PRESS RELEASES & ARTICLES
Comerica's new BusinessHQ resource center offers support for Dallas' southern sector
When faced with the question of what to do with the large, idle real estate at the bank’s R.L. Thornton location, Comerica turned its attention to long-term solutions by strategically focusing on ways to support startup businesses through classes and meetings that would give small business leaders the support and knowledge necessary to reach sustainable growth and financial success. Members at BusinessHQ can take advantage of a variety of resources, including technical assistance programming and networking events, such as Business $ense Bootcamps and Breakfast with a Banker, offered by strategic community partners.
Additionally, the center’s incubator program, administered by Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC), provides access to mentorship, office space and a variety of other support, from training and business plan assessment to financial document review and recommendation. According to VR Small, founder and CEO of VWEC, by helping create strategic alliances, advocating for relevant resources and funding, and providing personal and professional resources, BusinessHQ is positioned to help small businesses reach new heights.
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” Small says. “We want to come alongside these growing businesses and their people and equip them with the tools necessary for success.” In addition to everyday interaction and leadership at BusinessHQ, Small also coordinates in-depth topical seminars and cohorts for BusinessHQ members, including Financial First Weekends. Read the full article
Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program Scholar inspires veteran women to make entrepreneurial dreams a reality
For VR Small, “women helping women” is more than a guiding philosophy: It’s the actionable way in which she lives her life.
A Navy veteran, an award-winning business owner, and a fierce advocate for women veterans, especially those who are business owners, Small founded the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center in 2017 to empower women entrepreneurs associated with the military to grow their small businesses. But her journey with entrepreneurship and advocacy dates back much further, beginning with babysitting for other military families as a young girl.
How Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center's coworking program will support businesses to scale
By Plamedie Ifasso – Staff Writer, Dallas Business Journal - Apr 20, 2023 - Updated Apr 20, 2023 9:26am CDT
Honesty is how the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center became Comerica’s community partner for its new resource center.
VWEC Founder and CEO VR Small met with Comerica regional external affairs manager Brandon Jones to discuss the type of support the nonprofit offers, but she had to admit because the organization was being pushed out of its space, it may not have the capacity to do everything. To her surprise, Jones pulled out the plans for BusinessHQ and asked if VWEC wanted to be the bank’s community partner.
“I didn't think we were going to lose our space,” Small said. “I thought that was going to be worked out. But I also thought it would be great to have a second location to be able to make it a bit more convenient for people. But we did end up getting pushed out of our space, so Comerica ended up being a lifesaver for us.”
Read the full article here:
VWEC is the place to be in 2023, as we proudly announce we will be joining the Comerica Bank family at the BusinessHQ as our new permanent location.
The new location is reflective of the modern, executive decor designed at our original model facility at 4900 South Lancaster, but will provide extended weekday as well as weekend hours to effectively support our programs, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Dallas.
Our new location at the BusinessHQ will support the launch of VWEC's long overdue coworking incubator, which will now combine at least two of our signature programs over a 6-month period.
We will also continue to provide our Financial First Weekend Bootcamp sponsored in part by the SBA's Dallas Community Navigator program.
This is your time to get connected! VWEC will kick off the new year with 2-to-3 local/national client focus groups as we prepare our next 5-year strategic plan, as well as a progressive campaign for our new board of directors.
As we end a very challenging fifth year of service, we are preparing to move full speed ahead into an exciting new year, with new programs focused on access to capital, revenue generation, and helping our clients build their workforce.
Many thanks to our new partners at Comerica Bank for supporting us in our mission to build a sustainable, collaborative community that will continue to empower entrepreneur women associated with the military to scale for success!
What are your superpowers?
VR is not just my name, but it represents my top two superpowers, which are vision and resilience: my guiding light, and strength to serve with honor, courage and commitment. I am inspired by the word of God about the importance of vision and believe that it is essential to have a progressive, but clear plan and direction for your life and work.
Vision allows us to dream big, to see the big picture, and particularly during COVID, it kept me focused beyond the here and now, and gave me the capacity to consistently press forward. My resilience is grounded in my faith, which empowers me daily with the knowledge that through God all things are possible and gives me the ability to overcome any situation. Read the full article.
