The Presidential Award for Excellence in Microenterprise Development

FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON PRESENTS

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

The White House, Presidential Hall

January 16, 2001

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers Present Awards for Excellence in Microenterprise Development.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Microenterprise Development reflect a commitment by the Federal Government to advance the role of microenterprise in expanding economic opportunities for all Americans, especially low-income workers, women and minorities who often lack access to traditional sources of credit. The awards were an outgrowth of the First Lady’s work on microcredit over the past 15 years and her participation at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in September 1995. It was there that the U.S. government made a commitment to improve microcredit opportunities, and soon after Mrs. Clinton announced the creation of the awards as part of that effort.

In keeping with the U.S. commitment in Beijing, the President directed the Treasury Department to establish the Presidential Awards to draw attention to the important role and success of microenterprise development in the domestic economy. The awards, first presented in January 1997, are given in different categories to reflect the diverse goals, purposes and activities of microenterprise organizations.

The Center for Economic Options received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Microenterprise Development in the category of Program Innovation

1999 - 2000 Profile

The award is for The Center for Economic Options’ (CEO) creation of sectoral networks that help micro entrepreneurs located in remote, rural areas access markets, suppliers and information needed to run a successful business.

Founded in 1982, CEO began providing service to small-scale entrepreneurs in 1983. In 1995, CEO changed its mission to exclusively focus on microenterprise development as a strategy for promoting rural economic development. By 1999 CEO was serving nearly 500 current and prospective small-scale entrepreneurs annually. CEO realizes that micro businesses play a crucial role in West Virginia’s economy, and in 2000, contracted with Marshall University’s Lewis School of Business to explore the scope of micro-businesses’ economic impact on West Virginia’s economy. Preliminary research indicates that there are over 3,600 registered micro-businesses in the state employing over 73,000 people – or over 10 percent of the workforce!

The key innovation that CEO is recognized for is the creation of sectoral enterprise networks. Sectoral networks are groups of very small, rural businesses that cooperatively access training and marketing opportunities, as well as share information and lessons learned. As a group, the businesses that are members of the networks may achieve outcomes that one business alone could not accomplish. As of 1999, CEO’s most well-known sectoral network is Appalachian by Design. CEO developed this program and legally spun it off into an independent nonprofit organization in West Virginia in 1995. CEO currently coordinates three networks—the Appalachian Flower Network, the Forest Enterprise Network, and the Small Farms Network.

In 2000 CEO hosted The People’s Market Place – a buyer’s market where over 60 micro-businesses showcased their products to local and regional wholesale and retail buyers. Over 60% of the micro-business owners made sales during the two-day event. In October 2000, CEO opened Showcase West Virginia – a retail shop featuring the products of small-scale West Virginia businesses – in Charleston’s downtown mall. Many of the over 70 micro-business owners participating in Showcase West Virginia are based in rural communities and have limited retail experience. Originally conceived as a three-month pilot project, Showcase West Virginia was extremely well received during the holiday shopping season, and CEO chose to continue to operate and develop the Showcase West Virginia social purpose enterprise to explore its full potential.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Microenterprise Development Ceremony

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Microenterprise Development were made at the White House in Washington, DC on January 16, 2001. Senator Hillary Clinton and Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers made remarks and presented the awards. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Microenterprise Development was created by President Clinton as one of the commitments made by the United States at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The awards reflect an ongoing commitment by the United States to advance the role that microenterprise development plays in enhancing the economic opportunities of all Americans, especially those who have traditionally lacked access to standard sources of credit such as women, low income people, and minorities. The awards are administered by the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund of the Treasury Department.
Left to Right: Legia Cravo, The William Randolph Hearst Foundation; Sandra Mikush, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation; Pam Curry, Executive Director; Charlotte Chandler, owner of Honey of an Herb Farm and board member; Father Rich Zelik, Board Chair; and Gayle Williams, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation.

Senator Hillary Clinton; Pam Curry; Secretary Summers

Customer Profile: Charlotte Chandler, Honey of an Herb Farm Charlotte - Chandler is a true entrepreneur. After winning a bet with her husband, who is a stonemason, he had to build her a stone herb garden. From that first small garden, Charlotte has grown her business, Honey of an Herb Farm.

“I’ve always enjoyed flowers and herbs, and owning my own greenhouse business is a dream come true,” said Charlotte. “Having my own business is wonderful. I have flexible hours, and I really enjoy what I do. I don’t dread getting up in the morning and going to work.” But like all entrepreneurs, Charlotte did have her challenges. Her farm is located in a rural, mountain community far from towns and commercial resources, but this did not deter Charlotte. In 1994, Charlotte learned about CEO’s new Appalachian Flower Network. She attended the first meeting a few months later. Through network training provided by CEO, she has learned production, business development, and marketing skills. Charlotte has become a consummate networker who has taken advantage of marketing events sponsored by CEO to meet new customers and expand her market.

Though her original intent was to keep her business strictly wholesale, an emerging market for value-added products such as bath products, potpourris and dried wreaths lead her to retail sales. During the 1998 holiday season, Charlotte hosted Honey of an Herb Farm’s first Open House. Relying only on word of mouth advertising, the first Open House was a remarkable success. She originally believed that her rural location would limit customer traffic. However, the great success of the Open House in 1998 made Charlotte see that retail is a viable option. The problems and challenges of growth have not kept Charlotte from moving forward in a positive manner. For instance, in August 2000, lightning struck a tree, which then fell and burned the building where all of the value-added products were being stored. Despite this
tragedy, the Farm is still thriving.

Charlotte says that CEO’s comprehensive support has been the key to her ability to start and grow her very successful business. “One of the most important things that CEO has given me is encouragement,” states Charlotte, “Every time I lost faith in myself, someone from CEO was there to encourage and help me. I couldn’t have done it without that.”