A Message From Our President |
|
|
|
April is here and the weather has been improving! As I am writing this, we are enjoying gorgeous 60-degree weather with full sun. We’re feeling supercharged after a challenging winter and ready to hit the ground running.
We know that Spring brings renewal and growth, so this month we’re talking about the business certification process and the growth of your business. Let’s dive into it!
While it may not be for everyone, certifying as a woman-owned business (WOB) is an option for many suppliers or service providers and can certainly have its perks.
|
|
Membership Spotlights: Certification For Success |
|
As a certified business owner, can you please share with other women business owners any tips or recommendations that you have for women to leverage these certification opportunities to their benefit? |
|
|
|
Since 2018, I have obtained several woman-owned business certifications for Caminer Law and my clients.
I have come up with a list of the top three recommendations for certified women-owned businesses to leverage certification opportunities.
Irene Schild Caminer
|
|
|
|
Developing clients takes time and you need to check in regularly. Meet the Supplier Diversity Leader and stay connected. It’s also vital to develop relationships directly with the department that you will be working with.
When speaking with the Diversity Team, keep your pitch simple. They are often helping a variety of minority businesses, so they aren’t usually experts in any one area. They really just need to know what you do on a high level, so they know who to connect you with.
Mary Lawrence
|
|
Meet The Board: Taneka Tucker
Director at Large
Director, North American Commercial Banking Risk Management and Compliance at BMO Harris Bank
|
|
|
|
What do you hope to contribute and what are your top priorities?
My goals are to help the organization grow its member base, and to assist and improve engagement and retention of members.
What professional accomplishment makes you feel proudest?
One of my greatest professional accomplishments was leading the efforts for the Paycheck Protection Program for our Commercial Banking clients. The amount of time, resources and effort dedicated to making sure we could help American businesses when they needed it most was quite fulfilling.
|
|
Feature Your Business This April—Ad Slots Are Open! |
|
Secure Your Tickets For The Celebration of Achievement |
|
Don't wait! Get your tickets now for the 39th Annual NAWBO Chicago Celebration of Achievement conference. A variety of ticket types are available. Non-members are welcome to attend, so please share this opportunity far and wide. |
|
Does your organization share in our belief and commitment in helping women and other minority groups to succeed? NAWBO Chicago has been the driving force in unifying and serving women business owners (WBOs) for five amazing decades – and since March of 2020, our efforts have intensified to ensure that female entrepreneurs have the resources they need to weather the turbulent times that continue today.
The Celebration of Achievement is our annual fundraiser. Please purchase an ad to support NAWBO Chicago and NAWBO Wisconsin so we can help female entrepreneurs grow and develop new opportunities that will create jobs, strengthen communities, and ultimately, build the economy.
|
|
Join Us For Coffee Tomorrow Morning! |
|
If you're new to NAWBO or simply want to build more connections within the network, don't miss our upcoming Coffee Date on April 7! These unique online events are a relaxed and informal way to get to know each other from the comfort of your couch. |
|
Board Of Director Nominations Due April 15—Don't Delay! |
|
The Chicago Area Chapter is one of the very first chapters chartered by our National organization and is currently the largest chapter in the United States. We have long been regarded by NAWBO chapters across the country as a leadership role model.
It is because of the talents and passion of members like you, who over the years have stepped forward to lead, that this tradition of preeminence has continued. If you would like to be part of the fiscal year (FY) 2022 – 2024 leadership team, the Nominating Committee welcomes your interest!
|
|
The deadline for submissions is April 15. Email completed forms to [email protected].
Questions? Please contact:
Edie Comminos
Immediate Past President
Melissa Lagowski
Executive Director
|
|
NAWBO Chicago is proud to announce the re-launch of a collaboration with SomerCor. Access to capital remains a critical issue for all entrepreneurs. NAWBO’s own public policy survey found nearly two-thirds of members rated access to capital to be a very (or an extremely) important issue. As a nonprofit, Small Business Administration (SBA) certified lender, SomerCor is a natural fit to support NAWBO Chicago members with their capital needs.
“Women-owned businesses generate $1.8 trillion in sales each year, and they employ over 10.1 million workers. When women have the resources they need to grow their businesses, there is a tremendous ripple effect in the communities they serve,” explained NAWBO Chicago Executive Director, Melissa Lagowski. “Connecting women business owners with the programs available through SomerCor helps more businesses grow and expand. Quite simply, everybody wins.”
For more information about the SBA 504 loan program and other small business financing tools offered by SomerCor, contact Elisabeth Williams at (312) 360-3302 or [email protected].
|
|
|
|
Julia Billen, President and Owner of WarmlyYours, was interviewed by First Midwest Bank in their article, "Go Further, Together: Top Insights From Women Business Owners."
|
|
|
|
NAWBO Chicago member, Rohini Dey, was recently named MenuMasters Innovator of the Year for 2022! Dey is the Founder and Owner of the Vermilion restaurant in Chicago.
|
|
|
|
Melissa Lagowski, Executive Director of NAWBO Chicago and Founder of Big Buzz Idea Group, was interviewed by First Midwest Bank in their article, "Go Further, Together: Top Insights From Women Business Owners."
|
|
|
|
Let's finish the 2022 Spring Membership Drive strong!
Bring a friend (or ten) to NAWBO Talks on April 13 and allow them an excellent opportunity to see first-hand the tangible benefits that our organization offers to women business owners and their supporters.
New members who join by April 30 will receive $47 off their initial membership dues. Lapsed members who rejoin will have the $25 reinstatement fee waived.
|
|
Join A Monthly Connects For Inspiration And Connectivity |
|
April's NAWBO Connects are virtual events and attendees will be sent the Zoom information prior to the meeting time.
Connects are open to all. Non-Members are able to attend up to two events before membership is required.
|
|
|
|
Chicago Connects (Virtual)
Leveling Up As CEO: How To Grow As Your Business Shifts And Demands More
Presented by Diana Murphy – Founder of Diana Murphy Coaching, THE Coach for the Business Owner & Advisors who serve them
Courageous leadership is required as our business grows. One of the natural tendencies hard-working business owners have is to take on more and more instead of getting support. We'll discuss the key sticking points and how to move through them more easily with powerful leadership.
Tuesday, April 19
8:30 - 10:00 am
Every Third Tuesday
|
|
|
|
North/Wisconsin Connects (Virtual)
Join NAWBO Chicago for the April North/Wisconsin Connects! This month, attendees will network, play a game and learn more about what NAWBO Chicago & NAWBO Wisconsin have to offer women business owners.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with other female entrepreneurs!
Tuesday, April 26
8:30 - 10:00 am
Every Fourth Tuesday
|
|
|
|
West/South Connects (Virtual)
De-Stressing The Workplace
Presented by Anna Weselak – Seminar Trainer, Consultant and Owner of Weselak & Associates
- Identify seven areas of stress in the workplace
- Analyze how high stress levels affect productivity
- Determine how overall health and well-being is affected by stress
- Lower absenteeism and increase productivity by lowering stress
- Help managers recognize these areas in their team and direct reports
Thursday, April 28
8:30 - 10:00 am
Every Fourth Thursday
|
|
|
|
Click HERE to view NAWBO's Advocacy updates.
Advocacy Days returns June 7-8, 2022 in Washington D.C. Weigh in on the issues that impact your business and make sure your voice is heard with key decision makers on Capitol Hill. Also, connect with other NAWBO leaders and members attending the event to use their voices to impact change.
Power your #NAWBOVoice at Advocacy Days.
|
|
Maximize Your Membership in 2022 |
|
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
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 May submissions to the newsletter editor by April 22, 2022.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
