SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES OFFERED BY WBDC-MN

•  Mentoring services. The services are offered in conjunction with MicroMentor, an online mentor matching program. Through this service, small business owners are connected with business mentors, both locally and throughout the United States.
•  WBE certification. This certification is recognized nationally with acceptance from more than 1,000 corporations representing America's most prestigious brands. "Some of the benefits of WBE certification include invitations to networking events with supplier diversity representatives, contact information for supplier diversity representatives, and opportunities to attend corporate panels, procurement events, and education opportunities. "
• Other services offered by WBDC-MN to small business owners include one on one consulting and workshops on sales and business growth.

QUALIFICATIONS

• To qualify for the certification program, an applicant must be a female aged 18 years and above, a US citizen, and must have the highest title in the business. A woman or women must own at least 51% of the company.
• The applicant must also have control on high-level strategic management of the company, and also be the one who makes the ultimate decision on anything that concerns the business. A woman must control the daily operations of the business. Besides, the business must be an independent-for profit company, and it must have been formed and have its headquarters in the United States.
• Businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenue pay an application fee of $350 while those whose annual revenue ranges from $1 million to $4.99 pay $500. Businesses with yearly income of $5million-$9.99 million pay $750, while those whose revenue is from $10 million to $49.99 million pay an application fee of $1,000. Those whose annual income is $50 million and above pay $1,250.
• To access the mentoring services, participants register through the MicroMentor website. When registering for the program, applicants describe their businesses and their mentoring goals. Once connected, the mentor and mentee interact via a telephone call, Skype, in person, or email. The program lasts for three months.

UPCOMING EVENTS

•  Two Part Workshop Lunch ‘n Learn Event. It will be held on 23rd October from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. The program will be held at Deluxe Headquarters, 3680 Victoria St N., Shoreview, MN 55126, Room 161. Charges are $20 -$30.
•  Leveraging Your Certification Workshop. It will take place on 14th November 2019 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at WBDC-MN at WomenVenture at 2021 E, Hennepin Ave, Suite 200, Mpls, 55413. The cost for the workshop is $40 per person.

MEN AND THE WBDC

• The Women's Business Development Center "serves clients from all walks of life with a focus on women, minorities, and veterans (majority from low to moderate income areas)." This indicates that men can also utilize the services of the WBDC, especially if they are a minority or veteran.
• Additionally, in the company's 2017 financial report, it is stated that "WBDC assists all prospective and current business owners..." This is a further indication that their services are available to both men and women
• Although the WBDC indicates that it serves people besides women, all the success stories posted on the website are about women.
• The 2017 annual report indicates that 85% of their clients are women and 15% are men.
• The WBDC offers services for veterans and their spouses that include business advice, access to capital, entrepreneurial training, and access to ongoing training.
• WBDC offers the ScaleUp program which is designed to help current business owners grow their business. The criteria for the ideal candidate is listed on the website and there is no indication that gender or being part of a minority group is a requirement.
• Examples of programs that men could participate in include Contracting 101, Lunch 'n Learn, and Green Money. Additionally, men are welcome at the WBDC's annual conference.
• Finally, on the Our Team page of the website, there are two male employees, which indicates that the WBDC hires both males and females.

IN THE NEWS

• Although not specifically discussing men, the WBDC is co-sponsoring the upcoming Minority Enterprise Development Week celebration in Philadelphia. The celebration offers more than 35 events around the city that are focused on supporting minority-owned businesses.
• The WBDC was one of the sponsors of the 2019 Veterans Small Business Roadshow. This was a free event which was "open to all current active duty military personnel, members of the National Guard and reserves, as well as all veterans of any era, and military family members who are interested in launching a business or who already own a business."
• In late 2017, SimpleGrowth was launched, an online lending platform for African-American business owners and entrepreneurs in Chicago to connect with lenders. The WBDC is one of the groups providing the financing.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY