Message From Our President | | |
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If you would have told a young Angie to fast forward 18 years to a time when my business would have workflows that can stand on their own so that I have time for stewardship in my calendar, or that the business would financially support multiple employee families, I would have been dumbfounded. Yet, here I am writing my first Message From The President. I am so excited to sit at the table as the President of NAWBO Chicago and be a spokesperson for women business owners, the fastest-growing segment of the US economy.
Angie Noll
NAWBO Chicago President
Founder of Reconciled Solutions
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Get To Know Angie Noll - Our New Chapter President | | |
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- Role On NAWBO Chicago Board: President
- Years In Business: 17 years – The business has grown and evolved, just like watching a child in my family grow and evolve.
- Company Location: Based in Elmhurst, my team works virtually and our clients are from all over the United States.
- Coffee Order: I like more cream than coffee in my coffee! Natural Bliss Sweet Cream is my favorite!
- Dream Vacation: I want to do an Eat/Pray/Love type trip around Asia, including India, Thailand, China, Japan, Philippines and Korea.
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Why did you join NAWBO Chicago and what has been your experience belonging to the organization?
I joined NAWBO Chicago because I wanted to be around fellow women business owners who are serious about growing and scaling their businesses. I need the role model of other women business owners who have successfully grown and scaled their businesses simultaneously with their other life roles, which include mothering, caring for aging parents or being a supportive spouse/partner to someone else. I only know so much as a business owner and I depend on the sisterhood that NAWBO provides to learn from others.
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July Member Spotlight - Courage | |
Tell us about a time you used courage as a woman business owner to level up, overcome a challenge or take a risk in your entrepreneurial journey. | | |
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The past five years have been a rollercoaster of challenges and growth. Rebuilding my business from scratch amidst toxic partnerships (both personal and professional) and the chaos of COVID-19 was incredibly tough. And by tough, I mean “Who needs sleep or sanity anyway?” tough. Facing these pressures created an extraordinarily dark period. Yet, looking back, invaluable lessons were hidden in that adversity. Spoiler alert: the universe has a wicked sense of humor.
Carmen Londoño
President
The Insurance Pros, LLC
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One of the most prominent examples where I had to gather tons of courage was when I decided to start The Fig Factor Foundation. Being a young Latina woman entrepreneur faced with many challenges — one of them being securing funding, overcoming skepticism, and bearing the responsibility of making a sustainable impact — my unwavering passion for empowering young Latinas pushed me through those hurdles.
Jacqueline Ruiz
CEO
Fig Factor Media & JJR Marketing
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Twenty-eight years ago, I’d have said leaving a reliable job (with a steady paycheck and mediocre dental insurance) to rent a space, buy equipment and cute chairs with money I didn’t have, hoping to get hired, took courage. But for me – after slugging through a debilitating six-month industry strike and then being the collateral damage of a huge budget cut – it resulted in a crushing loss of confidence, which in my experience took the most courage of my career.
Claire Simon
President & Director of Casting
Claire Simon Casting
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Courage is the strength to face pain, grief or fear. In June 2023, I confronted my biggest fear: my business was failing, and I was the cause – and potential solution. The economy was slowing, inflation was rising, and all my early entrepreneurial mistakes caught up with me. My revenue dried up, plunging my accounts into the red...
That experience taught me that courage is not just about facing our fears; it’s about building the resilience to keep going.
Lisa J. Smith
CEO
SMITH co.
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NAWBO Chicago Installs 2024-25 Board of Directors | |
Thank you to everyone who attended NAWBO Chicago's Annual Meeting and 2024-25 Board Installation on June 26. We hope the event was enjoyable, and you were able to meet new people and reconnect with familiar faces. | |
Maximize All That NAWBO Chicago Has To Offer | |
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Member Orientation
Wednesday, July 17 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm
On Zoom
Join NAWBO Chicago for a virtual Member Orientation on July 17 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm! Whether you are new to the organization, a long-time member or simply want more information before joining, all female entrepreneurs are invited to attend this FREE orientation and learn how to maximize all that NAWBO has to offer.
