The NAWBO-WIPP Advocacy Day comes at a time when small business owners are facing strong political and economic headwinds. On the procurement front, contractors, including women-owned firms, continue to face ongoing uncertainty as federal agencies take steps to implement various Executive Orders that target federal contracting, including most recently, an order that prohibits contractors from “engaging in unlawful DEI”. At the same time, major legislation reshaping the small business landscape, looming budget cuts, and ongoing debates around the "Rule of 2" are all adding uncertainty for small business owners. With the midterms expected to slow legislative momentum after August, advocates are being urged to engage their representatives now while the window for meaningful action remains open.

Energy and infrastructure also emerged as pressing concerns, particularly around affordability, who bears the cost of data center-driven electricity demand, and the permitting bottlenecks slowing development. Women business leaders, joined by TIna Faraca, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Natural Gas Pipelines at TCEnergy, explored the growing need for a diversified energy mix to meet demand while keeping business costs manageable. Because energy expenses have an outsized and compounding effect on small business operations, the conversation underscored the urgency of streamlining permitting processes to keep pace with the country's rapidly growing energy needs.

On AI, the conversation was both energizing and cautionary. While half of women business owners are already integrating AI into daily operations, early adoption presents a significant market opportunity — in her conversation with Amazon, small business owner PeiPei Zhou noted that women business owners who get ahead of the curve now could see returns similar to those of companies that recognized the value of social media in its early days. At the same time, concerns around data privacy, equity gaps, and U.S. competitiveness remain unresolved. Across all topics, women business owners were encouraged to stay informed, lead with real-world impact in their advocacy, and amplify their voices collectively — with diversity of thought recognized as a key driver of innovation.

Healthcare rounded out the day's discussions as a genuine call to action. For many small business owners, offering competitive health care packages is essential to attracting top talent — but the pressing question remains: how do they afford it? Options like ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) and QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer

Health Reimbursement Arrangements) have become common solutions, and representatives from Gusto and NAWBO walked through the advantages and drawbacks of various employee benefit structures. The conversation also surfaced a practical reality: many employees of small businesses end up securing their own individual health care plans, and panelists explored the motivations behind that choice and what it means for small business competitiveness in the talent market.

130+ NAWBO and WIPP members wrapped up their Advocacy Day by heading to Capitol Hill where they participated in over 50 meetings with Congressional offices on both sides of the aisle and shared their experiences and challenges with lawmakers from across the country. Members covered a range of issues with lawmakers including access to capital, AI, healthcare costs, energy cost, paid leave and childcare.

As NAWBO and WIPP celebrate the success of this inaugural Joint Advocacy Day, both organizations look forward to continuing to work together to ensure that the voices of women business owners are prioritized in policy making at every level.

About NAWBO

Founded in 1975, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of America’s more than 14 million women-owned businesses, representing a wide range of industries and business sizes. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all sectors, advocating for equal access, fair representation, and economic opportunity. www.nawbo.org

About WIPP

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is a national, nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs and business owners. For 25 years, WIPP has worked to shape economic policy, expand access to business opportunities, and build the capacity of women-owned firms across the United States. www.wipp.org

This week, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the President's Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request, outlining the Administration's funding priorities for the year ahead. The President's Budget Request is not legally binding and serves as a request to Congress as it begins the process of developing FY27 appropriations. For Congress, the budget is intended to serve as guidance for funding federal programs and agencies, though appropriators rarely adopt the figures included in the President's budget as submitted.

What's in the budget?

●      The budget calls for additional funding for immigration enforcement and deportation operations, as well as maintaining funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

●      The budget proposes a significant increase in defense spending, bringing the total to $1.5 trillion, in part citing ongoing military engagement in the Middle East

●      The budget calls for a $10 billion fund within the National Parks System for construction and beautification projects in Washington, DC

●      The budget calls for a 13% increase in funding to the Department of Justice, focused on violent crime and immigration-related enforcement priorities

●      The budget includes a $481 million increase in funding to enhance aviation safety and support an air traffic controller hiring surge

These proposals reflect the Administration's stated priorities around immigration enforcement, national defense, and infrastructure in the Nation's capital. The $481 million aviation safety request comes amid a period of increased public attention to aviation incidents and a well-documented shortage of air traffic controllers.

What parts of the budget matter for small businesses?

●      The budget proposes eliminating funding for the SBA's Entrepreneurial Development Programs, including the Women's Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers, and SCORE Business Centers. The budget maintains funding for SBA veterans programs

●      The budget proposes cutting the CDFI Fund's budget from $324 million to $119.5 million — a reduction of $204.5 million

●      The budget proposes eliminating the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which was established under President Nixon and has received bipartisan support since its founding. The agency was also fully authorized by Congress through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The President has proposed eliminating the SBA's entrepreneurial development programs in prior budget requests, including FY26. Congressional appropriators have continued to fund these programs, and as recently as January 2026, members in both the House and Senate indicated they intended to maintain SBA program funding at FY26 levels. The proposed elimination of the MBDA reflects the Administration's broader policy direction on federal diversity and inclusion programs.

We will discuss the budget in greater detail during our next Advocacy and Policy News Update with our government affairs team at Public Private Strategies (PPS) on April 8 at 5pm EST. Please plan to join us and bring your questions! Register here.

Earlier this week, the President delivered the annual State of the Union Address to Congress. The speech focused on the economy and immigration and featured the announcements of several awards including (2) Congressional Medals of Honor, (2) Purple Hearts, (1) Legion of Merit, and (1) Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Clocking in at 1 hour and 48 minutes, this year's address was the longest State of the Union address in American history, surpassing Bill Clinton's 2000 speech by 20 minutes. It is also the longest speech to ever be given before a joint session of Congress, surpassing Trump's own previous record from the year prior.

On the economy, President Trump noted that inflation and core inflation have come down, as have the price of daily goods including gas and eggs. He also cited falling mortgage prices, strong stock market performance and an increase in construction jobs since taking office. Notably, the President didn’t offer much detail on tariffs despite the Supreme Court striking down his administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement tariffs.

In addition to the economy, President Trump also focused heavily on immigration, including calling on Congress to pass full funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down since the funding lapsed on February 13th. He also urged Congress to pass the Delilah Law, which would bar undocumented immigrants from obtaining commercial drivers licenses.

The President announced a few legislative priorities, calling on Congress to codify his efforts to lower drug prices, to pass the SAVE Act and to pass a "Stop Insider Trading Act" restricting stock trading by members of Congress and their spouses. He also announced the Vice President Vance will serve in as the newly appointed “Fraud-Czar”

Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democrat’s rebuttal to the State of the Union. The rebuttal featured many of the same themes around affordability as Gov. Spanberger’s campaign that helped her win by double digits in Virginia in November. In her 13 minute address, the Governor largely focused on rising healthcare costs, the impact of tariffs and immigration enforcement.

You can watch (or read!) the President’s full State of the Union here, and Governor Spanberger’s rebuttal here.

We will talk more about both speeches during our next advocacy update on March 11th at 5 pm ET. We hope you can join us!

Thank you to all of our members who responded to WIPP’s 2025 Annual Membership Survey. Your insights will serve as the foundation for our 2026 Economic Blueprint and guide the message we take to Capitol Hill and beyond as we advocate for women-owned businesses.

Here’s what we heard.

Optimistic About the Future — Concerned About the Present

WIPP members remain resilient and forward-looking, but they are navigating real and immediate pressures.

Nearly 67% of respondents say they are very or somewhat optimistic about the future of their businesses. More than half expect revenue growth in 2026, and over one-third plan to add employees this year.

At the same time, costs and uncertainty are forcing difficult decisions. More than 76% report higher energy bills compared to a year ago. Nearly 40% have delayed or canceled hiring plans due to current economic conditions, and one in four have postponed expansion or investment plans.

Members also cited rising healthcare and energy costs, hiring challenges, data privacy concerns related to artificial intelligence, and limited access to capital and federal and state markets as top concerns.

These are not abstract statistics. They represent real decisions being made at kitchen tables and in boardrooms by women doing everything right — and still encountering policy barriers that could, and should, be addressed.

Contracting Access Remains the Number One Challenge

Access to contracting opportunities continues to be the single biggest obstacle facing WIPP members. Fifty-eight percent identified it as a top challenge, and 32% ranked it as their number one issue — above access to capital, regulatory burden, and tariffs.

Recent executive actions have compounded these challenges. One in three members with federal contracts reported terminations or disruptions tied to executive actions, DOGE-related activity, or the government shutdown. Among those experiencing payment delays, more than half delayed growth plans and 28% laid off employees.

These are not policy abstractions. They are jobs lost and businesses stalled.

The FAR Rewrite: High Stakes, Low Awareness

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rewrite represents one of the most consequential shifts in the federal marketplace in years. WIPP played a central role in preserving the Rule of Two during that process.

Yet awareness among small businesses remains low. Nearly 65% of members say they are not very familiar — or not familiar at all — with the FAR updates. Nearly 60% are unsure whether the changes will simplify contracting, and almost 60% believe the updates will somewhat or significantly complicate the process.

This reveals two critical realities. First, there is a significant education and outreach gap: 70% of members say training on new procurement rules would be the most helpful resource, and 64% want clearer guidance from SBA or agency contracting offices. Second, implementation matters just as much as the rule itself. The work does not end with regulatory reform.

State-Level Contracting: A Patchwork of Disruption

Federal policy changes do not stay in Washington. They cascade down to the states.

Nearly 20% of respondents report that changes to their state’s contracting or certification programs negatively affected their ability to pursue or secure state contracts in the past year. The highest reported impacts were in Florida, Maryland, California, Illinois, and Texas — some of the largest and most economically significant states in the country.

Equally concerning is the awareness gap. Nearly half of members say they are unaware or only vaguely aware of recent state-level changes made in response to federal executive actions on affirmative action and diversity-related programs.

That gap creates vulnerability — but also opportunity. There is a clear role for state leaders and organizations like WIPP to raise awareness and help businesses prepare for evolving requirements.

Energy Costs Are a Business Issue

Energy affordability is not theoretical for our members — it directly affects hiring, pricing, and growth.

More than a quarter report increased energy costs over the past year, and 76% are not confident those costs will improve in the next 12 months. More than half view energy costs as a significant operational factor.

When asked about solutions, members were pragmatic. Eighty percent support reforming federal and state permitting laws to streamline construction of both natural gas and renewable energy projects. They are not choosing sides — they are asking for faster, practical solutions.

AI: High Engagement, Real Uncertainty

Women-owned businesses are already engaging with artificial intelligence. More than 77% of members report at least a general understanding of AI and its business applications, particularly in marketing, business development, and product and service innovation.

However, adoption barriers remain. Forty-one percent cite data privacy concerns as a top obstacle, and 36% say they lack clarity on which tools best fit their businesses.

On policy, members favor balance. Seventy-one percent believe ensuring responsible and ethical AI use should be the government’s top priority, and nearly half support a balanced approach that expands AI infrastructure while protecting environmental and community interests.

WIPP’s 2026 Blueprint will reflect that nuance: promoting AI access and adoption for small businesses while advocating for responsible governance and strong privacy protections.

Workforce, Healthcare, and Benefits

WIPP members are not just business owners — they are employers deeply committed to their teams. Seventy-two percent say offering benefits like paid leave and healthcare is essential to remaining competitive.

But providing those benefits is becoming more challenging. Nearly 34% expect to be impacted by the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, and another 22% are unsure — meaning more than half of members could face increased healthcare costs amid ongoing recruitment pressures.

There is also a significant awareness gap around available tax incentives. Seventy-three percent were unaware of the Section 45S Employer Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave, now permanent, and 76% were unaware of the Section 45F Employer-Provided Childcare Credit.

Education and advocacy will both be essential. WIPP will prioritize member outreach on these credits while continuing to advocate for policies that make it easier — not harder — for women-owned businesses to provide competitive benefits.

What Comes Next: The 2026 Economic Blueprint

Our members’ voices shape everything we do.

In the coming weeks, WIPP will release our 2026 Economic Blueprint — a comprehensive policy agenda built directly from what women business owners across the country are telling us. It will address contracting access, FAR implementation, state-level disruptions, energy affordability, AI governance, workforce policy, and more.

The numbers don’t lie. Women business owners are optimistic, resilient, and ready to grow. What they need now is a policy environment that keeps pace with their ambition.

The end of the year is typically a quieter time on Capitol Hill, with Congress focused on year-end priorities like the annual defense authorization bill (NDAA), which generally attracts bipartisan support. But if the past 11 months have taught us anything, it’s that nothing about this year in Washington has been typical. From a series of discharge petitions—on issues ranging from member stock trading to the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation—to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Congress has faced no shortage of turbulence. The rapid pace of the Hill has been bolstered by a similar pace coming out of the Executive Branch, as the President signed over 200 executive orders addressing nearly all sectors of industry and the economy. 

Looking ahead to 2026, there are few signs that the pace will slow. Lawmakers will return from the holiday recess to yet another funding deadline, with government funding set to expire on January 30. Congress has not yet reached agreement on the remaining appropriations bills needed to fully fund the government. In addition, a solution has yet to emerge for the expiring ACA subsidies, and all eyes are on the Supreme Court as it weighs a case that could determine the fate of the President’s tariffs. Next year is also a midterm election year, and Congress will have even less time to address FY27 appropriations as members spend more time in their districts in the fall. 

Still, despite the uncertainty, there have been notable bright spots for the Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) community. Vice Chair Sue Schweim Tellier testified before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure on the importance of the Rule of Two—a protection that was ultimately preserved in the FAR rewrite after speculation it might be weakened. WIPP members also met with Senate Small Business Committee leadership to discuss how tariffs are affecting their businesses, and we held an impactful legislative fly-in featuring remarks from Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez and Congressman Nick LaLota.

We look forward to reflecting on these highlights, and sharing our outlook for 2026, during WIPP’s End of Year Celebration on December 17 at 6:00 p.m. ET. We’ll also provide updates on the Small Business Administration’s newly announced audit of the 8(a) program and the recent Small Business Committee hearing examining the program.

We’ll also be launching our annual membership survey and need your input. Your feedback helps shape our Economic Blueprint, which guides all of WIPP’s advocacy on Capitol Hill and across the country. Keep an eye on your inbox for the survey.

We hope you’ll join us for this celebration and our final advocacy update of 2025!

One of the most notable changes concerns WOSB certification. As part of new FAR Overhaul requirements, WOSBs have to certify for the purposes of being counted towards subcontracting plans. Unlike in the past, it doesn't appear that there will be any kind of grace period for women business owners (or service disabled veterans) to certify in order to count towards subcontracting plans.

This shift has caused some confusion, especially since WOSB set-asides apply to only about 70% of NAICS codes. For businesses operating in industries outside that range, there’s currently no direct benefit to certification. Still, for many women business owners looking to partner with primes or increase their visibility in federal procurement, certification will now be a critical step.

Another significant change in the FAR overhaul is the removal of race and ethnicity questions from SAM.gov. This may seem like a technical adjustment, but the implications could be significant. The loss of these data points means the Small Business Administration (SBA) will no longer have access to demographic information in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which it uses to conduct disparity studies in contracting. Without this information, policymakers lose an important tool to measure how different groups of business owners are participating in federal contracting opportunities.

Right now, the FAR overhaul is in what’s called the “model deviation” phase — essentially a testing period before the proposed rule is formally published. Some agencies have already started implementing the changes through deviations, while others, such as the Defense Department, are waiting for official guidance.

There will be a formal comment period where members of the public can comment via Regulations.gov, possibly in December 2025 or early 2026.  It is important for businesses to submit feedback during both periods. WIPP strongly encourages women business owners to submit feedback to ensure our community’s concerns and insights are reflected early and often.

It’s also worth noting that while the FAR overhaul doesn’t directly impact the Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBUs), they’re still an important part of the picture. The Trump Administration has taken steps to reduce staffing in some of these offices, including at the Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year. OSDBUs play a vital role in guiding businesses through the procurement process and helping agencies meet their small business goals. Shrinking their capacity could make it harder for small businesses to access the support they need during this transition.

At Women Impacting Public Policy, we’re keeping a close eye on how these changes unfold. The FAR overhaul represents both a challenge and an opportunity for women-owned businesses. As always, WIPP will be engaging with policymakers, monitoring implementation, and sharing ways for our members to make their voices heard.

Government Shutdown Stalemate

Happy fall to our WIPP members! The leaves are just beginning to turn around our nation’s capital, and as the seasons change, Congress faces steep challenges—from keeping the government funded to managing the latest developments on tariffs.

The most pressing question in Washington right now is whether the government will shut down, how long it might last, and what the consequences will be for small businesses nationwide.

As of now, House and Senate leaders—along with the White House—remain in a stalemate over government funding. On September 19, House Republicans passed a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open through November 21, allowing more time to negotiate a broader funding package. Senate Democrats blocked that measure, instead offering a counterproposal that included an extension of ACA subsidies and a reversal of healthcare cuts, including to Medicaid, enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB/H.R. 1). While Republicans have signaled some willingness to extend ACA subsidies, they oppose doing so through a funding package. With premium notices set to reach business owners beginning October 1, delaying action until November may be too late.

Meanwhile, the White House appears to be bracing for a shutdown. OMB Director Russ Vought has instructed agency leaders to prepare for large-scale Reductions in Force (RIFs) affecting “all employees in programs, projects, or activities (PPAs) that meet three conditions: (1) discretionary funding lapses on October 1, 2025; (2) no alternative funding source, such as H.R. 1, is available; and (3) the PPA does not align with the President’s priorities.” Programs tied to border security, immigration enforcement, and national defense would be spared, but entire departments could be hollowed out if deemed inconsistent with the administration’s agenda.

The stakes could not be higher. Small businesses that contract with the federal government face the greatest uncertainty in the event of a shutdown, but all small businesses will feel the ripple effects. Federal loan and grant processing—including SBA’s 7(a), 504, Community Advantage, and Microloan programs—would be delayed, leaving many entrepreneurs in limbo.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) has consistently called on Congress to pass all 12, full year appropriations packages to ensure continuity and stability for small businesses who work with the government and rely on it for capital. Government shutdowns threaten the stability of the American economy, in addition to creating uncertainty for business owners as they attempt to plan for the future. If you are a WIPP member who will be impacted by a government shutdown, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at advocacy@wipp.org.

We’ll discuss the state of play on government funding and potential government shutdown during our next advocacy and policy news session on October 8 at 5pm ET. 

The suspension of the de minimis rule means that lower value shipments will now be subject to an additional 10 to 50 percent levy, coinciding with the tariff rate of the country of origin, or a flat rate of $80 to $200, depending on which option the merchant chooses.

In May, the Trump Administration’s suspension of the de minimis exemption on packages coming from mainland China and Hong Kong. For now, it’s unclear how long this pause will last or whether tariffs will shift after the de minimis threshold formally sunsets.

Without the de minimis rule, many international small and mid-size businesses are announcing that they will either pass increased costs onto consumers, or suspend shipments to the US until a more viable solution emerges. Larger companies will also have to make adjustments to their shipping strategies now that they’re unable to leverage the de minimis rule.

This poses challenges for American businesses that source goods from countries now suspending shipments. For small businesses that source niche, or custom made goods abroad, this means the cost of those goods will either rise as businesses pass on the cost to customers, or they will become more difficult to purchase. Companies will need to rethink sourcing strategies or budget for higher import costs.

This is an evolving situation, which WIPP will continue to monitor as more information becomes available. For WIPP members impacted by these changes, it’s important to take actions now to prepare for price increases or supplier changes. This includes conducting research on alternative suppliers, adjusting prices on goods impacted by the de minimis exemption, and communicating any changes to customers. We also encourage you to stay in touch with WIPP, and to keep an eye out for updates from our team as we learn more.

As this policy shift continues to unfold, WIPP will keep monitoring developments and advocating for solutions that protect small businesses from unintended harm. Ensuring that entrepreneurs remain competitive in a global marketplace must remain a top priority.

If you have questions, concerns, or want to share your experience with us, please contact advocacy@wipp.org. We will discuss these updates further during our next Advocacy and Policy News session on September 10th, 2025 at 5pm ET. Register here to join us.

With Congress preparing to return from their August recess, Washington has been somewhat quiet, however, the Executive branch has remained quite busy. In particular, new developments as it relates to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) continue to be announced.

Earlier this month, the Trump Administration released the latest update to its ongoing FAR overhaul, with particular focus on FAR Part 8. The proposed changes could have a significant impact on women-owned businesses and other small business vendors participating in federal contracting.

The most notable change in Part 8 is a new mandate requiring federal agencies to use “Best-in-Class” (BIC) contracts. Currently, BIC contracts account for just 13.6% of eligible federal contract spending. In 2024, fewer than 5% of small businesses receiving federal awards—just 2,969 out of 60,951—were on BIC contracts. Experts caution that this new mandate could further shrink the federal small business supplier base, which has already declined by roughly 50% since 2009.

This is not the first attempt to overhaul Part 8. In 2016, a proposed rewrite would have required agencies to use the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) unless they provided justification for alternative contracts. That effort was abandoned after small business stakeholders voiced strong concerns. In 2019, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) acknowledged that consolidating contracts can limit competition and allowed agencies to opt out of BIC contracts if relying on only a few small providers posed mission risk. That safeguard is missing from the current rewrite.

The FAR update also includes changes to Part 12, which governs commercial item acquisitions. Under the rewrite, agencies would use Requests for Quotations (RFQs) rather than Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for contracts valued at or below $7.5 million. This shift aligns with commercial practices, reduces administrative burdens—such as evaluation plans and competitive range requirements—and may help lower barriers for new entrants, including women-owned businesses.

In summary, while updates like the Part 12 rewrite could streamline federal contracting and reduce compliance costs for small vendors, the Part 8 changes—and the BIC mandate in particular—pose potential risks by further consolidating the federal supplier base. Small vendors will need to monitor these changes closely to ensure continued access to federal opportunities.

We’ve reached peak heat in Washington, D.C., just in time for lawmakers to leave Capitol Hill for the month-long August recess, during which they will spend the next five weeks hosting in-district events and engaging with constituents.

The last few weeks leading up to the recess have been quite busy on the Hill, so let’s dig in.

First, congressional Republicans met their self-imposed deadline (July 4) to get the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA, reconciliation) across the finish line. We’ve discussed the bill at length in our most recent advocacy update and during a special reconciliation briefing hosted earlier this month, but the highlights are:

●      Tax Highlights - Read our deep dive on tax provisions [here ]  

○      The bill makes permanent the 20% deduction for pass-through businesses (also known as the Section 199A deduction).

○      The bill enhances the employer tax credit for paid family and medical leave and increases the Child Tax Credit (see our deep dive on paid leave and childcare provisions).

○      The bill restores businesses' ability to deduct all R&D expenses the year they are spent (as long as the research is done within the U.S.)

○      The bill temporarily ends taxes on tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest. These tax provisions are available until 2028.^[1]

●      Changes to Healthcare and the Safety Net - Read our Deep-Dive on Health and Safety Nets provisions here

○      The bill creates new work requirements for Medicaid and changes existing work requirements for SNAP

○      The bill makes changes to Health Savings Accounts and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts 

The bill also adjusts the Opportunity Zones (OZ) Program, phases out tax credits created under the Inflation Reduction Act, and provides historic funding for both the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.

In addition to passing the reconciliation package, the Republican-controlled Congress also passed the President’s $9 billion rescissions package, which aimed to codify many of the cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), including USAID, PBS, and NPR.

August Recess - WIPP’s Recess Guide

Ahead of the August recess, our Government Affairs team has prepared a recess guide for our members who are interested in engaging with their elected officials while they are in the district. The guide includes a “State of Play” on several items, including the FY 2026 appropriations process and a summary of what was included in the reconciliation and rescissions packages. This guide also includes sample town hall questions for those who attend member events, as well as draft meeting request language.

Not yet a WIPP member? Now is the perfect time to join. Members receive exclusive access to timely policy resources like the Recess Guide, along with tailored advocacy updates with our government affairs team, briefings, and opportunities to raise their voices at every level of government. Learn more about WIPP membership here.

Recess is an important opportunity to engage members, given that they are in-district for the sole purpose of meeting with their constituents and hearing their concerns. We encourage all WIPP members to use this opportunity to raise their voices and meet with their elected officials.

Join Us - Advocacy and Policy News!

We will walk through the recess packet, the state of play on FY 2026 appropriations, and what we can expect from Congress upon their return in September during our next Advocacy Update on August 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. We hope to “see” you there!

^[1] There are caveats for these provisions:

●      No Tax on Tips - deduction available for up to $25k for qualifying tips

●      No Tax on OT - deduction of $12.5k for individuals, $25k for married couples. Only applies to extra wages earned during OT, not the full wages earned during.

●      No Tax on Car Loan Interest - deduction of up to $10k for brand new vehicles purchased between 2025-28. Only applies to vehicles assembled in the U.S.

This month’s blog offers a timely look at where reconciliation efforts stand in the Senate. As of June 27, there remains little clarity on whether Majority Leader Thune can marshal the votes needed to meet the self-imposed July 4 deadline. While the path forward is uncertain, we’ve seen Speaker Johnson navigate similarly complex packages under tight timelines—so we’re not counting the Majority Leader out just yet.

As Congress races toward the July 4th recess, the reconciliation package remains in a state of deep uncertainty. In recent days, a series of rulings by the Senate parliamentarian have reshaped the legislation and complicated its path forward—creating new political and procedural hurdles just as leadership tries to finalize a deal.

