The Women's Business Council - Southwest (WBCS) certifies women-owned businesses in north and central Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Mexico according to standards set by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
WBCS Vision: Lifting up women-owned businesses, and positively impacting the community through inclusive and prosperous partnerships for all
WBCS Mission: To increase the value of women-owned businesses by providing certification, education, advocacy, and mutually beneficial business opportunities for our members and affiliates
As we begin to return to a new normal during this global pandemic, I am truly amazed at what this Council and our members have been able to accomplish over the last year. It was a time to be resilient and a time to look at the core values of our business and how we would move forward. Despite the physical distance, we have come together to network and create business opportunities in a digital landscape.
Joe Mossinger
Senior Manager Strategic Sourcing at Toyota North America
WBCS Board of Directors Chairperson
A Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) is a business that is 51% or more owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women.
Click here for more information on how to become WBE certified.
After 24 years of leading the Women's Business Council - Southwest, Debbie Hurst announced her retirement for the end of 2021.
Debbie Hurst
Retiring WBCS President & CEO
"WBCS has been a leader in growth and opportunities for women business owners and I am extremely proud of our accomplishments together. Today we serve a four-state region, with over 1200 WBEs and 80 corporate members, and we contribute to the success of WBENC through our partnership and representation on the WBENC board, the Leadership Council, and the National WBE Forum. It has been my true privilege and honor to work with each of you and to advance the opportunity and value that WBEs contribute to our communities, our vital region, and our national economy. "
For the past ten years, Coulter has been helping to improve operations and drive company growth and sustainability in the nonprofit sector. A Texas native, she is passionate about helping women advance and is excited to expand this opportunity through cultivating business opportunities between women-owned businesses and corporations.
“I am honored to have been selected for the president & CEO position serving women-owned businesses throughout the four-state region. Debbie Hurst has truly made an impact over her tenure leading the Council and I am excited to continue and build upon her work.”
Bliss Coulter
Current WBCS President & CEO
in 2021, we remained virtual for all events up until our Annual Meeting & Celebration in November.
The Lillie Knox Investment Award is a cash award of up to $20,000, exclusively available to WBCS Women's Business Enterprises, to help further business growth. With the help of our generous donors we were able to give out a total of $41,000 to 5 WBEs!
((Click here for more information about the Lillie Knox Investment Award))