NAWBO continues to provide support to and advocacy for women entrepreneurs. The Pittsburgh chapter is the 5th oldest in the nation and the only chapter that has a City Council and Mayor designated NAWBO Day.



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For more information about NAWBO Day visit http://www.nawbopittsburgh.org or contact Joanne Quinn-Smith at 412-628-5048. You may also email Joanne at Jqsdreamweaver@aol.com.



Women Busines Owners Advocacy Panel- Panelists include:



Wendy Lopez, NAWBO National Chair who recently sold her business on the cusp of the economic downturn for 8 million dollars;

Ana Recio Harvey, an experienced entrepreneur and recently the president of the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, now head of the U.S. Small Business Administration`s Office of Women`s Business Ownership, SBA;

Jayne Huston, Executive Director of E-Magnify, National Women's Business Development Center;

Rebecca Harris, Executive Director Chatham University Center for Women's Entrepreneurship and

Moderated by Bill Flanagan, Host of Region's Business and Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations, Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

NAWBO DAY Event



· Friday, October 2, 2009, 8 AM to 3 PM, at:

Radisson Greentree Hotel

105 Radisson Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205

· Registration and trade show begin at 8:00 AM



· A day of speakers, panel discussion, workshops and trade show for entrepreneurs of all company sizes, industries - new or continuing business.



National Association of Women Business Owners



· Gives support to and advocacy for women business owners.



· http//www.nawbopittsburgh.org

















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Delana Flowers

717-278-6391



FREELANCE WRITER * VOCALIST *SONG WRITER