Most notably, the parliamentarian struck down the provider payment framework advanced by the Senate Finance Committee. While this move alleviates pressure from certain Republican senators who had objected to that piece—such as Senators Collins, Tillis, Murkowski, and Hawley—it also leaves a significant gap in the overall budget math. And it’s not the only challenge. We understand several healthcare-related provisions are also in question, though final rulings are still being analyzed.

Meanwhile, other provisions—including an AI moratorium, public land sales, and various policy riders—remain in limbo or are drawing fire from both parties. One major open question is whether the bill’s reliance on a “current policy baseline” to mask its deficit impact will survive scrutiny under the Byrd Rule. If not, the package may need another round of painful revisions.

Senate leaders are pushing hard to pass the package before the holiday recess, giving the House just enough time to review and pass the updated version. But with the bill undergoing major changes in the Senate, House Republicans have voiced frustration, warning that the new version may face significant resistance within their caucus.

At this stage, chances of meeting the self-imposed July 4 deadline appear uncertain—at best.

At WIPP, we’re tracking these developments closely. Reconciliation is not just a budget process—it’s a vehicle that could impact federal investments in small business lending, healthcare access, procurement reform, AI policy, and more. The decisions made in the coming days will ripple across the small business ecosystem, and especially for women-owned firms navigating federal programs.

We’ll keep you informed as the situation evolves—and continue advocating for a budget that reflects the needs of all small business owners.

For more on the reconciliation process, the FY '26 appropriations process and the President’s rescission package, join us for our next Advocacy Update on July 9th at 5pm ET.

Dear Lawmakers,

As Congress debates the reconciliation package currently under consideration, the undersigned business organizations urge you to keep the provision establishing a 10-year moratorium on state-level legislation regulating artificial intelligence (AI). This temporary pause is a vital step toward avoiding the kind of fragmented regulatory environment that has burdened small businesses in other policy areas, such as data privacy and cybersecurity. A coordinated federal approach to AI regulation will better support innovation, economic growth, and the competitiveness of small businesses across the country.

Artificial intelligence presents transformative opportunities for entrepreneurs and small firms. These technologies are enabling businesses to streamline operations, better target and serve customers, improve productivity, and lower operational costs. A recent US Chamber survey found 91 percent of small businesses actively using AI say it will help their business grow in the future. From automating back-office tasks like bookkeeping to optimizing inventory, enhancing fraud detection, or expanding customer support via chatbots, AI offers small businesses the ability to compete with larger, better-resourced companies. AI adoption can be a force multiplier that bridges long-standing structural gaps in access to capital, labor, and scale, especially for rural businesses.

Despite these opportunities, small business owners face growing uncertainty about how to integrate AI into their operations due to the rapid emergence of state-specific laws and regulatory proposals. Indeed, the US Chamber report mentioned above found a quarter of small businesses cited legal and compliance concerns around AI as the reason they have not adopted the technology. While well-intentioned, state-level AI legislation often diverges significantly in scope, definitions, compliance timelines, and enforcement mechanisms. This patchwork imposes confusing and expensive compliance burdens—particularly on small businesses that operate across state lines or serve customers nationwide.

The cost of divergent laws is measurable. Small business owners already face substantial costs navigating differing privacy frameworks in states like California, Colorado, and Virginia. Looking to the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act as an example, studies have found the law will create hundreds of thousands of dollars in initial compliance costs. Similarly, an analysis of the cost of California’s automated decision making technology rules before they were amended to be less burdensome found the proposed rules would cost “$21,874 to $32,810 in first-year direct compliance costs per business.” These costs would be amplified exponentially if laws are passed at an individual, state-by-state level, while creating a chilling effect on adoption and innovation, particularly for businesses that lack in-house legal or technical staff.

By establishing a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulation, Congress can provide much-needed regulatory certainty while allowing time for federal policymakers, technologists, business leaders, and civil society to work together on developing comprehensive, balanced, and evidence-based federal AI policy. Importantly, this moratorium does not delay responsible regulation—it ensures that regulation is done the right way, with clear standards that promote fairness, innovation, and accessibility for all businesses, regardless of size.

It is worth noting this provision does not prevent states from engaging in critical research, education, or voluntary standards development around AI. Rather, it prevents a premature rush to enact laws that may be inconsistent, duplicative, or counterproductive, and instead signals that federal leadership is essential on an issue of such national and economic significance.

We fully support efforts to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly. But those efforts must be coupled with an understanding of the unique challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises. This moratorium would give federal policymakers time to gather data, consult stakeholders, assess unintended consequences, and create scalable guardrails that protect consumers while enabling innovation.

The undersigned organizations urge Congress to support the 10-year moratorium provision in the final reconciliation package. Doing so will send a strong signal that Congress is committed to creating a thoughtful, modern AI policy framework—one that empowers America’s entrepreneurs to thrive in the AI economy.

Sincerely,

Angela Dingle
President & CEO
Women Impacting Public Policy

Chiling Tong

President & CEO

National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship

Jen Earle

CEO

National Association of Women's Business Owners

Todd McCracken

President & CEO

National Small Business Association

Ron Busby

President & CEO

U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.

Ramiro Cavazos

President & CEO

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Karen Kerrigan

President & CEO

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council

Powering the Next Industrial Chapter Through Small Business

Last week, nearly 50 WIPP members from across the country came together in Washington, D.C. for our June 9–10 fly-in — a powerful demonstration of what it means to advocate, collaborate, and lead.

As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, we gathered not just to reflect on WIPP’s legacy, but to carry it forward by meeting directly with lawmakers and policy influencers shaping the future of women-owned businesses.

• We kicked things off with a coalition partner strategy session to align on priorities and policy pathways.
• We heard directly from Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee and a longtime champion for women entrepreneurs. She spoke about her unwavering commitment to advancing access and accountability for women-owned businesses in federal procurement — including her leadership on the WOSB Accountability Act, which passed the House last week with strong bipartisan backing.
• Congressman Nick LaLota (R-NY) Chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, shared insights on his leadership in pushing for greater transparency and oversight in federal contracting. He also discussed his role in moving the WOSB Accountability Act forward — a critical step toward ensuring agencies meet their contracting goals for women-owned small businesses.
• On the Senate side, we were briefed by a powerhouse team representing Senator Cory Booker and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship — Veronica Doran, Lex Grippo, Shivani Pampati, and DeMarcus Walker — who are working every day to ensure small business policy is inclusive, equitable, and forward-thinking.
• We also had a candid and critical discussion on the state of federal contracting with Nicole Atallah, Partner at PilieroMazza and trusted expert on GovCon compliance and legal strategy.

This fly-in was a powerful reminder: the voices of women in business are not optional — they are essential.

Being on the Hill is not just about the meetings; it's about showing up, being counted, and bringing what we learn back home. Whether it's shaping policy, building coalitions, or holding the government accountable, advocacy doesn’t stop when we leave Washington — it starts there.

As WIPP celebrates 25 years of impact, we are reminded that progress happens when women business owners take the mic, step into rooms of power, and bring others with them.

Women-owned businesses are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy. From launching e-commerce boutiques and consulting firms to scaling wellness brands and professional services, women entrepreneurs are reshaping the small business landscape. At the heart of this growth is the power of digital tools.

Digital platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp have revolutionized how women start, run, and grow their businesses. These tools allow entrepreneurs to reach new customers through cost-effective targeted advertising, communicate with their client base in real time, streamline operations with digital payments and scheduling, and manage customer service efficiently. For women business owners—many of whom juggle caregiving responsibilities alongside business operations—these tools offer vital flexibility and affordability that brick-and-mortar or traditional marketing models can’t match.

But this digital ecosystem faces a new challenge. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit seeking to unwind Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp that could have unintended consequences for women-owned small businesses across the country. Breaking apart these platforms risks increasing the cost and complexity of digital engagement for small businesses. Women entrepreneurs who rely on seamless integration between Facebook ads and Instagram shops, or those who use WhatsApp for real-time customer service, may find themselves navigating a fractured digital landscape. The affordability and accessibility of these platforms have enabled countless women to launch businesses with limited capital—often from their own homes—and stripping that away would disproportionately affect women already operating with limited time, resources, and support.

Indeed, research from the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute finds new women-led firms are more likely to be “born digital” than their older counterparts, and women entrepreneurs are adopting digital tools at rates similar to men – an essential trend to leveling the playing field. Women entrepreneurs, especially those who are underserved, stand to lose the most if the digital tools they depend on become more fragmented and less user-friendly.

Women-owned businesses account for over 14 million firms in the United States, employing over 12 million workers according to Wells Fargo’s 2024 report on the impact of women-owned businesses. Despite this impact, women entrepreneurs often face significant barriers to accessing capital, mentorship, and markets. Wells Fargo’s report found that if women-owned businesses achieved the same average revenue as men-owned businesses, it could add an estimated $7.9 trillion to the U.S. economy. Digital tools have been a game-changer in leveling that playing field—reducing the need for physical storefronts, enabling scalable marketing strategies, and connecting business owners with customers across geographic and socioeconomic boundaries.

For many women, especially mothers, caregivers, and those launching second careers, digital platforms are critical infrastructure that makes entrepreneurship possible. Undermining these tools risks reversing hard-won gains and creating new hurdles for women-led small businesses striving to succeed.

At Women Impacting Public Policy, we believe in a business environment where all women entrepreneurs can thrive. Rather than tearing apart platforms that empower entrepreneurs, we call on regulators to work collaboratively with the small business community to address the real business challenges women face such as access to capital, contracting and procurement opportunities, and workforce and skills gaps. Now more than ever, women-owned small businesses need stability, innovation, and opportunity—not additional barriers.

Washington, DC (May 15, 2025): Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), a leading advocate for women in business, is thrilled to announce the prestigious sponsor for its highly anticipated 2025 Legislative Fly-In. This event serves as a pivotal platform for women entrepreneurs to engage directly with policymakers, advocating for policies that foster economic growth and support women-owned businesses nationwide.

Chinese goods now face tariffs of up to 135%. While many of these tariffs have been paired with temporary pauses to allow for trade negotiations, the uncertainty is already creating ripple effects across supply chains—and women-owned businesses are not immune.

Quick Assessment of Current Tariffs:

●      A baseline 10% tariff applies to most U.S. imports, with exceptions.

●      China faces tariffs up to 135%; Mexican and Canadian goods are exempt only if products meet USMCA compliance.

●      These changes could raise prices, delay shipments, and disrupt sourcing for small businesses.

What Do These Tariffs Mean for Your Business?

Tariffs aren’t just policy, they affect day-to-day decisions for small businesses: whether you need to raise prices, pivot suppliers, or delay investments due to rising costs. For women entrepreneurs, who often face capital constraints and operate leaner margins, the impact could be especially challenging.

Here are a few potential examples:

●      A women-owned boutique importing fashion accessories from Asia may now face a 10%–135% increase in costs.

●      A construction firm sourcing Canadian steel must navigate tariff exceptions under the USMCA.

●      Even service-based businesses could see higher prices for office equipment or tech tools impacted by global supply chains.

Quick Reminder: What Is a Tariff?

A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on imported (and sometimes exported) goods. In this case, the U.S. government has imposed new tariffs on most foreign goods entering the country. In response, some countries, including China and the European Union, have issued retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, which could further impact American businesses, including women-owned exporters.

What Can You Do Now?

While the trade landscape continues to shift, there are proactive steps you can take to minimize the impact on your business:

●      Review your supply chain: Can you source key products or inputs from domestic or USMCA-compliant suppliers?

●      Talk to your vendors: Renegotiate pricing or contract terms where possible.

●      Monitor inventory closely: Plan ahead to avoid disruptions or delays

●      Cut costs strategically: Look for areas to streamline operations without sacrificing quality or customer experience.

And most importantly: stay informed. This situation is evolving quickly, and what’s true today may shift tomorrow.

Resources for Women-Owned Businesses

WIPP recommends reviewing Gusto’s Small Business Owner’s Guide to Tariffs for an accessible overview of current policies and practical advice on how to navigate trade-related uncertainty.

We will discuss the latest on tariffs and trade during our next Advocacy and Policy Update on May 14, 2025 at 5pm ET. Our government affairs team at Public Private Strategies will also walk us through the next section of our updated Economic Blueprint, Health Equity for Women-Owned Businesses. We’ll also provide a sneak peak of the agenda for our Legislative Fly-In, hosted in Washington, D.C. from June 9-10.

This will be an informative update, we hope you can join us! Register here.

In recent weeks, significant operational and procedural changes have been announced at both the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). These shifts will have major implications for federal contractors, including those participating in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program.

GSA: Personnel Reductions & Changes to the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program

As part of ongoing efforts to downsize the federal government, GSA has announced plans to cut both spending and personnel across all programs by 50%. Over the weekend, the agency extended applications for early retirement and reopened the Deferred Resignation Program to encourage voluntary departures. Additionally, GSA is considering a government-wide Reduction in Force (RIF) to further scale down its workforce.

In parallel, GSA, which owns more than 440 buildings covering 80 million square feet nationwide, has announced plans to offload "non-core assets ," including the FBI and DOJ headquarters in Washington, D.C. This move is expected to have significant impacts on Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, where the concentration of federal workers and GSA properties is highest.

Beyond personnel and property reductions, GSA has also unveiled changes to the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program , a commercial acquisition program that facilitated $51.5 billion in sales in 2024. Key updates include:

●      Allowing MAS contracts that fail to meet sales thresholds to expire;

●      Addressing contractor non-compliance and performance issues;

●      Streamlining processes, eliminating inefficiencies, and improving oversight;

●      Removing items with low market demand or where administrative costs outweigh benefits;

●      Reducing redundancies across federal procurement channels

SBA: Field Office Closures & Staff Reductions

SBA Administrator Loeffler has also announced major restructuring efforts, including closing field offices in sanctuary cities and reducing staff levels to align with President Trump’s executive orders.

In a recent press release, Administrator Loeffler stated that SBA offices in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Seattle will be relocated to “less costly and more accessible locations that better serve the small business community and comply with federal immigration law.”

Additionally, SBA will reduce its workforce by 43%, bringing its staff down from 6,500 employees to 2,700, the same level as pre-pandemic years. This reduction will be achieved through:

●      Voluntary resignation

●      Expiration of COVID-19-era and temporary appointments

●      Implementation of a Reduction in Force (RIF)

SBA to Oversee Federal Student Loan Program

In a separate development, President Trump has announced that the federal student loan program will now be managed by SBA, aligning with broader efforts to phase out the Department of Education. However, it remains unclear how SBA will administer federal student loans, especially given its significantly reduced workforce. It is also unknown whether former Department of Education employees will be transferred to SBA to oversee this transition.

What This Means for Federal Contractors

The sweeping changes at GSA and SBA will directly affect thousands of federal contractors, including those participating in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program.

WIPP is closely monitoring these developments and will provide further analysis in our next Advocacy and Policy News Update on April 9th at 5:00 PM ET. We’ll be joined by our government affairs team at Public Private Strategies, who will be available to answer your questions.

Register here to join us!

What is DOGE?

Before diving into the potential impacts on federal contractors, it’s worth examining DOGE itself. The department’s stated goals include streamlining government operations, enhancing transparency, and promoting fiscal responsibility by eliminating inefficiencies and modernizing processes. According to the Executive Order establishing DOGE, its primary objective is to modernize federal technology and software to maximize efficiency and productivity.

Each federal agency will be assigned four DOGE employees to drive this agenda forward, and the Executive Order designates DOGE as a “temporary organization,” set to be terminated by July 4, 2026.

Government Efficiency and Federal Contracting

Federal contractors often agree that the procurement process is unnecessarily complex, expensive, and time-consuming—areas that could benefit from increased efficiency. However, DOGE’s potential impact on federal contracting remains unclear, apart from anticipated changes to technology and software requirements.

Policy and contracting experts have proposed a range of ideas for improving the procurement process. Some suggest extreme measures, such as eliminating the Small Business Administration, while others recommend more practical steps, like requiring contractors to provide additional cost and pricing data to the government.

Moreover, DOGE’s push to reduce the federal workforce could create new contracting opportunities as the government outsources more tasks. Return-to-office mandates might also drive demand for information technology (IT), maintenance, catering, and janitorial service contracts. Additionally, President Trump’s reinstated federal hiring freeze could further open doors for contractors.

However, not all changes may be favorable to contractors. For example, the rescission of President Johnson’s 1965 Executive Order establishing affirmative action within the federal workforce could influence DOGE’s approach to efficiency recommendations and policies. While this executive order doesn’t directly target programs like the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) or the Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Programs, its ripple effects could impact the future of these initiatives.

Join the Discussion

We will explore DOGE, recent Executive Orders, and all things reconciliation during WIPP’s next Advocacy and Policy News (APN) Update on February 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. Register here to join us. As always, our advocacy team at Public Private Strategies will be on hand to answer your questions.

Leading up to the December 20 deadline, lawmakers from both parties spent weeks negotiating a bipartisan agreement to fund the government through March 14, 2025. Hours after Congressional leaders released the text of the proposed CR, it sparked debate among policymakers, including public comments from President-elect Trump and other leaders raising concerns about the scope and spending levels.

Following some back and forth on the Hill, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that maintains federal funding at FY24 levels while addressing several critical priorities, including:

●      Disaster Relief Funding: Over $100 billion allocated to support recovery efforts for communities affected by recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters.

●      Agricultural Assistance: $30 billion designated for farmers, alongside a one-year extension of the farm bill.

●      Program Stability: Essential federal programs and services, including those managed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), will continue uninterrupted. This stability is vital for contracting opportunities critical to small and women-owned businesses.

The CR provides funding through early March 2025, giving Congress three months to either reach a full-year appropriations agreement or pass another CR to avoid a government shutdown.

Compounding the challenge, lawmakers must also address the debt ceiling. Suspended until January 1, 2025, the debt ceiling will require action as the Treasury begins implementing extraordinary measures to meet U.S. financial obligations. These measures could last until the summer of 2025. Adding further pressure, President-elect Trump’s ambitious First 100 Days agenda will vie for Congress’s attention. Narrow majorities in both chambers will present challenges in advancing major legislative initiatives while balancing fiscal responsibilities.

This fall, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), alongside leading small business organizations, spearheaded a sign-on letter urging Congress to reach a bipartisan agreement to fully fund the government before the December 20 deadline. While the CR’s passage averted an immediate crisis, reliance on stopgap measures creates ongoing uncertainty for women-owned businesses, whether or not they are federal contractors.

As we enter 2025, WIPP reiterates its call for Congressional leaders to use the coming weeks to finalize a comprehensive funding package. Short-term fixes like CRs hinder long-term planning and stability for businesses.

The passage of the CR provides temporary relief, but significant challenges lie ahead. Women business owners and federal contractors must stay informed, proactive, and engaged as we navigate this uncertain fiscal landscape.

We’ll discuss the state of government funding, predictions for President-elect Trump’s Executive Orders, and the First 100 Days during our Membership Kickoff Call on January 15 from 2:00–3:30 pm ET. Join us for this timely session to gain insights and learn more about what WIPP has planned for 2025! Register here to secure your spot.

What Is the Rule of Two?

The “rule of two” requires federal agencies to set aside contracts for small businesses if there are at least two qualified firms that can bid competitively on price, quality, and delivery. Historically, this rule was applied inconsistently, particularly to task orders under larger contracts. The proposed regulation aims to enforce a stricter adherence to this rule, potentially increasing opportunities for small businesses, including WOSBs.

The Stakes for WOSBs

WOSBs currently face unique hurdles in federal contracting. Despite progress in overall small business contracting, the number of small business contractors has been steadily declining, shrinking by nearly 40% since 2010. For WOSBs, this environment has been especially challenging as they compete for a smaller share of the pie amidst the growth of large contract vehicles like NASA’s SEWP V and GSA’s OASIS.

The SBA estimates that applying the rule of two more broadly could redirect as much as $6.1 billion in federal spending annually to small firms. For WOSBs, this could mean more set-aside opportunities, helping to reverse trends that have marginalized small, diverse contractors.

Why This Matters Now

The Biden Administration has made strengthening the small business industrial base a priority, as reflected in its push to increase the percentage of federal contract dollars awarded to small businesses. Fiscal year 2023 marked a high point, with 28.4% of eligible federal contracting dollars awarded to small businesses. However, the SBA’s data also shows a troubling long-term decline in the number of new small businesses entering federal markets.

By extending the rule of two to MACs, this proposal could provide a significant boost to WOSBs, ensuring that they have a fair shot at winning contracts under these large vehicles. Agencies would no longer be able to bypass small businesses under the guise of efficiency, leveling the playing field for WOSBs that have historically been overlooked.

Challenges and Criticisms

Not everyone is on board with the SBA’s plan. Some critics argue that the proposal could complicate the federal procurement process, increase litigation risks, and potentially reduce subcontracting opportunities. For WOSBs, this could mean navigating new complexities as agencies adjust to the rule’s requirements.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about whether this rule would truly help all small businesses or inadvertently favor those positioned to bid as prime contractors. WOSBs that primarily operate as subcontractors might find themselves squeezed as agencies recalibrate their strategies.

What’s Next?

The SBA is accepting comments on the proposed rule through December 24, 2024. This is a critical window for WOSBs and their advocates to make their voices heard. It’s an opportunity to emphasize the importance of clear guidelines, equitable implementation, and sufficient support for small businesses adapting to these changes.

How WIPP Is Advocating for WOSBs

At Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), we see this proposed rule as a pivotal moment for WOSBs. WIPP will be submitting a comment on the proposed rule. Our mission is to ensure that women-owned businesses are not only included in federal contracting but thrive in this space. We will be submitting comments to the SBA, highlighting the need for:

●      Transparency and fairness in implementing the rule of two.

●      Support for subcontractors to ensure they aren’t disadvantaged by changes to MACs.

●      Training and resources to help WOSBs navigate the new procurement landscape.

Get Involved

WIPP encourages its members to provide feedback on the SBA’s proposed rule and share their experiences with federal contracting. If you need assistance preparing a comment for the proposed rule, do not hesitate to contact us at advocacy@wipp.org. Together, we can shape policies that empower WOSBs and drive meaningful change in the federal marketplace.

Voting Checklist: Before diving into specifics about your ballot, early voting, and Election Day plans, review this checklist to ensure you’re ready:

• Check your voter registration status.
• Confirm if a valid ID is required to vote.
• Verify your polling location and polling hours in advance.
• Decide on transportation to your polling place: drive, public transit, walk, bicycle, or rideshare.
  • Note that rideshare companies, like Uber and Lyft, may offer discounts for rides to polling locations.

Understanding Your Ballot: This year, your ballot will feature numerous elections, including for the President, the U.S. Senate (in 33 states), the U.S. House of Representatives (all 435 seats are up for re-election), and state and local offices such as judges and city council members. Your ballot will likely also include ballot measures on various topics, from business and government to zoning and education.

While it’s straightforward to find information on high-profile candidates, down-ballot races and measures can be harder to research. Ballotpedia is a valuable resource for clear, concise summaries of ballot measures and candidate information. Candidates can also submit surveys to provide voters more insight into their priorities. Be sure to check whether your candidates have completed this survey.

Early Voting: Most states offer early voting, with a few exceptions like Alabama and New Hampshire. Oregon does not offer early voting, but all voting is by mail. In some states, early voting runs until the day before Election Day. This resource provides start and end dates for early voting in all states, but checking with your state and local election offices will give the most accurate details. You can also visit the U.S. Vote Foundation for additional information on your local election office.

Voting early is a convenient way to avoid lines on Election Day, and it offers more flexibility, allowing weekend voting in some states.

Election Day 2024: Election Day is on November 5, 2024. Polling hours vary by state and county, so verifying your polling location and hours in advance is highly recommended. Expect potentially longer wait times on Election Day, especially during peak voting hours (7 AM - 8 AM, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, and 5 PM - 7 PM), which may vary by location. Before heading out, make sure you eat, hydrate, and wear comfortable shoes in case of long wait times. Bringing a book or something to pass the time can help, and it’s wise to check the weather forecast.

Regardless of how you choose to vote, the most important thing is that you participate. While voting in federal elections may feel less immediate, it has a huge impact. Participating in local elections is even more crucial, as they address issues in your community and day-to-day life. At WIPP, we’re eager to cast our ballots and hear your voting stories.

We’ll discuss voter resources and expectations for the upcoming Congress in our Advocacy and News Update on October 30 at 5 PM Eastern. We hope to see you there!

The proposal was doomed from the start, as Speaker Johnson lacked sufficient support from his caucus. Even if it had passed the House, it would have been dead on arrival in the Democrat-controlled Senate. While the reasoning behind the Speaker’s decision is unclear, some speculate it was influenced by former President Trump.

When Speaker Johnson brought the funding plan to the House floor, it failed with a vote of 202-220, and two members voted present. Fourteen Republicans opposed the package, while three Democrats—Reps. Jared Golden of Maine, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, and Don Davis of North Carolina—voted in favor. These Democrats are each in highly competitive re-election campaigns, possibly factoring into their votes despite the majority of their party opposing the bill. After the September 18 vote, fewer than two weeks remained for Congress to reach a funding deal.

The following week, Congressional leaders announced they had reached a bipartisan agreement on a CR to fund the government through December 20. This package, negotiated by Speaker Johnson and leading Democrats, maintains current funding levels until mid-December. It includes an additional $231 million for the Secret Service to support operations related to the presidential campaign, following two assassination attempts against former President Trump. However, the bill does not provide extra funding for Veterans Affairs or disaster relief—two key Democratic priorities, particularly in light of the VA's funding request and the impact of Hurricane Helene on Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

The December 20 deadline places Congressional leaders in a tough position, just after the elections and ahead of the holidays. The continued reliance on patchwork CRs creates harmful uncertainty for small businesses, particularly federal contractors who risk delayed payments and lost contracts. For non-contractors, the looming threat of a government shutdown erodes consumer confidence, stifling business growth.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is calling on Congressional leaders to take decisive action and work together toward a full government funding agreement. Small businesses cannot afford the continued uncertainty.