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Veteran Women's Enterprise Center Receives 2022 Dallas Award
Dallas Award Program Honors the Achievement
DALLAS October 11, 2022 -- Veteran Women's Enterprise Center has been selected for the 2022 Dallas Award in the Business Development Service category by the Dallas Award Program.
Each year, the Dallas Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Dallas area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2022 Dallas Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Dallas Award Program and data provided by third parties.
About Dallas Award Program
The Dallas Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Dallas area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Dallas Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: Dallas Award Program
CONTACT:
Dallas Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@business-usrecognition.com
URL: http://www.business-usrecognition.com
Interested in starting your own journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with VR Small, Founder and CEO of Veteran Women's Enterprise Center (VWEC), headquartered in Dallas, TX.
Tell us about yourself:
Interestingly enough, when individuals inquired how or why I started the Veteran Women's Enterprise Center (VWEC), I have to admit it was a situation of being in what I thought was the right place at the right time. When I returned home to Dallas in 2015, my goal was to continue teaching as a full-time professor, pursue my doctorate, write my book, and share my findings.
However, through involvement in a variety of female veteran-focused events, I learned about the challenges facing women veteran entrepreneurs and their need for business support. I had personally launched and ran a successful business as well as an executive women's networking group in New York, so with my background in business, organizational, and program development, the ability to meet this need felt like a natural fit. However, securing 2,700 square feet of in-kind space, along with between $250k-$500k in renovation support—sealed the deal and set me on my journey toward building the VWEC.
Unfortunately, I have always been a bit of a workaholic, although I strive daily to control my habit of putting in 15 to 18 hours a day; it's difficult when you love what you do. Work has never been just a job or another career move; it has always needed to be purposeful, intentional, and fulfilling. As a self-proclaimed change agent, I actually enjoy change, problems are simply a new challenge, and I love a challenge! At the end of the day, my work needs to be impactful, so I know that doing my part to create the change I want to see and, ultimately, make our world a better place.
I strive to live my personal slogan, "Changing the way we see the world and do business." In my opinion, a substantial barrier to success is how we perceive ourselves and others, and that perception, can move us forward, hold us in place, or literally push us backward. I believe when we learn to work collaboratively, accept, and respect our individual and collective values, we can truly experience the magic of diversity: making positive change inevitable. Read the full article here.
The VWEC is super proud to announce that our Founder/CEO VR Small has been named a D CEO’s Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards 2022 Finalist for Leadership Excellence in a Micro Nonprofit.
Presented in partnership with Communities Foundation of Texas, year's awards will recognize 126 North Texas nonprofit organizations and corporations.
D CEO has named finalists in its fifth annual Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards, presented in partnership with the Communities Foundation of Texas.
This year’s program attracted nearly 500 nominations and included two new categories to recognize nonprofit efforts in education and corporate leadership in sustainability. After several judging sessions, a total of 126 finalists were named.
Bolstered by deep corporate support, Dallas-Fort Worth has one of the most powerful nonprofit communities in the country. The two forces combine to strengthen the local economy and forge a brighter future for all. That point has been made even clearer in recent times.
All finalists will be featured in D CEO’s August issue and recognized at an awards event in July, where the winners in each category will be revealed. Review the full list of finalists here https://www.dmagazine.com/business-economy/2022/05/finalists-announced-d-ceos-nonprofit-and-corporate-citizenship-awards-2022/
Meet Melissa A. Washington and VR Small a Dynamic Duo helping other veteran women succeed after serving.
AVOW Magazine 2021/2022 Winter Issue is now available to read online!
The Women Veterans Alliance (WVA), founded by Melissa A. Washington, keeps bringing it year-after-year. A nonprofit of the WVA, Women Veterans Giving has awarded over $15,000 these past few years and WVA’s UnConference has been a great social network for women veterans.
