The session will be held on Thursday, November 12th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Central Library Story Room (600 Soledad). Click here to register or call 210.207.0112

About STWBC's Mentoring Roundtable:
The roundtable is designed for entrepreneurs of all stages to visit with each other and connect with experts so they can grow their businesses. Guests are given the opportunity to visit and ask their questions on their business strategies.

We asked, you answered.

Last month we asked you to answer some questions about your challenges as a woman owned business, and you answered.

We found that 63.2% of our respondents would visit with a marketing consultant and 21% with an accountant if they had their chance to visit with an expert.

63% versus 37% felt they understood their financials and 31% of the respondents work full time and own their businesses.

What truly was interesting was reading about the biggest challenges facing women owned businesses. Over 90% of the answers were about receiving financial help and resources. Second was finding to balance family life and market competition. Others stated gender bias remains in women's business efforts to become established, compete, receive fair percentages of contracts, and more.

Some of these issues have always faced both women businesses and small businesses. So what can you do when you are faced with these challenges? Well the follow up question to this were you able to overcome those challenges. The answers: not yet, still trying, sometimes, etc. Well we pose to you to dig a little deeper to those answers. What have you done and what haven't you done to push your business/brand out there? What efforts could you try to increase your visibility and profitability? Have you a business plan in that back pocket of yours?

We leave you with these three tips:
1. Call the Center and set up an appointment to do an assessment of your business. What have you done? Where do you vision yourself? How do you vision yourself getting there (realistically).
2. Organize your finances. Do you know all of your expenses and revenues? Do you know how much it truly costs you to generate a client? Retain a client? How much overhead does a client cost you as well?
3. Believe and know that your business' products and services are the best quality, at the right price, and responsive to the market.

City's Contracting Ordinance:
Its impact on you.

On December 10th City Council is scheduled to hear a presentation on the City's small business ordinance, which has been under revision for the past two years via a disparity study that examined contracting between September 2004 and September 2007.

Before that December meeting, there are multiple meetings and opportunities to ask questions about the City's new ordinance and we encourage you to participate in them. Learn more about their timeline here.

Why should you be concerned or interested in this? When reviewing the City's disparity study, which was commissioned by multiple partners including SAWS and VIA, there is an exhibit that sheds light on the utilization of minority women owned business, and it is clear per their findings that disparity remains in multiple categories See PDF here.

What is before city council? The draft ordinance that is being proposed will guide the City of San Antonio in establishing goals to decrease disparity, create process and procedure for contracting and procurement, and create programs that address existing and continuing disparities.

So how do you get involved? Share your story of your contracting and procurement efforts with city staff, your City councilperson, and the small business advocacy committee. All the information is located on the City's website here. If you belong to a chamber or professional organization ask them what they are doing about the new City small business ordinance. For more information on this issue visit the City's website or drop us a line.

Social Marketing Expert Susan Price hosting STWBC's Social Media Class

Social media expert Susan Price, Founder and CEO of Firecat Studios and Susan Price and Associates will be leading a discussion on the big three: Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter. She'll explain the why of social marketing and move into the how of social marketing. Join us for this interactive session on social media and jump in with good knowledge. Register here.

Articles that get down to business for business.

This past month there were some great articles posted by the New York Times Small Business Section. If you don't receive their emails, you should sign up for them because they are quick, provide good insight, and you can always look back at them later. One article is about government contracts and the other is about things staffers (or employees) should not do whether in the restaurant industry or not.

Getting Government Contracts: Of the more than 20 million small businesses in the United States, only about 500,000 are currently in a position to do business with the federal government. That's not because they are the only ones capable of doing the work; it's because they know how to get the work. Read more here.

100 Things Restaurant Staffers should not do (part 1): Herewith is a modest list of dos and don'ts for servers at the seafood restaurant I am building. Veteran waiters, moonlighting actresses, libertarians and baristas will no doubt protest some or most of what follows. Read more here.

Just For Your Business!

Don't forget to sign up for STWBC's free business directory! We are launching our business directory in November and we need your help. If you receive our emails, you have the opportunity to create a business profile that can lead to more inquiries about your business? Whether you are small, medium, or large, we want you to take advantage of this opportunity to share your information.

It's quite simple. You can register on our home page button Join us! Fill in the information and you will be part of the business directory.

You can also register with us on our homepage at the Login section. When logged in you will see a menu of options. Choose Edit Profile and add all your contact and business information like your full name, your business categories, your phone, fax, email, and website. You will be able to upload your logo and picture as well. At the bottom you are able to include your profile text and can edit and write on your own. You can include your mission statement, business description, target constituent (clients), service area, and any major annual activities that you may host or participate in. After you have added all your information click Save Changes and you are done! It's that simple and it's free!

If you need help, just call us at 210.207.0112 or email us at info@stwbc.com.

City's Solicitation's for Professional Services and Open Bid Link

The City of San Antonio encourages small, minority, women owned business to submit for their solicitations. For more information, click here for the City's request for proposal listings.
As a courtesy from the Small Business Office, the City of San Antonio has an open solicitation for the RFQ for Architectural/Engineering Design Services to Develop Bridging Documents for the City of San Antonio Public Safety Headquarters For more information, please click here for a the full listing. A pre-submission conference will be held November 16, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. (CST) in the Municipal Plaza Building "B" Room (on the 1st floor) of 114 West Commerce, San Antonio, Texas 78205. For more information contact Brenda Navarro at 207.5442.

Congratulations!

Seeking HR received their GSA schedule and their 8a certification. Visit them online for your

Josies Therapy's has a new location at AAA Business Center 114 N. Ellison Dr. Ste. 114. Get 10% off a Swedish relaxation Massage when you mention this e-mail. Visit them online.