We discussed government funding extensively during our most recent Advocacy and Policy News Update on September 25 and will provide further updates during our next session on October 9. Register here to join us.

Congress is slated to return from a weeks-long August recess on September 9th, following what can be considered an eventful period. During the recess, the Democratic Party held their convention in Chicago, where Vice President Harris and Governor Walz officially accepted the Democratic nominations for President and Vice President. Additionally, the Harris-Walz campaign unveiled their official economic agenda, focusing on housing, addressing inflation, the care economy, and healthcare. Similar to former President Trump's platform, the Harris-Walz economic agenda responds to the foremost concern of most voters: high prices and inflation.

When Congress departed Washington, D.C. for recess, they had neither passed all 12 appropriations bills nor reached an agreement to fully fund the government for the next fiscal year. Upon their return on September 9th, they will have less than 30 days to either pass legislation to fully fund the government or enact a continuing resolution (CR) to buy more time—which will almost certainly be the case. The House recessed a week early after a scheduled vote on the Energy-Water bill was canceled, while the Senate remained in session, with the Senate Appropriations Committee voting several bipartisan funding bills out of committee. These bills still need to pass the full Senate before being reconciled with the House. Although the House passed five appropriations bills along party lines before recess, these would unlikely pass the Democrat-controlled Senate due to several 'poison pill' policy riders related to LGBTQ rights and border security.

Given the circumstances, Congress will most likely prioritize passing a CR to prevent a government shutdown. The remaining question is the duration of this CR. Members of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) have expressed a desire for the CR to extend into March 2025 to avoid negotiating a year-end spending deal with a Democrat-controlled Senate and White House. Given the narrow Republican majority in the House, the HFC will have significant influence over the direction of the eventual CR. The upcoming November election also impacts lawmakers' priorities heading into the funding debate, and it is expected that a CR will at least fund the government through November.

In addition to government funding, lawmakers are preparing for a debt ceiling negotiation, as the current debt ceiling is set to expire on December 31st, 2024. During the previous debt ceiling negotiations, then-Speaker McCarthy brokered a deal that kept non-defense discretionary funding roughly flat at 2024 levels and provided a 3% increase for defense spending. It is anticipated that Congressional Democrats will seek a 'clean' debt ceiling increase, though it remains uncertain whether Congressional Republicans will attempt to negotiate budget reductions through the debt ceiling process.

We will discuss this, and 2024 election updates during our next Advocacy and Policy News Update, scheduled for 5pm ET on September 25 with our Government Affairs team at Public Private Strategies. Register here!

Sunday, July 21st, President Joe Biden announced that he would end his campaign for the Presidency after weeks of mounting pressure from within his own party following a disastrous debate performance on June 27th. The President ended his campaign just over 100 days before November’s election, providing the Democratic Party the opportunity to nominate a new candidate. President Biden’s exit from the race at this stage in the election is unprecedented, the last time a presidential candidate withdrew their candidacy was in March of 1968, when then-President Lyndon B. Johnson announced he would not seek re-election due to dissent within his party over the Vietnam War. Interestingly, the 1968 Democratic National Convention was hosted in the same city that the 2024 convention will be hosted, in Chicago, Illinois.

Immediately following his announcement to end his campaign, President Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nominee and the majority of Democratic leadership quickly followed. Despite having the support of her party locked in, the Democratic Party will not officially confirm their nominee until Democratic delegates from all US states and territories have had their say. In order to comply with several state deadlines to ensure the Democratic nominee is on the ballot, the DNC has announced that it will hold a virtual roll call vote starting on August 1st to select their nominee, ahead of the convention starting on August 19th.

If the Vice President is the only nominee for consideration, the roll call vote would conclude rather quickly. However, if other candidates emerge to challenge her for the nomination, roll call votes would occur over the course of a few days until a nominee secures necessary delegates. In order for a candidate to qualify for the roll call, they would need to gather 300 signatures which cannot all come from the same state. The AP reported that 2,688 delegates have pledged to support Mrs. Harris in the roll call, surpassing the required 1,967 she would need to win the nomination.

As of this writing, Vice President Harris has not announced a running mate, though there are several potential candidates (including PA Gov. Josh Shapiro, AZ Sen. Mark Kelly, N.C. Gov Roy Cooper and KY Gov. Andy Beshar). In order for the Vice President to qualify for the Ohio ballot, she must announce her running mate by Aug.7. That said, it is expected that she will announce a running mate either before or on the day of the virtual roll call vote with delegates. Her running mate will most likely be selected with the attitudes of swing voters in mind, meaning they could be a representative from a key swing state.

We will know who the Democratic nominee and running mate will be before we reconvene for our monthly Advocacy and Policy News Update on August 14 at 5pm ET, and look forward to sharing more on the status of the race, in addition to our legislative update and overview of the next section of the Economic Blueprint, Opportunities in the Investing In America Agenda for Women Owned Businesses. Register Here. 

July Capitol Hill Updates

Congress is back in session after the 4th of July recess, and with just 12 legislative days until the August recess, Congressional leadership has an ambitious agenda to say the least. Several spending bills are in the docket, including the annual defense bill, the 2023 Farm Bill, as well as several appropriations bills that must be finalized before the end of the fiscal year.

On Sunday evening, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shared a Dear Colleague Letter, outlining the chamber’s schedule for the month of July, including a mark up of FY2024 Legislative Branch, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Financial Services and General Government spending bills. The mark up of these bills marks the start of the negotiations for funding the government through FY 2024. Senate Democrats are expected to set the spending levels at what was agreed upon via the Fiscal Responsibility Act (the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement), which House Republicans have rejected. It’s been reported that House GOP leadership aims to cut billions from social spending. This will no doubt result in a clash between both parties this fall as spending negotiations get underway.

Later this month, the House will take up the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes over 1400 amendments, totalling $886 billion. It includes a 5.2% salary increase for service members, additional funding for Ukraine and funding to confront China’s growing influence in the Pacific.

We’ll also be keeping our eye on the negotiations for the 2023 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a massive piece of legislation passed roughly once every five years and it covers everything from crop insurance, farmer training programs and technology, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and much more. The bill has wide ranging implications for small farmers and small businesses within the agricultural sector given that it encompasses farming and agricultural practices and funding. Hearings related to the Farm Bill kicked off this spring and will likely continue into the fall.

Congressional leadership has a very short runway to kick off negotiations for several crucial spending bills before the August recess, guaranteeing a busy month ahead before members head back to their districts.

We’ll cover these developments in our next Advocacy and Policy Update on July 12 with the Women Impacting Public Policy Government Affairs team.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

As federal spending against government wide acquisitions hit an all-time high in fiscal year 2023, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) is taking steps to ensure that more small businesses can participate on these vehicles. Per a memo from the OFPP, the Biden-Administration is tasking agencies with taking specific actions, including on-ramps, applying the “rule of two” and even not using best-in-class (BIC) contracts, should they be detrimental to small firms, when managing or buying from a multiple award contract.

While the OFPP memo outlines several actions for agencies to implement to help increase the number of small businesses in the federal supplier base, one of the most significant changes applies to the ‘rule of two’. The rule, sometimes referred to as a ‘golden rule’ of GovCon, requires agencies to set aside contracts for small businesses, assuming that there are two competitive small businesses that could bid on a contract at a fair market price. The new changes mean that the ‘rule of two’ may be applied to multiple award contracts, which marks the first time that this concept applies to multiple award contracts.

The change requires agency contracting officers to provide documentation for any decision not to use a set aside for contract orders that exceed the micro purchase threshhold (MPT). Said documentation should include detail on an agency's market research efforts and why it decided to use a certain vehicle. The findings must then be shared with the agency’s small business specialist, and provide time for them to review and respond.

The overall goal of these changes is to increase the number of small businesses in the federal supplier base, which have been on the decline since 2010. In fact, every year since then, agencies have seen about a 40% decrease in the number of small businesses receiving prime contract awards. At the same time, the number of small businesses working with the federal government for the first time has declined as well. The number of new entrants has dropped by 60% since 2010 and by 80% in the last 15 years. While the federal government is reporting record spending with small businesses, the reality is that there is a smaller pool of vendors winning contracts, which is especially the case with BICs.

Women Impacting Public Policy will continue to track these changes closely, as well as monitor the impact on women owned small businesses. At the end of the day, we welcome changes that would increase the participation of women owned businesses in federal contracting, and this could be an avenue to do just that. We’ll discuss this and more during our next advocacy update on February 14th!

The Last WIPP Advocacy Blog of 2023

Who is Speaker Mike Johnson?   

October Advocacy Blog

After a few chaotic weeks on Capitol Hill, Congress reached an 11th hour deal to fund the government, averting what would have been a devastating government shutdown. In the lead up to the deal, WIPP Acting President and CEO, Angela Dingle led a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to reach a bipartisan solution to fund the government, given the detrimental impact a shutdown would have had on small businesses.

The deal, which was finalized by then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Democrats, is a temporary stop-gap measure that will keep the government open for 45 days. The measure did not include additional supplemental funding for Ukraine, nor did it include border security measures or deep spending cuts that some Republican members wanted to see in the final bill. While Congress was able to avoid a shutdown, it must spend the next five weeks negotiating a deal to fund the government beyond the November deadline.

Things on the Hill weren’t quiet for long after Congress passed a deal to keep the government open. Almost immediately after the votes were counted, Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida announced his intent to file a Motion to Vacate the Office of the Speaker after McCarthy passed a stopgap funding measure with Democratic support to avoid the government shutdown. In a historic vote on October 3, eight House Republicans joined 212 House Democrats to oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. Shortly after the vote, McCarthy indicated that he would not mount a bid to become Speaker again, opening up the field for other members to replace him. Thus far, Reps. Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio have announced bids for Speaker. House Democrats will nominate Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as they did in January. This is uncharted territory for the House, as it has been over 100 years since a motion to vacate has been voted on and McCarthy is the first Speaker to have been ousted through a motion to vacate. 

Congressional leaders now have just under 45 days to negotiate packages to fund the government long-term. The House will be unable to consider new legislation to fund the government until a new Speaker is selected. House Republicans are expected to host a leadership forum on October 10th, where we expect to gain a better idea of who will replace Speaker McCarthy.

All of this to say, WIPP will continue for Congressional leaders to reach a bipartisan solution to fund the government, and importantly, to avoid the overuse of Continuing Resolutions to do so. When lawmakers fail to fully fund the government, it means that federal agencies do not have access to all of the resources needed to fully execute their missions, nor to best serve the small business community, which drives job creation and economic growth. It is important, now more than ever, that Congressional leaders put the needs of small business owners first and set aside partisan politics.

We’ll discuss all of this, and more in our next Advocacy Update, stay tuned!

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

Things on the Hill have been mostly quiet since Congress left for recess at the end of last month, but don’t count on that to last. As members return in September, they’ll have only a couple of months left to resolve major legislative issues ahead of what is certain to be a busy 2024 election cycle.

Both parties continue to separately forge ahead with their own proposals addressing tax policy and federal spending, with little chance of passage as is, meaning party leadership will eventually need to work across parties and chambers and with the White House to get anything across the line. With that being said, let’s jump right into what we can expect from Congress this fall.

For starters, both Democrats and Republicans have introduced some major tax policy bills. House Republicans put forth a trio of tax bills, collectively referred to as the American Families and Jobs Act. The three bills include: the Small Business Jobs Act, the Build It In America Act and the Tax Cuts for Working Families Act. First, the Small Business Jobs Act would increase the expense allowance for small businesses, and increase investments towards small business tax credits. The Build It In America Act would address provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), including those relating to Research and Development, bonus depreciation and restoring more generous allowances for interest deductions. Lastly, the Tax Cuts for Working Families Act would expand the federal standard deduction on a temporary basis, for 2024 and 2025 only.

Meanwhile, House and Senate Democrats have each introduced their own tax bills as well, including a permanent expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Their proposal would increase the credit to $3600 per eligible child - making permanent the expansions under the American Rescue Plan in 2021. Both the House and Senate bills would index for inflation, and the House bill would provide a one time $2,000 ‘baby bonus’ for first time new parents.

In addition to Congressional aspirations to pass tax policy, legislators must also pass key funding bills, including the 2023 Farm Bill and legislation to fund the government through FY '24. To fund the government, party leadership in both Chambers acknowledges that a temporary measure will be necessary to fund the government and to avoid an October shutdown. However, the members of the House Freedom Caucus have signaled they would not support a temporary measure to fund the government. This puts Speaker McCarthy in a difficult position, given he has very few votes to spare to get anything passed out of the House. This fall’s funding debates will most likely mirror negotiations earlier this summer on the debt ceiling.

As we’ve advocated for in the past, we will urge policy makers to reach a bipartisan solution to funding the government.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

On Sunday evening, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shared a Dear Colleague Letter, outlining the chamber’s schedule for the month of July, including a mark up of FY2024 Legislative Branch, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Financial Services and General Government spending bills. The mark up of these bills marks the start of the negotiations for funding the government through FY 2024. Senate Democrats are expected to set the spending levels at what was agreed upon via the Fiscal Responsibility Act (the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement), which House Republicans have rejected. It’s been reported that House GOP leadership aims to cut billions from social spending. This will no doubt result in a clash between both parties this fall as spending negotiations get underway.

Later this month, the House will take up the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes over 1400 amendments, totalling $886 billion. It includes a 5.2% salary increase for service members, additional funding for Ukraine and funding to confront China’s growing influence in the Pacific.

We’ll also be keeping our eye on the negotiations for the 2023 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a massive piece of legislation passed roughly once every five years and it covers everything from crop insurance, farmer training programs and technology, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and much more. The bill has wide ranging implications for small farmers and small businesses within the agricultural sector given that it encompasses farming and agricultural practices and funding. Hearings related to the Farm Bill kicked off this spring and will likely continue into the fall.

Congressional leadership has a very short runway to kick off negotiations for several crucial spending bills before the August recess, guaranteeing a busy month ahead before members head back to their districts.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

It’s been a busy June on Capitol Hill, let’s dive in.

Starting with the debt ceiling standoff, which came to an end on June 3rd, when President Biden signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 into law, averting what would have been the first ever US government default. This comes after a months-long standoff (going all the way back to January 2023), and several weeks of negotiations between House Speaker McCarthy and President Biden. There are countless articles and blogs that deep dive into the political mechanisms between the Biden and McCarthy camps, so we won’t spend too much time on that. In short, Speaker McCarthy stated that he would not agree to lift the debt ceiling without some concessions, including spending cuts, work requirements on some SNAP recipients, and repealing clean energy tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Not all of these concessions made it into the final bill, and both the President and Speaker McCarthy walked away with some wins.

What’s In?

The Fiscal Responsibility Act includes several major provisions, including:

1. Two Year Debt Limit Suspension and Spending Limits: This means that the debt limit is suspended through 2025, and that nondefense spending will remain relatively flat through 2024 and increase by 1% the following year. It also includes the President’s proposed defense budget of $886 billion and requires Congress to approve 12 annual spending bills (more on this later).
2. Unspent COVID Money: The final agreement claws back about $30 billion in unspent COVID relief money, including unobligated money from dozens of federal programs that received aid during the pandemic, including rental assistance, small business loans and broadband for rural areas.
3. IRS Funding: Perhaps one of the most talked about provisions is the cut to IRS funding. The bill rescinds $20 billion from the IRS over the next two years to be used for nondefense programs.
4. Veterans: The deal would maintain full funding for veterans’ health care and would increase support for the PACT Act’s toxic exposure fund by nearly $15 billion for fiscal year 2024, according to the source
5. Work Requirements: The bill includes a provision to temporarily broaden work requirements (through 2030) for certain adults receiving food stamps. The deal would also expand exemptions for veterans, people who are homeless and others in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
6. Student Loans: The deal requires borrowers to pay back their student loans again; However, the agreement would maintain Biden’s plan to provide up to $20,000 in debt relief for qualifying borrowers.

Several proposals were left out of the bill, including work requirements for certain Medicaid recipients and a proposal to repeal clean energy tax credits. With the debt ceiling issue in the rear view mirror for now, Congress looks towards a busy summer and fall where they must pass 12 spending bills. If the debt limit was any indication of how appropriations negotiations will go, it’s safe to say that it will be tough a few months ahead.

It’s still too early to make out specifics, though Speaker McCarthy is allowing House Republican appropriators to write spending bills at FY 2022 levels, lower than what was agreed upon in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. This will put the House Republican Caucus at odds with Congressional Democrats and the White House, and possibly Senate Republicans who want to increase defense spending and stick to what was agreed upon through the debt ceiling bill. Congress has until September 30th to reach an agreement on the spending packages, otherwise they will need to resort to a continuing resolution or risk a government shutdown.

Outside of the debt ceiling and the upcoming appropriations negotiations, the Senate confirmed Dilwar Syed to serve as the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration. The SBA has not had a Senate confirmed Deputy Administrator for over five years, making Mr. Syed’s confirmation a welcomed development.

The coming months will be busy, and likely tough to navigate for Congress and the White House as they work to reach an agreement on 2024 spending bills. The team at WIPP will keep you posted on developments as they happen, so be sure to watch for our monthly Advocacy Updates!

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

Debt Ceiling - What it Means for Small Businesses

Spring is Here: Capitol Hill Updates

Celebrating Women’s History Month

WIPP February Advocacy Blog

Happy New Year: What to Expect in 2023

WIPP: A Year in Review & An Eye on the New Year 

By: Sydni Singleton

To be an entrepreneur is to see the potential for a business to succeed, to see a need for it within the market, and have the passion/willingness to do whatever it takes to make it successful. An entrepreneur is creative and innovative. They’re calculated risk takers.

So, what does it take to become one?

Pick Your Business

If you want to become an entrepreneur you most likely already have some business ideas in mind. That great! Now you have to narrow them down. Make sure it's something you are truly interested in. Starting your own business will be hard work. You’ll have to devote many hours and most times they aren't your usual 9-5.

Before you fully commit, do your research. Check out the industry and what your pot competition might be doing. If you’ve come up with an idea that isn't already in the market check to see why it isn’t.

Build a Network

You will need plenty of help once you have your business narrowed down. From lawyers, accountants, advisors, and other people with know-how in areas you don’t have. It will require a lot of resources so make sure you have a strong foundation.

Time to Test

Have you ever seen an episode of Shark Tank? When the business owner is pitching their idea, the potential investors ask them do they have any real-world success with their product. An idea is great but before you can find true success you need to make sure what you're selling works.

Engage with customers and users. The price doesn’t matter, what matters now is that you’re getting real time feedback on what works and doesn’t. You might have to make some changes—big or small—but that is just showing you that the tests are working.

Money, Money, Money

Once these steps have been completed it’s time to raise money. Tap into that network of investors and show them the polished business model you’ve created. You’ve done the research and the tests. You know what works and doesn’t. Now you have a customer base that can trust your product.

You need money to go to that next level. Whether it's using that money to invest to make a better-quality product or to make those adjustments you discovered you need from the testing phase, money is needed.

Go forth and scale

You have a capital investment now. Use it to grow. Whether it's to expand in new markets or hire more people use this as a chance to become profitable. Replicate your success and scale your business.

You won't become the next Google overnight, but these steps will help you start the initial groundwork needed to creating your own successful organization. Look around at other resources that will give you more ideas on what to do. You have what it takes, trust the process and yourself.

Hello, Women Impacting Public Policy Community. We are just a few fays from the 2022 midterm elections. If you’ve been tuning into our Advocacy News and Policy updates, then you know that all 435 House, 34 Senate seats and 36 Governorships are up for re-election. This in addition to state and local offices across the country, please be sure to check your local election board to see who in your state is up for election. You can use this tool to search for your local election board.

Currently, the makeup of the House, Senate, and Governorships are as follows:

●      In the House of Representatives, Democrats hold a slim majority of 221-212

●      In the Senate, both parties hold 50 seats each

●      Across the US, Democrats hold 22 Governorships while Republicans hold 28

In the lead up to the 2022 midterms, it’s highly anticipated that Republicans will take a House majority. At this time, it’s still too close to call which party will take the majority of the Senate. There are a handful of close battleground Senate races (including: PA, AZ, GA, WI, NV and NH) that will determine the majority in the Upper Chamber.

Here are few close races WIPP is watching:

Senate:

●      Ohio - J.D. Vance, R v. Rep. Tim Ryan, D

●      Pennsylvania - Mehmet Oz, R v. Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, D

●      Georgia - Herschel Walker, R, v. Incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock, D

●      New Hampshire - Don Bolduc v. Incumbent Senator Maggie Hassan, D

●      Nevada - Adam Laxalt, R v. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D

●      Arizona - Blake Master, R v. Senator Mark Kelly, D

●      Wisconsin - Incumbent Senator Ron Johnson, R v. Mandela Barnes, D

●      Colorado - Jon O’Dea, R v. Incumbent Senator Michael Bennet, D

House:

●      Iowa’s 3rd - Incumbent Cindy Axne, D v. Zach Nunn, R - Leans Republican

●      California’s 27th - Incumbent Mike Garcia, R v. Christy Smith, D - Toss up

●      Maine’s 2nd - Incumbent Jared Golden, D v. Bruce Poliquin, R - Toss up

●      Michigan’s 7th - Incumbent Elissa Slotkin, D v. Tom Barrett, R - Toss up

●      Pennsylvania’s 7th - Incumbent Susan Wild, D v. Lisa Scheller - Toss up

●      Ohio’s 1st - Incumbent Steve Chabot, R v. Greg Landsman, D - Toss up

The question we’re all asking ourselves, what a majority will look like under either party, or how might things look if we end up with a divided government (i.e. Dems maintain control of the Senate and Republicans secure a House majority)? The most likely scenario is that Democrats will maintain a Senate majority (whether that means a continued 50-50 Senate, or Democrats gain seats is to be seen) and that Republicans will take the majority of the House.

Under this scenario, it will become more challenging for the President to push through key legislative priorities, and that the lame duck period (between Nov-Jan) will likely be an active legislative period for Democrats. During the lame duck, Congress is expected to push through the National Defense Authorization Act, an end of year tax extenders package and an Appropriations bill. The Appropriations bill must be passed prior to or by December 16, 2022, which is the deadline set by the most recent Continuing Resolution (you can read about that in our October blog).

With WIPP being a national nonpartisan organization who works in a very bi-partisan manner, it is important that we remain focused on leveling the playing field for women-owned businesses, and building relationships with policymakers that lead to sustainable change.

Our Advocacy and Policy News update is off for November as we will be celebrating WIPP’s Annual Business Summit from November 15-17. If you haven’t already registered, you can do so here. We hope you’re able to join us in Washington, D.C. for a celebration of diversity, opportunity, equity, inclusion and collaboration!

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

Happy Fall to the Women Impacting Public Policy Community! We hope you’re enjoying cooler weather, changing leaves and all things pumpkin spice.

As the cool air rushes into Capitol Hill, it serves as a signal that the fiscal year (FY) has come to a close, and Congress must pass an annual budget, or alternatively, a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the federal government open. Most of us have grown accustomed to Congress’s reliance on the Continuing Resolution (also known as ‘stop gap funding’). The measure has been used routinely since 1998 to keep the government running and to avoid a shutdown as Congress negotiates a long term funding plan. Over the last 14 fiscal years, Congress has passed continuing resolutions for an average of 4 months.

In light of the most recent CR (we’ll get into some of the specifics in a moment), we wanted to outline the case for passing an annual budget.

Given that a significant portion of the WIPP membership operates in the contracting space, we know that the end of the fiscal year can feel uncertain. As we all know, the government does not always pass a CR - sometimes, the end of the fiscal year comes and goes and we’re faced with a government shutdown. Most recently, in 2017, the federal government experienced its longest shutdown ever, lasting a full 34 days. Government shutdowns can be a nightmare for small businesses with government contracts, it means that payments aren’t going out and therefore businesses and their employees are not getting paid. When businesses miss payments, its impact is detrimental for both local economies and the national economy - the 2017 shutdown cost the US economy $11 billion, per the Congressional Budget Office.

Fortunately, government shutdowns don’t happen often, however, over reliance on the CR is not the solution. Inability to pass an annual budget leaves small businesses in limbo as the end of the FY looms. They are again faced with the same challenge as Congress edges up to the deadline set by the CR. CRs make it difficult for businesses to plan for the year ahead and to collaborate with the federal government due to the constant uncertainty around what will be included in a CR, and how long it will last. In the past, WIPP has written letters to Congress to urge members to come to a bipartisan budget agreement and to only use a CR as a last resort measure.

Now, onto this year’s CR:

This week, the Senate passed a stop gap measure to keep the government open until December 16, 2022 in a 72-25 vote, and the House followed on September 30 with a 230-201 vote. Below is a brief summary of the main funding provisions:

●      $12.3 billion in economic & military support for Ukraine

●      $35 million to prepare for and respond to potential nuclear and radiological incidents in Ukraine

●      $1 billion for the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

●      $2.5 billion in funding for New Mexico to recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire in April

●      $2 billion in additional disaster aid

●      $20 million for water infrastructure in Jackson, Missouri

●      Five-year reauthorization of FDA user fees

●      $3 billion for the State Department to support Afghan resettlement programs (the FBI will receive an additional $15 million for vetting refugees)

WIPP will always advocate for the bipartisan passage of an annual budget as opposed to ongoing use of continuing resolutions.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

By Sydni Singleton, WIPP Communication Fellow

Women make up 46.3 % of the workforce in the United States. In 40% of families, women are the primary breadwinners. Statistically more women earn advanced degrees than men. However, women in the U.S. only make up 21% of senior leadership. A myriad of factors contributes to this unfortunate reality, such as stereotyping, economic inequity, and even a lack of resources and mentors. One such hurdle in the way of women making their way up the seniority ladder is being perceived as unlikeable, even when behaving in similar ways as their male colleagues.  