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Our Summer Social Is Only A Few Weeks Away! | |
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2024 Summer Social
Wednesday, July 31 from 4:30 - 6:30 pm
BMO Tower
It's that time again for one of NAWBO Chicago's favorite annual events! Join us for cocktails and networking at the 2024 Summer Social! We look forward to seeing you all, so mark your calendar and secure your ticket today. The Summer Social will be held on the 17th floor of the BMO Tower located at 320 S. Canal Street in Chicago.
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Mary Lawrence, Richards Graphic Communications, Inc., appeared on “The Inspiring Victory Show” podcast in an episode titled, “100 Year Resiliency: Powerful Insider Secrets You Can Use to Guarantee Your Success for the Next 100 Years.” | | |
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Lisa J. Smith, SMITH co., represented her business and NAWBO Chicago in an article titled, “Lisa J. Smith Is Empowering Female and BIPOC Business Owners to Go From Surviving to Thriving” on NAWBO National's website. | | |
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NAWBO Chicago Executive Director Melissa Lagowski, Big Buzz Idea Group, was featured on the “CanvasRebel” podcast in an episode about Female Entrepreneurship and Empowerment. | |
Calling All Small Businesses And U.S. Manufacturers! | | |
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Walmart is accepting applications for its 11th annual Open Call event, inviting small business owners and entrepreneurs across the U.S. to apply for the opportunity to pitch their products to be sold at Walmart or Sam's Club. Applications are open until July 15, 2024. | |
Changes To Chicago’s Labor Laws Now In Effect | | |
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Beginning on July 1, new labor laws in Chicago took effect. This included an increase in Chicago’s minimum wage to 16.20 per hour; up from $15.80 previously. Click below to read about additional changes to the labor laws. | |
Capital One Catapult Program Application Is Now Live! | | |
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Catapult is a six-month transformational learning journey designed to enable companies to innovate and disrupt by developing new solutions to business challenges.
The program provides business owners with the building blocks needed to develop a technology-driven or innovative solution to your business challenge. Applications are open until August 30, 2024.
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BBV Wealth Management Group To Host Webcast On July 18 | | |
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Bridge to a more bullish future?
July 18 at 1:00 pm Central
Hosted by BBV Wealth Management Group
In just 15 minutes, strategists offer their insights on the markets at midyear and ways you can prepare for the potential opportunities and risks ahead.
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Support A Fellow Member At This BACP Webinar In July | | |
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Exploring The Strategic Building Blocks to Better Brand Stories
July 26 from 9:30 - 10:30 am
Presented by Diana Leza Sheehan, Founder & Principal Consultant for PDG Insights
This session provides a unique opportunity to explore the fundamentals of strategy development and how that leads to more effective brand communications.
Save the date! Registration will open soon.
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NAWBO and WIPP Announce Partnership to Empower WBOs | | |
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NAWBO and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) have announced a formal partnership to strengthen the support and advocacy for U.S. women business owners. This collaboration aims to address key issues impacting women entrepreneurs on Capitol Hill and with the presidential administration, as well as to provide valuable education and assistance resources. | |
Maximize Your Membership In 2024 | | |
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Whether a solopreneur or a million-dollar business, NAWBO Chicago gives women-owned businesses of all levels the resources and support needed to help them grow and thrive. A NAWBO Chicago membership offers the power and benefits of an established community of women entrepreneurs. | |
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Join a Mastermind
Premier Members are eligible to participate in one Mastermind as a Member Benefit. A Mastermind group is the same small group of women that meet on a regular basis to provide peer-to-peer discussions. Email to learn more.
Activate Your Account
With the new National membership platform, all members need to activate their GrowthZone account. Activation emails are sent from delivery@nawbo.org.
Please email lora@nawbochicago.org with any questions.
Get Involved with a Committee
NAWBO Chicago hosts four active committees: Advocacy; Diversity; Membership; and Celebration of Achievement Conference. If you’re interested in joining a committee or would like more information, please contact the office at info@nawbochicago.org.
Attend a Monthly Event
Connects are monthly small-group meetings that allow our members to come together regularly throughout the Chicagoland region. Find future events here.
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NAWBO Chicago Newsletter Submissions
NAWBO Chicago newsletters are published monthly. Email August submissions to the newsletter editor by July 19, 2024.
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