WPEO Newsletter Fall 2005

WPEO launches new Branded Website

New York, NY (August 31, 2005 ) -- The Women Presidents' Educational Organization (WPEO) today announces the re-launch of www.wpeo.us, the destination on the net for Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in the NY, NJ, CT, DC, MD and VA areas. This site, sponsored by Merck, will offer WBEs a wealth of information, from WBENC certification standards, calendar of events with registration capability, reporting of Done Deals™, archived newsletters, information on the recertification process and the annual award winners circle as well as nomination forms.

The site has easy-to-navigate sections where certified WBEs and other women business owners can download the appropriate registration forms for events and pre-register as well. The site will accept payments for those events that require payment. Are you unsure what entails a Done Deal™ or how to go about reporting one? The site provides a detailed description, forms and published Done Deals™.

Says Liz Cullen, Regional Director of Certification for WPEO, "We are excited about our new site; the added features will present the user with increased functionality, WBEs can go straight to the site for recertification information and registration forms for our events. Thanks to Merck for making this possible.

The concept for WPEO's website was created by Grafik, a Virginia-based WBE and produced by backOfficenyc a New York-based WBE. "We are delighted with our new site and backOffice's work. It is a pleasure to work with Mardy Sitzer and her team" says Marsha Firestone, President and Founder of WPEO.

The report, titled Women Entrepreneurs Savvy About Risk, reports that women business owners are much more willing to take risks in running their businesses than in their personal finances.

Over 400 women business owners were surveyed and asked to determine whether they would take substantial or above average risks in regards to their business. Almost one of every four surveyed (21%) said they were willing to take substantial financial risks expecting substantial returns when saving or investing for their business.

"The success of their risk taking is documented in the dynamic growth rates - employment by women-owned businesses expanding at twice the rate of all businesses (24% vs. 12%) and revenues growing 17% faster than all businesses." said Marjorie Alfus, Chair, Center for Women's Business Research

Figures in a new report released late July, indicate that minorities and women are opening businesses faster than the national average over the past few years.

While the total number of businesses in New York State increased by 13.1% between 1997 and 2002 to 1.7 million, the numbers for women and minorities increased at much higher rates.

This increase in growth shows New York as one of the highest growth rates in the country.

The number of female-owned businesses in the state increased to 505,183, a 28.2% rise. Says Sharon Hadary, Executive Director for Women's Business Research, "The numbers are pleasing but not surprising. This data shows the vitality of women-owned businesses in terms of the potential for supplier diversity and the potential for marketing."


		Fall 2005	Volume III Issue IV
		WPEO launches new Branded Website New York, NY (August 31, 2005 ) -- The Women Presidents' Educational Organization (WPEO) today announces the re-launch of www.wpeo.us, the destination on the net for Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in the NY, NJ, CT, DC, MD and VA areas. This site, sponsored by Merck, will offer WBEs a wealth of information, from WBENC certification standards, calendar of events with registration capability, reporting of Done Deals™, archived newsletters, information on the recertification process and the annual award winners circle as well as nomination forms. The site has easy-to-navigate sections where certified WBEs and other women business owners can download the appropriate registration forms for events and pre-register as well. The site will accept payments for those events that require payment. Are you unsure what entails a Done Deal™ or how to go about reporting one? The site provides a detailed description, forms and published Done Deals™. Says Liz Cullen, Regional Director of Certification for WPEO, "We are excited about our new site; the added features will present the user with increased functionality, WBEs can go straight to the site for recertification information and registration forms for our events. Thanks to Merck for making this possible. The concept for WPEO's website was created by Grafik, a Virginia-based WBE and produced by backOfficenyc a New York-based WBE. "We are delighted with our new site and backOffice's work. It is a pleasure to work with Mardy Sitzer and her team" says Marsha Firestone, President and Founder of WPEO. New report from CWBR - Women Business Owners are Savvy Risk Takers The report, titled Women Entrepreneurs Savvy About Risk, reports that women business owners are much more willing to take risks in running their businesses than in their personal finances. Over 400 women business owners were surveyed and asked to determine whether they would take substantial or above average risks in regards to their business. Almost one of every four surveyed (21%) said they were willing to take substantial financial risks expecting substantial returns when saving or investing for their business. 45% were willing to take above average financial risks expecting above average returns. Two-thirds of the women in this study were willing to take above average or substantial risks to achieve their growth goals. "The success of their risk taking is documented in the dynamic growth rates - employment by women-owned businesses expanding at twice the rate of all businesses (24% vs. 12%) and revenues growing 17% faster than all businesses." said Marjorie Alfus, Chair, Center for Women's Business Research For more information visit: www.womensbusinessresearch.org Women and Minority Owned Businesses Show Strong Growth in New York Figures in a new report released late July, indicate that minorities and women are opening businesses faster than the national average over the past few years. While the total number of businesses in New York State increased by 13.1% between 1997 and 2002 to 1.7 million, the numbers for women and minorities increased at much higher rates. This increase in growth shows New York as one of the highest growth rates in the country. The number of female-owned businesses in the state increased to 505,183, a 28.2% rise. Says Sharon Hadary, Executive Director for Women's Business Research, "The numbers are pleasing but not surprising. This data shows the vitality of women-owned businesses in terms of the potential for supplier diversity and the potential for marketing." New York Sun Weekend Edition - July 29 - 31, 2005