The problem with likeability

The “competence/likeability dilemma” is a phenomenon where women are rarely seen as both competent and likeable. To be “likeable” is to be “pleasant, friendly and easy to like” according to the New Oxford American Dictionary. To be “competent” is to “have the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully” and to be “efficient and capable”.   

These two definitions do not need to be mutually exclusive. A person can be both friendly and capable, pleasant and efficient. However, women often cannot pursue ambitious leadership strategies in ways that men do, due to expectations of likeability. When a woman is liked, she is seen as incompetent; sweet and kind but surely not “leadership material”. When she is seen as competent, she is described as assertive and pushy; difficult and unlikeable.  

Gender norms have a hand in shaping how we view competence, societal roles and emotional responsibility for men and women. When men assert themselves, it is seen as confidence and directness which are qualities of a “good” leader. The issue is, that these qualities of a “good leader” (i.e., confidence, directness, and control) are direct opposites of what femininity, and by relation women, are “supposed to be”.  

A woman is (supposed to be) soft, gentle and caring. All qualities that can aid in being a good leader. However, society deems anything associated with femininity and womanhood as lesser than. If a woman possesses those qualities, she is not considered to have leadership potential.  

So how do we overcome this?  

1. Gain feedback from those around you. 

In an interview with NPR Alicia Mendez, a journalist and author suggests asking for subjective feedback. When someone gets critical asking for subjective feedback lets the person reassess if they’re coming from an objective or subjective place. Mendez also suggests finding your people. Finding people that get you, understanding what you bring to the table and how valuable you are.  

2. Be a competent leader without removing all friendliness.  

In an opinion article for the New York Times Joan C. Williams, a law professor, suggests women do something she has coined “gender judo”. Doing the “masculine” thing, seeming competent, and softening it in a more “feminine” way if that’s what feels right to you. Williams suggests using femininity as a “toolkit” and staying true to yourself. An example of this the phenomenon where women apologize in work spaces far more than men they work with. Instead of removing the apology altogether, one can say something like “I appreciate your patience” or “thank you for your understanding”. While the sentiment is still polite and friendly, it still positions the woman leader as in control and competent.  

3. Cultivate an inclusive and diverse workplace environment. 

If you are a leader cultivating an environment where people are valued for what they can add not for who they are is also one way you can combat this. We can't fix centuries of bias overnight, but we can hold each other—and ourselves—accountable for what we say, see and hear.  

4. What can men do to assist?

Men allies are an important component to the professional growth of women leaders. Men as much as women should be leading the charge of ensuring they aren’t actively perpetuating or assuming harmful gender stereotypes about women. By supporting women leaders, we will all get further together.  

Conclusion 

Likeability doesn’t equate to incompetence, and in fact, more leaders regardless of gender should practice compassion. Leading with compassion and kindness makes for a better work environment. It allows employees and peers to feel safe and free to come to their leaders with any and all issues that help to make the company better as a whole. Having a compassionate leader at the helm allows for everyone to have a seat at the table, at the end of the day that’s how we can all win.  

It’s hard to believe that summer days have come to an end, and that it’s time to start preparing for 2023 (we’re not ready, either)! Summer, especially the month of August is usually a quiet time for Congress and on the Hill, but as we’ve pointed out in the past, it was an uncharacteristically busy summer recess. To re-cap: President Biden signed into law a few major pieces of legislation including: The CHIPS & Science Act, the PACT ACT, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in a matter of weeks. Needless to say, Congress has been busy, and with midterms approaching there is no chance of slowing down.

We’ll focus today on the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law on August 16.

What is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)?

The IRA is the result of months of negotiations by Congressional Democrats and the White House to secure a deal that addressed prescription and healthcare costs, climate change, taxes and rising inflation. It is a $770 billion deal reached by Majority Leader Schumer (D, NY) and Senator Manchin (D, W.Va) and it is a trimmed down version of the $1.85 trillion Build Back Better Act initially proposed by Majority Leader Schumer in late 2021.

Key Provisions within the IRA:

The IRA includes several key provisions that have potential to impact all Americans, including small businesses and women owned small businesses (WOSBs). Some provisions include:

●      An amendment to the research and development (R&D) tax credit rules for Qualified Small Businesses (QSBs)

○      For tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2022, an additional $250,000 of R&D tax credits can be used to offset the employer-paid Medicare portion of a company’s payroll taxes for Qualified Small Businesses (QSBs). A QSB is defined as a company that meets the following two criteria:

•    Has less than $5 million dollars in annual gross receipts for the taxable year; and
•  Does not have gross receipts for more than 5 prior years
• Establishes a 15% alternative minimum tax on book income on U.S. based corporations with at least $1 billion in revenue over a three year average and foreign head-quartered groups with at least $100 million in revenue over a three year average.
• Imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased by publicly traded companies
• The IRA includes nearly $80 billion in funding for the IRS that is intended to help the agency boost enforcement, support hiring and update technology used by the IRS.

Some observers worry that this new funding for the IRS will result in more small business and lower income household audits. However, Treasury Secretary Yellen has said, "small businesses or households earning $400,000 per year or less will not see an increase in the chances that they are audited."

• IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig penned this letter in support of the IRA funding 
•  The IRA extends the health Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies to reduce monthly premium expenses through 2025. The subsidies were created through the American Rescue Plan in 2021 and were set to expire at the end of this year unless Congress voted to extend them.

In addition to the highlights above, the IRA also makes significant investments toward domestic energy production and incentives for increasing the use of renewable energy (you can read more about that here). Finally, the IRA includes a number of provisions to address the cost of healthcare services and prescription drug prices, most notably giving the Medicare the power to negotiate the prices of a handful of drugs, starting in 2023.

Fall 2022 Outlook - Midterms & Legislation

Now, shifting gears to our fall outlook - as we’ve discussed all summer, midterm elections will be taking place in the fall. At the start of the midterm season, most observers (WIPP included) anticipated that Republicans would retake the House majority and had a decent chance at clinching a Senate majority as well. Recent weeks have caused many of us to adjust our predictions to say that Democrats will likely hold the Senate, and the Republican House majority may not be as large as previously anticipated. This is in part due to the Biden Administration’s ability to sign into law several key bills, including CHIPS and Science and the IRA. We’ll provide a deep dive on the midterms during our next policy update on September 14 at 2:00 pm.

In terms of legislation, Congress has two major ‘must do’ items to address this fall, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the 2023 Appropriation bill. The NDAA is typically passed annually without too much controversy. The Appropriations bill (or the annual budget) is less predictable and usually results in Congress passing a continuing resolution (CR) package to fund the government and buy itself more time until it can reach a budget agreement. We’ll be following the appropriations and NDAA process closely and keeping the WIPP community up to date.

We anticipate the coming months and weeks will be quite busy on the Hill, and we look forward to keeping you informed every step of the way! Please be sure to join us for our next policy update where we will provide a midterm election outlook, legislative update, and here from our corporate partners at Meta. You can register to join us here.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

Did someone say August Recess? 

Happy August to Women Impacting Public Policy! As you know, August is typically the slow season for Congress, however the last few years have been unusually busy with this year being no different. By now, everyone has heard about the recent passage of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act, also known as the CHIPS and Science bill. Congressional Democrats have moved on to the next major legislative vehicle, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a package that will be pursued via the reconciliation process. We’ll dive into the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act below. 

Let’s start with the CHIPS and Science Act. We’ve spent a lot of time discussing this legislation in our recent Advocacy and Policy News sessions. It has been over a year since Senator Schumer settled into the Majority Leaders position in January 2021. While it seemed like the legislation stalled after the House and Senate passed

 their own respective versions of the bill, things took a shift in early July. With several concessions from both parties, the CHIPS Act is a very targeted bill, focusing mainly on bolstering US semiconductor capacity, addressing competition with China and allocating more resources to science, research, and development. On July 27, the Senate passed the CHIPS Act in a 64-33 vote and the House followed soon after with a 243-187 vote. To summarize: 

• The bill authorizes $280 billion in spending to bolster innovation and tech hubs 
• Includes more than $76 billion to revive chip production in the U.S.
• Includes $52.7 billion on direct financial assistance for the construction and expansion of semiconductor manufacturing facilities
• Includes nearly $10 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
• Includes $80 billion in boosting the National Science Foundation
• Includes billions of dollars for Department of Energy (DOE) programs supporting research in basic science, fusion energy, carbon sequestration, advanced scientific computing, high energy physics and other areas. 
• Includes other programs addressing ocean acidification, space technology and exploration, blockchain, STEM education in rural communities and bioengineering 

The bill is expected to head to the President’s desk for signature in the coming weeks. 

Now, onto The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. While on the heels of the House passage of CHIPS, Senators Schumer and Manchin announced that they had reached a deal on a $740 billion reconciliation package that raises corporate taxes, boosts IRS enforcement, extends Obamacare subsidies for three years, pours hundreds of billions of dollars into climate change programs and cuts the deficit. The announcement shocked Democrats and Republicans on the Hill alike, given that Schumer and Manchin kept the talks under wraps.

As of this writing, Leader Schumer submitted the legislative text to the Senate Parliamentarian for a “Byrd Bath” - the process which dictates the reconciliation process. The bill seems to have attracted support from moderate and progressive Democrats alike, which is crucial for its success. Leader Schumer will need the full support of all 50 Senate Democrats. Speaker Pelosi has a very slim, 4 seat majority that will shrink to a 3 seat majority on August 9 after a Minnesota special election. In summary, the bill: 

• Permits Medicare to negotiate drug prices and caps out-of-pocket costs to $2,000
• Includes 15% minimum corporate tax rate on “billion-dollar companies or larger
• Includes increased IRS enforcement support
• Includes an extension of Obamacare subsidies for three years
• Includes $369 billion to spend on climate and energy provisions, with more than $300 billion going towards deficit reduction 

Needless to say, August will mark a very busy time for Congress as it works to clear significant legislative hurdles ahead of the midterm elections in the fall. 

We hope to see you all on August 10th at 2:00 pm EDT for our next Policy and Advocacy Update. We’re excited to share that Tom Brownlie, Senior Director of U.S. Policy at Pfizer will join us to discuss innovation, insurance, and drug pricing. We will also be joined by our Advocacy Team at Public Private Strategies for a Hill update.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

As we approach the midpoint of 2022 and halfway point of the Biden-Harris Administration, Women Impacting Public Policy is keeping a close eye on the 2022 Midterm Season, which kicked off earlier this Spring. We briefly covered the start of the  Midterm elections in our most recent WIPP Advocacy & Policy News webinar on May 11, you can access the recording here.

Current State of Play:

Heading into this years’ midterm elections, Democrats hold slim majorities in the House (225-210) and the Senate (50-50, with VPOTUS Harris acting as the tie breaking vote). Democrats hope to hold onto, or expand their majorities in this years’ elections. If history tells us anything, it is that majorities switch hands during midterms and we don’t anticipate that this year will be any different than previous midterm elections. According to Politico, Republicans are favored to take the House and the Senate leans Republican. The fate of the Senate will be left up to several toss up elections in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Wisconsin, Georgia, Nevada and New Hampshire. Here’s a quick state of play in each of these toss up states:

●      In Arizona, Senator Mark Kelly narrowly won a special election to fill the seat left by the late Senator John McCain. In 2022, he faces a crowded field of Republican candidates. This race likely won’t take shape until after the August primary, but it’s certain to be one of this falls’ most competitive races. 

●      In Georgia, Senator Rapheal Warnock also narrowly won an election to fill the seat left by the late Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), who retired in 2019. Warnock defeated Senator Loeffler in a runoff election in 2021 and is running against Republican candidate Herschel Walker.

●      Pennsylvania has an open Senate seat following outgoing Senator Pat Toomey’s retirement. As of May 27, 2022, Republican candidates Mehmet Oz and David McCormick are headed for a recount. Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman won the Democratic nomination in this month’s primary.

●      In New Hampshire, Republicans have their sights on ousting Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan in the Nation’s smallest swing state. This state leans Democrat, but will still be a race to watch.

We will be watching these races closely as they continue to unfold. With Republicans poised to take the House and favored to take the Senate, it will become more challenging for the President to move forward key pieces of his agenda. No matter the outcome of the election, WIPP, as a nonpartisan organization will continue its work with Congress on behalf of women owned businesses.

In our upcoming Advocacy and Policy updates, we will spend some time discussing and answering questions about the landscape of the 2022 midterms. We are excited to have Shivani Pampati, Policy Advisor for the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship join us for our June update on June 8, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET. Register here.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

For the last 50 years, the first week of May has been recognized as National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of

America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. This year, the Small Business Administration celebrates “the resiliency and tenacity of America’s entrepreneurs who are doing their part to power our nation’s historic economic comeback”. Women Impacting Public Policy takes this important week to recognize the contributions and achievements of women owned small businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as how policy makers can do better for this critical demographic.

We frequently discuss the state of women entrepreneurship at WIPP, and National Small Business Week is as timely as ever to revisit the discussion.

The State of Women Entrepreneurship:

It’s no secret that women owned businesses and entrepreneurs are navigating a challenging environment as they continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of this, they continue to be a strong force in the Nation’s economy, they employ over 10.1 million workers who generated $1.8

trillion in receipts in 2019 alone. Furthermore, women owned businesses are growing at faster rates than those owned by men and this is notably true among minority owned businesses, which grew at a rate of 14% between 2014-2016.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many women were able to pivot their businesses to meet demands, whether that was through the use of digital tools, altering their business models, or starting new businesses altogether. It’s true that women are resilient and highly capable of overcoming the odds, however, not all women owned businesses share the same success stories. Many women have been forced to close their doors or leave the workforce to care for children and loved ones, or because they lacked the access to critical resources.

What Needs to Happen Next:

As we always tell policymakers, the best way to support women owned businesses is to listen to their stories and understand their needs. It’s important that policymakers craft small business oriented policy with the needs of women owned businesses at the forefront. Congress must also improve current mechanisms that are in place to support small businesses- particularly for those owned by women and minorities.

For example, WIPP is constantly in talks with policy makers about how programs such as the 8(a) lending program can be improved to be more accessible and to reach more women and minorities who need that critical funding. A key piece to improving existing programs and resources is availability of reliable data on small businesses. We must have an understanding of where resources are flowing, which communities are being and which ones need more support.

Policy makers and stakeholders on the Hill must continue to work together to develop a more equitable environment for all small businesses.

We are grateful to have the opportunity to take this time to recognize the achievements and contributions of America’s small business owners. To that end, we’re grateful to our leaders for taking time to acknowledge women entrepreneurs, as Senator Joni Ersnt did this week through her resolution to mark the achievements and contributions of women owned businesses.

We hope you’re able to join us for our upcoming WIPP Policy and News Update on Wednesday May 11 at 2:00 pm ET. We are pleased to share that we will be joined by Sarah Schaffer, who works with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) on the Senate Finance Committee

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

As we embark on a busy spring season, we want to take the opportunity to reflect on another successful Women’s History Month. As the membership of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is well aware, we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women-owned businesses year-round, but especially in March.

March 2022 marked several strong points for both WIPP and for the women-owned business community as a whole. To kick off the month, we were honored to have Carissa Smith, Senior Adviser to the White House Gender Policy Council join us for the March Policy and News update and share more about the work that the Biden-Harris Administration is doing to advance gender equity. One initiative Carissa highlighted was the first of its kind National Strategy on Gender Equality and Equity, which outlines the Administration's vision for gender equality in U.S. domestic and foreign policy.

This year’s Women’s History Month saw the nomination of the first Black woman to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. In that regard, WIPP was proud to lead several diverse small business groups in a letter of support for her swift confirmation; the letter was shared widely with the Senate Judiciary Committee, House, and Senate leadership as well as with Administration officials. In a bipartisan 53-47 vote, the Senate confirmed Judge Jackson to be the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on April 7, 2022, making her the first Black woman to serve on the nation's highest court.

The Biden administration also announced in March that, as of fiscal year 2020, women-owned businesses executed 344,000 contracts across the U.S. according to data from the Federal Procurement Data System, with 4,591 contracts specifically providing critical COVID-19 support. This comes as the federal government is working towards its goal of increasing access to federal contracts for women-owned businesses.

It is noteworthy that from FY16 to FY19, women-owned businesses more than doubled their number of contracts executed, increasing from 275,000 contracts to nearly 574,000. While this is exciting progress, it also comes at a time when women’s participation in the workforce is still lower than it was pre-pandemic, especially among women with children or caregiving responsibilities. Throughout the pandemic, women owned businesses have carried the brunt of the burden, with the majority of women owned businesses laying off workers, reporting losses in revenue and closing businesses. Of course, it must be noted that many WOSBs managed to pivot, taking advantage of digital tools at times when in-person business wasn’t possible, and even as consumers continue to demand remote services.  The availability of digital tools has also aided many women who juggle caregiving, childcare and home responsibilities alongside running their businesses. With that in mind, it is imperative that leaders in Congress ensure that women business owners continue to have affordable access to these critical tools which will ultimately decrease the digital divide that exists for many women owned businesses, particularly those in rural areas.

WIPP remains committed to supporting female entrepreneurs by advocating on their behalf, empowering them with resources, and elevating their story. For example, throughout the pandemic, women relied heavily on the use of digital tools to reach customers, sell their products and services, and grow their businesses. In fact, according to a recent report, 62% of women-owned businesses surveyed used digital tools for advertising. Additionally, digital tools have been shown to level the playing field for diverse and women-owned businesses by expanding their reach and allowing them to access new markets via exports.

In line with WIPP’s 2022 theme of resilience, we recognize the continued hard work and determination of women business owners during uncertain times. As the pandemic appears to recede, its ripple effects, inflation and supply chain disruptions continue to present challenges to running a business. With the right tools, investments, and regulatory environment, women entrepreneurs and business owners will be in a better position to navigate the challenges ahead.

Warmly, 

Candace Waterman

WIPP President and CEO 

As in year’s past, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is pleased to commemorate Women's History Month. The month of March has been recognized since 1978 as Women’s History Month and is a time for all of us to recognize women’s important contributions, successes of women and to elevate the ways that women can be further empowered to achieve their goals and fulfillment.

As WIPP membership is well aware, women business owners are one of the strongest sectors of the U.S. economy. In spite of challenges that emerged during the pandemic, we continue to be economic powerhouses that make meaningful contributions to the economy and create jobs for millions of people.  Women continue to play a significant role in both creating new businesses and jobs as well as economic growth across the country. In fact, there are over 12 million women owned businesses in the U.S. generating $1.7 trillion in revenue and employing over 9 million people, accounting for 38% of all businesses in the U.S. These achievements are inspiring and they prove the strength of women, there are still significant barriers to growth and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, women were most likely to leave the workforce to care for children and their families and were the most acutely affected by financial hardship stemming from the pandemic. For instance, women were less likely to acquire pandemic relief (such as the Paycheck Protection Program or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan) than other demographics and generally feel less optimistic about recovery than their male counterparts. Disaggregated by race and ethnicity, we find that women of color are even more vulnerable to pandemic induced hardships.

For these reasons, it is critical that we continue to work with Congress, as well as our partners in the private sector to ensure that women businesses have access to resources needed for recovery.

As we prepare to commemorate Women’s History Month, we would like to celebrate the historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. If nominated, she will be the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Her nomination is historic in more ways than one; she is the first Black woman and former federal public defender to be nominated. Judge Jackson currently serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and was nominated to replace Justice Stephen Breyer. WIPP looks forward to a timely and bipartisan confirmation process for Judge Jackson, who has received bipartisan support from the Senate on a bipartisan basis three times – twice as judge and once to serve on the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

In light of Women’s History Month, we are thrilled to announce that we will be joined by Carissa Smith, Senior Adviser to the White House Office of Public Engagement for our Advocacy and Policy News session on March 9th at 2:00 pm EST. Carissa will sit down with WIPP President & CEO Candace Waterman to discuss the relationship between Gender Equality and Equity, and women’s business sustainability. This will be a great session, the conversation with Carissa will be followed by an update from our Advocacy Team at Public Private Strategies. Register here. If you have questions for Carissa Smith or the Advocacy Team, please send them to Advocacy@wipp.org in advance and we will provide answers during the live webinar.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

Happy Black History Month from Women Impacting Public Policy. At WIPP, we strive to learn and reflect upon black history year-round, as it cannot be contained within 28 days. Although, during Black History Month we welcome the national conversations around black innovation, ingenuity and success, this month serves as a reminder that black History is American History. It is fundamental to our understanding of how America was built and how it emerged as a leading voice on the world stage.

Black Women Fuel the American Economy:

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, black women were opening more businesses than any other demographic. In fact, between 2007 and 2019, the number of businesses owned by Black women grew by 164%.  Even amid the pandemic, black women continued to open and grow their businesses, as well as create jobs and contribute to their communities. As the face of female entrepreneurship continues to evolve and become more diverse, black women are leading the charge, representing 42% of new women owned businesses and 36% of all Black-owned employer businesses. This is all in spite of the fact that Black women continue to face unprecedented barriers to capital and pandemic relief.  The truth is, without adequate relief measures and support for black women business owners, we risk a pandemic induced wipeout of decades of progress made by black women. Many of the industries that have suffered the brunt of pandemic related disruptions such as restaurants, salons, event venues and catering are owned and operated by black women.  Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen black women business owners struggle to access capital and relief, putting them at risk of making a strong recovery.

What We Can Do:

Access to capital is one of the main predictors of success for business owners, and black women find it particularly difficult to weather disasters, reach scalability and grow their businesses without adequate financial resources. This is especially true now as business owners are recovering from the pandemic. Black women owned businesses were denied funding through federal programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) at higher rates than other demographics, putting them at uneven footing with other businesses on a faster path to recovery. Even prior to the pandemic, black women struggled to access needed resources, whether it was lending, federal contracts, or grants.

It will take many years for black women to fully recover from the pandemic, but what matters most is what is done in this critical period to assist them in their recovery. We can encourage Congress to conduct oversight into recovery efforts and to learn where resources are allocated to determine if all businesses have access to resources.

Additionally, federal agencies, such as the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency can work with partners in the private sector (such as WIPP) to raise awareness around resources and to educate the black women owned business community about available resources.

Furthermore, in December 2021, the administration announced that it would move to ensure that 15% of all federal contracts would be dedicated to minority owned and women businesses. Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration must continue to work together to achieve these commitments that will create a more even playing field for small businesses competing for contracts.

Black women business owners are an important part of the American economy. They are more likely to start their own businesses than other demographics and create millions of jobs across all sectors. We must make sure that they have the resources needed to fully recover from COVID and come back stronger than before.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

It is hard to believe we are approaching the middle of the first quarter already. With the world moving at warp speed, maintaining our focus and consistency is more critical than ever. Here are a few business trends we should focus on as we move forward:

• Sustainable, agile operations- with the disruption of the global supply chain, we should have a plan in place to look beyond the disruption and ensure stable processes are in place for all business operations.

• Evolving team member experiences- the workforce is ever changing and as business owners, we have to think outside the box as we hire, retain and develop our team members. Many large corporations have begun to do this by modernizing their vacation and personal time off models.

• Re-organizing and upskilling team members- the days of working in silos are long gone and business owners are now focusing on closing continuity gaps through cross-training, situational team leadership and reverse mentoring.

This is the year of resiliency and transition, by embracing the opportunity to change and innovate, you can bring a new dimension and new opportunities to your company. I invite you to engage with WIPP and take advantage of our bottom-line focused programming for tools and information beneficial to your company’s growth and sustainability.

Warmly,

Candace Waterman

WIPP President & CEO

Op-Ed: How Can Washington Support Women Amid COVID-19?

Listen to Their Healthcare Priorities.

By Candace Waterman, WIPP President & CEO

Move over, Jack. Women in America are the Jill of all trades: caregivers in households and leaders in the workforce. Yet, women were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the road to recovery has been all but easy.

When schools transitioned to virtual learning last year, many women had to put their careers on hold to educate their children at home and put even more focus on caring for their family’s wellbeing during a once-in-a-century pandemic. This has had significant impacts on the economy considering female entrepreneurs are the backbone of countless industries.

In fact, women have been vocal in emphasizing how the pandemic has stalled the economy and that Congress must address issues like inflation head on. A new poll from Women Impacting Public Policy and Morning Consult found that the majority of women voters agree that female entrepreneurs are critical to pandemic recovery and that Congress must make COVID-19 economic recovery its top priority to get our nation back on its feet.

It’s easy to see how women’s concerns about the country’s economic future have spilled over to healthcare costs. The ongoing public health crisis has spotlighted healthcare for families across the country like never before. The majority of women on both sides of the aisle are now more concerned about their family’s access to quality healthcare than they were before the pandemic.

Above all, women want a healthcare system that supports them and addresses cost and access barriers. Indeed, this new poll found Congress pursuing one-size-fits-all policies to reduce the cost of healthcare remains a concern of women. While lower prescription drug costs are key to making healthcare more affordable and accessible for Americans, it is clear it is just one piece of the solution.

