In 2024, WBENC continues its inspiring tradition by celebrating the WBE Stars for their remarkable achievements, contributing invaluable leadership, innovation, and influence on the dynamic business landscape. Each handpicked by one of the 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs), these women serve as a wellspring of inspiration for others within their communities. The recognition they receive through the WBE Star Award is a powerful testament to the profound impact they’ve made in their respective business environments.
The 2024 WBE Stars received their accolades at the vibrant WBENC National Conference, a grand event held from March 19-22, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. This conference was a hub of innovation and networking, drawing nearly 5,000 entrepreneurs and business leaders who celebrated the accomplishments of these extraordinary women.
But the celebration doesn’t end there. Throughout 2024, WBENC will continue to spotlight these trailblazing women in various dynamic formats, including an engaging article series and captivating feature articles in WE USA Magazine this summer. Prepare to be inspired!
Meet Cate Heaman, Founder and CEO of Prelude Solutions, with the Women’s Business Enterprise Center East (WBEC East) Regional Partner Organization. With over 25 years of valuable technology experience, Cate’s leadership style is defined by purpose, courage, humility, humor, and unwavering character. Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2005 when she established her first telecom auditing and consulting business, leveraging her expertise as an Avaya Platinum Partner and ShoreTel Silver partner. After selling the hardware and software segment in 2016, Cate embarked on a new venture, creating Prelude Solutions to fulfill her vision of a woman-led enterprise.
Under her guidance, Prelude Solutions has achieved remarkable growth, tripling in size and revenue since 2020. With a focus on fostering confidence and driving high performance, she believes in the power of diversity, inclusion, and racial equality. Cate’s passion for making a difference extends beyond her business, as she actively contributes to various nonprofits and networks to give back to the community.
Get inspired by Cate and stay tuned for our 2024 WBENC Stars article series throughout 2024!
Prelude Solutions, a leading technology consulting firm and proud women-owned enterprise, excels in offering expert guidance to organizations to elevate their communication platforms. Using a thorough analysis of communication services and systems, our mission is to drive technology cost reduction, with clients benefiting from an average savings of 33% through our success-based model. What distinguishes Prelude is our distinctive perspective, seamlessly integrating as an extension of our clients’ teams. To propel clients toward their technology objectives, we furnish a comprehensive inventory and execute market analyses, tapping into a network of over 400 partners for agnostic services and solutions. With Prelude, organizations can confidently make informed decisions, optimizing communication efficiency with finesse.
Moreover, Prelude Solutions has been a certified woman-owned business for over six years with WBENC, and Cate actively serves on multiple committees within the WBENC community, serves as an ENVOY for WBEC-East and championing the cause of women-owned businesses and promoting diversity. Cate epitomizes a visionary CEO who fosters growth, empowers individuals, and creates a positive impact. Her dedication to entrepreneurship, diversity, and community involvement is an inspiration to all, positioning Prelude Solutions as a beacon of success and inclusion in the business world.
The 2024 theme is AMPLIFY. What does AMPLIFY mean to you?
“The theme AMPLIFY for the 2024 Conference resonates perfectly with our vision! Building on the MOMENTUM of the past year, all women-owned businesses now have the opportunity to AMPLIFY our targets and achieve our goals. At Prelude, we are thoroughly AMPED up for this year’s conference, and the anticipation is building as six of us prepare to attend Nationals for the fourth time, with the additional excitement of our second exhibition.”
When and how was your business started?
The inception of our business dates back to July 2005, when I founded my first company with the original business model centered around conducting in-depth analyses of companies’ communication services and systems to achieve cost reduction. Over time, this company evolved into an Avaya Platinum Partner, specializing in hardware and software for phone systems, while still maintaining a focus on telecom analysis for savings. In October 2016, Prelude Solutions was established, marking a shift to a purely women-owned identity and certification. Over the last seven years, Prelude Solutions has experienced remarkable growth, tripling in size, and now boasting a team of over 20 members. Our commitment to assisting clients in achieving an average savings of 33% on their current technology spend remains unwavering. Furthermore, we aid in vendor selection by leveraging our extensive network of 400+ partners, offering agnostic services and solutions through our validated market analysis model.
What is one way you recommend people to “AMPLIFY” the impact of the WBENC network in the next 2 years?
To truly AMPLIFY the impact of the WBENC network in the next two years, I strongly advocate for a dedicated approach to attending local events. By actively participating in these gatherings, individuals can connect with fellow WBEs, gaining valuable insights into their successful journeys in forming partnerships and accessing direct business opportunities. Supporting and learning from the WBENC community is the most effective way to AMPLIFY our collective experiences and expertise in developing impactful business and partnerships within the network.
