Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy Proclaims, May 13th as Women Owned Business Day

Contact: Dana Freeman
dfreeman@ctwbdc.org
203.353.1750 – office
203.984.5058 – cell

Stamford, Conn., April 30, 2014 – There are an estimated 8.6 million women-led businesses in America today. These businesses represent $1.3 trillion nationally and $30 billion in the state of Connecticut alone. As part of National Small Business Week (May 12-16) and in partnership with the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), Connecticut Governor, Dannel P. Malloy has proclaimed May 13, 2014 as Women Owned Business Day in the state of Connecticut.

To commemorate the importance of acknowledging the influence of female business owners, on the economic growth of the state, WBDC and PCSW will host a FREE breakfast event followed by roundtable discussions at the Capitol. The morning’s keynote speaker will be Erin Andrew, Assistant Administrator, Office of Women’s Ownership at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Andrew will drive the conversation with a focus on four areas identified by the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) which are critical to the success of small business owners, access to capital, access to markets, job creation and data collection.

“Small Business is a driving force in stimulating economic gains and job growth in the United States. We now know two out-of-every three jobs are created by small business, said Erin Andrew, Assistant Administrator, Office of SBA’s Women’s Business Ownership. As we honor National Small Business Week, it’s worth noting the economic impact of women-owned small business. Women continue to be the fastest growing sector in the small business community, starting new businesses at a rate of 1,288 a day. The SBA believes in America’s women entrepreneurs and small business owners to create jobs and move our economy forward.”

“Providing female business owners with opportunities to network and discuss the challenges they face gaining access to capital and expanding their markets is critical, said Fran Pastore, President and CEO of WBDC “We are excited to work with Governor Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, who continue to recognize that women owned businesses are fueling the state’s economy at unprecedented rates. Women owned businesses will create over half of the 9.72 million new small business jobs expected to be developed by 2018.”

The breakfast will serve as the first of a series of events which will highlight women small business owners’ as important decision makers who effect the economic health of the nation.  “Studies have shown that most women go into business for themselves so they can spend more time with family and for reasons having to do with self-fulfillment,” said Teresa Younger, Executive Director, PCSW. “As a society, we need to honor both women’s time – through family-friendly workplace policies, and their talents – with more access to credit, greater opportunities to secure contracts, and more diverse representation on corporate boards.”

Special Guest Attendee: Lieutenant Governor, Nancy Wyman

LOCATION: Legislative Office Building (LOB) Room 2E
TIME: 10:00 a.m. – noon
Registration and Coffee: 9:30 a.m., LOB Room 2600

For more information, call Megan Wormser at 203.353.1750 or register at www.ctwbdc.org