Ultimately, women want the best care for their families, especially having access to quality care and life-saving prescription drugs. Rather than taking an all-encompassing path to reducing costs through policies focused on one industry, Congress should take a more holistic approach by eliminating obstacles like surprise medical bills after emergency hospital visits, corporate middlemen draining consumer savings at the pharmacy counter, and stopping insurers from pricing underserved populations out of healthcare.     

While it is essential that we tackle the cost of healthcare, we must also continue to invest in research for women’s health, including finding cures for life-threatening diseases like breast and ovarian cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 13,700 women will die from ovarian cancer, and 43,600 women will die from breast cancer this year. Congress should listen to the vast majority of women who believe investing in women’s health research and supporting families with young children are policies of the utmost importance.

Without action from leadership in Washington, America’s healthcare system would ultimately fail women who have held this country on their backs during a global pandemic.

Women deserve their voices to be heard, especially when it comes to healthcare and economic recovery. Only then can we safeguard the future health of ourselves and our families.

Candace Waterman is President and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy, a national nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs.

Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful holiday season with your families and friends.

As women business owners, you’ve shown tremendous persistence over the course of the pandemic. For that, I applaud and celebrate you.

To properly begin this year of resiliency, I encourage you to view this time as an opportunity to implement intentional business resolutions. While drafting your New Year’s resolutions, consider the following.

Review your business plan and prioritize your goals.

Update your business plan for 2022 by reevaluating your business goals and identifying how your business will achieve your updated goals. The through line for everything you do in 2022 should prioritize the most important goals you want to accomplish.

Update your marketing and prospecting plan.

Who is your ideal customer, and how will you ensure you gain their business in the new year? By updating your marketing and prospecting plan, you can better develop a pipeline of potential customers.

Identify ways to increase your online presence.

Having an online presence in the era of the pandemic is more important than ever. Modernize your profile pictures. Ensure there is brand consistency across your social media platforms and website. Identify the platforms you can post consistently on and develop a robust strategy behind why you are posting the content that you are.

Join the right business networks.

I encourage you to not only identify the right business networks for you but also to be an active and engaged member. Business networks, like WIPP, are a tool that can be pivotal for businesses if utilized actively and consistently. This is the perfect time to update your WIPP member profile if you haven’t already.

The key to success in the third year of the pandemic’s disruption is to design a plan rooted in focus and resiliency. WIPP is excited to support you!

Warmly,

Candace Waterman

WIPP President & CEO

Welcome back, WIPP! We hope that everyone enjoyed the holidays and that the New Year is off to a wonderful start. 2022 brings forth exciting changes to Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and we look forward to sharing those changes with you. 

In addition to the many changes at WIPP, much has happened on Capitol Hill since we last connected in 2021. In our most recent blog post, we provided a ‘state of play’ on President Biden’s top legislative priority, the Build Back Better Act (BBB). Since that piece was published, we learned that Senator Joe Manchin (D, W.VA) will not support the Build Back Better Act as currently envisioned by his party and the Biden Administration. Senator Manchin cited rising inflation, the national debt and foreign supply chains as his main concerns with the BBB. Previously, the Senator also voiced concerns about the cost of programs such as the Child Tax Credit and paid leave. Without Senator Manchin’s support, the future of the BBB remains uncertain. Senator Manchin (in addition to several other moderate Democrats) oppose abolishing or changing Senate rules around the filibuster without Republican support, eliminating the most likely pathway to passage of the BBB. 

The BBB is not the only legislative priority, Congress has also set sights on voting legislation. Earlier this month, the President and Vice President visited Atlanta, Georgia to make the case for sweeping federal voting legislation ahead of vote on two pieces of voting legislation: The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. The voting legislation died on the Senate floor having not received GOP support and the unsuccessful attempt to change the Senate rules on filibuster. 

Opportunities in the New Year:

The new year presents many opportunities for Women Impacting Public Policy to engage Congress on issues affecting women owned small businesses. At the end of 2021, the Biden Administration announced a strong commitment to increase federal contracting opportunities for minority and underserved communities and we anticipate the start of the implementation process for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.

New Year, New WIPP

As some WIPP members may have noticed, WIPP has undergone a rebranding process and rolled out a new logo for 2022. As mentioned above, we are excited to reconnect and share with you some changes that WIPP will undergo in the new year. Be sure to tune in for our WIPP Community Connection Kick Off Call on January 19, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET to hear from our Advocacy Team at Public Private Strategies, learn about WIPP programming, meet our WIPP Board of Directors and more.

We are so excited for another exciting year, we hope to see you on January 19th! 

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

As 2021 comes to a close, Congress continues to wrap up its end of year priorities, such as raising the debt ceiling, funding the government, and voting on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congress has successfully passed its ‘must-pass’ items, which leaves us with the $1.7 trillion Build Back Better plan (BBB). With one more week before the holidays, the Senate has yet to come to a compromise on the (BBB since the House passed it on November 19. We anticipate that debate over the BBB will spill into next year as Senate Democrats continue discussions over key elements of the bill.As we alluded to in our previous blog for September, it has been nonstop since Congress returned from the Summer Recess. In our last blog, we gave the rundown on what we anticipate we’ll see in some of this Fall’s most significant pieces of legislation: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Reconciliation package. While infrastructure and reconciliation remain two priorities for Congress this fall, the debt ceiling takes precedence and must be

Build Back Better: State of Play:

Majority Leader Schumer had set a Christmas timeline, aiming to wrap up debate and hold a vote before Christmas, though it seems unlikely that will happen. In the weeks since the House voted on the BBB, the President and Senator Schumer have held conversations with several moderate Democrats,  most notably, Senator Manchin who has not committed to voting for the BBB. As we’ve discussed before, Senator Manchin has concerns with the manner in which programs within the BBB would be funded, specifically, how long they will be funded.

At this rate, it is uncertain how Senate Democrats will move forward on the BBB. Some Senate panels have yet to meet with the Senate Parliamentarian to discuss whether elements of the BBB are in compliance with the Bryd Rule, which controls what can be included in reconciliation packages. At the same time, many Senate Democrats have not reached a consensus on critical pieces of the BBB such as paid leave and the SALT deduction.

2022: What Can We Expect?

2021 was a busy year for Congress. Between passing the American Rescue Plan in March and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November, it’s hard to predict what the next year holds. What we do know is that the 2022 Midterm Elections and the Build Back Better Act will be top of mind for many of us. A total of 496 seats in Congress are up for reelection (34 Senate seats and 435 House seats) in 2022. In the 2020 election, Democrats took control of the Senate (50-50) and held onto a tight majority in the House (221-213). With a competitive midterm election ahead, it’s anticipated that Republicans will take the House and the Senate is a bit of a toss up with many tight races.

The first half of 2022 will be a crucial time for both parties, though more so for Democrats who will need to prove to voters that they deserve to maintain their majority and pass the President’s agenda. 

In November, WIPP celebrated its 20 year anniversary and spent the month celebrating with membership, guest speakers and our Advocacy Team. We thank the WIPP membership for another excellent year of advocacy and engagement and look forward to continuing our important work in 2022 and for many years to come.

Keep an eye out for registration to the first WIPP event of 2022: the WIPP Member Kickoff Meeting on January 19th at 2pm ET. 

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

In November 2021, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is celebrating 20 years of advocating for and supporting women owned businesses (WOSBs). In the last two decades, WIPP has been the voice for America’s 12 million women owned businesses, providing input and taking positions on crucial legislative policies and issues impacting the economic well-being of WOSBs. We have achieved so much on behalf of the WOSB community in the last 20 years, and we look forward to the future.

In line with celebrating our 20th anniversary, WIPP President and CEO, Candace Waterman was invited by Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) to testify before the

 Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on Wednesday, October 27. WIPP and our advocacy team at Public Private Strategies worked with Committee staff to organize this successful hearing, during which Chairman Cardin acknowledged WIPP’s 20th anniversary and all of the important work we have done on behalf of WOSBs.

During her testimony, Ms. Waterman shared with the Committee the ways that WIPP has grown over the last two decades “Since its founding, 20 years ago, in 2001, WIPP’s policy priorities have shifted to meet the times and to address emerging policy areas impacting the economic health of Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs), such as digital infrastructure and workforce development. Additionally, at its core, WIPPs advocacy has always been focused on increasing parity and equity for WOSBs in

federal contracting and access to capital for WOSBs.”

Ms. Waterman also took questions from the Chairman, including being asked about the greatest barriers for success for minority women entrepreneurs trying to grow their businesses. In her response, Ms. Waterman outlines barriers such as the lack of a true business ecosystem, access to capital and procurement opportunities and lack of social capital and access to professional development. By way of solutions, Ms. Waterman continued: “We must analyze this issue from the perspective of banks and financial institutions. These institutions have the capacity to foster strong relationships with women’s business organizations and to reach women small business owners who are in need of funding.” Ms. Waterman also discussed solutions to federal procurement issues, such as the need to “level the playing field by creating parity amongst all socioeconomic programs, and provide extensive training to contracting officers on the utilization of these programs, like to the WOSB Federal Contracting Program.”

If you wish to view the hearing, entitled Women Entrepreneurs: An Economic Growth Engine for America, you may follow this link.

With so much to celebrate, we hope that you will join WIPP for next month’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, which will take place each Tuesday of November, starting on November 2nd at 1:00 pm ET. You can learn more about the month's activities here.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

As we enter October, we have a lot to celebrate and a lot to keep a keen eye on.

During October, we celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month, Cyber Security Month, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. When I think of the common thread amongst all of these, it is resiliency.

National Women’s Small Business Month

Now more than ever, as business owners and business leaders, it takes resiliency to focus, make course modifications on the fly, and stay on the pathway to success.  We are all navigating recovery, dodging a government shutdown, and staying abreast of all the changes and impending bills on Capitol Hill. With all that is happening, we must maintain endurance and avoid burnout. This is not an easy task but is an essential one.

WIPP celebrates you, women small business owners, during this month and every month! We are here to support you in navigating recovery and charting your path to success. Always remember WIPP is only ever an email away, (membership@wipp.org to be exact).

Cyber Security Awareness Month

Another area that requires consistent resiliency and focus is cyber security awareness.

As small businesses, we must implement cyber security strategies to protect ourselves and our customers at all costs. This means understanding the latest CMMC regulations, conducting cyber hygiene on our systems, and training teams on best practices for safety.

At WIPP, we understand the value of cyber security awareness resources. Keep an eye out for a special announcement from WIPP on a great new tool in this area.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Not many people are aware, but I am an 18-year, 3^rd generation breast cancer survivor. As I say, I bleed pink, and healthcare is important to me. Our Mind | Body | Business program was developed deliberately to remind us to take care of ourselves, mentally and physically, so that we can take care of our businesses. Be sure to do your monthly self-breast exams and schedule your mammograms. Early intervention saves lives.

Stay engaged with WIPP through our Mind | Body | Business program as we stay active through Peloton workouts, both in the saddle and on the mat.

Join WIPP in celebrating these three causes this month. We are excited about the amazing programming we have planned through the rest of the year, and we think you will be too! Make sure to keep an eye out for all of the special offerings.

Warmly,

Candace Waterman

WIPP President & CEO

President

B&M Construction, Inc.

Member Since 2019

Construction, like technology, is critical to our nation’s economy. How has your business been impacted as we move from crisis to recovery? How has WIPP been beneficial to you during these unprecedented times?

My business was impacted by downsizing, ensuring staffing is strategically placed and expanded our strategy to address the additional needs for clientele. Although construction maintained steady growth, we decided to take the opportunity to reassess our intentionality. WIPP has benefited B&M Construction by providing the adequate resources when they were most needed. B&M was always at the top of WIPPs mind with the tools needed to continue moving forward during the crisis.

Thank you for being a leader in our WIPP community. What is your favorite or most rewarding part of being involved in the WIPP network?

I have enjoyed getting to know and learn about other women-owned businesses that are engaged in information and the policies that are being discussed at the federal level which directly impacts our industry.

How has WIPP’s advocacy and updates assisted you in developing strategies or growing your business?

WIPP has assisted me in developing as a federal contractor. The updates have kept me focused on strategy to enter different markets. The information not only educates me as a leader but allows me to explore various sectors within the federal government that I can communicate to my community members. The information panels they have along with the presenters that they utilize discusses the obstacles and needs of the industry that I am in.

What are some common hurdles you see for women business owners?

I have observed that many women business owners do not collaborate with one another or share information. We do not depend on our networks like we should.  Also, access to capital and resources is limited for female business owners. We also struggle to understand the certification processes and understand how to utilize your certification without overstepping guidelines. We struggle getting government officials to acknowledge and choose women small businesses.

What are some of the challenges you have faced that you think fellow business owners could learn from?

The few challenges that I have faced are:

1. Not adhering to my strategic plan.

2. Being in a hurry to hire and quick to fire.

3. Remembering not to be everything to everyone- pick your niche and add to it.

4. Explore your markets before you engage.

Would you share your proudest moment as a business owner?

Some would say that awards and accolades, but I would say seeing employees rise to their full potential.

What advice would you give to a member looking to be engaged in the WIPP network?

As the cliche says “you get out what you put in”. Just don’t become a member just to say you are. Get engaged in the virtual resources and community. Take the information that you receive and utilize it. AND don’t forget that you have a network.

Is there anything else you wish readers would know about you, your business, or WIPP?

B&M Construction truly loves forming strategic partnerships. We are organically grown throughout the years. Through this growth we have faced several challenges and although COVID-19 set many aback, we were able to stand true to our mission and vision.

Learn more about Barbara and her business at  www.bmc-i.com.

 
Each month, WIPP highlights a member who has leveraged WIPP membership to grow their business, engage with elected officials, and/or elevate the mission of WIPP and the visibility of women-owned businesses.

Happy Fall 2021, WIPP!

As we alluded to in our previous blog for September, it has been nonstop since Congress returned from the Summer Recess. In our last blog, we gave the rundown on what we anticipate we’ll see in some of this Fall’s most significant pieces of legislation: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Reconciliation package. While infrastructure and reconciliation remain two priorities for Congress this fall, the debt ceiling takes precedence and must be resolved before anything else is passed. The new fiscal year (FY) began on October 1, 2021, and Congress has enacted none of the 12 appropriations bills setting discretionary spending levels. Lawmakers had until midnight on the final day of the fiscal year – September 30 – to enact legislation to fund the programs covered by the appropriations process, or the government will shut down.

What are Continuing Resolutions? Should I be concerned?

We have been inundated with news for weeks regarding the possibility of a government shutdown if Congress is unable to fund the government either through a budget or a continuing resolution (CR). You have probably heard a lot about the continuing resolution in recent weeks and may be wondering what that is. In short, the continuing resolution is a tool used by Congress to buy more time to complete appropriations bills while keeping the government open. In essence, a CR keeps temporarily funds the government in the absence of a full appropriations bill. Congress has regularly relied on a CR since 1997 to fund the government on a short-term basis.

Women Impacting Public Policy prepared a letter to Congress to urge them to reach a bipartisan consensus on a full-year spending plan prior to the September 30th deadline.

Congress has voted and thankfully, we avoided a government shutdown.

It is important to note, that the use of CR’s to keep the government funded and open on a temporary basis creates huge levels of uncertainty for small businesses and contractors who work for the government. In addition, they create challenges for planning ahead, not to mention businesses that need to apply for federal aid, licensing, or government certifications.

In addition to the CR, the other elephant in the room is the debt ceiling, the legislative limit on the amount of national debt that can be incurred by the U.S. Treasury. In order for Democrats to pass key pieces of the President’s agenda, the debt ceiling must be raised. Congressional Republicans have already publicly announced that they will not join Democrats to raise the debt ceiling, reasoning that Democrats can raise the debt ceiling without Republican votes.

To say this is a busy time, would be an understatement. We will further discuss the continuing resolution, debt ceiling and more in our next WIPP Advocacy Update on October 13, 2021 at 2:00 PM ET. We hope to see you there! 

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

This is why WIPP has the Mind|Body|Business program. Caring for your mind and body should be a foundational element of your business strategy. Flight attendants’ warning to “Put your own oxygen mask on first before attempting to assist others” is a powerful metaphor.

Businesses cannot afford to lose leaders in this environment. Maintaining best practices around physical and mental health is not a luxury or a frill, but an essential aspect of risk management. As a business leader, it’s also important for you to model self-care for your teams, especially during these unique times.  

As we enter September, allow these pieces of advice to assist you in your self-care practices.

1. Don’t feel guilty for taking care of yourself. Self-care is not a privilege; it’s a necessity, particularly mental wellness.

2. Implement movement into your day, whether that’s a leisurely walk, kickboxing, or some other fun activity. You can even stay active with WIPP by joining WIPP Vice-Chair Courtney Fairchild and me in our Peloton rides and workouts. Connect to #WIPPNetworkRides to join the Peloton group!

3. Develop a plan for taking care of those around you, especially if you are part of the “sandwich generation” (those who are taking care of both their parents and children), and be open to asking for assistance when needed.

4. Get dressed! We all need a work-from-home sweatpants day now and then but being dressed for work can benefit you in a few ways. Getting dressed helps you transition into a productive “work mode” at the beginning of the day, as well as transition into “leisure mode” at the end of the day. Looking disheveled and exhausted in virtual meetings can also rattle employees and weaken confidence. Take the extra time to look and feel your best for your confidence and your organization’s productivity.

5. Take time off to do something that makes your soul sing. It is important to step away from the business to clear your mind and recalibrate. For me personally, I enjoy doing anything near or on the water, riding my Peloton, or sitting on the rooftop watching the sunset.

6. Foster an environment that encourages your team to take care of themselves. This could be taking intentional breaks, meditation, fitness challenges/incentives, etc. This can also be assessing proper work from home conditions for team members, like ergonomic chairs, computer equipment, and workstations.

WIPP is here to support you! Keep an eye on WIPP’s email communications and social media to partake in our upcoming Mind|Body|Business events.

Remember, put your own mask on first. No one else will do it for you.

Warmly,

Candace Waterman

President & CEO

President

ChemTrack Alaska, Inc.

Member Since 2016

As we move from crisis to recovery, how has the global COVID-19 pandemic affected your Alaska-based business? How has having WIPP as a resource organization helped you stay connected to other business owners and procurement opportunities?

We are currently spiking with the Delta variant up here in Alaska, it doesn’t quite feel like recovery yet, or it feels like we thought we could start with recovery but are being darted back into being more cautious. We have been incredibly lucky to be a DoD contractor and maintain our schedules throughout the pandemic to date.  We had a few projects where employees became sick and we were able to adjust through a MOD that added time to our period of performance and end with a successful completion date.

WIPP has helped with not feeling as isolated in the market.  We are already geographically removed so having the ability to log in to webinars and receive federal updates has been a lifeline to hearing what is moving and shaking around the country.

Thank you for being a leader in our WIPP community. As a former Board member, what is your favorite part of being involved in the WIPP network?

It is so nice to talk with women that speak my language 😊.  Be it government contracting language, discussions around parity, commonalities in leadership or picking up a conversation where we left off, the comradery and aligned mission gives me a wonderful sense of support and community.

As the founder of ChemTrack, based in Alaska, could you share some of what it's like to be part of the Alaskan small business community?

It’s an absolute privilege to be a part of the Alaskan small business community.  The innovation and grit it takes to be successful up here has created such a wealth of knowledge and respect for one another.  Even though we compete against each other, I have had many experiences working in remote areas where another contractor has come through in a pinch with a clutch piece of equipment because ours broke down and part had to be flown in and vice versa.  We operate in a large state with many logistical challenges, barge schedules are often affected, flights delayed due to weather – we are honored to be able to jump in and help another contractor’s field team.

How important do you think it is for women business owners to be involved in and aware of Advocacy, from a policy perspective, as they develop and grow their businesses?

Advocating for ourselves as women business owners is paramount. Moving the dial for our designation is a heavy lift. No matter the stage your business is in, surviving, thriving or at full maturity, it is important to carve out time to advocate and understand what is being put into law, how we can shape it and how it will affect us for years to come.

What are some common hurdles you see for women business owners during these unique times?

Exhaustion. Adding more to the plate of the people that already having been doing the more in perpetuity.

It’s a short answer, but it packs a punch.  I feel it every day, as I’m sure the women of WIPP do to.  Regardless, we keep going.

Would you share your proudest moment as a leader who supports the business community?

Mentoring young business owners, being asking vulnerable questions and being able to give raw answers.  I’ve been blessed with being reached out to by younger female business owners, I’m honored to be help and the motivation it gives me to keep going is truly a reward.

Is there anything else you wish readers would know about you, your business, or WIPP?

I constantly talk WIPP up.  I’m grateful to be involved with a group where I can let my shoulders drop, talk real, see action, and feel strength in numbers.

Learn more about Carrie and her business at www.chemtrack.net.

 
Each month, WIPP highlights a member who has leveraged WIPP membership to grow their business, engage with elected officials, and/or elevate the mission of WIPP and the visibility of women-owned businesses.

Summer recess on the Hill was far busier than any of us at Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) could have imagined. Between infrastructure and a pending

 budget reconciliation process, we are in for a jam-packed fall in the policy space.

As a refresher: this summer, the Senate voted in a bipartisan manner to pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal inclusive of funding to repair roads and bridges, address climate change and improve digital broadband. Since then, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has since committed to vote on the bipartisan bill by September

27th, 2021.

The second major piece of this fall’s policy debate will be the $3.5 trillion budget resolution. Democrat leaders in the House and Senate walked a delicate balance over the last few weeks to ensure that moderate and progressive Democrats voted to move both the infrastructure package and the budget plan. Their efforts paid off when the House voted 220 to 212 on a key procedural motion to instruct committees to write a $3.5 trillion bill to address paid leave and childcare, taxes, and education.

What do we know, and what can we expect from the budget resolution?

At this point, many of the details of the budget are unclear, given that there is still not any formal legislative text for the budget. However, we do know that the House and Senate provided instructions directing committees to craft a bill that would spend up to $3.5 trillion on climate initiatives, paid leave, childcare, education and healthcare.

The instructions for the budget are far too extensive to cover in a single blog post, though some of the major elements include:

●      The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship received an instruction of $25 billion to make investments in small business access to credit, investment, and markets

●      The Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee received an instruction of $726 billion to make investments in universal pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds, child care for working families, tuition-free community college, funding for historically black colleges and universities and an expansion of the Pell Grant for higher education.

●      The Senate Agriculture Committee received an instruction of $135 billion to address forest fires, reduce carbon emissions and address drought concerns

●      The House Committee on Small Business received an instruction of $17.5 billion

●      The House Education and Labor Committee received an instruction of $779.5 billion

●      The House Energy and Commerce Committee received an instruction of $486.5 billion

After last week’s House vote to advance the $3.5 trillion budget resolution, Democrats can move forward with the President’s agenda without input or support from Republicans. This of course does not mean that Democrats will reach consensus on details of the instructions set forth by the House and Senate. We anticipate that the budget resolution will be a long and arduous process. While Speaker Pelosi is prioritizing a vote on the Infrastructure Bill by September 27th, several House progressives have already said they don’t view the Infrastructure vote as feasible unless the reconciliation language is complete.

With that said, WIPP will provide guidance as well as keep our community up to date as this process continues to unfold. To learn more about the Senate Reconciliation instructions, you can read this memo summarizing Senate instructions. The House instructions remain vague, though you can review this spending by committee breakdown to learn more.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

President & CEO 

Delta Personnel, Inc., and Delta Administrative Services, LLC

Member Since 2020

Living in New Orleans, particularly during Katrina, makes you no stranger to adversity. From that perspective, as we move from crisis to recovery, what are you focused on in your business? How did WIPP and WBEC-South help you navigate through COVID?

My focus is always on people.  How do we build a psychologically safe community within our organization and for the companies we serve?  I am focused on our internal team as much as on external partners.  When and how do we approach a void is of utmost importance.  This is precisely what WIPP and WBEC-South did for my business.  There was a call to arms, with an urgent and present danger such as Covid terrorizing the entire world, these two organizations got ahead of the game and began their work by asking a very simple question and without hesitation…how we can best help our women owned businesses navigate this crisis…WIPP and WBEC South came together to meet my business right where I was, in turbulence and without seeing a clear way out.  Through their combined efforts Delta was able to eat the elephant one chunk at a time.  Webinars, connections, inspirational messages, training, and capacity building. Both of these organizations provided educational webinars and connections, however, they also did something more important…they brought women together that were going through the same situations and allowed them to connect and troubleshoot their problems...together as a community. I have rebuilt my companies through various setbacks, however having both of these organizations provide a navigational map for me.  I have access to a library of resources on which to rely on.

Thank you for being a leader in our WIPP community. What is your favorite part of being involved in the WIPP network?

The one resource I resonate with the most is the ChallengeHER.  This is WIPP’s engaging platform with small women-owned businesses to gain more contracting opportunities with the federal government.  Insights such as, am I prepared to do business with the federal government? Where do I begin? Does my capability statement provide the information they are looking for? Is the federal government right for my business?  Without WIPP’s insights I would have jumped right in and found out how difficult navigating and understanding the system would have been. However, because of their layman’s way of explaining it and their awesome panels doing business with the government has become very navigable for Delta.

How has WIPP’s advocacy and updates assisted you in developing or growing your business?

