Webinar Library
Construction/ Public Works Introductory Women in Business
March 2023 – Women In Construction Week Series: Certifications Overview for Women-Owned Small Businesses
As a women-owned business you may qualify for certifications that give you a leg up in the government marketplace and increase your chances of winning more contracts!
The main certifications available to women-owned small businesses are the Women-Owned Small Business and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB/EDWOSB) certifications through the Small Business Administration (SBA). However, women-owned businesses may qualify for other socio-economic certifications as well. These include Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) through Caltrans, and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Supplier Clearinghouse.
In this webinar, Norcal PTAC Procurement Specialist, Nanci Pigeon, will explain how these certifications can be valuable for increasing revenue, and give a basic overview of the qualifications and application processes for each.
Sponsored by

Women’s Business Center – Oakland
AnewAmerica Women’s Business Center – Oakland provides training, counseling, and other support services to help women entrepreneurs start and successfully grow their businesses. In addition, the center supports women business owners.

Women’s Business Enterprise Council Pacific (WBEC)
WBEC Pacific is the largest non-governmental Women-Owned Business certifying body in its six-state region, providing WBENC and WOSB certification for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs). Along with certification, WBEC Pacific provides events and educational programs that help create business opportunities for women looking to build their business, enhance their knowledge, expand their networks, and grow their revenue through contracts with large corporations, government agencies, and other women-owned businesses.

The National Association of Women Business Owners
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) – San Francisco Bay Area chapter is a powerful and influential organization representing and supporting the needs of more than 117,000 women business owners of the Bay Area. NAWBO-SFBA is the go-to resource for community, education, inspiration, political advocacy, partnerships, and networking for women who want to grow their businesses, be more successful and empower others.

Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services
By providing their diverse clients with counsel drawn from more than 20 years’ experience in unique problem solving, Merriwether & Williams is helping to create a new insurance industry paradigm that transforms obstacles into opportunities, enables innovation, opens doors and creates more dynamic relationships between businesses and communities.
The Contractor Development Program (CDP)
Administered by Merriwether and Williams Insurance Services, the Contractor Development Program (CDP) was implemented by the City & County of San Francisco to assist small local contractors by providing an array of business development assistance.
If you have more questions, please contact us at info@apexnorcal.org or (707) 267 – 7561