Message From Our President | | |
|
|
This month, we are focused on belongingness and growing our membership with the NAWBO National Membership Drive. Nobody says it better, in my opinion, than Nellie L. McClung, a Canadian woman who fought for women to have the right to vote in Canada in the early 1900s:
“Women are going to form a chain, a greater sisterhood than the world has ever known.”
I envision standing hand-in-hand with my NAWBO sisters to form a chain of women entrepreneurs stretching across our great nation.
| |
October Member Spotlight - Belong | |
As a woman in business, creating a sense of belonging — for yourself, your team, or your clients — can be both empowering and challenging. How do you foster an environment where everyone feels they truly belong? What strategies have you found effective in overcoming barriers to inclusion, and how has this impacted the success of your business? | | |
|
|
My focus at Leaps and Bounds Therapy is building a community and sense of belonging for our clients and providers. Since we see clients individually in their homes, we do not work together under one roof. Therefore, I find it very important to develop a strong relationship with each provider. I really trust my providers to make their own decisions with client care and give them the respect they deserve while being available to support them and lift them up.
Aneri Bhansali PT, DPT
Physical Therapist & Owner
Leaps And Bounds Pediatric Therapy
| | |
|
|
Creating a sense of belonging is the foundation of why I started my business. I felt alone, unsupported and disconnected in environments that didn’t recognize the unique challenges of being both a woman and a mother. I realized there had to be a better way — a place where everyone could feel truly seen and understood. That’s when I decided to create a space that reflected the deep empathy I always wished for in my career.
Ilyssa Lasky, LCPC
Owner
Obsidian Counseling & Wellness
| |
Board Member Spotlight - Irene Caminer
| | |
|
|
- Role in NAWBO Chicago: Director at Large
-
Company: Caminer Law, LLC
- Years in Business: Since 2018
- Company Location: Chicago, IL
- Coffee Order: Iced coffee with vanilla, unsweetened almond milk and one Stevia
- Dream Vacation: I would close up my house for a year and buy an around-the-world airline ticket!
| |
|
Share a NAWBO Chicago success story or connection that helped take your company to the next level?
NAWBO introduced me to other women business owners and allowed me to build my confidence and my business. NAWBO Chicago also introduced me to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. NAWBO Chicago women are supportive, trusted advisors and authentic.
How do you recommend members make the most of their NAWBO Chicago membership?
Just show up. A membership is only good if you use it. Whether you come to monthly Connects, regional gatherings like the Summer Social or holiday events that are offered by NAWBO Chicago, it’s only beneficial if you are there!
Irene Caminer
Caminer Law, LLC
| |
Attend The Women In Business Breakfast Series | | |
|
|
Empowered to Excel: Insights from Visionary Female Entrepreneurs
October 24 at 7:00 - 9:00 am CT (8:00 – 10:00 am ET, Local Time)
Hosted at The Brick in South Bend, Indiana
Join NAWBO Chicago and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for the 2024 Women in Business Breakfast Series!
Ever wonder what sets thriving companies apart? Curious about the pivotal decisions that can propel a business to new heights? Join us for an inspiring session with trailblazing entrepreneurs who are transforming their industries and achieving phenomenal success.
| |
|
This dynamic panel, hosted by NAWBO Chicago and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), features powerhouse leaders ready to share their secrets about sustainable growth and impactful decision-making. Tiffany Irving, Senior Vice President of Mesirow, will moderate the panel.
Panelists:
Space is limited for this event. RSVP using the link below by October 18.
| | |
|
Jessica Freiburg was named one of Crain's Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law. Along with her role as managing partner of Sassetti, Jessica Freiburg is also an active audit partner. She leads the Oak Brook-based firm's client accounting and advisory team, manages Sassetti's human resources and administrative department, and is actively involved with the firm's marketing program and DEI initiatives. | | |
|
Big Buzz Idea Group, founded by Melissa Lagowski, was named one of the top 100 small businesses of 2024 by the US Chamber of Commerce. Big Buzz is recognized in the Enduring Businesses category. The CO-100 is an exclusive list celebrating the remarkable contributions small businesses make in driving innovation, growth and ingenuity both locally and globally. | |
A Message From Our Partner | |
|
NAWBO Chicago would like to share a message from Helen Balch, CDFA®, Wealth Management Advisor, Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
"BBV Wealth Management Group has been partnering with NAWBO Chicago to leverage the resources of our team and firm to support women and business owners. As a female-led team, BBV understands the unique challenges and opportunities that women in business face.
We are so excited to announce our team is expanding! We have added three new team members – all of whom are women! With this growth, BBV has the capacity to support new clients in all areas of their financial lives. We can aid businesses with strategic financial planning, risk management, retirement planning and cash flow solutions.
BBV also works with business owners for their personal needs. BBV is proud to have sponsored the NAWBO Chicago Annual Holiday Party and we are looking forward to our celebration on December 4. We are dedicated to bringing together like-minded women to share and celebrate achievements for the year!"
| |
The NAWBO Fall Membership Drive Goes Through November! | | |
|
|
Join NAWBO Chicago today and experience all the benefits that come with a membership to the region’s largest organization serving women business owners. Access everything you need to grow your business into something bigger, from ideas to connections, resources and much more.
NAWBO is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, so join now and save $50 off the new member initiation fee. Be sure to share this opportunity with a woman business owner who has not yet joined.
| |
Learn and Grow At The SBOC 2024 Conference In Wisconsin | |
|
SBOC 2024 Conference
October 16-17, 2024
Hosted by The Small Business Owners Community (SBOC) at Miller High Life Theatre in Milwaukee
The mission of the Small Business Owner Community Conference is to get small business owners together so they Don’t Grow It Alone ®. This two-day experience will give you that edge with inspiring talks, practical workshops, and the feedback and collaboration with hundreds of other small business owners ready to help you build your small business dream.
NAWBO Chicago members can use the code NAWBOMEMBER to save $50 off registration. Learn more about the conference and purchase tickets at the link below. Registration closes on October 4.
| |
Latina Leaders Celebrate Significant Milestones | | |
|
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administrator Isabel Casillas Guzmán has been named as one of TIME’s 2024 Latino Leaders. Latino business ownership is currently at the highest level on record and SBA-backed loans to Latino-owned small businesses have doubled. | |
Get Your Ticket to NAWBO’s Epic 50th Anniversary Event | | |
|
NAWBO is throwing a celebration for the ages on June 5-8, 2025 that will honor its golden anniversary and set the stage for the next 50 years. Join NAWBO in Washington, DC where it all began for the organization in 1975 as the first women’s business advocacy movement. Registration is open with special savings: $200 off for members and $100 off for non-members. | |
Nominations Are Open For The 2025 WBO Of The Year Award | | |
|
|
NAWBO National and award sponsor, Bank of America, opened nominations for the 2025 Woman Business Owner of the Year Award. This award recognizes overall business excellence—an entrepreneur who excels at strategy, operations, finances, problem-solving, overcoming adversity and giving back to her community.
Nominations are due on November 1. Visit the link below for award criteria and more information.
| |
Maximize Your Membership In 2024 | | |
|  |
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. | |
|
Join a Mastermind
Premier Members are eligible to participate in one Mastermind as a Member Benefit. A Mastermind group is an intimate consortium 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 memberservices@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 Women Mean Business® 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.
| |
|
NAWBO Chicago Newsletter Submissions
NAWBO Chicago newsletters are published monthly. Email November submissions to the newsletter editor by October 25, 2024.
| | | | |