Understanding how different policies affect my business, and with whom I need to connect to in my state, has really been an eye opener.  The monthly WIPP Community Connection is da bomb!  Love Candace Waterman’s messages, but I was particular overwhelmed with her message “Moving from Crisis to Recovery”.  Each of her points hit home for me.  The most important updates for me are those that come from people that relate to what we, small women owned businesses, are going through.  Messages that provide guidance, connections and uplifting are what each of us needs right now, and WIPP does exactly that.  They know what is important to us, and they bring it to light at a much higher and wider scale.  Thank God someone is helping me from the aerial view – because sometimes I just get stuck in the trenches.

What are some common hurdles you see for women business owners as they work to scale their companies?

Not knowing their potential, how far and wide is their reach.  Sometimes we short ourselves out thinking that the only chance we have of growing is relying on only ourselves and our own understanding.  We block out the “help me” stage and proceed to survive instead of thriving to grow.  Not opening ourselves up and showing our weak areas is probably a common denominator among most women owners. 

What are some of the challenges you have faced that you think fellow business owners could learn from?

When I took over the company, it was struggling. My goal was to reinvigorate the business model, hire a strong team of recruiters, and build relationships with potential clients. It was an uphill battle, but I was lucky enough to have the right people working with me and the support of my family and the community. I took each challenge, one-by-one, and worked diligently to grow Delta over the years. My primary focus was to build a company I could be proud of. Profit margins are important, but my heart, then and now, is dedicated to helping people find work and put food on the table for their families.  The biggest lesson I have learned through the years is that everything is in cycles.  There will be times when you are on top of the fairest wheel, and you can see the horizon and what is ahead, and the plans are clearer. However, sometimes you may find yourself on the bottom of the fairest wheel and these are the times when the horizon is not visible and you may not see what is coming ahead, planning becomes difficult…however one thing you can do is be expectant. Expect change, in every cycle.  Do prepare to work through the change and stay focus. During these times of change is when people will compromise who they are personally to become what they wish to be professionally. Just stay true to yourself and to the people who help you during the change.  They are the reason the company is a company; without them we would just be a building.

Today, Delta has been in operations for over 50 years. We have placed over 40,000 workers in positions across the U.S. and worked with companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Essence Festival, Hilton, Ernest Morial Convention Center, and The Freeman Companies. We strive to be the kind of staffing agency that puts people first.

Would you share your proudest moment as a business owner?

We have historically proven to our constituents that nor hurricanes nor pandemics will keep good business down…Our team coming together once more and take on the challenges and adversities during a period where most businesses crossed their arms and waited till things were ‘safe”…Not us…We implemented several changes to our onboarding process. The technology coupled with a great team of super humans allowed us to continue to serve both clients: the ones that paid us for our service and the ones we compensate for the great work they perform for and with our clients. For our clients and employees, we formed a COVID-19 Task Force to help guide them through the issues brought on by this public health challenge. We continue to reach out to customers and employees, so we can work together to ensure safe workspaces and employee compliance & safety.  In addition, we want to be in close communication with our customers and employees to keep them informed on the latest updates related to COVID-19 and the workplace. We had one person per office on the COVID-19 safety committee responsible to oversee and ensure compliance with all Social Distancing Plan elements for the office.  We make sure everyone understands the seriousness of the situation, and we asked everyone to please cooperate and report to management any unsafe work practices that violate the plan.  We also make sure to notify management immediately if we do not have enough cleaning supplies or PPE.

In striving to accomplish our vision of moving people forward, we are sincerely thankful for the dedication and commitment of our internal team and the support of our external employees’ efforts to reopen our locations. We are looking forward to the day when we can “return to normal,” and in the meantime, we will continually assess and reassess how to best keep our team safe while keeping business flowing.

What advice would you give to a new member looking to be engaged in the WIPP network?

Never underestimate the power of a well-rounded network…Be present, show up, to every single zoom/in person event available that will sharpen your skills, connect with like-minded women, and broaden your network.  At these events, be a farmer, not a hunter.  By that I mean, create relationships with the women you are given the opportunity to meet at each event.  You are potentially meeting the “ambassadors” of your business.  As you are learning about them and vice versa, you are planting “relationship seeds” that will eventually grow and be harvested.  The magic of your business growth lies within each of these women’s amazing hearts!

Data shows that women, and more specifically, women of color are starting businesses at a faster rate now more than at any other time in our history. Female business owners bring unique skills to the table. We are strong, smart, and persistent yet compassionate and unifying. Good businesses create opportunities for everyone. And when you have a female at the head of the table, a company is better positioned to be representative of and accountable to the world we live in. 

Latina women bring with them a cultural foundation that is heavily influenced by our family structure. My mother and grandmother were a huge source of inspiration to me and my brother. They risked their lives to bring us here after leaving Cuba and they instilled in us the drive to want the best for ourselves and our families. Women are at our best when we are faced with a challenge or forced to protect the people we care about. That courageous yet nurturing spirit is an asset in the business environment.

Is there anything else you wish readers would know about you, your business, or WIPP?

WIPP understands that a rising tide raises all boats…that’s why they do what they do.

Learn more about Teresa and her business at www.deltapersonnel.com and  www.deltapeo.com

 
Each month, WIPP highlights a member who has leveraged WIPP membership to grow their business, engage with elected officials, and/or elevate the mission of WIPP and the visibility of women-owned businesses.

Infrastructure has been at the forefront of conversations on the Hill since the end of June, when Congress and the Biden Administration reached a deal on a bipartisan infrastructure package. The infrastructure package marks an important milestone for our country, proving that even amidst high tensions on Capitol Hill, Congressional leaders and the White House can work across the aisle to deliver legislation that is important for small businesses.

The bipartisan package invests just over $1 trillion dollars in the expansion of high-speed internet; spending for roads, bridges, and public transit; and funding for clean drinking water. It would include new measures to combat climate change, including money for electric vehicles and modernizing the power grid. The bill had been tied up in negotiations between the Senate and the White House until mid-last week, when the Senate voted to take up the bill for debate in a 67-to-32 vote which included 17 Republicans in favor.

All of this to say, there will be ample opportunities for WOSBs to play their role in modernizing American infrastructure for the 21st century should this bill be enacted. It’s important to note that last week's activity means that the bill has been taken up for debate in the Senate, meaning that there is no formal legislative text for the bill and it will still need to clear votes in the Senate before being voted on in the House.

Bipartisanship is at the core of Women Impacting Public Policy, this bipartisan infrastructure package serves as a huge victory for small business owners, especially for women and underserved communities. The infrastructure package will provide access to jobs and economic development to these groups, who both make tremendous contributions to the economy. Two of WIPP’s top policy priorities are creating parity for WOSBs in federal contracting and infrastructure and we are eager to work with Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration on this endeavor to revitalize American infrastructure.

Join us for the first ever WIPP Advocacy Happy hours on August 11 at 5:30 PM ET!

This month’s advocacy update takes a casual approach to a conversation on policy and advocacy. Join us with your drink of choice as we discuss policy, WIPP's advocacy efforts and more! Register here.

Our Advocacy team is here to help you and answer your questions! Please send any advocacy related inquiries to advocacy@wipp.org

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

As we enter the last month of summer 2021, WIPP is as busy as ever!

We have a robust line-up of programming all centered around our ACE Principle: Advocacy, Community, and Education. Being engaged in WIPP programming is one of the very best ways you can develop your business ecosystem and be involved in advocacy efforts. Keep an eye out for WIPP communications to be attuned to the latest policy news and business opportunities.

During the month of August, I encourage you to focus on this intersection of your business and your advocacy efforts. What actions can you take that will propel your success? Remember, consistency is key!

Your Business

1. Know your business, your industry, and the WOSB program.

Knowledge is powerful. Be a sponge! Learn as much as you possibly can through educational programming and business networking.

2. Capture public and private sector opportunities.

Diversify your business portfolio by seeking out opportunities in both the public and private sectors.

3. Consider Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances.

Sometimes as business owners, we can get further by working together. This is why I encourage you to consider joint ventures and strategic alliances. You may find that collaborating and combining resources is  beneficial to meeting your goals and expanding your business.

Your Advocacy Efforts

1. Understand the power of your voice in advocacy.

You bring a unique perspective and set of experiences to the table. Evaluate the ways you can amplify your voice and your story both in-person and through social media. Stay engaged with WIPP, as we provide the pathway and blueprint to using our collective voices to impact business related policy.

2. Know the policymakers in your area.

Visit USA.gov to identify and contact your policymakers.

3. Be engaged: write, call, and meet your policymakers!

Read this blog by the WIPP Advocacy Team to learn about all the ways to engage with your policymakers, particularly when Congress is out of session.

At the end of the day in both business and advocacy realms, the key is to develop relationships. Be assiduous in making and maintaining relationships with both business and advocacy contacts in your network. It takes a consistent and diligent effort over time.

I encourage you to identify ways, even small ones, to continue being involved with your business and advocacy networks. You’d be surprised how small actions can make a big impact over time.

We wish you great success through the month of August and the remainder of the year!

Warmly,

Candace Waterman

President & CEO

Finish 2021 with Focus

With only six months of 2021 remaining, now is the perfect time to reevaluate your personal and business goals to prepare you for a strong rest of the year. 

In reflecting on the last six months, consider the successful practices you employed that you would like to continue to emulate. Contemplate the challenges you faced that made you stronger and better equipped to run your business. What lessons did you learn that you can apply to challenges you may face in the latter half of this year?

As you look to the future and map out the next six months, allow these pieces of advice to assist you in your process.

1.     Reimagine the future workplace

Quickly shifting to a virtual environment was a necessity for many businesses over the course of the pandemic. Business owners were forced to reimagine how to proceed with business as usual. As we near the midpoint of 2021, consider the ways you can elevate your business in this new normal. This article by WIPP Corporate Partner, EY, expands on ways to reimagine the future of your workplace. 

2.     Retool / Reskill your workforce

It is no news that there is a workforce shortage happening in the United States. Identifying, attracting, and maintaining a workforce is paramount during this time. By training employees in new skills and tools, you can better equip your business to be adaptable and resilient.

3.     Set client expectations

Constant and clear communication with your clients about their expectations should always be a top priority. As you approach the next six months, I encourage you to take the time to clarify their expectations of you. With your client’s input, you should set objectives, goals, and timelines to ensure that both you and your clients are satisfied at the end of the year.

4.     Invest in your business

Investing in your business is a key driver in helping your business to thrive. Be strategic in considering how your investments will promote growth both short and long-term in your business. Carefully evaluate the ways that investing in areas of your business could best benefit you, your employees, and your bottom line. This article by WIPP Corporate Partner, American Express, is a fantastic place to start when considering your business investments. 

5.     Renew your focus

It is easy to get sidetracked as you get immersed in the day ins and day outs of running your business. By renewing your focus, you have the opportunity to remind yourself of your mission. Take the time to assess your progress and revise your objectives. Once you’ve taken a step back and refocused, identify the next steps that best align with your ultimate goals. 

WIPP is here to support you in making the next six months even better than the last by providing numerous networking, learning, and growth opportunities to our membership. Keep an eye out for all the amazing programming WIPP has to offer for the rest of the year. 

We are committed to your success!

Warmly,

Candace Waterman

President & CEO

At Women Impacting Public Policy, we’re excited that it’s finally summer. As more of us get vaccinated and plan summer trips and reunions with friends and family, our representatives in Congress are gearing up for their Summer Recess. Every summer, Congress is out of session for two weeks for the 4th of July and for the month of August through Labor Day for what is known as ‘Summer Recess’. This does not necessarily mean that Members are on vacation per se, most Members typically use this time to study legislation, attend meetings, and to spend time in their districts. During recess, things are slow (relative to when Congress is in session!) on the Hill. Many staffers will often join their bosses in the district, and there won’t be major legislation or votes during this period.

With that said, you’re probably wondering, how can I best advocate for causes that are important to me while Congress is out of session? As stated above, most Members of Congress use recess to spend quality time in their districts away from the noise on the Hill. More often than not, Members will host public events, attend

 rallies, and generally try to get in front of as many constituents as possible. For Members, this time in the district is used to prove to their constituents that they are well represented in Washington, and it provides advocates a good opportunity to engage directly with their representatives.

For instance, if you find that your representatives are hosting town hall meetings or roundtable discussions, you should attend, ask questions, and raise issues important to you. For example, infrastructure is at the top of mind for both business owners and Members of Congress (as well as at WIPP!) and a town hall would be an appropriate setting to ask questions about current legislation and efforts as it relates to infrastructure.

If you’re not able to make a town hall, or if they’re simply not your jam, you may also consider reaching out to the district office for a meeting or phone call. To call your Senators and Representatives Washington, D.C., office, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your Representative/Senator. Alternatively, you can find your Senators by following this link and your Representatives in the House by following this link.

Other ways to engage with your elected officials during the recess include engaging them on social media, sending them emails or letters, or even by penning op-eds, Letters to the Editor (LTEs), or blog posts.

Quick Tips for Engaging via Social Media:

1. Tag Official Accounts: Most Members are active on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. and you can tag their official accounts with questions and comments on legislation, or you could leave comments on their posts.
2. Pictures Tell Stories!: Pictures are worth a thousand words, and can be worth a million for Members with limited time. Use photos, videos, infographics, or media that catches the eyes.
3. Be Authentic: Authenticity is incredibly valuable on social media, especially when it seems like everything on your feed is heavily produced. You don’t need to

use your ring light for every post, sometimes a 1-2 min video from your (parked) car can be just what you need.

Just because Congress is out this August does not mean WIPP is!

Our August WIPP Update will look a bit different than usual. We will have the normal cast of speakers, WIPP CEO Candace Waterman and our Advocacy Team at Public Private Strategies, though we will be taking a more casual approach to discussing policy and Hill happenings. So, mark your calendar for August 11th from 5:30-6:45 PM ET and join us with your beverage of choice for a WIPP Zoom Hour!

Our Advocacy team is here to help you and answer your questions! Please send any advocacy related inquiries to advocacy@wipp.org

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

This is an unprecedented time. How has the global COVID-19 pandemic affected your business? How has WIPP helped during this time?

Our business was stable from a financial and contractual perspective.  Thankfully, all of our contracts were easily transferable to a telework environment. The most challenging part was determining how to transition technology needs, etc…not everyone’s home is truly equipped.

WIPP was extremely helpful with information! There were so many unknowns and just to know that we had an organization to rely on to provide up-to-date and important data, communications and potential policy details was invaluable. The PPP craziness alone made WIPP essential – what did it all mean?!  Especially as it changed every single day…literally.

COVID-19 forced many business owners to downsize and adapt their businesses to thrive in a virtual environment. Many business owners ultimately left their in-person buildings during the pandemic. As we know, you own a gorgeous facility in Virginia. What advice would you give to businesses navigating recovery from the pandemic, especially regarding operating with real estate?

Thank you for the kind comments on our office!  Yes, we are really proud to own the space in that location.

You’ve tapped on an issue that we are truly grappling with right now – should we sell it? Will we be back? Can we lease part of it? If we lease it and then need the space, what do we do? There are quite a few considerations. We have started having “In-Office Wednesdays” each week. I think we all do miss the synergy.  In fact, just the other day, something occurred, and we all immediately stepped into an office and hashed it out. We were able to quickly come to a resolution.

The great thing about real estate is that we do have options – we can decide how we want to use the space…lease it out to individuals…we even thought about creating a We Works concept. At least we have options.

You've been a committed WIPP member over many years. As this is WIPP's 20th Anniversary year, what are some of the ways you and your business have developed with WIPP over the time of your membership. 

I would say definitely in the area of advocacy. I don’t think any of us realize how important it is to understand the flow of money – and how it impacts business. 

How has WIPP's advocacy and updates assisted you in developing or growing your business?

Definitely from a capture perspective. Since we better understand the flow of money, we understand what regulations will impact our specific clients and potentially federal programs. This allows us to plan ahead and target our capture efforts.

What are some common hurdles you see for women business owners? What trends do you see in Government Contracting from a WOSB perspective?

Access to Capital is an issue that is always a discussion for woman-owned small businesses. Most of us were never really taught about the importance of having a relationship with a bank for business purposes. We tend to go to the bank when we need something…which is the absolute wrong time to go! WIPP has education platforms and warm relationships with bankers that are truly there to help and understand our needs.

What are some of the challenges you have faced that you think fellow business owners could learn from?

Not so much a challenge, but one of the biggest things I have learned is to trust myself. There are always “advisors” and others who will provide unsolicited advice on how you should run your company. You have to know when someone is truly there for you and supportive or has ulterior motives. And sometimes, they just don’t know you or your business well enough. Trust yourself. You are the only one who truly has to live with the decisions you make and the outcomes.

Would you share your proudest moment as a business owner?

I really take pride in helping people develop into their best selves. I know it sounds corny, but it’s really true. Recently, I saw a notice on LinkedIn that one of our previous employees received a new position. I sent him a note of congratulations. He responded, thanking me, and let me know how grateful he was. He stated that if I hadn’t given him that opportunity those years ago, he would not be in the place that he is now.  

What advice would you give to a new member looking to be engaged in the WIPP network?

There’s definitely a lot going on with WIPP, so take your time and find your niche. Determine your metrics – why you joined…and make sure you’re getting that outcome.

Learn more about LaJuanna and her business at bizmanagers.com

 
Each month, WIPP highlights a member who has leveraged WIPP membership to grow their business, engage with elected officials, and/or elevate the mission of WIPP and the visibility of women-owned businesses.

As we move from crisis to recovery, how has the global COVID-19 pandemic affected your business? How has WIPP helped during this time?

Covid added pressure to serving current clients nationwide by operating fully remote, developing the remote work process for employees and the entirely new world of marketing and selling services and products fully remotely. We did lose team members who were not capable of or who had family responsibilities that eliminated working remotely, and experienced the challenge of bringing on new hires and onboarding. However, on the bright side, we actually were very successful with these transitions and even experienced substantial growth. As an “essential” business, once the governor allowed in-office work, we physically  moved our office to a larger office to accommodate our growth requirements and continued to hire new team members. WIPP was instrumental through this entire time with the constant updates regarding federal programs such as PPP, EIDL, government contracting news, and financial planning recommendations.

Thank you for being a leader in our community, including your past roles of sitting on the WIPP Board, the Institute Board and LAC, testifying before Congress, and referring new members. What is your favorite part of being involved in the WIPP network?

One favorite part: Constantly learning how to take practical steps to affect legislation (an entirely new world!) that would benefit our company and other WIPP member companies. Another enduring favorite part: Long lasting business relationships and also personal friendships with fellow WIPP members, knowing that no matter what, I can count on other WIPP members in good times and challenging times. A third favorite part: mentoring other business women through education and trainings!

How have you engaged with WIPP members in a mentorship relationship that resulted in business development?

Absolutely—we regularly talk and meet with WIPP members for informal and structured chats, updates, recommendations, and references which have resulted in them getting their foot in the door, and ultimately winning federal contracts. But also, attorneys, accountants and CPAs, IT service providers, staffing companies, and other services and products providers have seen their business develop as a result of our involvement, and of course I am honored to say that many WIPP members have engaged with us to help them succeed in the federal contracting world.

How has WIPP's advocacy and updates assisted you in developing or growing your business?

WIPP has been invaluable in developing our business—with expertise unmatched in the legislative world, but also in practical day-to-day advice, connections and relationships with other business owners, federal agencies, legislators and large businesses.

What are some common hurdles you see for women business owners? What trends do you see in Government Contracting from a WOSB perspective?

Common hurdles include risk aversion for women, limited access to capital, delegating work early on, building teams with other companies quickly and with enough lead time before the RFP comes out for bid. Trends in government contracting: a strong pivot to very large “best-in-class” contracts that actually limit small business participation, bundling of contracts also negatively impacting small business, and the growing use of artificial intelligence in all aspects of gov con from market research through award to closeout.

What are some of the challenges you have faced that you think fellow business owners could learn from?

I’ve addressed the challenges of not enough skilled employees, lack of capital, poor employee performance and theft of intellectual property to name a few. Happy to share my insights and scars!

Would you share your proudest moment as a business owner?

The most recent proud moment happened when two team members achieved their stretch goals in a spectacular fashion, resulting in an exceptional client satisfaction rating -- all done without me! Yes! Success!

What advice would you give to a new member looking to be engaged in the WIPP network?

WIPP is the perfect organization where you can surround yourself with women who are serious about growing their business, getting involved in legislation and looking to impact the greater good. Look for like-minded in your industry, and also those outside of your industry, but located near you—all of the connections will be beneficial to you professionally and personally.

Is there anything else you wish readers would know about WIPP?

WIPP is the best investment of time, effort, heart and money that I have ever made in any organization.  Being involved with like-minded business owners who want the best for their clients, employees, community and business fuels all of us! I look forward to meeting new WIPP members and welcoming you aboard!

Learn more about Gloria and her business at targetgov.com.

 
Each month, WIPP highlights a member who has leveraged WIPP membership to grow their business, engage with elected officials, and/or elevate the mission of WIPP and the visibility of women-owned businesses.

Resiliency and Agility

It is hard to believe half the calendar year has passed us by, and there are only a few months left in the fiscal year.  I talk to many people each week, and more than a few believe living in a world of disruption is our new normal. And I could not agree more which is why we must make it part of our everyday preparation and embrace it.

As I think about the characteristics which help us sustain and embrace the new normal, resilience and agility are at the top of the list. Resiliency helps us handle the shock of disruption, and agility helps us to swivel and bounce back.

Our world is coming to life, with people going back into the office, traveling, meeting in person and staying connected; we must use resiliency and agility to help us maintain business continuity and assist us with innovation as we move to the next level.

As you look at your business and strategic plans, and you should be doing so at least four times per year so that you can make any necessary course modifications on your path to success, consider these components:

·       Leverage and embrace technology, to ensure your internal infrastructure is in place to manage the growth.

·       Always anticipate your customers’ needs and pain points, by being innovative and solution driven.

·       Empower your team to ideate and find new paths to solving problems for your organization and that of your customers.

·       Implement processes to help control the chaos around you but not hinder your progress or stymie creativity.  

We have time left to kick it up a notch in 2021, so let’s go!

I look forward to engaging with you, being part of your business ecosystem and hearing your stories of triumphant success at years’ end!

Warmly,

Candace Waterman

President & CEO

As the American Rescue Plan continues to be implemented across the country, the Biden Administration has announced its next major legislative goal. On March 31st, the Biden/Harris Administration announced the rollout of the American Jobs Plan (AJP) which will serve as the President’s landmark infrastructure overhaul. The AJP totals out at $2 trillion and would invest in roads, highways, seaports, airports, transportation, communities of color and underserved communities.

The $2 trillion investment will be spread out over the course of 8 years and would be financed in part by eliminating tax preferences for fossil fuel producers and through increasing the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) stands ready to advocate on behalf of women small business owners as the specifics of the American Jobs Plan come to fruition. While traditional infrastructure, such as that of roads, highways, bridges and airports is important, any infrastructure proposal must also inject investment into women-owned small businesses and into small business generally.

The AJP outlines goals for uplifting small businesses by involving them to participate in the design, construction and manufacturing of new infrastructure projects as well as allocating funds for the development of small business incubation centers and innovation hubs. WIPP is confident that the President’s infrastructure plan will invest in the development and growth of women-owned small businesses by providing more opportunities for federal contracting procurement, another key WIPP policy priority.

Additionally, the President’s plan aims to invest $31 billion into the development of small business innovation and incubation hubs, opening the doors to much needed research and development (R&D), increased access to capital, and the activation of new entrepreneurs. WIPP is encouraged by the Biden Administration’s intentionality towards investing and including small business as a key element of the AJP, and we hope to work with the Administration to ensure that women-owned small businesses are afforded equitable access to opportunities created by the AJP.

To learn more about the American Jobs Plan, you can review the White House Fact Sheet, which outlines the goals of the American Rescue Plan in further detail. Also, we will be covering the American Jobs Plan in our next WIPP Advocacy Update where our policy team will outline the policy specifics and talk about how the AJP will impact small business. We hope to ‘see’ you there!

ICYMI: On May 12, the WIPP Advocacy Team at Public Private Strategies delivered an Advocacy Update on the American Families Plan.

Our Advocacy team is here to help you and answer your questions! Please send any advocacy related inquiries to advocacy@wipp.org

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

While we are still dealing with the challenges that 2020 brought about and we now move from crisis to recovery, how has your business been impacted? How has WIPP helped during this time?

We were quick to pivot at the beginning of the crisis to providing hard to get PPE and offering covid cleaning services to our customers.  We also expanded our partnering with large businesses to offer new services. Our business has grown extensively.  WIPP helped with the networking and understanding opportunities with teaming and how to take advantage of PPP and EIDL loans.  The knowledge, and the advocacy from WIPP has helped our company grow. The advocacy alone is important.  

You are a very active member with WIPP, attending the educational programming, amplifying our messages and serving as a resource to other members. What has been your favorite part of being engaged with the WIPP Community?

The other members. I am always learning something new from others. It is hard during the crisis to “socialize”, to see and hear new ideas.  WIPP has been a lifeline during the crisis seeing familiar faces and meeting new people.  The matchmaking events with Government agencies and prime contractors have allowed my company to grow.  The current restrictions with travel and in person events, the virtual matchmaking has helped us find new clients.

How has WIPP’s advocacy and updates assisted you in developing your business, becoming more aware of business policy or becoming more profitable?

I follow all the updates and news. WIPP has helped put it in context with regard to small businesses. WIPP also brings out the pieces of legislation that get lost.  It allows me to speak knowledgably and present my business in different ways to potential and current customers.

What are some common hurdles you see for women business owners? How has being a member of WIPP helped you in the development of your business?