The Veteran Women's Enterprise Center (VWEC) – a national initiative based in Texas – was founded by VR Small. The VWEC continues to award a multitude of money to help veteran entrepreneurs. In fact in 2021, the VWEC reinvested nearly $100,000.00 directly into entrepreneur women associated with the military 4BusinessRecovery. (page 22)
The DEC Network to kick off SBA Community Navigator pilot program with Feb. 17 event
The kickoff, which will take place at The DEC@Redbird in Southern Dallas, will feature a convening of The DEC Network and the six community “spoke organizations” that will use the funds to reach out to underrepresented entrepreneurs: Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center, LiftFund, TruFund, Dallas College, BCL of Texas and WiNGS. Key community leadership, interested entrepreneurs, business partners and area influencers are invited to attend to learn how to become a part of this transformational initiative. The DEC Network was the only organization in North Texas selected to lead in the Community Navigator program.
Navy veteran VR Small has always thought outside of the box: When she realized there weren’t any organizations for veteran women, she started one.
VR Small has a history of making the most of any situation. As a self-proclaimed Army brat, she had grown accustomed to moving around from an early age, but found stability in Dallas at W. W. Samuell High School. She was an honors student who even earned enough credits to graduate as a junior, but she held on to the dream of graduating with her friends — until her senior year came and her stepdad received orders to report to Killeen.
Follow the money: North Texas tech firms raised more than $183M in October
In this article about funding resources in North Texas, the Dallas Business Journal outlines:
“Dallas Innovates reports two local entrepreneurs took home funding at the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center’s 4BUSINESSRECOVER pitch competition. Taking the $20,000 first place prize and the $3,000 Audience Choice Award was Garland-based MilkSpace, a provider of mobile breastfeeding spaces. That follows MilkSpace winning $2,500 at Impact Ventures’ showcase pitch competition in July. Also, landing prize money at the VWEC event was Grand Prairie’s Mama Moore’s Gourmet Popcorn, along with Georgia-based bar and grill concept Semper Fi Bar and Grille.”
The VWEC is proud to be one of the many institutions in Northern Texas investing in our entrepreneur communities. Interested in ensuring your dollars make a real impact? Learn more about the VWEC’s 2021 Highlights and how you can get connected!
2021 Lead and Empower Her Tour - Speaker - Houston Texas
Lead and Empower Her “She Talks” brings together insights from a diverse range of females from the entertainment industries, military, education, and big business. She Talks is an empowering event full of powerful stories from speakers that will leave your cup full. You do not want to miss this powerful and inspirational event!
The VWEC is one of 6 "Spokes" via the DEC Network Awarded $1M Grant as the SBA’s Community Navigator Pilot Program
The American Rescue Act initiative aims to reduce barriers that underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs often face in accessing the programs they need to recover, grow, or start their businesses. The Dallas Entrepreneur Center will use the grant to engage efforts with six Dallas-area organizations: Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center; LiftFund; TruFund; Dallas College; BCL of Texas; and WiNGS.
BY DAVID SEELEY • OCT 22, 2021
Kellie Mumphrey, a Navy veteran and founder and CEO of Garland-based MilkSpace, was the big winner at the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center 4BUSINESSRECOVERY pitch Wednesday.
Mumphrey’s startup addresses the gap in outdoor breastfeeding amenity solutions. To help nursing moms, MilkSpace provides pop-up canopy “lactation spaces” to outdoor public space operators and event organizers. Mumphrey won the $20,000 first prize for her pitch, and the $3,000 Audience Choice Award as well.
“Thank you God for giving [VWEC Founder and CEO] VR Small the vision to change lives!” Mumphrey wrote on her LinkedIn page after winning the pitch. “VR Small is a tough cookie. She will push you into your greatness.”
VETERAN WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE CENTER (VWEC) LEADING CHANGE & SUPPORT FOR WOMEN VETERAN WITH A $40K PITCH PLATFORM
The VWEC has established its positions as a leader and champion for women veteran entrepreneurs and the veteran entrepreneur community in general as one of Dallas Innovates 2020: Future 50 North Texans, Founder and Chief Executive Officer VR Small has lived up to this title leading the Inaugural Veteran Track during Dallas Startup Week 2021, selected as one of 25 Dallas Business Journal 2021 Women in Business Honorees, nationally selected as one of 27 Department of Veteran Affairs, Center for Women Veterans “Trailblazers: Women Veterans Leading the Way,” and the SBA’s DFW 2020 Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year.
Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center's founder looks to expand nationwide
Kevin Cummings, NTX Inno Staff Writer - Dallas Business Journal
Aug 28, 2021, 1:00pm EDT
In 2017, a bill making June 12 Women Veterans Day in Texas was signed. VR Small broke ground on the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC) to mark that day. And more than a year later, she had successfully turned a former armory in southern Dallas into a hub of entrepreneurial activity. Read more:
VWEC Next Level Business Transformation COVID-19 Master Class Series Garners Success for Women Veteran Entrepreneurs
The VWEC is proud to announced that our Founder/CEO, VR Small, is one of the final eight honorees for the Dallas Business Journal's 14th annual Women in Business Awards. The first 17 honorees were announced earlier in the week.
Women Veterans ROCK! Salutes Their New 2030 Commissioners
The 2030 Commission is the nation’s most unique coalition of Military Affairs Experts, Women Veterans, Active-Duty Servicewomen, Reservists, ROTC Cadets, Military Spouses and Military Moms. This powerful group of Military Women Influencers represents the most culturally, geographically, and demographically diverse assembly of Military Women and Military Supporters in America today. They are actively engaged Public Policy Advocates representing the voices of today’s rapidly growing community of Women Veterans and Military Families.
The twenty newly appointed Commissioners To The 2030 Commission include: Dr. Gybrilla Ballard-Blakes (MD); Elana Banis (PA); Captain Latinya Channer, (R), (PA); Rochelle Crump, WAC, (R), (IL); Captain Janice Gavern, (R), (PA); NCO Theresa Hastings, (R), (PA); Dr. Serelda Herbin, EO, (R), (VA); MSgt. Robin Johnson (VA); LTC Consuelo Castillo-Kickbusch (R), (NV), Grace Wu Kong, Advocacte, (PA); Colonel Mary Lowe Mayhugh (R), (DC); Lieutenant Michelle Norton (PA); NCO Barbara Pittman (R), (DC); Lieutenant Dr. Dana Robinson-Street (R), (OH); Ron E. Armstead, Veterans Policy Advocate (R), (MA); Gloria Sinclair Miller (FL); VR Small (TX); Melissa A. Washington (CA); 1SG Jaynene Smith, (R), TX); CSM Claudette Williams, (R), (PA).
DALLAS, TX – The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veteran’s (CWV) 2021 Trailblazers: Women Veterans Leading the Way campaign has tapped Navy Veteran and CEO and Founder of the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC), VR Small, as one of their honorees.
Veteran Women's Enterprise Center CEO VR Small named among 2021 Women Veteran Trailblazers by Veteran Administration
DALLAS, TEXAS, UNITED STATES, April 26, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veteran’s (CWV) 2021 Trailblazers: Women Veterans Leading the Way campaign has tapped Navy Veteran and CEO and Founder of the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC), VR Small, as one of their honorees.
CWV sponsors the annual campaign in honor of Women’s History Month and throughout the year celebrates the contributions of these trailblazers and women Veterans, representing all military branches, during and after their military service. “The Trailblazer recognition really speaks to the work that the VWEC has done in leading the way in innovative programming for veteran women entrepreneurs,” says Small. “We launched the first Dallas/Fort Worth Veteran Women’s Grant Program, and it empowered the women that participated in our program to not only survive COVID 19, but we were able to literally take them to the next level and transform their businesses; so, they could thrive. Receiving this honor from the VA was humbling and made us very proud about the work that we are doing.
Texas Metro News: Here they are! The Superb Women of March 2021
Her name is “Small” but there’s nothing small about her heart and commitment. VR Small is a Navy Veteran. VR Small is the founder and CEO of the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center in Dallas, Texas. An alum of Lincoln University of PA, she had the Center built to help Veteran women and women military spouse-owned businesses get what they need to help them start their business or grow their business.
