Summer 2010 Newsletter: Inspiration in Business
In the midst of pulling out of a national recession, I was recently inspired at the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council’s (WBENC) 11th annual National Conference and Business Fair for certified women’s business enterprises (WBEs), and women-owned businesses from across the country. The national conference hosted by WBENC included numerous industry leaders like Sheila Johnson, America’s first black female billionaire, entrepreneur and renowned philanthropist, and Gloria Bohan, CEO of Omega World Travel, who has evolved her business to capture internet travel shoppers with the simple URL, http://www.cruise.com/.
Each large and small business owner shared her compelling professional story of victories and the inevitable defeats. However, the common thread was our gender and the ability to overcome those obstacles with perseverance and words of encouragement from mentors and colleagues, as well as commitments from organizations with supplier diversity initiatives.
The conference reminded me that none of us stand alone in this tumultuous business environment. We all have old and new friends - clients and colleagues - who are facing similar challenges, and are willing to help by lending an ear, offering wise words, and perhaps, even a hand that will lead to a new or renewed business relationship.
The conference served a tremendous purpose for me in that it reminded me that every business owner or manager should turn to our friends during these tough economic times and know that together we are stronger. This is a basic message I thought important to share with you.
Enjoy VE & Co.’s latest newsletter, which I hope provides you with a bit of inspiration.
- Laura Van Eperen
VE & Co. Earns Recertification as a Women’s Business Enterprise
VE & Co. recently earned its recertification as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The WBE designation is the most widely recognized and respected certification in the United States for women-owned businesses. Accepted by over 700 major corporations, non-profit organizations, as well as many local, state, and Federal government agencies, the certification is often sought by decision makers in supplier diversity and procurement offices.
VE & Co. recently supported WBENC’s regional partner, the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization (WPEO), in promoting the annual Women in Business 2010 Conference and Business Fair. The conference, held June 22-24 in Baltimore, connected women business owners from across the country with Fortune 500 companies and peers to ignite business growth and learn new strategies. VE & Co. created media buzz locally, highlighting the successful women involved in the WPEO Host Committee and the important role of women in today’s changing economy. The traditional and social media outreach helped propel the conference to be the best attended in its 11-year history, exceeding the goal of 2,500 people.
Client Successes: Tweet This, Taste That: Ace of Cakes Joins Team America Rocketry Challenge
VE & Co. Creates ‘Buzz’ Through Social Media Campaign
To encourage our nation’s brightest teens to pursue aerospace careers and continue our country on the path as a space leader, the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry conducted their 8th annual Team America Rocketry Challenge, the world’s largest rocket competition.
For the third consecutive year, VE & Co. supported TARC with a national media outreach campaign. A highlight of the campaign included VE & Co. helping to organize a sweet surprise with Food Network star Duff Goldman also known as “The Ace of Cakes”. Goldman and his team at Charm City Cakes created and launched a special “rocket cake” as part of the contest and discussed with the students how he uses math and science every day at his bakery. In addition, VE & Co. created “buzz” about TARC among middle and high school students, mentors and sponsors across the country through a social media campaign. Throughout the year, as teams were participating in the competition, VE & Co. regularly posted updates, tips and photos on Facebook and Twitter to generate excitement. At the National Finals, VE & Co. encouraged “live tweeting” and released the team standings in real time through social media.
Channel One, a national news network for teens, reported from the National Finals. Check out the video!
Client Successes: BOWA Announces New Identity
With VE & Co.'s support, BOWA recently announced a new identity, stressing the firm’s role as clients’ single point of accountability for the design and construction of large-scale additions and renovations. “The new BOWA name underscores our reputation for making dream homes come to life,” said President and co-founder Joshua Baker.
VE & Co. Vice President Supports Local Students’ Academic Dreams 
VE & Co. Vice President Jennifer Strohm helped award four standout students’ college scholarships in June through her involvement with the Rockville Scholarship Foundation. Strohm has served on the Foundation’s board for 6 years, participating in the judging process and annually leading the announcement of the winners to the Rockville community.
The Foundation, created in 1985, is a partnership of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, the City of Rockville and Montgomery College-Rockville. Since its inception, the foundation has granted more than 150 scholarships worth nearly $200,000 to Rockville students pursuing post-secondary education. For more information, to donate or to get involved, visit the website.
Gebhardt Joins Women in Aerospace Communications Committee
Allie Gebhardt, VE & Co.’s senior account executive, recently joined Women in Aerospace (WIA), as a member of the communications committee. She’ll help plan and coordinate communications and outreach efforts for WIA activities.
WIA is dedicated to expanding women's opportunities for leadership and increasing their visibility in the aerospace community. Their membership — women and men — shares an interest in a broad spectrum of aerospace issues, including human space flight, aviation, remote sensing, satellite communications, robotic space exploration, and the policy issues surrounding these fields.
Another UMD Alumnus Joins the VE & Co. Team
VE & Co. Welcomes Rebecca Noel As Our Newest Account Coordinator 
A recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Noel obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a concentration in public relations. Most recently, Noel interned with VE & Co. from November 2009 through graduation. She also completed several other internships including working for Baltimore magazine and two other public relations firms. Noel’s communications background includes social media, entertainment marketing, media relations and graphic design. Rebecca’s well-rounded experience and understanding of producing high-quality deliverables make her a great asset to our team of highly skilled professionals. Noel joins other VE & Co. UMD Alums, Gebhardt and Strohm.
Marketing Tip: Monitoring Social Media and Blogs
There are a multitude of social media sites including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and the number is growing every day. Blogging sites make anyone a “journalist” in a sense. Even if you’re not a “fan” of “tweeting” or become “linked” or “friends” with the people you know, every organization should be monitoring what is being said about them online. Below are some tools you may consider using. Along with searching for your company name, also remember to regularly search for your leadership’s name(s) and look-up a list of key industry terms to stay abreast of what is going on.
• Google Alerts
• Twitter Search
• Twist
• Monitter
• Hashtags
• Twitseek
Next Up:
Thursday, August 19: August After Hours Networking Event 5:30 – 7 p.m.
STRIKE Bethesda, 5353 Westbard Avenue, Bethesda MD
STRIKE Bethesda will host the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Commerce August After Hours Networking event in Bethesda. Members will enjoy a night of complementary bowling, hors d'oeuvres and specially priced cocktails as you make connections with new business contacts. (Non-members $20)
Wednesday, September 1: The Power Conference: Women Doing Business! 8 am – 4:30 p.m.
Bethesda North Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, MD
This all-women conference will focus on business development, contracting, technology, marketing and personal development for business growth. With over 16 breakout sessions available, a large exposition hall will showcase local businesses designed to create relationships for future partnerships Early Registration $109, Regular Registration $149
The Last Word: "There is more than a verbal tie between the words common, community, and communication.... Try the experiment of communicating, with fullness and accuracy, some experience to another, especially if it be somewhat complicated, and you will find your own attitude toward your experience changing." – John Dewey