We are not taken seriously. We are often times the only woman in the room.  Many times, when other business owners see the certifications or set asides beyond small business they think the checks just land in our laps. They do not realize it is hard to have contracts set aside and we still have to compete.  I am now more vocal in asking and promoting for contracts to be set aside or to be sole sourced. I now know how it works and why it can be easier for the contracting officer.

What are some of the challenges you have faced that you think fellow business owners could learn from?

Learning how to partner with a large company to secure government contracts, using the Mentor Protegee program to learn what to watch out for in government contracting.   I would have lost money on some government contracts if my mentor did not point out and explain how to receive additional funding.

Would you share your proudest moment as a business owner?

This is a hard one, as I was very proud to earn the WBENC Women business owners award in 2016 and the Cheryl Sneed Leadership award from Center for Women Enterprise in 2019. I also was very proud to reach a milestone in revenue and profit even during Covid.

What advice would you give to a new member looking to be engaged in the WIPP network?

Get involved ask questions. My philosophy is the only dumb question is the one not asked. Just speak up and learn from others and share what you know.  It is amazing how much we know without realizing it.

Is there anything else you wish readers would know about WIPP?

WIPP gives us a voice and helps us use our collective voice in Congress. We are powerful as a group than as individuals.

Learn more about Doreen and her business at usecoproducts.com

 
Each month, WIPP highlights a member who has leveraged WIPP membership to grow their business, engage with elected officials, and/or elevate the mission of WIPP and the visibility of women-owned businesses.

Moving from Crisis to Recovery

Every day, as business owners and leaders we think about ways to grow and sustain our businesses. We are well into 2021, settling into our new now while finding ways to innovate and navigate our respective industries.

Here are five tips for staying on the path to recovery, post-crisis:

1. Be unforgettable to your customers, by being solution-driven through understanding their needs, pain-points, and goals.

2. Leverage your social platforms to solidify yourself as an industry expert and influencer. Studies show that 50% of the world’s population is on social media and if used appropriately for business, it can be a game changer.

3. Revisit the financial section of your business plan to assess if you are spending funds in the best way, and in alignment with your short term and long-term goals.

4. Diversify your customer base by doing business in the public sector, private sector and with other business owners, if it is a good fit for your product or service.

5. Listen to the voice of your customers, team members and business advisors. They often look through a lens that is different than yours and their advice can be invaluable.

As we navigate 2021, don’t be afraid to try something new and think outside of the proverbial box. As a wise person once shared with me, nothing good grows in comfortable spaces.

I look forward to growing with you in the uncomfortable spaces!

Warmly,

Candace Waterman

President & CEO

As the American Rescue Plan continues to be implemented across the country, the Biden Administration has announced its next major legislative goal. On March 31st, the Biden/Harris Administration announced the rollout of the American Jobs Plan (AJP) which will serve as the President’s landmark infrastructure overhaul. The AJP totals out at $2 trillion and would invest in roads, highways, seaports, airports, transportation, communities of color and underserved communities.

The $2 trillion investment will be spread out over the course of 8 years and would be financed in part by eliminating tax preferences for fossil fuel producers and through increasing the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) stands ready to advocate on behalf of women small business owners as the specifics of the American Jobs Plan come to fruition. While traditional infrastructure, such as that of roads, highways, bridges and airports is important, any infrastructure proposal must also inject investment into women-owned small businesses and into small business generally.

The AJP outlines goals for uplifting small businesses by involving them to participate in the design, construction and manufacturing of new infrastructure projects as well as allocating funds for the development of small business incubation centers and innovation hubs. WIPP is confident that the President’s infrastructure plan will invest in the development and growth of women-owned small businesses by providing more opportunities for federal contracting procurement, another key WIPP policy priority.

Additionally, the President’s plan aims to invest $31 billion into the development of small business innovation and incubation hubs, opening the doors to much needed research and development (R&D), increased access to capital, and the activation of new entrepreneurs. WIPP is encouraged by the Biden Administration’s intentionality towards investing and including small business as a key element of the AJP, and we hope to work with the Administration to ensure that women-owned small businesses are afforded equitable access to opportunities created by the AJP.

To learn more about the American Jobs Plan, you can review the White House Fact Sheet, which outlines the goals of the American Rescue Plan in further detail. Also, we will be covering the American Jobs Plan in our next WIPP Advocacy Update where our policy team will outline the policy specifics and talk about how the AJP will impact small business. We hope to ‘see’ you there!

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

Spring represents new beginnings, growth, and new opportunities. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and flowers are blooming. This is a great lens to use when looking at business this time of the year.

With the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine and the opening of States across the country, it is a great time to use the positive energy and focus on your business.

This is a list of items you can focus on as we step into spring:   

WIPP Member Profile Update

Your member profile is the gateway to engaging with WIPP and being identified for potential opportunities with our Corporate and Agency partners. Please access your profile and insure all your contact information is correct, provide any appropriate updates to your NAICS and select a WIPP advocacy committee to engage with.

Return to the Office Preparation

Many businesses are preparing to return to the office this year. Now is a perfect time to develop or enhance your safety plan and return to work protocol. It is also an excellent time to procure your goods and services from a woman owned business who provides PPE, acrylic desk separators and more.      

Digital Cleaning

We live in a fast paced, ever changing world from a technology perspective, and working remotely for the last year has added many stressors to our digital systems. Use the spring-cleaning environment to simplify and streamline your internal digital systems by organizing desktops, cleaning, and organizing files and digital documentation and take your team through a good digital cleaning plan.

At WIPP, we are focused on these spring cleaning items and more, especially when it comes to activities on Capitol Hill. We are happy the PPP Extension Act of 2021 has been passed which extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application deadline to May 31, 2021; and extends the PPP authorization through June 30, 2021 to provide the Small Business Administration (SBA) additional time to process applications received by the application deadline.  If you have not applied yet, there is still time to do so. Our advocacy team is focused on the Hill activities affecting you, as business owners. I invite you to join our monthly Advocacy Update live sessions to hear the latest news from the Hill, like this and to understand the best way to join your voice with WIPPs as we impact policy affecting the women owned small business community.

WIPP has a plethora of opportunities for you to engage with us through our programming and to stay connected with the network. Take a moment to visit the events page of our website and find the sessions that are perfect for your business and join us!

I look forward to engaging with you!

Candace

March is a time to celebrate Women’s History and formally thank all of the women who have fought for equality and opportunity. As a woman-owned business, Cadence Group is proud to honor the female leaders who have made large contributions to women’s history, our company, and the community. We support the ongoing effort to reshape the perception of how women are viewed in life and the workplace; we commend women in business as they take the lead.In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are doing our part by recognizing the accomplishments of some outstanding women leaders on our team. These women have continuously tackled challenges and achieved successes in their careers and during their time at Cadence Group. We look forward to watching them in their success and are continuously inspired by their ethics, talents, and drive.

Employee Spotlight #1:

Mary Beth Weaver – VP of DC Services

Mary Beth Weaver has over 20 years of professional experience as a Records and Information Management consultant with extensive experience in federal records. She provides Cadence Group’s clients expertise in Electronic Records Cleanup, FOIA Records Management, Hotline and Docket Supervision, Records Facility Storage and Project Management.  She is responsible for managing our Washington DC area portfolio of records management, library, and SharePoint information management contracts in addition to serving as a consultant.

After her first year with the company, she was awarded a Top Shelf Award for Sales support. Wasting no time, she was promoted to Vice President of DC Operations in her second year. We are honored to celebrate her achievements, and thank her for representing strong businesswomen across the nation. Mary Beth writes, “Cadence Group has encouraged me to be a thought leader in my profession. In the five years I have worked at the company I have presented at the ARMA annual conference nine times, as well as five times for various local chapters of ARMA, and twice at NAGARA Regional Seminars.”

Employee Spotlight #2:

Carmen Martinez – Senior VP

Carmen Martinez joined Cadence Group over 6 years as a CPA from Puerto Rico. She is an incredibly skilled and committed member of the team who leads our back-office operations. During her time here, she has positively represented Cadence Group, displaying vast amounts of leadership and confidence in her role.

Cadence Group is happy to celebrate Carmen as she leads our Financial and Human Resource line of operation. Thank you, Carmen, for your constant efforts and drive towards success. Congratulations on being one of the leading women of Cadence Group.

Employee Spotlight #3:

Lori Durand – VP of Web Services

Lori Durand serves as CEO of Cadence Group’s affiliate and takes the lead for Web Services contracts. She has also consulted at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for over 20 years, providing web design, analytics, and digital communication. She is both efficient and effective in her management of program resources with a strong work ethic, resulting in timely dissemination of products to different audiences in a variety of formats.

With over 25 years at Cadence Group, Lori eventually assumed the role of CEO for Cadence Group Associates, Inc. in addition to her hands on commitment to our clients. She is an incredibly talented and committed member of the team. Cadence Group is happy to celebrate Lori as she continues to lead us with her knowledge and skills in web and digital communication principles and practice. Congratulations, Lori, on being one of the leading women of Cadence Group. Lori writes “I appreciate this recognition, and I also celebrate the contributes of all the women on our team some of which have been committed to Cadence Group and the clients they serve for over 15 years.”

Employee Spotlight #4:

Tina Baker – President and CEO

Tina Teree Baker, IGP, has led the Cadence Group, an information management firm with 60+ employees, as President since 1988. She has over 25 years of expertise in creating and managing efficient, compliant, and adaptable information governance programs across a broad range of industries (commercial and government) of varying sizes and missions. She is a certified Information Governance Professional and a systems architect.

Tina regularly speaks on topics, such as information and technology governance, sustainable compliance, electronically stored information management, federal contracting and small business. She is a Board Member for Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and has supported the efforts of WIPP to improve opportunities for women owned businesses for over 15 years. She is even a past recipient of the Enterprising Woman of the Year Award. Thank you, Tina, for your hard work and dedication as a woman business leader in the community. Tina writes “I’m continually impressed with the talent of these women leaders, the small women owned businesses that we mentor, and with the resilience of the women’s small business community, especially during the pandemic. I want to thank WIPP and other small business associations in their amazing efforts to educate and support all of us as we met the challenges of this past year.”

To learn more about Cadence Group, visit Cadence-Group.com

As we recognize Women's History Month, we also recognize the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 11th, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

To the surprise of many, one year later, the world continues to grapple with the challenges and hardship brought about by the pandemic. The hardships of the pandemic have perhaps been most acutely felt by women and girls, particularly Black women, women of color and indigenous women.

One year into the pandemic, the U.S. alone marked the grim milestone of over half a million coronavirus related deaths alongside a set of alarming trends in the pandemic’s effects on women and girls. Prior to the pandemic, women made up 50% of the U.S. workforce. Since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 3 million women have departed from the workforce.

In fact, women accounted for 100% of 140,000 jobs lost in December 2020. This drastic drop off of women in the workforce stems from the fact that the responsibility of child rearing largely falls on the shoulders of women. Additionally, women have been laid off and furloughed from their jobs at higher rates than men, and the rate is only exacerbated for women of color.

Furthermore, women owned businesses have suffered huge losses due to the pandemic. According to a report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, women business owners are less likely to anticipate a strong recovery than male business owners. Fewer women owned businesses are planning to hire new employees, fewer have optimistic investing plans, and they don’t expect a growth in revenue in the coming year.

While the outlook appears to be bleak for women in the workforce and women business owners, there is some news to be optimistic about. This week, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP), and it was signed into law by President Biden. The ARP represents a win for women in many ways, from increased Paycheck Protection Program funding to expansions of tax credits.

WIPP advocates for increased capital and infusing the pipelines of women owned businesses with more funding. With the new PPP provisions, in combination with the PPP funding in the ARP, we are confident that many more women owned small businesses will have access to this critical program. 

As we continue to recognize Women’s History Month, we of course acknowledge the hardships that women and girls have faced in the last year. We also celebrate the hard-fought wins that have been achieved by and on behalf of women.

In Other News...

Women Impacting Public Policy has been joined by a new policy team! Please join us in welcoming the team at Public Private Strategies. You may have already interacted with the new team during our recent WIPP Advocacy Updates, where Katie Vlietstra Wonnenberg and Renée Johnson provided strategic updates on the American Rescue Plan and other important Hill updates. The PPS team will continue to provide updates from Capitol Hill and work with the WIPP team to advocate for policy solutions on behalf of women business owners.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges.

By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

The leadership of female entrepreneurs has shaped the modern American economy, while paving a path for the next generation of women innovators. From C-suite leaders, such as Adena Friedman, president and CEO of Nasdaq; Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture; and Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle Corporation, to small businesses across the country, women have broken glass ceilings in the business world and accelerated our nation’s economic growth and development.

In 1972, an estimated four percent of total businesses were owned by women. In 2019, more than 40 percent of businesses were women-owned. And from 2014 to 2019, employment by women-owned businesses increased by approximately eight percent, while revenue grew to nearly $2 trillion.

While the last few years were shaped by economic growth and a rise in female entrepreneurship, the COVID-19 pandemic has left female workers particularly vulnerable to the effects of the economic downturn. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a regression in gender equality, widening the gender gap in our nation’s labor force participation and leaving women at greater economic risk than males.

As women are more likely to own companies that rely on foot-traffic, women-owned businesses in the United States were forced to cut more jobs than businesses owned by men since the onset of COVID-19. A study found that in 2020, women were 22 percent more likely to be laid off than men from their job and 24 percent more likely to be furloughed, a notably wider gap than in previous years. A survey found that globally, women-owned businesses were nearly six percent more likely to have shut down their businesses than male business owners, and according to a McKinsey and Company study, women comprise approximately 39 percent of global employment, but more than 50 percent of total job losses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on the economic and financial security of women around the world. But in the midst of the pandemic, technology platforms have enabled women-owned businesses to continue to operate. While foot-traffic has drastically declined, technology platforms have given businesses the tools they need to interact with and market their products to customers, regardless of geographic location.

When lockdowns began, Jenny Ray, a small business owner in Laguna Beach, California, turned to online platform Etsy to continue operating her floral arrangement business. But what began as a business that catered primarily to local weddings soon caught the attention of thousands of individuals nationwide, thanks to the wide visibility the platform was able to provide. And Jenny is not alone. Rachel Laryea, founder of Kelewele, a healthy lifestyle brand that offers food delivery services in New York City, has increasingly relied on digital platforms, hosting videos and live sessions to market to consumers.

The pandemic has been a time of great economic upheaval and uncertainty, but technology has helped us adapt to keep businesses afloat that otherwise might have closed. Around the world, technologies like smart phones, social networking platforms, and online marketing tools are helping female entrepreneurs and innovators stay connected and reach new audiences in the age of social distancing. Now, as our nation strives to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our policymakers must look to solutions that maintain our technological edge to support our economic recovery and empower the next generation of American women innovators.

Happy Women’s History Month!

I am so excited for this month because we will have the opportunity celebrate Women’s History Month and kick-off the activities for WIPP's 20th Anniversary celebration.

All month we will celebrate the strong women who have changed, shaped and transformed our world, including the women of WIPP! I am especially thankful for the amazing women who have impacted my life; those who have come before me and paved the way to insure we have a seat at the table, using our voice for change and to level the playing field for women business owners across the globe.

One of the greatest ways to impact change is through policy and WIPP works to do this every day. With the new Administration still within their first 100 days, there is a lot of activity on Capitol Hill, one of which is time sensitive. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has set aside an exclusive opportunity for the country’s smallest employers to have access to funds during the pandemic. If you employ less than 20 people or are a sole proprietor, you will want to research how to take advantage of this opportunity.

I invite you to join our monthly Advocacy Update live sessions to hear the latest news from the Hill, like this and to understand the best way to join your voice with WIPP's as we impact policy affecting the women owned small business community.We know strong community connections are critical to a businesses success and we are proud to provide many opportunities to make these connections.

On May 6th, we will hold the MatchMaker Madness, where women-owned businesses will have the opportunity to meet with both Government agencies and prime vendors. You will not want to miss this!

We have constantly challenged ourselves during this time to find innovative ways to stay engaged with and connected to you, our WIPP Family. We are excited to announce the launch of the WIPP Peloton group, through our Mind, Body Business program. If you have a Peloton bike, you can join the WIPP Board Vice Chair, Courtney Fairchild and I on a weekly ride. Simply add the tag #WIPPNetworkRides, watch for the schedule and join the WIPP community in the saddle as we take care of our Mind, Body and Business.

This month is action-packed with Women’s History Month activities, educational programming, virtual networking opportunities and more. Take a moment to visit the events page of our website and find the sessions that are perfect for your business and join us!I look forward to engaging with you!

As we enter February, we know many have been and are still being affected by the COVID pandemic. I want you to know, our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone as we navigate our new paths and as the COVID vaccine is being deployed across the country.

I don’t know about you - but I cannot believe February is already upon us. And here at WIPP, that means our work is well underway as we follow our plan to remain your business resource. We have hosted educational webinars with great speakers and had a great Advocacy kick-off session, introducing WIPP’s 2021 Policy Priorities and welcoming our new Advocacy Team, Public Private Strategies.

I am also excited to welcome our new WIPP Education Institute Board Chair, Julie Rothhouse, CEO of SynaVoice LLC. Julie has been an engaged WIPP Member since 2015 and brings such great knowledge and energy to the role.  

I have also personally participated in five calls with new Administration leaders on topics that affect women-owned businesses across the country; discussing everything from access to capital, increasing procurement opportunities, and the need to build an eco-system with sustainable, supportive solutions. We have a lot of work ahead of us and will continue to serve as your voice while working with our policymakers on their plans.

We have all know the saying, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Having a good 2021 plan is critical to your business success. We discussed a few key elements of the planning process during our Intersectionality Series webinar. These elements included keeping your plan flexible to address the needs of any moving targets, thinking about your plan from a 360-degree perspective so that you are considering all of the variables that may affect your business, and ensuring that you are being an authentic leader as you build trust both internally and externally in your company.

As you build the business development portion of your plan, remember to engage with WIPP! Being engaged provides you an opportunity to lend your voice with ours and to take advantage of the educational programming we provide, like our upcoming Advocacy Update webinar on February 10th and the Community Connection webinar on February 17th.

As I always do, I want to remind all of us that in these times, we need to support our local businesses: restaurants, cleaners, fitness facilities, and so many others. Order carry-out, buy gift cards, or take an online fitness class. This is a time for us to remain united as a community and support each other.

Stay healthy and safe; and I look forward to engaging with you!

Join us for the February Community Connection webinar on February 17th at 2 PM ET to hear Lynn's discussion with WIPP leadership.

This is an unprecedented time. How has the global COVID-19 pandemic affected your business?

COVID did not impact the business “on paper.” We continued to grow in 2020, including two new contract awards in March/April. What has changed is that we have to work harder to communicate and keep the sense of community alive with staff.

WIPP has helped by keeping me informed of the evolving legislation affecting and helping small and women-owned small businesses. There was a lot of information and misinformation flying as we all scrambled to go virtual and keep staff employed. Knowing that there was a reliable resource for facts helped. Also, the community of other WIPP members were happy to help each other with their experiences with virtual workforce policies, PPP funding decisions, and client management.

Thank you for being a leader in our community, including soon chairing our LAC, attending events on Capitol Hill, and referring new members. What is your favorite part of being involved in the WIPP network? Have you engaged with other WIPP members to form partnerships or subcontracting arrangements? Have you engaged with WIPP members in mentorship arrangements that resulted in business development? 

My favorite part of being involved with WIPP is when we meet with staff on the Hill. They seem genuinely interested in our input and I feel we really are using our voices as women-owned businesses to affect change.I have engaged with other WIPP members as partners/team members to pursue opportunities and I have hired other service companies for their support (e.g., advisory services). I also have passed on tips when I find opportunities that are not suited for me but I know another WIPP company member might be interested.

How has WIPP's advocacy and updates assisted you in developing your business or becoming more profitable?

WIPP’s advocacy to get the WOSB program up and running and their continued support to educate agencies on its use has been a tremendous benefit. Our collective voices are more powerful than any of us taking this on alone.

An added benefit is the time that I save by not having to track and digest what is happening on the Hill on my own. Getting the updates allows me to focus on my business while relying on the advocacy experts to keep me informed and to tell me about opportunities to effectively assist in the advocacy.

What are some common hurdles you see for women business owners? How has being a member of WIPP helped you in the development of your business?

One hurdle I have experienced is in the science and engineering field there are not as many women business owners or other small businesses that want to help. WIPP members have introduced me to numerous business development programs, vendor outreach events, and potential teaming partners. I find everyone in the WIPP community and at WIPP events to be encouraging, supportive, and willing to share in an effort to lift each other up. Very few other professional organizations have given me that support.

What are some of the challenges you have faced that you think fellow business owners could learn from?

One challenge I faced was self confidence. It took me a long time to feel like I belonged at the “head of the table” and when I was discussing selling the company to have someone else run it, I realized I knew more about the business than they did. Whatever is the catalyst for you, find out how to overcome any self doubt (books, courses, therapy….) so that you can be the strong leader your business needs.

I also overcame bullying by large companies. This probably flows from overcoming the self doubt. I stood up to the big companies that were undermining our credibility and called their bluff. I now have those large companies come to Avanti as their first choice as a teaming partner. I always compete with integrity and that has allowed us to maintain strong relationships for 30 years.

Would you share your proudest moment as a business owner?

My proudest moment occurred recently. This past week employees were able to report to our new office space. For so long, we “made do” with second-hand furniture in less than ideal space and I thought that if I had the same as everyone, that made it OK. But, just before Covid I signed a new lease for space and hired a designer to make it beautiful, professional, and a place that employees are proud to work in. The final touches are not even completed but employees are marveling at how nice the space is. I am proud to have created this environment and to show Avanti employees how much I value them.

What advice would you give to a new member looking to be engaged in the WIPP network?

Find your cause. If you need support with any issue you face as a small or woman-owned small business, there are probably others with the same issue. Let WIPP help you figure out the best course of action and get others involved.

If you don’t have a specific need, stay informed. Read the emails, attend the webinars, and find your fit. There are so many great WIPP businesses in so many different fields, there are surely contacts to be made. Also, you can be a resource to other WIPP members if you have expertise to share.

Learn more about Lynn and her team at Avanti Corporation at http://www.avanticorporation.com.

 
Each month, WIPP highlights a member who has leveraged WIPP membership to grow their business, engage with elected officials, and/or elevate the mission of WIPP and the visibility of women-owned businesses.

2020 was a year like none other. Everyday brought about new challenges, as such, I hope you were able to get some restorative time off during the holiday season.

We know many have been affected by COVID-19 and our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone as we navigate our new paths.

Now, at the top of a new year, I want to assure you that myself and my team will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf through our business ecosystem (which encompasses our ACE principals: Advocacy, Community, and Education) is valuable to you as you grow and sustain your business.

As we prepare to celebrate our 20th Anniversary this year, we are excited about all that is going on right here at WIPP. We have a plethora of educational training, matchmaking opportunities, and new programming being offered this year. These include our monthly Policy Update, Intersectionality Series, Community Connections, ChallengeHER, RaiseUP and NEXTUp! We invite you to engage with us and leverage these educational opportunities.

In our 20th year, we look forward to launching our new Engagement Groups regionally, so that you connect with us and each other!

I also want to congratulate the 117th Congress and the new Administration as we look forward to working with you to continue our great work of leveling the playing field and expanding procurement opportunities for women in business.

Lastly, as I always do, I want to remind all of us that in these times, we also need to support our local businesses. Order carry-out, buy gift cards, or take an online fitness class! This is a time for us to unite as a community and support each other.

We look forward to celebrating our 20th Anniversary with you!

I know it feels like a decade ago.

As we shift from short-term virtual work environments to long-term plans, and even closing physical offices, I’m reminded of the energy our team had in March at

ImprovEdge. 

As we draw this year to a close, our thoughts remain with our frontline workers and those individuals and families grappling with the grim realities of COVID-19. Our recovery is on the horizon, and we must find the way forward together.

WIPP will celebrate our 20th Anniversary in 2021, and we are excited to kick off next year with the new 117th Congress on January 4. Women leaders will claim more seats in our upcoming Congress than ever before, including an encouraging tide of women executives and legislators at the state levels.

Our mission remains the same: work directly with Congress on legislation and regulations that increase economic opportunities for women business owners across the United States. We also intend on expanding to state advocacy, where our economic recovery will matter most to many in the business community.

Women still open businesses at twice the rate of our male counterparts; yet as studies continue to reveal how many women have left the workplace in 2020, WIPP will continue working with the White House on gender parity. We are buoyed by the diversity and depth of women leaders already included in President-elect Joe Biden's administration, including the first woman Vice President-elect Senator Kamala Harris. Ensuring gender parity from Main Street to the C-suite must remain a priority.

It’s important to pause and contemplate the number of citizen voices heard through ballots cast in this year’s general election. Our members are nationwide and our corporate and strategic partners span the globe. Our community is vast, and we are always here to hear from you.

Watch the video of our WIPP Community Celebration on Facebook Live for an informal conversation with myself and Angela Dingle, WIPP Board Chair, on what to expect in the near future and throughout our anniversary year.

Your voice matters. Our voices together will lead the way in the new year.

No matter the outcome of the national election, our work remains the same: advancing women-owned businesses and strengthening their economic impact on the nation's public policy.

• As companies try to prepare for this assessment, who is credible to help them identify gaps to reach a readiness level? There has been a myriad of bad actors popping up, claiming they can guarantee a certain CMMC level with their analysis (which they can’t). 
• Once the CMMC-AB accredits assessors and their certified third-party assessment organizations (C3PAOs), companies can start to get assessed. What is the actual cost for companies get this assessment? Will all of the accreditors charge the same amount?
• Once assessors are ready, what is the order in which the 300,000+ businesses will be assessed? Is there a cue? Will it be based on existing contracts? Are small businesses going to pushed to the bottom of the list?  

