Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) Helps Local Women Prepare for Successful Careers

HOUSTON - April 22, 2013 - PRLog -- The Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) is gearing up for its annual conference in an unconventional way. WBEA President April Day (http://www.wbea-texas.org/staff) has asked its 750 members to donate at least one article of business clothing to the local chapter of Dress for Success. Dress for Success Houston promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

“While planning our annual conference, we have kept in mind that women nationwide statistically earn less than men despite performing the same jobs. We want to help women at all levels of business excel,” WBEA President April Day said. “WBEA members are women business owners who are creating stable jobs and are dedicated to helping women―from this clothing drive to our conference’s educational workshops.”

WBEA will be accepting clothing donations from members at its offices through Monday, April 29, 2013. WBEA members and nonmembers are also encouraged to drop off donations at Dress for Success Houston at 3310 Eastside St., Houston, TX 77098. WBEA’s board of directors will roll up their sleeves to deliver the collected donations and participate in a guided tour of the DFSH facility on Tuesday, April 30 at 10 am.

As another way to help women in business, WBEA is hosting business workshops and a plenary session geared to taking professionals’ skills to an advanced level. Women entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to register online (http://wbea-texas.org/wbea-annual-conference#id=62&ci...) for WBEA’s conference workshops on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, and to attend the Business Exhibit Hall and Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 16, 2013. The conference workshop topics include:

·The 411 on Federal Contracting by Valerie Coleman,

·Why Your Networking Isn’t Working by Linda Ballesteros,

·Using Social Media to Attract Top Talent by Christine Hollinden,

·Energy Drink for the Soul…The 1st Sip by Jennifer Dean,

·Simple Tips for Owner’s-- Workplace Laws & Your Business by Lindsey Everson, and

·Turning Strangers into VIP Clients by Tonya Hoffman.

Other workshop topics include:

·Funding for Federal Contracts and Treasury Bonds, presented by Wells Fargo and the Small Business Administration (SBA),

·Negotiating Tactics for the Women Business Owner, and

·Healthcare Reform and the Impact on Small Businesses

Additional details about WBEA’s Annual Conference are online at www.wbea-texas.org  or on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/TexasWBEA. All admission tickets are available for purchase online (http://wbea-texas.org/wbea-annual-conference#id=62&cid=563&wid=301&type=Cal) with discounts ending May 8, 2013.

About the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA)

As an affiliate of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the WBEA serves as a third-party certifying organization for women-owned business enterprises (WBEs) in south Texas.  Businesses that are at least 51% owned & controlled by a woman as outlined by WBENC standards and procedures are eligible for this certification -- a designation that is not only recognized but required by most major corporations and governmental agencies as purchasing criteria. WBEA is 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization .

Reporters: Please contact Megan F. Salch (mailto:megansalch@tellyourtale.com) at 832-256-6676.