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About Us

Mission Statement

The mission of the WBCNA is to help women and men start and grow a business and generate economic growth for the region. This is accomplished by serving as the premier source for information and access to resources; facilitating their self-¬discovery and personal development; and providing a mentoring process to support, nurture and advocate the development of their business.

Our services are available to anyone who needs them.  We are ready to help you fulfill your dreams and create success.

Chronology

2000
  • First organizational meeting in June at Mullins Restaurant organized by our visionary, Diane Weston.  In attendance were Barbara Jones, PhD; Carolyn McMillan; Cindy Norton; Elizabeth "Liz" Hall, PhD; Elizabeth Morard; Jenny Clark; Kate Markland; Kathryn Cataldo; Lynn Garrison; Sally Ann Little; and Susan Glover. 
2001
  • The Chamber's Women's Business Council established a Steering Committee with Elaine Plank serving as Chair in November
2002
  • Determined Vision and Mission Statement.  Name chosen: Women's Business Center of North Alabama, Inc.
2003
  • Incorporated in the State of Alabama as a non-profit organization on January 22. The original board members were Elaine Plank, Elizabeth Hall, Nancy Gill, Beth Townsend, Jennifer Dooling, Barbara Buice-Watson, and Elizabeth Garcia.
  • Seed monies received from local individuals and businesses: Remigius Shatas, Bobby Bradley, Donna Lamb, Arlene Stackhouse, Sharon Morgan, FLS, Sheila Brown, Nancy Gill, and Karen Stanley.
  • Began serving clients with an all volunteer board.
2004
  • WBCNA obtained 501(c)(3) status from the IRS in February.
  • Office, meeting, and training space generously donated by Crestwood Medical Center
  • The Board of Directors was increased to 15 directors and Joanne Randolph was elected as board President.
2005
  • Became a Technical Assistance Provider for the SBA Community Express Loan.
  • Elaine Plank was selected as the "Women in Business Champion" for the State of Alabama by the Small Business Administration.
  • Selected Joanne Randolph as the first Executive Director on a part- time, contractual basis.
  • 2005 Annual Report (PowerPoint)
2006
  • Received 5-year SBA Grant and hired two full-time employees--- Executive Director and Administrative Assistant.
  • Developed the "Society of 75" fundraiser as a means of community support to match Federal dollars.
  • Established and selected the first "Small Business Start-Up of the Year" Bobbie Bright, Living Art Water Gardens.
  • Joanne Randolph was selected as the 2006 Small Business Advocate of the Year by the National Small Business Association (NSBA) for the Lower South Region comprised of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and Texas..
  • 2006 Annual Report (PowerPoint)
  • 2006 990 Income Tax Return (PDF)
  • 2006 Audited Financial Statements (PDF)
2007
  • Recipient of Microcatalyst Grant from Women Entrepreneurs in Baltimore (WEB) for strategic planning consulting; board retreat held in July.
  • Selected as the "2007 Non-Profit of the Year" by the Huntsville- Madison County Chamber of Commerce (from a field of 19 local non- profit organizations).
  • Joanne Randolph was selected as the "2007 Women in Business Champion of the Year" for the State of Alabama and our 5-state region by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
  • Completed our first SBA Grant year within budget and exceeding goals.
  • Provided counseling to 268 new clients; provided 458 total hours of client counseling; provided training to 788 attendees in 65 training sessions for a total of 2600 training hours.
  • By the end of the year, 74 "Society of 75" members had been recruited.
  • Launched a new website with average of 20,000 hits per month.
  • Selected Myers Technical Services as the "2007 Small Business Startup of the Year."
  • 2007 Annual Report (PowerPoint)
  • 2007 990 Income Tax Return
  • 2007 Audited Financial Statements (PDF)
2008
  • Recipient of a USDA grant to provide entrepreneurial counseling and training to entrepreneurs in Jackson County.
  • Recipient of a VIA/WIRED grant to provide entrepreneurial counseling and training to entrepreneurs in Dekalb, Cullman, and Marshall Counties.
  • Red Sage Communications, Inc., selected as the 2008 Start-up of the Year
  • Relocated to the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville-Madison County
  • Expanded operations into Jackson, Morgan,Dekalb, Marshall, and Cullman Counties
  • Provided counseling to  over 1,400 clients;  provided training in 70 training sessions for a total of 2,807 training hours.
  • 2008 Annual Report (PDF)
  • 2008 990 Income Tax Return (PDF)
  • 2008 Audited Financial Statements (PDF)
2009
  • Held the first ever Direct Selling Expo in North Alabama
  • Aetos Systems, Inc., selected as the 2009 Start-up of the Year.
  • Expanded Staff to three full-time employees - Joanne Randolph, President & CEO; Stephanie Sellers, Program Director; and, Jennifer Schade, Administrative Assistant
  • Provided counseling and training to over 2,700 clients;  provided training in 125 training sessions for a total of 4,625 training hours.
  • 2009 Annual Report (PowerPoint)
2010
  • Launched the Government Procurement Assistance Center