We can’t wait to be TOGETHER AGAIN at the 2022 WBENC National Conference in Atlanta, June 7-9, 2022! To get you even more excited, we are providing inspiration, advice and insights from our Host Committee members, all WBENC-Certified WBEs that have stepped up in a big way to help make the National Conference an amazing experience this year.
Meet Shelly Heller & April Pollock, Co-Founders of Tempagenix and another of our powerful Host Committee WBENC WBEs.
About Shelly Heller, April Pollock and Tempagenix 
Tempagenix is the creator of TempN-Toss, the first and ONLY paper thermometer available on the retail market with no need for batteries or recalibration. Perfect for all ages, the strips contain a medical-grade adhesive to allow for continuous monitoring up to 48 hours and are designed for single use to minimize the risk of contamination. During the pandemic, Shelly and April were able to provide an American-Made solution while satisfying Supplier Diversity commitments as a WBENC-certified company. Tempagenix is currently on track to launch our next temperature regulating product for the retail market in 2022.
Shelly and April, what inspires you the most about women’s entrepreneurship right now?
We strongly believe in doing business intentionally as part of our Social Responsibilty and partner with as many WBEs in our RPO as possible. We won the WBEC-ORV 2021 WBE B2B award through our spend with six WBENC-certified WBEs and now have several vendors who are pursuing certification at our request. We also are passionate about working to strengthen our community, so we have chosen assemblers who employ People with Developmental Disabilities to package our thermometers.
What advice would you give someone about getting involved with WBENC?
This WBE group is like nothing you have ever seen in the ways we help raise each other up! It is not just talk and empty offers of support. Go to everything you can (and can afford) – lunches, corporate fairs that apply to your company and, most importantly, ASK FOR HELP! We have all been there and know this is daunting but truly want to help each other succeed.
We are going BOLD in 2022. What does it mean to you to “Be Bold?”
To “Be Bold” means not to settle or compromise. Always be true to yourself and fight for your beliefs – KNOW YOUR WORTH!
What is your proudest moment thus far in business?
Our proudest moment was winning DBJ 2021 Woman-Owned Business of the Year. Tempagenix scaled to meet an unprecedented demand during a time when the global supply chain failed. As a US-made product, we experienced over 1600% growth. Retailers approached with bare shelves and Tempagenix was able to ramp production for the pandemic.
Learn more about Shelly, April, Tempagenix and their entrepreneurship journey.
Each year, our dynamic and diverse network comes together to fuel opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The WBENC National Conference is the largest event of its kind for women business owners, welcoming thousands of women entrepreneurs and corporate executives ready to make connections and do business.
In 2022, WBENC is shaking up how we’ve done our National Conference in the past, with an innovative WBENC Arena filled with an Open Expo, programming, roundtables, educational sessions, and much more.
The 2022 National Conference will feature:
- The NEW and innovative WBENC Arena
- Dynamic educational programming
- Inspiring keynotes
- A pitch competition
- Meet & Greet
- Instant Match meetings
- Networking opportunities
- An unrivaled Expo of certified women-owned businesses and those who do business with them. View the Exhibitor Directory.
