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

Membership at a Glance

 WBE Membership

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. 

New Corporate Members in 2021

2021 Highlights

  WBCS President & CEO Debbie Hurst Retires

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. "

  WBCS Announces Bliss Coulter as the New President & CEO

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  

Events & Programming

  in 2021, we remained virtual for all events up until our Annual Meeting & Celebration in November. 

Click here for descriptions of our events.   

Lillie Knox Investment Award Winners

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))

2021 Lillie Knox Investment Award Winners

Outreach Programs

In 2021 we expanded our Women of Color Outreach Program to include the new Mentor Program 2.0.
 6 events
124 attendees at events
45 participants in Mentor Program
29 participants in Mentor Program 2.0
      
The NextGen Initiative was launched to support women business owners under 40. Events include business mixers and speaker programs, and a mentor program.
4 events
108 attendees at events 
Mentor Program
  •4 Mentors  •19 Mentees      
      

WBENC Partnership

Social Media

Thank you to the 2021 Retiring Board Members!

WBCS Staff Members

Thank you to our 2021 Sponsors!

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