According to DoD, all contractors will have to be certified by 2025. Advocacy remains crucial on this issue, and WIPP’s Virtual Symposium on Cyber Resiliency from September 31 to October 1 is focusing on these important policy changes for WOSB contractors. Register by September 17 to take advantage of Early Bird pricing and to be eligible for MatchMaker Meetings with almost 20 government agency partners. 

Join us for the October Community Connection webinar on October 21 at 2 PM ET to hear Jeanette’s discussion with WIPP leadership.

This is an unprecedented time. How has the global COVID-19 pandemic affected your business?

How has WIPP helped during this time? 

Thank you for being a leader in our community, including sitting on the Board and LAC, testifying before Congress, and referring new members. How has WIPP’s advocacy and updates assisted you in developing your business or becoming more profitable?

What are some common hurdles you see for women business owners? 

Would you share your proudest moment as a business owner?

What advice would you give to a new member looking to be engaged in the WIPP network?

Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to new people. Find others in your industry and view them as potential partners, not competitors. 

This organization is an asset for women business owners and should be part of your portfolio of membership organizations. The information, data, and educational webinars support our businesses in understanding the political environment, policies, and decisions that affect us. It is also a great networking organization that encourages professional and business development opportunities.

Learn more about Jeanette and her team at ECCO Select at https://www.eccoselect.com.

 
Each month, WIPP highlights a member who has leveraged WIPP membership to grow their business, engage with elected officials, and/or elevate the mission of WIPP and the visibility of women-owned businesses.

Today our nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment. In celebrating this anniversary, WIPP looks back to the advocacy that was instrumental to women’s suffrage. The 19th amendment was preceded by not by years, but by decades of advocacy efforts. 

In the 1870s, suffragists began showing up to polls only to file lawsuits when they were turned away. One now famous suffragist, Susan B. Anthony, was arrested and convicted in 1873 for attempting to vote in the 1872 election.Though these instances brought attention to the cause, the United States Supreme Court still ruled that suffrage was not a universal right amongst citizens in 1875. Congress also didn’t pass the bill for women’s suffrage. 

In total, the bill was proposed and rejected every year in Congress for 41 years from 1878 to 1920.

Adopting a different strategy, the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) targeted suffrage from a state level. This strategy proved to be efficacious. By the time the 19th Amendment was federally recognized, over half of the United States already had granted some form of women’s voting rights. 

In 1913, suffragists organized one of the first major demonstrations and protest parades down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. This was the first public women’s suffrage demonstration to happen in the Nation’s Capitol. It was also a visible moment when women suffragists adopted and allowed segregation to subvert the achievements of women of color, including activist Ida B. Wells-Barnett. 

But the movement continued. In 1915, Mabel Vernon and Sara Bard Field gathered 500,000 signatures on their petition to Congress for women’s suffrage.

Finally, in 1920, the 19th amendment was ratified and officially certified that American women have the national right to vote. Only eight days after the 19th amendment was ratified, 10 million women joined the electorate. 

The lesson learned from the 150-year struggle for women’s suffrage is the absolute necessity for advocacy in creating social and political change. No one suffragist, organization, bill, or demonstration caused the 19th amendment to be ratified. It was the persistent dedication and continued advocacy that slowly but surely granted women this constitutional right.    

In commemorating this anniversary, WIPP is reminded of our almost 20 years of advocacy for women business owners. We have seen change, but we are far from parity. With sustained advocacy, one can only wonder where we might be in 2120.

Amidst the continuing pandemic and negotiations on another round of COVID-19 relief in Congress, one thing remains the same for all federal contractors: Section 889 implementation.

Section 889 is a name that does not mean much to the average person, but carries a lot of weight for federal contractors. This is a section in the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that seeks to eradicate Chinese telecom from the entire U.S. government supply chain. Why write about it now? The part that impacts federal contractors of all sizes (Part B) goes into effect this month. 
 
Earlier this year, the Department of Defense (DoD) held a public meeting to hear from industry. Of the salient points made, one resounding theme was that definitions will mean everything for implementation. However, industry hasn’t been able to share any definitional clarity because of the rule release delay. The FAR Council published their interim rule in July – Part B goes into effect before the comment period is over, which means contractors will have to comply with the rule starting on August 13, 2020. Public comments can be submitted until September 14. 
 
Here are the five key components for small/midsize contractors to pay attention to.
 
You’ll have a new box to check in SAM.

Contractors will need to annually check a box in SAM verifying that they do not use any covered telecommunications equipment or services. A contractor can choose to say yes, they do use some of these banned equipment/services, which would require an offer-by-offer representation for contracts and task/delivery orders under IDIQs. It is important to know this ban applies to any equipment, system, or service that uses the covered equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any of a contractor’s systems. Think this rule does not apply to you? Think again – acquisitions of commercial items (including COTS) and contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) must also adhere to this prohibition. 

 
Definitions are key.

Definitions are critical to the implementation of this rule, which defines words such as “backhaul” and “roaming,” but leaves contractors with uncertainty over what constitutes a covered technology. FAR 4.2101 covers some of these definitions, however there was no further clarity in the rule regarding who is considered “any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities” of the five listed companies (Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua). It seems problematic that a small business contractor is expected to research all of the subsidiaries and affiliates of these companies to make sure they are not utilizing any prohibited components. Note to government: why not just provide a list? 

 

Another definitional bone I have to pick is the meaning of “reasonable inquiry.” The rule says that a company is compliant if a “reasonable inquiry” by the company does not show any use of the prohibited equipment or services. So, what exactly does that mean? According to the rule, a reasonable inquiry is something that is designed to uncover any use of these covered telecommunications equipment or services and does not need to be an internal or third-party audit. While I am not a lawyer, I can imagine that every procurement attorney would advise contractors to have some type of legitimate audit of systems in case compliance risks arise.

 
The waiver process is laborious.

Although a waiver sounds reasonable and gives contractors added time to comply (until August 13, 2022), it doesn’t seem designed for small or midsize contractors. In order to get a one-time waiver, the head of an agency has to grant it. Before this happens, a senior agency official for supply chain risk management has to discuss the waiver with the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC). And consult with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to make sure conditions are met. And provide notice to the ODNI and FASC 15 days before granting the waiver. And notify appropriate Congressional committees within 30 days. The FAR Council does acknowledge that this process could take a few weeks and advises to enter at your own risk because “agencies may reasonably choose not to initiate one and to move forward and make award to an offeror that does not require a waiver.” A quick data point: there are 387,967 companies registered in SAM, 74% of which are small. That would mean if every small company decided to submit an offer for a federal award and sought a waiver, that would be 287,096 waivers. 

 
Six contractor actions are necessary for compliance.

A chunk of the rule outlines contractor compliance recommendations. After reading and re-reading these six actions in the rule, I’m left with the same feeling: small contractors need something more detailed than just general guidelines. Generalities like “read and understand the rule and necessary actions for compliance” and “corporate enterprise tracking” sound great, but what exactly does that entail? During more normal times – let alone a pandemic – building out a compliance program can be complicated, not to mention costly. It is important contractors have the detailed information to get it right.

 
Finally, I see dollar signs.

The rule completely underestimates the time it will take contractors to implement and remain compliant with this rule. A whole section is dedicated to this analysis – and quite a few estimates left me scratching my head (you can find these in Section III, Part D). Companies aware of the rule have been spending months trying to prepare and continue to evaluate the components in their government offerings. An important part of complying with the rule to highlight is that a company cannot use any of these prohibited systems/equipment, even if they are not used in its federal contracts. That means no split networks or having one system for U.S. federal business and a difference one for commercial or contracts with other countries. I see more dollar signs.

 
The FAR Council is seeking public comment on the rule – and federal contractors should respond. In Section IV of the rule you can find a list of questions the Council wants industry to answer, and it is worth taking a look at them. One that is also found in the beginning of the rule is whether an expansion of the prohibition should be made to include all company subsidiaries and affiliates. Feedback is also requested on subjects like challenges, costs, and insight into existing systems.
 
One thing all contractors, regardless of size, have in common: they want to be compliant so they can compete. Given the uphill battle small and midsize contractors face when it comes to compliance with Section 889 and many other contracting requirements, advocacy on this issue is critical. WIPP continues to elevate this critical information to policymakers, asking them to consider the needs of women-owned businesses to comply with this new requirement. 

Tina Patterson

Principal

Jade Solutions, LLC 

https://www.jadeitesolutions.com

Member Since 2015

 

Join us for the August Community Connection webinar on August 19 at 2 PM ET to hear Tina’s discussion with WIPP leadership.

 

This is an unprecedented time. How has the global COVID-19 pandemic affected your business? How has WIPP helped during this time?

 

WIPP has been a reliable source to help me identify information and resources to maintain my company’s viability and make sure my company is compliant and current with changing regulations and requirements. 

The proposal and grants management support line of business as well as project management line of business pivoted quickly to an online format. While much of our proposal management work was previously virtual, now the number of stakeholders participating has increased.

My company’s Alternative Dispute Resolution line of business has been impacted by COVID-19: previously scheduled arbitration cases have been postponed to a future date, parties in cases assigned to our docket after March 2020 are asked to present first-choice dates and second -choice dates. The second-choice dates are requested in the event laws prevent the parties from convening in person and the hearing needs to be rescheduled. 

 

What is your biggest takeaway from WIPP advocacy actions?

 

The biggest takeaway for me from WIPP advocacy actions is to respond when organizations such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) requests input from the public. The more input received the more likely the issue is to get attention and be revised or reconsidered. 

 

I take the same approach when I receive requests from my Senators or Representative. Since I became involved in WIPP and have attended WIPP hosted webinars, advocacy updates, and conferences I have better insight into how proposed legislative changes impact my business, including how to identify federal agency priorities, along with the people, processes, and organizations to answer my questions and provide accurate information. 

 

What are some common hurdles you see for women business owners? What has changed since you became involved in WIPP?

 

What has changed since I became involved in WIPP is my mindset about my business, how I spend my time and those who I surround myself with. I’ve always had mentors and to some extent sponsors. I pay close attention to the health of these relationships and as a result realized that a few relationships had run their course. I have also found colleagues who could loosely be described as a “mastermind group” or “accountability group” as an antidote for founder’s fatigue.

 

Some common hurdles I see for women business owners are 

• establishing market competitive rates or fees;
• being ambivalent about requesting what is needed or desired;
• being reticent about seeking a mentor or sponsor because they believe they aren’t ready or fear that the request will be denied; and
• learning to say “no.” 

I can speak to these challenges and hurdles, because I have faced them all. I have a desire to help other businesses succeed, yet I found myself being too flexible with clients whose actions or behaviors were warnings I ignored or gave the organization a second chance when the engagement should have ended. I’ve learned that by releasing a client that is not a fit, space is created for a client that is a fit. 

 

Another challenge was clearly articulating payment terms and expectations. One of the company’s first clients didn’t pay for services for 90 days – the delay negatively impacted my company for months. We are now clear about payment expectations and the consequences of nonpayment.

 

Would you share your proudest moment as a business owner? 

One of my proudest moments as a business owner was just last year when I found out Jimmy Rhee, Maryland Special Secretary of Small, Minority, & Women Business Affairs wrote a letter in support of my application to receive the Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) award from the Capital Region Minority Supplier Diversity Council (CRMSDC). 

 

The day I received notification that my company was an award recipient I was attending a conference where Secretary Rhee was speaking to the conference attendees. I later approached the Secretary to thank him and share the outcome with him. He not only remembered my company, he also took the time to discuss with me his ideas to increase opportunities to engage small, minority- and women-owned businesses. 

 

What is your favorite part of being involved in the WIPP network? 

My favorite part of being involved in the WIPP network is that the network has many accomplished, intelligent women business owners who are knowledgeable, approachable, and ready to assist. Many will take time from the busy schedules to answer a question, provide advice, or offer a word of encouragement.

 

Connect with other members who you meet – find out what they do and let them know what you do. The connection may result in an opportunity to collaborate to respond to a solicitation, a referral source, or resource to help your organization be more effective or efficient. 

 

 

Is there anything else you wish readers would know about WIPP?

WIPP is focused on keeping its members informed about policies and legislation that may impact women-owned businesses in all sectors regardless of size. This is not a “ladies who lunch” organization. The staff is approachable, resourceful, and responsive.

 

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Learn more about Tina and her team at Jade Solutions, LLC at https://www.jadeitesolutions.com.

 

 

 

Each month, WIPP highlights a member who has leveraged WIPP membership to grow their business, engage with elected officials, and/or elevate the mission of WIPP and the visibility of women-owned businesses.

Advocacy

With more than a dozen different advocacy efforts over the first part of the year, we are still working toward ensuring women and minority business owners are heard in recovery efforts.

• Up Next: Congress is in recess this week, but expect more information on another stimulus package and pushing for blanketed PPP forgiveness. Read Ann Sullivan's blog post for more.

Community

Our membership has never been stronger! Thank you to our Board, our Leadership Advisory Council, and our returning members. Thank you to a host of new members who are joining our their voices with ours to drive sustainable change.

• Up Next: Our Intersectionality Series webinars this month tackle our community conversations from the lens of regional opportunities and national partnerships.

Education

With more than a dozen free webinars available to the public, we are also offering exclusive member education this summer. We welcome our members and the larger community to access our online catalogs.

• Up Next: Join us on Wednesday, July 22 to learn more about the exciting upcoming changes to the WIPP Education Foundation.

If you have been attending WIPP’s Intersectionality Series webinars on COVID-19, it should be pretty obvious that WIPP is on top of Congressional and federal agency actions related to the pandemic that continues to plague us personally and professionally. Not as evident, perhaps, is the role of advocacy beyond reporting the latest news. We give you five reasons why your support for WIPP is important.

1. There’s More to Come. The government isn’t finished providing assistance to businesses.  The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) remain key to retaining employees and providing capital but expect another stimulus bill later this summer.
2. If You’re Not at The Table, You’re on the Menu. In other words, there are consequences to sitting on the sidelines. If you aren’t represented in decision-making, you are vulnerable to adverse consequences—you are at risk. WIPP is at the table.
3. Interpreting Federal Actions Requires Context. A perfect example of this are the actions the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Treasury issued on PPP. Much was made of an audit of loans over $2 million — Treasury guidance (see question #31) issued in response to high-profile public companies who got the PPP loans. Unfortunately, small companies got scared of a government audit and returned money they needed and should have kept. This could have been avoided, had they understood the intent of the rule/Congress.
4. Access to Decision-Makers Requires Consistent Attention. Advocacy requires constant communication with a consistent message. It is not all that different than a business relationship—you need to remind people who you are and what you offer. Cold calling during a crisis is unlikely to be effective. WIPP’s Advocacy Team keeps women business owners front and center so Congress turns to WIPP for its point of view during a crisis. Big difference.
5. A Combined Voice is Far More Effective Than One Voice. The mission of WIPP is to provide a voice for women business owners. Its message resonates with policymakers because we represent women from all over the country, from different political views and every size of business. Your individual message to Congress is important. But as Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.”

Although it happened at warp speed, there was a process we followed to launch SynaVoice SOL. SynaVoice SOL (Summer OnLine) is a pop-up camp developed to provide high school students with a stimulating summer experience they can enjoy from their own homes, because quarantine. Each one-week session focuses on a specific area of interest or topic that will engage high school students and expand their horizons. The daily sessions end at noon each day, because summer!

Step 1: Narrow the Funnel

In order to add the most value, we first had to identify an industry and audience to target. We identified three broad areas where we thought we could make a difference: housing, healthcare, and education. We held a series of networking conversations with business owners and subject matter experts to brainstorm ideas where we could leverage our expertise in communications and training to provide solutions. After the conversations we used a process of elimination to narrow our focus to education and specifically, creating imaginative online educational content.

In the broad category of education, we focused on 8th-11th graders. Teenagers in these grades are tech savvy, spend a lot of time online, need engaging activities, and were not getting the attention that the graduating seniors understandably received. Importantly, we felt we understood this cohort as several team members have teenage children.

Step 2: Fill the Gap

Once we had the industry and target defined, we again held brainstorming sessions with a broad group of business leaders and experts in online content, remote teaching, and high school curriculum development. Through our discussions we identified an emerging gap. Traditionally, kids in this age group went to camp, got a job, traveled with family, or hung out at home during the summer. In an attempt to control the rapidly spreading virus many programs and plans were cancelled - with the exception of hanging out at home. SynaVoice SOL, a virtual summer camp, was created to fill the gap caused by the COVID-related cancellations. 

Each one-week camp session features a unique topic presented by a nationally-known expert. Our goal is to provide exposure to new ideas, concepts, and skills for high school students to inform their eventual college, career, and life choices. Without time to do formal research, we informally tested the idea with parents, educators, and students and honed the concept based on their feedback. 

Watch a preview of SynaVoice SOL Graphic Narratives Camp

After the initial cancellations of the summer programs, many camps and programs retooled and provided online options. We were keen to differentiate ourselves from the rapidly expanding online offerings which, for the most part, were translating in-person content to online delivery. We knew we needed to provide topics and presenters that would engage the campers and capture their imagination, staying true to our mission to create innovative, educational content. All of our sessions provide a unique take on a fun and interesting topic, like our True Crime session which keys off the passion that some kids have for true crime stories and tv shows. We engaged Dr. James Diamond, a professor and criminal lawyer, to provide a taste of criminal law and highlight some of the cases he worked on. 

Step 3: Launch the Program

In rapid succession we developed a logo, began recruiting counselors, finalized the session offerings, built a commercial website, announced the launch, and purchased social media advertising. SynaVoice SOL was lucky in that many friends and partners embraced the vision and supported us by bartering in-kind services for sponsorships and the opportunity to participate. This was extremely helpful in keeping start-up costs down.

Step 4: Continue the Pivot

We are passionate about our mission to provide innovative content for 8th-11th graders. Our journey is not complete as we still need to sign up campers and provide flawless execution of the camp sessions on the Zoom platform. I am confident that with the help of our partners and presenters we will deliver an extraordinary experience to the campers who enroll in SynaVoice SOL this summer. But, the pivot is not complete, because we will need to shift again for the school year in September.

Learn more about Julie's pivot during our

Monday, June 29

Position, Pivot, Profit webinar.

Register online today! 

Julie Rothhouse is CEO of SynaVoice LLC and Founder of SynaVoice SOL. She has been a WIPP member since 2015 and sits on the WIPP Board of Directors. Read more about Julie’s business at www.synavoicesol.com.

Each Monday, WIPP aims to feature a guest blog post from a member on tips and tools for business success. To submit a blog post, please email membership@wipp.org.

In the eyes of some, it may not be prudent for a national business organization to speak out on social issues.  

Candace Waterman WIPP President & CEO

To those I say: to be silent is to be complicit. We know that social issues left unaddressed turn into civil issues and into business issues. Over the last three months, we have witnessed a global pandemic disproportionately affect minority communities. At the same time, our country is finally grappling with the reality of the Black experience and systemic racism. Now is the time for honest conversations and collaborative plans as we work towards addressing these issues, then healing as a community and as a country.

This Monday, WIPP welcomes our entire community to join in a conversation on how business owners and employers can best support and elevate the voices of Black and brown people in business.

Register for

Developing an Inclusion Action Plan for Your Business

Monday, June 8

2 PM ET / 1 PM CT / 11 AM PT

At WIPP, our legacy is steeped in leveling the playing field. Every day, my team and I work to provide valuable advocacy actions, community resources, and accessible education to the women’s business community to ensure their sustainable success. With the current state of the country, it is more than apparent that we need to engage in a larger conversation—what WIPP is doing to be part of the solution and not part of the perpetual problem of systemic injustice.

Today and moving forward, WIPP will continue to listen to our members, corporate and agency partners, as well as our strategic partner organizations, to acknowledge and take action when injustice demands it.

Our lives literally depend on it.

Ann Sullivan WIPP Chief Advocate

The newness of COVID-19 has worn off and, though little attention has been paid to other issues Congress must address, those issues haven’t gone away. Although congressional staff and Members are working remotely, business is still being conducted.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the potential for social justice reform, due to protests we have seen over the last week. However, there has been no federal action as of this writing.

Here’s what to expect:

Funding the Government for FY21

The government calendar for funding has not changed. The fiscal year still ends on September 30 and Congress must pass appropriations legislation to continue to fund the government. Although the schedule has been pushed back due to the pandemic, House leadership says it plans to pass all of its appropriations bills by August. As usual, the Senate schedule is less ambitious, but the Senate Appropriations Committee plans to start deliberations in late June.

Authorizing Defense Department Programs

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) guides every defense program and sets priorities for the following fiscal year. It doesn’t fund the programs—it leaves that to the appropriators but authorizes and recommends the funding levels. Often included in this bill are changes to small business contracting programs that are deemed important to the defense supplier base. The Senate Armed Services Committee expects to have completed its bill by the end of June/early July. The House Armed Services Committee schedule follows roughly the same timeline.

Tackling Infrastructure Funding

In addition to roads, trains and ships, water infrastructure is also on the list to fund and authorize. Although it was initially thought to be a massive recovery initiative, it now appears the Congress may tackle this piece by piece. Either way, a number of the programs expire unless Congress takes action by September 30.

Extending Tax Cuts

Tax deductions and credits have expiration dates. Unless Congress extends them, they expire. Action is necessary to keep them intact and the list of expiring tax cuts since 2018 is pretty long. Access the Joint Tax Committee list.

Although COVID-19 related actions will continue to be front and center for the Congress, it cannot neglect its other duties. Let’s not forget that there is an election coming in November, which includes the entire House of Representatives, one third of the Senate, and the Presidency.

The Congress, adapting to the ban of large group gatherings, will spend a significant amount of time campaigning for the November elections. In the end, the government still needs to be funded, and the need for a strong defense and services taxpayers expect from their government do not go away in a pandemic.

Despite the public dishearteningly partisan rhetoric, the Congress will quietly work together to get things done.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has published its final rule for the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) certification. 

The impetus for this rule is the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which directed the SBA to create its own WOSB/EDWOSB certification. At the same time, the Congress authorized the sole source authority for the WOSB/EDWOSB program. WIPP has worked with SBA throughout this process, submitting comments with input from our members. We are thrilled to see that issues we raised were included in the final rule, such as

•  excluding retirement accounts from net worth;
•  harmonizing the economic disadvantage qualification across socio-economic contracting programs; and
• continuing to allow third-party certifiers. 

The benefits of this implementation include simplifying the process for contracting officers to use the program and can rely on SBA certification with confidence. This update will require no additional document review, will replace the WOSB Repository, and will reduce amount of time to complete a certification. 

Definition of WOSB: At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are United States citizens. 

Website: certify.SBA.gov 

Effective dates: Rule goes into effect on July 15, 2020. SBA will begin processing certifications on October 15, 2020. 

Highlights:

1. Retirement accounts will now be excluded from calculations of an economically disadvantaged individual's net worth, irrespective of the individual's age.
2. Makes 8(a) qualifications for economic disadvantage the same as EDWOSB program. Qualifications include: (a) net worth cannot exceed $750,000; (b) adjusted gross income averaged over the three preceding years cannot exceed $350,000; (c) An individual will generally not be considered economically disadvantaged if the fair market value of all her assets (including her primary residence and the value of the applicant/participant firm) exceeds $6 million and (d) retirement funds are now excluded from net worth calculation.
3. Only SBA certified WOSBs can use the WOSB set-aside/sole program, but agencies can count  contracts to women outside the program that are only self-certified toward their WOSB goal.
4. Third-party certifications are accepted as are those certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CVE, and 8(a) certifications. 8(a) certified are automatically considered to qualify as EDWOSBs. DBE certifications are not accepted.
5. A business performing on a long-term WOSB or EDWOSB contract (i.e., one in excess of five years) must represent that it is a certified WOSB or EDWOSB in order for the award to continue to count towards an agency's WOSB goal. For new WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside contracts, a business must be able to demonstrate that it has applied for certification before the date it submitted a bid, and that it has not previously sought and been denied certification. For new WOSB or EDWOSB sole-source contracts, a business must already be certified at the time it seeks to obtain the sole-source contract.
6. Applications will be processed within 90 days. If denied, an applicant can reapply for certification after 90 days.
7. Requires annual certification affidavit and recertification every three years.
8. SBA will give priority to a firm who has been awarded a contract under the program but the application is still pending before the SBA. Determination will be within 15 days.
   
   

One of the best strategies is summarized with a five-letter acronym: DFRPC

• D - Differentiate: Identify strengths that differentiate your firm from all other women-owned businesses;
• F - Focus your efforts on promoting those strengths;
• R - Relationships: Build relationships with your target agencies that seek your strengths;
• P - Past Performance: Build a robust portfolio of exceptional past performance and references; and 
• C - Know your Customer: Research each target agency.

• Research each target agency by answering these questions: Who, What, How, When, Where, and Why?
  • Who buys the services you perform?
  • How do they procure those services?
  • When do they procure those services?
  • Where are those services delivered?
  • How are you prepared to deliver those services?
  • Why would they buy those services from you?

Finally, adhere to the “Rule of Three” to build relationships with your target agencies:

• Develop a three-year hunting marketing strategy;
• Select three federal agencies to target;
• Go to each target agency’s industry day and events where those three agencies present their opportunities;
• Get their cards, don’t push your cards;
• Find out the best way to follow-up with each contact;
• Follow up every three weeks for three years as long as it takes to be known by those agencies; and
• Show up, show up, show up over three years and on into the future.