New Rockville Women’s Business Center Launched

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

At the launch of the new Rockville Women’s Business Center (RRBC) at VisArts this morning, Sally Sternbach, Executive Director of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), held a copy of the Washington Business Journal Book of Lists, then passionately revealed that only one category had women-owned businesses making up 50% of the ranked list. Since these are the most successful businesses in the area, she concluded “It’s not enough to start a business. You have to grow it,” then she added, “We’re going to change the landscape of this region.”

The new Rockville Women’s Business Center has been formed to do just that. In short, it’s designed to help Montgomery County’s diverse population of women start and build successful businesses positioned for long-term growth. The RWBC will be located in the REDI offices at 95 Monroe Street.

Speakers at the launch. Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths.

Steve Silverman, Director of Montgomery County’s Department of Economic Development, said it was a “no-brainer” when he was approached to support the new RWBC because the smartest thing the government can do is to pursue true opportunities to work with those outside of government. Such efforts will help get everyone out of this great recession.

By reviewing the details of a 10-month feasibility study, Lori Gillen, the Managing Director of the RWBC, explained why we need such a Center and why it’s located in Rockville. During seven workshops over 300 entrepreneurs were surveyed about their needs. Although the workshops were not advertised as being for women, 64% of the attendees were women. The workshops attracted a diverse group; 60% were minorities while the Montgomery County minority population is 45%. Three-quarters of the attendees were “tire kickers” who were not in business. The largest percentage (26%) preferred a Rockville location which was also considered central to the others. The only drop in center for women in the County is provided by the Commission for Women. Although many volunteer women business organizations exist, respondents wanted more help with one-on-one counseling, business planning, and marketing. The greatest gaps identified for women business owners involved affordability, frequency, and accessibility of services. All this led to the creation of the RWBC.

The Director of the Washington Metropolitan District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Bridget Bean, explained that if an owner spends more than five hours working with a business center, their business is more productive and earns a greater profit. She knows the good work at the RWBC will benefit the entire economy.

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Barbara Wrigley from the Northern Virginia Women’s Business Center admitted it’s a long drive to Springfield for any entrepreneurs in Montgomery County. They have plenty of people for their two person staff to serve, so they welcome the new Center to the network. The first centers were started 22 years ago when HR 50-50 changed everything for women. The four trial centers formed back then have now grown to 110 in the United States. Over the years they have found that women can train women more successfully when they are based in the community close to public transportation with convenient hours. The mission of women’s business centers is not being “transactional” but rather “relational”. Women never felt comfortable going to small business development centers at universities or working with SCORE counselors who were retired after running large companies. WBC builds relationships while offering coffee and cookies because that’s what women do. She reminded everyone that it was only 22 years ago when HR 50-50 eliminated the requirement for a woman to have a male relative sign for a business loan. Women now strive to bring balance into their lives through entrepreneurship. The NoVA Center can be easily replicated in Rockville and it will be just as successful.

Gwen Cook, one of the 80 supporters at the kick-off event, attended some of the workshops offered even though she lives in Prince George’s County. She wasn’t a business major but had an idea to have her own business, Bezzie’s BBQ Sauce. She intends to use the services at the RWBC to create a more defined business plan and discover financial possibilities. She’s glad she doesn’t have to drive to Springfield anymore.

Training opportunities and seminars have already started and the schedule is here. REDI and RWBC hope to work together to create local companies of all types such as biotech, high-tech, and service, capitalizing on the wealth of talent in our community.

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