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The countdown is on! The SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference, presented by the Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce, is just days away – and this is your chance to be in the room where Cash, Connections, and Contracts happen.

📅 Wednesday, August 20, 2025
📍 Quest Conference Center | Columbus, OH
🎟️ Register now at WomenInOhio.com

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🚨 Bring-a-Friend Special – This Weekend Only!

When you register for the SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference, you can bring a friend for FREE.
Double the networking, double the opportunity — at no extra cost.
But hurry — this offer ends Sunday at midnight.

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Why You Can’t Miss This Event

SheLeads.OH is Ohio’s premier gathering for women entrepreneurs, executives, and changemakers. This full-day event is designed to connect you with real opportunities and real results — from financing to contracts and everything in between.

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Highlights Include

Funding Power Panel

Learn from top lenders, CDFIs, and state agencies on how to access capital, improve your business credit, and position yourself for growth. This interactive panel will give you the tools and confidence to pursue the funding your business deserves.

How to Market Your Certification Masterclass

You worked hard to earn your certifications — now learn how to leverage them! This session will share strategies to position your M/WBE, EDGE, DBE, and other certifications to win contracts and grow your client base.

OhioMBE Procurement Fair

Meet one-on-one with buyers from public agencies, corporations, and institutions ready to do business with certified suppliers. These are appointment-based sessions designed to start meaningful contracting relationships.

FundHer Finance Fair

Talk directly with banks, credit unions, and funding organizations about loans, credit-building tools, and alternative financing options.

Vendor & Resource Marketplace

Discover women-owned businesses, resource partners, and services that can help your business thrive.

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Add Your Business to the Statewide Directory

Every attendee is invited to add their business to the Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Directory at WomenInOhio.com — a searchable, statewide resource connecting women entrepreneurs to customers, collaborators, and contracting opportunities.

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Final Call

Seats are filling fast. Don’t miss your chance to make connections, learn strategies, and leave with actionable opportunities to grow your business.

📍 Register today at WomenInOhio.com
Because your next big break might just be in the room.

This edition features fresh contracting opportunities, community events, and impactful business development programs to support the success of Ohio’s small, minority-, and women-owned businesses.

🔨 Featured Contracting Opportunities
🧼 Janitorial Services – AMHA Service Center – Due Aug 14
🧼 Janitorial Services – REACH Opportunity Center – Due Aug 14
💡 Electrical Services – Due Aug 25
🏢 West Opportunity Center Lease & Relocation Services – Due Sept 17

📥 View the full August 13 Bid Board: https://bit.ly/4mfOOxl

💬 Event Highlights

📅 August 13 @ 6:00 PM
🚛 Integrated Hauling & Logistics in Construction Projects (Online)
Learn how to streamline delivery and reduce costly delays.
🔗 Register: OHBDC.org

📅 August 16 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🙏 Back to School Teen Prayer Rally
📍 East High School, 1500 E. Broad St., Columbus
Youth-focused event supporting a positive school year start.

📅 August 20 @ 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
👩‍💼 SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference
📍 Quest Conference Center, Columbus
Power Panels • Finance Fair • Procurement Fair • Marketplace
🎟 Register: WomenInOhio.com

🌐 List Your Event for Free on OhioDiversityNetworks.com
Post your business training, networking, or cultural celebration FREE.
🔗 Submit: Submit Your Event

📣 SheLeads.OH Procurement Fair
📅 August 20 @ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🎯 One-on-one business matchmaking
Confirmed Buyers:
✔️ Hensel Phelps (Columbus Airport)
✔️ Franklin County
✔️ State of Ohio
✔️ COSI
✔️ CMHA
✔️ Elford Construction
✔️ Encova Insurance
…more daily!
🔗 Reserve your spot: buytickets.at/OBDC

📰 Must Reads on OhioMBE.com
• SheLeads.OH 2025 Speaker Spotlight
• Columbus Zoo Procurement Fair Recap
• Consultants for the Incompetent?

📢 Share this Bid Board with a fellow business owner & encourage them to subscribe at OhioMBE.com!

In advocacy and action,
Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher, OhioMBE

If you’re seeking capital, credit-building tools, or lender relationships, make time for the FundHer Finance Fair during the SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference on August 20 in Columbus. Attendees can connect with lenders and resource partners offering guidance on loans, credit, and small business finance. 15‑minute introductions; on‑site sign‑up.

