Recently in the Women Impacting Public Policy Category

President Barak Obama announced a new plan that would reform the way government agancies work for small businesses and announced a move to elevate the position of SBA Administrator to a cabinet-level position. The plan will consolidate the various departments focused on business, commerce and trade to a single, streamlined department.

WIPP strongly supports this effort and released a statement applauding the President's plan.

This reform should help make the government work better for small businesses by consolidating the efforts fo such agencies as the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Commerce Department, the Office of the US Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corp. and the Trade and Development Agency into a one-stop shop for business needs.

The plan, which will require Congressional approval, also aims to rpovide a more accessable, more efficient resource for small business owners. SBA Administrator Karen Mills pointed out that the small business arm of this consolidated department would provide a greater range of programs and opportunites for small businesses and assured that small business interests would be at the core of this new department. WIPP has strongly advocated on behalf of its members for reduced regualtions and simplified resources for small business owners and fully supports this major step in that direction.

WIPP also applauds the Presidents' related move to elevate the position of SBA Administrator to a cabinet-level position. WIPP is pleased to see the President's recognition of the vital role that small businesses play in growing jobs and growing the economy and looks forward to seeing the additional progress that the elevation of the SBA can bring to the small business community. With this move, small businesses will have a stronger voice to advocate for change on the policies and issues that affect them. During this time of economic recovery, it is more important than ever that small business has a seat at the policy-making table.

Things are really popping - tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we are less than 3 days from Small Business Saturday.   The country has come alive with preparations for Thanksgiving; families and friends are gathering and everywhere you turn there is an air of joy and festivity.  

WIPP members across the country have rallied in support of our small businesses for their strength is our strength.  We know that wherever there are thriving small businesses, you will find a thriving community.  

The Board of Directors of WIPP, and its team in Washington DC and San Francisco wish to thank you for all of your efforts year long.    Your advocacy and passion is demonstrated every single day; your commitment to collaboration and support of one another is outstanding.    You are a role model for our country - for it is only when we rally together that we will experience positive change.   

With best wishes for health and happiness,

Barbara

PS - I thought you might like to see this blog posted on the White House Blog today:

Support Your Local Businesses on "Small Business Saturday"
Posted by Karen Mills at
 
You've heard of Black Friday. And Cyber Monday. But did you know that this Saturday is Small Business Saturday? We're encouraging everyone to visit a small business to do some holiday shopping this Saturday.
As President Obama said in a message out to all Small Business Saturday supporters:

From the mom-and-pop storefront shops that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our Nation's promise.  These businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America, helping spur economic development in communities across our country and giving millions of families and individuals the opportunity to achieve the American dream.  Through events such as Small Business Saturday, we keep our local economies strong and help maintain an American economy that can compete and win in the 21st century.

When you walk down Main Street in any city in America, you can often find great restaurants, service providers, and handcrafted, Made-in-America products from local shops. It's wonderful to simply go in and visit with local business owners and hear what's happening in the community.
 
There are many people in my life that appreciate a unique gift from a local business, like the blueberry jam I pick up at the Farmers' Market in my hometown of Brunswick, Maine. This Saturday, I'm planning to go back to that market early in the morning, and then I will travel to Roslindale, Massachusetts, to celebrate Small Business Saturday with Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Many other top-level officials throughout the Administration are also "shopping small" this Saturday.
Everyone knows that your dollar goes a long way at when you buy a product or service from a small business. That money goes right back into the local economy. And that's important, because half of working Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create two out of every three new jobs.
 
It's great to find the perfect gift from a small business. Often, when you carry it to the counter, you can see the business owner's eyes light up. They tell a story about how that gift was made. Or where it came from.  Or how it's a one-of-a-kind.  And the gift immediately becomes even more meaningful and special. Moments like that are what makes the holidays magical.
 
In addition to our support for Small Business Saturday, the SBA is working hard to make sure even more small businesses can keep growing. For example, we had an all-time record for SBA loans this year, with over $30 billion in lending support that helped about 60,000 small businesses buy a new building, get more equipment, or hire more workers. And, right now, the President is calling on Congress to cut in half the payroll taxes for small businesses as part of the American Jobs Act.
 
Let's all do our part to support America's small businesses as they continue to strengthen our economy and create jobs. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Small Business Saturday, and Happy Holidays.
 

More than 150 leading women business owners from Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) gathered at the WIPP Annual Leadership Conference to celebrate the recipients of this year's prestigious WIPP 2011 Awards. Laura W. Boyd, PhD, Owner and CEO of Policy and Performance Consultants, Inc. based in Norman was the recipient of this year's WIPP "Public Policy Award" for elevating the voice of women business owners in the national public policy arena.

