Business Owner, Rule the Day While Minding the Rules

April 2021 Newsletter

A Message From Our President

Elizabeth Colón

NAWBO Chicago Board President

Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions, LLC

Happy April! With some doses of warmer weather and stretches with real sunshine, I hope you are feeling positive as we move into the second quarter of 2021.

Our theme for April is “Minding the Rules" relative to compliance, which tackles a lot of the areas that as business owners, tend to be last on the list. If our ducks are supposed to be in a row, many of us have some herding to do!

Membership Insights: Minding the Rules

Compliance with business regulations is so important no matter what industry you are in, but business owners are often strapped for cash and think that they can adjust things “later” only to get too busy and not revisit these important matters. What advice do you have for entrepreneurs regarding any or all of the following areas of expertise in business: HR, legal, accounting/finance or other?

Compliance with business regulations is key for entrepreneurs because in the end, not complying will always cost more financially than doing things the right way from the beginning. There are three things I always discuss with the business owners I work with. First, separate the business and the personal; file for a separate tax ID and establish separate business bank and credit card accounts right from the start.

Lynette DeRose

Supporting Strategies | Chicago

As a fellow entrepreneur, I would recommend to pay attention to any new laws or regulations that are relevant to your business, or at least news articles that cover changes in business practices. As a woman in tech and web development, I would suggest reviewing your privacy policies on your website, as well as compliance with accessibility standards.

Jenya Edelberg

Arcsec Digital

As the Founder and Executive Director of Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program, there are many regulations my team must be sure to follow and comply with when serving youth, who are our most vulnerable population. Whether you are working with a funder, business or community partner, schools or a client, it is important to pay attention and communicate with your partners to understand their needs and stay in compliance with all necessary requirements.

Kelly Fair

Polished Pebbles

Entrepreneurs wear a lot of hats and have ultimate responsibility for many things: growing the business, generating sales and managing customers and employees. However, compliance with tax laws is another critical area that can’t be overlooked. The business owner is responsible for the withholding and payment of employment taxes or the collection and remittance of sales tax.

Diane Yetter

Sales Tax Institute and Yetter Tax

Meet the Board: Katherine Tipper

Director At Large, NAWBO Chicago

Owner & CFO, Hunter Benefits Consulting Group

What do you hope to contribute to NAWBO during your term as a board member? What are your top priorities?

Finding new ways to engage members and adapt to the times. COVID-19 was a game-changer for meetings and conferences, and I am proud of being a part of a group that responded very positively to this Black Swan event.

Katherine also shares about working with family and how she reached her field today.

April Coffee Date for Members

NAWBO is built on the relationships women businesses cultivate for support, empowerment and inspiration. If you're new to NAWBO or simply want to build more connections within the network, come out to our upcoming Coffee Date. These unique events are a relaxed and informal way to get to know each other in a smaller, more intimate setting. Join us and get to know your fellow NAWBO members!

The Spring Membership Drive Is Underway!

The 2021 Spring Membership Drive runs until April 30. Please invite fellow female entrepreneurs to receive the support that NAWBO offers in growing their business!

In addition to the incredible value that comes with being better together as part of the NAWBO community, there are special incentives:

New members who join NAWBO during this time receive a $45.00 discount off the one-time new member initiation fee (normally $100.00).

New members who join NAWBO in the NextGen membership category during this time receive $45.00 off the annual NextGen membership dues (normally $120.00).

The reinstatement fee of $25 has been waived so we can welcome back previous members of NAWBO.

Click to Join

2021 Celebration of Achievement: Tickets On Sale

NAWBO Chicago invites you to join us in celebrating outstanding women and their entrepreneurial achievements at this year's Celebration of Achievement virtual conference. Receive essential information to rebuild your business post-pandemic, connect with Chicagoland women business owners, be inspired and engage with valuable discussions throughout the conference.

Don't miss the Chocolate Hour, hosted by Katrina Markoff of Vosges!

Buy your Chocolate Hour ticket to experience Vosges Haut-Chocolat's Virtual Chocolate Tasting guided by Founder and CEO, Katrina Markoff. You will receive Vosges chocolates for sampling, and Katrina, a master storyteller, will guide the group through the tasting. All orders must be submitted by April 22nd to be received in time for the conference.

Members in the News

Congratulations to NAWBO Chicago Member, Carol Brandt, for being recognized on Forbes 2021 "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list.

The Columbia Chronicle published an article about Chicago's women-led organizations with a special feature of NAWBO! Read more here.

Congratulations to NAWBO Chicago's sponsor BMO Harris Bank for being featured by NAWBO National. Read the article here.

BMO Empower Program

At BMO, diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of our mission to Boldly Grow the Good. BMO EMpower is our commitment to supporting the needs of minority businesses, communities and families. Through our BMO EMpower Economic Equity Advisory Group, we are committed to providing the financial resources and advice to help minority-owned and led businesses thrive.BMO EMpower provides access to: education and thought leadership, a diverse team of industry experts, and the BMO network of clients and community partners.

For more information or to apply for BMO EMpower, click here.

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 four 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.