Business Owner, How Are You Scaling Your Business?

July 2021 Newsletter

A Message From Our President

Elizabeth Colón

NAWBO Chicago Board President

Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions, LLC

During COVID, I did something a little crazy.

As the pandemic was in full swing and my business started disappearing, I had to reassess what I wanted our company to look like in the future. I took a long, hard look at everything we had accomplished up to that point and decided that I wanted to work with customers who valued what I was doing, customers that poured as much value back into us as we poured into them.

With that in mind, I decided to terminate our biggest client.

Membership Insights: Quality vs Quantity

As businesses start to return to normal, what advice do you have for women business owners looking to scale and grow their business?

My advice is to listen, learn and adapt when necessary. As we emerge from the pandemic shutdown, it is imperative to note changes in my field because mental health services did not shut down. Many states and local agencies embraced and supported virtual, synchronous therapy as an effectual provision of services by changing laws and policies. My practice was poised for growth but the pandemic stalled those efforts.

Tracy L. Cooper, LCSW

Private Practice CEO and Barry University Doctoral (DSW) Candidate

If we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is the power of remote work and the value of our technology. Our office was established as a flexible work environment before the pandemic, so laptops and cloud servers were standard issue.

Chyanne Husar

HUS Architecture

I believe that the key to scaling your business is to do so without fear. Use any feelings of fear to propel yourself forward. The best way to do that is to first look for opportunities to innovate, then develop a plan to follow, get the support you need, and be willing to ask questions.

Melissa Kehl

Rieke Office Interiors

Who would have thought we would be saying, “It’s time to get back to normal”? I am sure many agree that we never thought we would be reinventing ourselves as business owners. After this past year, there is no longer business as usual. As women in business, it is time to make sure we remain relevant and continue to learn something new to grow our businesses.

Carrie J. Little, BS, MS

CarMarc Realty Group, LLC

GameChanger: Elizabeth Colón

A Conversation With NAWBO Chicago President Elizabeth Colón, President & CEO of Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions.

Elizabeth answers questions about what inspired her business, the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the lessons and support that guide her.

Elizabeth has been a part of NAWBO for eight years. She joined for the community, for access to like-minded people to talk about our struggles and challenges, and for support. With so many working remotely, NAWBO has allowed people to connect across regions and to utilize their time effectively to truly show up.

Increase to Chicago Minimum Wage Effective July 1, 2021

Effective July 1, 2021, the Chicago Minimum Wage has increased for all covered employees. The Minimum Wage has increased to either $14.00 or $15.00 per hour, depending on the number of workers at a business. For qualifying employers with 21 or more workers, the new Minimum Wage is now $15.00 per hour. For employers with four to 20 workers, the new Minimum Wage is $14.00. Read more to learn the official City of Chicago information.

Important PPP Update

Small businesses that took out PPP loans in 2020 need to apply for forgiveness SOON — otherwise the loans will become permanent and businesses will be responsible for payments and interest. This applies to you if your business took out a loan under the 24-week covered period, which could put your deadline in September.

Within 10 months of the end of the covered period under which you had to spend the money, the PPP loans will automatically convert to a standard loan at 1% interest if a small business does not apply to the SBA for loan forgiveness.

As soon as you are able to apply, APPLY! We want to make sure NAWBO members know it will take time to get through the forgiveness process.

Update Your Profile in July for a Chance to Win

Who are you and where are you with your business? How do you prefer that we communicate with you? NAWBO National needs to know these things to best support you as a NAWBO member—to provide you with the most valuable resources and opportunities, to advocate on your behalf to create positive change, to design programming that best educates and inspires you, and more.

The ONLY way we can do that is if you keep your NAWBO profile current, so please take a moment to update your demographics and communications preferences this month. When you do so in the month of July, you will be entered into a raffle for (1) virtual registration to the 2021 National Women’s Business Conference this October.

Advocacy Update

New advocacy updates are posted on the NAWBO Chicago Advocacy Page. Read more to learn about administrative announcements and meetings, grants, tax credits and upcoming hearings.

Members in the News

Congratulations to NAWBO Chicago Member, Brooke Foley's The Jayne Agency, for having their article "Building Your Personal Brand as an MBE" featured in Minority Business Magazine.

Congratulations to NAWBO Chicago Member, Jackie Camacho-Ruiz, for being featured in Natural Awakenings "Community Spotlight."

Congratulations to NAWBO Chicago Member, Mary Lawrence, for being honored as a Top WBE CEO of 2021 by WE USA.

Maximize Your Membership

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 the same small group of women that meet on a regular basis to provide peer-to-peer discussions. Email to learn more.

Update Your Profile

Your profile is how you are represented to other members. By including details about your business, your interests and yourself, you have a better opportunity to be seen. Click here to update.

Get Involved with a Committee

NAWBO Chicago hosts five active committees: Advocacy, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Marketing, Membership and Celebration of Achievement Conference. Please find the descriptions and committee leaders here.

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.