How are you planning to AMPLIFY the mission of the WBENC network during your time as a WBE Star?
As a WBE Star, I intend to use this recognition to actively support and elevate women-owned businesses both locally and nationally. Prelude will maintain a consistent presence at various RPO events, including WBEC ORV’s Catch the Wave, and corporate gatherings hosted by entities such as Dominion Energy, Toyota, and Highmark Health. Our aim is not only to promote fellow WBEs but also to foster meaningful corporate connections. Leveraging our substantial social media following, Prelude will regularly showcase our WBE Star status, share insights and promote WBENC events, and celebrate the accomplishments of the WBENC network. Furthermore, as part of our commitment, Prelude directs a portion of our savings back to WBEC-East. Over the past year, our contributions exceeded $25,000, and we are steadfast in continuing this support for the next three years through our Satell Institute membership. Our financial commitment is designed to AMPLIFY the funding essential for sustaining the impactful work undertaken by WBEC-East in supporting the success of women-owned businesses.
Provide an example of how innovation helped you overcome a challenge, pivot, or adapt your business.
In early 2023, Prelude initiated four projects with Fortune 1000/500 companies, collectively scrutinizing well over $30 million in spending through our innovative techniques. The Prelude team collaborated to strategize the most effective approach for each account, focusing on innovative analytic reporting to guarantee precise data and achieve maximum savings. Despite the challenges faced in 2023, Prelude has triumphantly equipped itself to handle even more in 2024.
What areas of innovation do you foresee for women entrepreneurs over the next few years?
As a women-owned technology consulting firm, Prelude Solutions is consistently at the forefront of helping clients innovate their technology by sourcing upgrades and enhancing efficiency. Looking ahead, I foresee a significant innovation area for women entrepreneurs lies in harnessing the power of automation. At Prelude, we are actively automating various aspects, from lead generation using our CRM to project management and financial processes. This strategic move aims to enhance efficiency across the board and ensure accurate business analytics. The ability to make decisions based on real-time data and analytics is crucial for all business owners in the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.
What have you learned about yourself as a leader from mentoring or coaching others?
Through mentoring and coaching others, I’ve gained valuable insights into my leadership style. For me, leadership is synonymous with consistently embodying the principles of integrity and accountability. I believe in leading by example, setting a standard that permeates the entire organization. Taking calculated risks is an integral part of leadership, always grounded in data-driven decision-making. In instances of failure, I’ve learned the importance of embracing a “Fail Fast and Fail Forward” mindset, recognizing failures as opportunities for growth and continuous improvement. This journey of mentorship has amplified my commitment to authenticity and resilience in leadership.
What do you view as benefits of being part of the WBENC network?
The benefits of being part of the WBENC network are manifold. Primarily, the sense of camaraderie, the establishment of partnerships, and the forging of friendships with other women in business have been invaluable for both personal and professional growth. Some of my closest friends and trusted colleagues have emerged from the WBENC network, and our mutual support continues to be a tremendous asset. On a business level, the network has played a pivotal role, with 70% of our revenues stemming from WBENC Corporates and fellow WBEs last year alone. This underlines the tangible business opportunities and collaborations that being part of WBENC can bring to the forefront.
How has engaging in the WBENC Network as a Certified WBE helped your company?
Engaging in the WBENC Network as a Certified WBE has been instrumental in propelling Prelude forward. WBENC stands as our primary source of leads, reflecting the significance of this network in our business landscape. The volume of contacts collected and connected with over the last six years has been substantial, prompting our recent investment in ZoomInfo to navigate this vast network effectively. This lead-enhancing technology, coupled with our robust CRM, empowers us to strategically market to WBENC Corporates and fellow WBEs, ensuring that we can maximize the opportunities and connections fostered through this invaluable network.
What suggestions would you like to share with a newly certified WBE who is looking to get involved in the WBENC community?
For a newly certified WBE seeking to dive into the WBENC community, my suggestion is to embrace full immersion. Actively engage with fellow WBEs who are willing to review your capabilities statement and provide guidance based on their seasoned experience within the network. Swiftly join committees, with a special recommendation for the Envoy committee, as it serves as a valuable resource and support system. Don’t hesitate to seek out and connect with your RPOs Envoys; they are there to assist and guide you in navigating the WBENC community effectively.
