Contestant's Case to Win
This is based on the number of votes received.Moms in Business Unite (MIBU) is an organization that supports and promotes the growing number of women- and mom-owned businesses by bringing together veteran and fledgling entrepreneurs in an all-day educational conference, complete with keynote speaker, panel discussions, breakout sessions, new inventor showcase, networking, award ceremony, and resource marketplace.
Randa Cote, the visionary behind this innovative and badly needed forum to educate women business owners to propel their businesses forward, warrants strong consideration to be a winner of the Leading Moms in Business competition. A mother of two young boys and the principal of SPE Solutions, a management consulting company, Randa didn’t let the fact that her plate was already quite full stop her from spearheading MIBU and serving as chairwoman for its unique annual event.
The MIBU Conference was “birthed” in San Diego in 2009 and limited to America’s Finest City in 2010 as well. Given its success, and Randa’s desire to be able to help more women business owners, MIBU has expanded into four cities in 2011—Boston, Detroit, Atlanta and Denver—and will hold its third annual conference in San Diego.
Randa also chose to partner with online “broadcaster” MomTV this year, so MIBU can provide valuable information to women business owners who don’t live in a conference city. MIBU now produces an hour-long show that focuses each month on a different business topic, furthering its reach to any woman who has an Internet connection.
Randa has an innate skill and desire to help everyone around her. Her passion is providing women with the tools and resources they need to thrive as business owners, and she’s justifiably proud of all the success stories that have come out of the initial conferences. One attendee started her own publishing company after being inspired at the inaugural event; others have seen their businesses take off in ways they never previously imagined, including gaining national exposure.
A veteran of many conferences that claimed to provide great value for women business owners, Randa saw a void in what was offered, the need for an educational forum for women featuring relevant topics and exceptional educators. MIBU limits speaker participation to those who can provide content-rich material and are passionate about its mission, to ensure attendees leave with information they can use for their benefit right away.
From the beginning, Randa and her team have been committed to building a solid foundation for MIBU so it can grow and help empower more and more women each year. Her understanding and use of technology has allowed a small committee to achieve big results that have literally changed the lives of many conference attendees by arming them with the education they need to succeed as business owners.
Randa also has outstanding project management and leadership skills that motivate people to achieve a common goal. Her incredible passion for educating women and empowering them to “get out there” and realize their business dreams is contagious. In less than three years, she’s turned a concept into a successful and flourishing organization that has made a real difference in the lives of many San Diego women…and is now poised to provide invaluable education and empowerment to women across the country (and someday, perhaps, around the world).
