The 10-second explanation of who we are at the Women's Business Enterprise Center – East (WBEC-East) is that we are an advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania, from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, as well as Delaware and Southern New Jersey. We believe diversity promotes innovation, opens doors, and creates partnerships that fuel the economy. That's why we provide the most relied upon certification standard for women-owned businesses, as well as world-class entrepreneurial training and education – combined with powerful tools and networking opportunities – to help them succeed.
But the true description of who we are lives in the countless stories of the incredibly diverse business owners and entrepreneurs in our growing network. Our stories spotlight the many women who have transformed unique business ideas in their heads into thriving companies. Other stories illustrate the power of mentorship and the dedicated leaders who believe in sharing what they have learned to inspire others to achieve their potential.
No matter where you are in your growth story, WBEC-East is here to support your continued success.
Looking to start your business?
WBEC East offers a comprehensive menu to help start your business with training, counseling, and networking programs and services, such as Entrepreneurial Training and a Business Finance Program. Funding for many of our Start-Up programs comes from our partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Women Business Ownership.
Interested in growing your business?
As one of the 14 regional partner organizations of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), we facilitate WBENC Certification, which validates that a business is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman or women. This world-class certification standard is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations representing America's most prestigious brands, in addition to many states, cities and government entities.
WBEC-East also provides educational, networking, procurement-related, and informational programs and services that foster growth and business opportunities between certified women's business enterprises (WBEs) and purchasing entities, including major corporations and government agencies.
Or, are you a leader in an organization looking to enhance your Supplier Diversity program?
WBEC-East assists corporations in creating and building world-class supplier diversity programs – allowing them to: create new contractor partnerships and supplier sources, drive competition between existing and potential vendors, promote innovation, and demonstrate their organization's interest in the economic growth of the local, regional, and national economy.
Whether your business success is already part of the WBEC-East evolving tapestry of stories – or you are just beginning your entrepreneurial journey – we look forward to supporting your next chapter of growth.