Participating organizations

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Federal loan programs, business development support, and lending guidance.
• State of Ohio – Funding programs and resources designed to support small and women‑owned businesses across the state.
• Fortuna Bank – Insights on credit, banking tools, and small business lending support.
• Adelphi Bank – Commercial relationship management and capital access strategies for business growth.
• First Merchants Bank – Business banking resources for women‑owned companies, including credit‑building tools and loan guidance.
• Wright‑Patt Credit Union – Financial solutions for small businesses, including loans, credit options, and business advisory services.

Be in the room—Cash. Connections. Contracts.
Register: WomenInOhio.com

The OBDC Construction Academy is offering a must-attend online training for contractors, project managers, and small business owners who want to streamline operations and cut costs on the jobsite.

Integrated Hauling & Logistics Management in Construction Projects will provide participants with the tools and strategies to move materials, equipment, and crews efficiently—reducing downtime and increasing profitability.

What You’ll Learn

• Plan Efficient Hauling Schedules: Optimize routes and delivery times to keep projects on track.
• Coordinate Seamless Logistics: Improve communication between project teams, suppliers, and haulers.
• Reduce Transportation Costs: Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Avoid Project Delays: Implement strategies to minimize common bottlenecks.

Whether you are managing a large-scale project or operating as a subcontractor, understanding hauling and logistics is essential for keeping timelines tight and budgets under control.

Event Details:
📅 Wednesday, August 13, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
💻 Online via Zoom
✅ Free for OBDC Members

This session is ideal for anyone in the construction industry looking to enhance efficiency, build better relationships with suppliers, and boost their competitive edge in bidding.

👉 Register today at OHBDC.org to secure your spot.

The SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference is coming to Columbus on August 20, 2025 — and we’re looking for women-owned businesses to feature!

This one-day event, hosted by the Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce, is all about:
💬 Cash. Connections. Contracts.

Why You Should Be There

• FREE vendor booths for women-owned businesses
• Connect with buyers, capital providers, and potential clients
• Attend high-powered sessions, including:
  • Funding Panel – Learn how to secure capital for your business
  • Marketing Your Certification Masterclass – Leverage your WBE, MBE, EDGE, and other certifications for more contracts
• Network with women making power moves across Ohio

💬 “This isn’t just another conference — it’s a chance to be in the room where deals are made, connections are built, and women leave with real opportunities for growth.” – Ronda Watson Barber, Founder, Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce

📅 When: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
📍 Where: Quest Conference Center, Columbus, OH
🎟️ Register now: WomenInOhio.com

Space is limited — secure your spot and get ready to showcase your business!

Outstanding Women Leaders Set to Take the Stage at SheLeads.OH 2025

We’re thrilled to spotlight the dynamic women shaping the future of business in Ohio at the SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference, presented by the Ohio Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

🎤 Meet the Leaders:

• Joy Bivens, Deputy Administrator, Franklin County
  Moderator & Panelist – Power Lunch Panel

• Damika Withers, Deputy Administrator, Franklin County
  Welcome Speaker

• Lisa Gutierrez, CEO, Dos Hermanos

• Haleema Shafeek, President, GOFS Commercial Interiors

• Judith Politi, Owner, Judith Politi Interior Design

• Terri Wise, Supplier Diversity Advocate

• Shaundretta Boykins, State of Ohio – Capital Access

• Michelle Haslinger, Fortuna Bank – Lending Insights

• Ellen Harvey, Ohio SBDC – Kiva Loans

• Wanda Curry, Unique Services – Vision Board Workshop

🌟 This full-day experience includes:

• Power Finance Panel

• FundHer Finance Fair

• OhioMBE Procurement Fair

• Marketing Your Certification

• Mini-Sessions on side hustles, construction & wellness

• Vendor Marketplace + Vision Board Workshop

💥 Cash. Connections. Contracts.

📅 August 20, 2025
📍 Quest Conference Center | Columbus, OH
🎟️ Register now at: WomenInOhio.com
📩 Questions? Email: info@womeninohio.com

Sponsored by: Franklin County Board of Commissioners, OhioMBE  and Fortuna Bank

The newest edition of the OhioMBE Bid Board is now available!
Published by The 912 Group | Ronda Watson Barber, Publisher

This week’s edition features contracting opportunities, business events, and upcoming trainings to help grow Ohio’s small and minority-owned businesses.