"Laura Boyd has worked tirelessly to inspire and urge WIPP members to be part of the dialogue.   She is the voice and the vision of the membership and our Instant Impact Advocacy Team," said WIPP President Barbara Kasoff.

Boyd served as National Co-Chair of Women's Business Policy for Barack Obama's Presidential campaign. She is recognized nationwide as a vocal representative for women business executives. From 1992-1998, Boyd served as a Member of Oklahoma State House of Representatives.

Policy and Performance Consultants assists both for-profit and not-for-profit clients in government-relations, business management protocols, quality assurance and program development, as well as in acquisitions and mergers across the United States.

The WIPP Awards Ceremony was part of WIPP's three-day Annual Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, that ran from October 11th - 13th. The conference agenda included important economic briefings on current policy issues impacting women business owners growth, a very special high level briefing by The White House, a Congressional Luncheon and the exciting unveiling of WIPP's updated Economic Blueprint  used as the organization's call to action to the Administration, Congress and Federal Agencies.

WIPP is a national nonpartisan public policy organization, advocating on behalf of nearly 1 million women-owned businesses representing 59 business organizations. For more information, please visit www.wipp.org.

More than 150 leading women business owners from Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) gathered at the Annual Leadership Conference to celebrate the recipients of this year's prestigious WIPP 2011 Awards. Denise Farris, attorney and managing member of the Farris Law Firm, LLC, based in Kansas City was the recipient of this year's "WIPP Member of the Year Award" because of her outstanding commitment of vision and resources in service to WIPP as an organization and to the membership-at-large.

"Denise is an inspiration to all of us.  For over a decade she worked tirelessly to help ensure that the Women Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program would be a reality for all women business owners,"said WIPP President Barbara Kasoff.

Farris is recognized by Martindale Hubbell in its national "Preeminent Women Lawyers" list, the Kansas City Business Journal's "Best of the Bar" and the KC Business Magazine's "Kansas City's 150 Most Influential Women." Farris is also a Small Business Administration "Regional Women in Business Champion", the State of Kansas "Woman Business Advocate of the Year" and Women Impacting Public Policy's "Public Policy Advocate of the Year."

Farris Law Firm provides services in general business, commercial construction and equine law. Visit www.farrislawfirm.com.

The WIPP Awards Ceremony was part of WIPP's three-day Annual Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, that ran from October 11th - 13th. The conference agenda included important economic briefings on current policy issues impacting women business owners growth, a high-level briefing by The White House, a Congressional Luncheon and the exciting unveiling of WIPP's updated Economic Blueprint used as the organization's call to action to the Administration, Congress and Federal Agencies.

WIPP is a national nonpartisan public policy organization, advocating on behalf of nearly 1 million women-owned businesses representing 59 business organizations. For more information, please visit www.wipp.org.

More than 150 leading women business owners from Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) gathered at the Annual Leadership Conference to celebrate the recipients of this year's prestigious WIPP 2011 Awards. Mary Schnack, President of Mary Schnack and Associates based in Silver Spring, Md., was the recipient of this year's WIPP President's Award for her leadership in elevating the voice of women business owners in the national public policy arena.

"Mary has been part of WIPP from its very beginning and has always been there to navigate national communications strategies as WIPP has grown to become the largest united voice for women business owners.  She is truly the spirit and voice of our membership," said WIPP President Barbara Kasoff.

Schnack is an award-winning writer, reporter, public relations professional and advocate. Mary Schnack and Associates represents sophisticated organizations from corporations and small businesses to government agencies and associations and non-profit organizations.

Schnack also delivers speeches and conducts communication trainings worldwide, including Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Indonesia, India, Argentina, Ukraine, Switzerland - just to name a few. Her topics offer communication and entrepreneurial tips that can be put to immediate use. By using examples from her personal experiences in such places as Waco, Rwanda, Russia and Los Angeles, Schnack offers real world perspective and not just textbook examples from other people's work.

The WIPP Awards Ceremony was part of WIPP's three-day Annual Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, that ran from October 11th - 13th. The conference agenda included important economic briefings on current policy issues impacting women business owners growth, a high-level briefing by The White House, a Congressional Luncheon and the exciting unveiling of WIPP's updated Economic Blueprint used as the organization's call to action to the Administration, Congress and Federal Agencies.

WIPP is a national nonpartisan public policy organization, advocating on behalf of nearly 1 million women-owned businesses representing 59 business organizations. For more information, please visit www.wipp.org