WBEC South’s Programs

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

The New Normal

By Phala K. Mire, President & CEO, Women’s Business Enterprise Council South T he new normal. We’ve all heard and used the term countless times since March of 2020 when the world shut down. It’s almost cliché at this point, but what does it really mean? As we roll into our post pandemic world, only time will tell. I do think it’s safe to say that at WBEC

South, the “new normal” is filled with possibilities. The past two years have challenged Corporate America in myriad ways, but beyond the financial challenges, we have seen a commitment to social responsibility that eclipses any preceding efforts. As part of that movement, corporations have doubled down on their efforts to engage and include more diverse suppliers and the disparities for women owned businesses have never been more apparent. The good news is that once a problem has been identified, it can be addressed, and our corporate community is responding to the call. As the levels of corporate support and involvement grow, new business opportunities present themselves. We welcome the influx of new corporate

members to WBEC South with open arms and embrace the resulting challenge to present our growing number of women-owned enterprises in new and innovative ways. From We’ve Got Company! to our new Show & Sell sessions, we will continue to introduce creative ways to bring our buyers and suppliers together. In our new normal, the resiliency of our small business owners has never been more apparent. We lost several—some by circumstance and some by choice—but that number pales in comparison to the number of new business startups that have joined our community through WBENC certification, our SBA funded Women’s Business Centers, the Enterprising Women of Color Center, and the WB Collective coworking spaces in New Orleans and Nashville. Two years later, this organization has moved beyond certification and established paths to affiliation for every business owner. From startup to growth, to sustaining business stages; we have programs and coaching options to help every entrepreneur where they are. What hasn’t changed is our unique value proposition as a premier resource for women-business owners. We highly value our partnerships with the many great organizations in our region that support the growth of women-owned firms, but we are clear that our singular ability to put clients in front of corporate influencers and decision makers on a recurring basis is a game changer. Only the WBENC network allows for the high level of corporate/WBE interaction that cultivates relationships. And, as it has been proven time and time again, strong professional relationships are the key to sustainable business.

I can talk about the value of WBEC South more than anyone wants to listen, but the success stories in this edition of WE South magazine will show you better than I can tell you. Women business owners in the southern region are thriving. They have pivoted, rebounded, and reinvented themselves within a strong ecosystem that supports their growth. WBEs are leading the way through an unprecedented period of business recovery, and we will continue to play a starring role in uplifting women-owned firms in the South. So, bring it on 2022. We’re ready for you! WE

I can talk about the value of WBEC South more than anyone wants to listen, but the success stories in this edition of WE South magazine will show you better than I can tell you. Women business owners in the southern region are thriving.