🔨 Featured Contracting Opportunities:

• Janitorial Services – AMHA Service Center (Due Aug. 14)
• Janitorial Services – REACH Opportunity Center (Due Aug. 14)
• Electrical Services (Due Aug. 25)
• West Opportunity Center Lease & Relocation Services (Due Sept. 17)

📥 Read the full August 6 Bid Board → https://bit.ly/47gr5rU

💬 Upcoming Events:

• 🧼 Aug 6: Best Practices for Post-Construction Cleaning (Online) – Hosted by OBDC Construction Academy
• 📋 Aug 12: Certification 101 (Evening) – Learn how to get MBE/FBE/DBE certified
• 🚛 Aug 13: Integrated Hauling & Logistics in Construction
• 🙏 Aug 16: Back to School Teen Prayer Rally, East High School
• 👩‍💼 Aug 20: SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference – Panels, Finance Fair, Procurement Fair, and Marketplace
  🔗 All OBDC events register at OHBDC.org

🗣️ SheLeads.OH Conference Highlights – August 20 at Quest Conference Center:

• OhioMBE Procurement Fair
• FundHer Finance Fair
• Power Finance Panel
• Power Lunch with business leaders
• Mini workshops
• SheCommerce Vendor Marketplace
  🎟️ Register → WomenInOhio.com

🌐 List Your Event on OhioDiversityNetworks.com
It’s FREE for business, cultural, and networking events!
🔗 Submit your event → Submit here

📰 This week’s must-reads on OhioMBE.com:

• SheLeads.OH 2025 Speaker Spotlight
• Recap: July 17 OhioMBE Procurement Fair at the Columbus Zoo
• Consultants for the Incompetent?
• Columbus Schools Audit: Do Better
• Where Are the Black Churches?

📢 Please share this edition with another business owner and encourage them to subscribe at OhioMBE.com!

In advocacy and action,
Ronda Watson Barber
Publisher, OhioMBE

🏛️ Franklin County, Ohio – Current Bid Opportunity

📌 Project Name: RFP #2025-10-08 – West Opportunity Center Lease and Relocation Services
📅 Proposal Due Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST

Summary:
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services, is seeking proposals for space to lease and relocation services, if necessary, for the agency’s West Opportunity Center.

Pre-Proposal Conference:
📍 One (1) session will be held. Attendance is not mandatory. Please refer to the RFP document for details.

Questions Should Be Directed To:
📨 Annie Spann, Franklin County Purchasing Department
📧 Email: annie.spann1@franklincountyohio.gov
📞 Phone: 614.525.3750
🗓️ Written Question Deadline: August 25, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST

Additional Information:
All RFP documents, amendments, and clarifications will be posted on the County’s Purchasing Department website:
🌐 http://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/businesses/bid-opportunities/
It is the responsibility of all interested parties to monitor the website for updates.

 

We’re excited to announce that Encova Insurance will be participating in the August 20 OhioMBE Procurement Fair, held during the SheLeads.OH Women’s Business Conference at the Quest Conference Center in Columbus!

This impactful event gives women business owners the opportunity to participate in 15-minute one-on-one appointments with buyers, procurement officers, and supplier diversity professionals from leading public and private organizations.

🗓 Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Quest Conference Center | Columbus, OH
💼 Appointments are scheduled in advance. No walk-ins.

Confirmed participating organizations include:

• Hensel Phelps (Columbus Airport Project)
• Franklin County
• State of Ohio
• Elford Construction
• Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)
• COSI
• Encova Insurance

With more organizations confirming daily, this Procurement Fair promises to be one of our most robust matchmaking events yet — offering real access to Connections, Contracts, and Cash!

🎟 Register now to secure your spot: buytickets.at/OBDC

“The OhioMBE Procurement Fair is where intentional connections turn into real opportunities,” said Ronda Watson Barber, publisher of OhioMBE.

Stay tuned to OhioMBE.com and our social media for additional updates and announcements.

Post-construction cleaning is more than just sweeping up dust—it’s the final stage that ensures a construction project shines before the keys are handed over. Whether you’re already in the cleaning industry or looking to add a new service offering, this training is your blueprint for success.

In this online workshop, you’ll gain practical knowledge to:

• Understand the three phases of post-construction cleaning
• Select the right tools, chemicals, and safety gear
• Handle delicate surfaces and finishes with care
• Estimate and bid competitively for jobs
• Market your services directly to construction companies

This session is perfect for:
🧼 Cleaning business owners
🧰 Independent contractors
🚀 Aspiring entrepreneurs entering the post-construction space

📅 Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
💻 Location: Online via Zoom
💸 Cost: Free for OBDC Members

Ready to add a high-value skill to your business?
👉 Register at https://buytickets.at/OBDC