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Return to Article: SBA claims progress on women-owned business program

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  I'm certainly glad that this is still in the works as I am a "women owned" business and it's not a front, I'm also a Service Disabled Veteran and have Indian heritage to boot. While there are a great many companies that are not always ethical it shouldn't be the general consensus for this or anything else for this matter. Just like all people from the south are ignorant and certain ethnicities are rich because they horde money.......... There is nothing common about a standard and I can't wait to get this to take affect. I would love to have another opportunity to work in the favor of any disadvantaged company and I really don't care which SBA designator they have.

  Robyn Posted October 12, 2007 12:41 PM
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  The Women Owned Business is in most cases a sham or shell game. Just as the 8a business is. Most business's are only a front by someone else or a broker. In most cases the supposedly owner is only a front person who has no idea what it takes to do the business they supposedly own. They have no experience and have not started or built the business. Once given a government job, (at a much higher cost than if the contract had been bid open and competitive), they will hire project managers and contractors to accomplish the real work al the time sitting in a 2-3 room suite rented and expensed as job overhead. A lot of the women owned businesses are businesses previously owned by the women's husband or male associate and then changed to ownership by the women to meet WOB status and requirements. Just more welfare and more ways for politicians to buy votes at tax payers expense. I'm a government employee and I see it every day.

  SATOS Posted October 10, 2007 7:48 AM
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  I agree with Kim, I'd like to see this program grow and flourish. Women may outnumber men by one way of counting, but certainly not when veiwing business opportunities available. However, what about the unfortunate situation of "using" a woman's name on the owner line, when behind the scenes the company is actually staffed by the same demographic as any of the larger companies staffied primarily by the white guys? I've actually met people who bragged that they did this to get better opportunities - in the days when small bizzes got them.

  AF HR Type Posted October 9, 2007 1:36 PM
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  Why should the government pay a higher price so less competent or inefficient people can still make money.

  free ride Posted October 9, 2007 1:32 PM
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  I agree that more needs to be done but also agree that progress has been made. Here is another questions I have, why is there such a backlog of SDB applications and why do they not get the same push as the 8(a) program since the SBA is the gatekeeper of both? More women in general can participate in this program versus the 8(a) program.

  Also, I have NEVER seen a RFP, RFQ or any other request be set-aside for only SDB or for women however, I see many many set-asides for 8(a). As a woman business owner who also happens to be a minority, I think it is extremely unfair since I do not plan on applying for the 8(a) program.

  Tammy Camper Posted October 9, 2007 7:22 AM
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  Equal, Fair, Discriminatory? All strong words, used repeatedly by politicos, special interest groups (e.g. N.O.W.)and the rest of us. Since women in America represent a slight population majority vs. men, how can they be a minority? In general, (IMO), small businesses owned by either sex have a harder time getting government contracts, should we be PC and ONLY give certain contracts to women? Is that fair? Sounds like gender affirmative action to me. I guess if the woman-in-charge leaves to have a baby, the government can pay her employees til she returns? Fair, equal, discriminatory, you decide.

  Christmas Tree Posted October 8, 2007 12:32 PM
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  Why not merge the Small Business Administration and the Department of Homeland Security?

  Since both entities are doing such a bang up job, surely a new reshuffle of the chairs on the deck of the U.S. SBHSAA or U.S."Small Business Homeland Security Affairs Agency" would represent a 'force multiplier' for the American taxpayer!

  zz ziled Posted October 8, 2007 2:56 AM
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  Would love to see the program to help women business owners win more government contracts get off the ground. The women business owners on MyWomanOwnedBusiness dot com, a social networking site for female entrepreneurs, have often credited the SBA for the loans that helped them start their business. Now the SBA can help them grow their business.

  Kimberly Porrazzo Posted October 5, 2007 11:22 PM