If you missed the excitement of November, or if you know someone who did, please forward this email and remember to...
Save the Date
on December 6th for our Holiday Party and on
January 10th for our January Signature Lunch Meeting!!
For more details on what's happening with NAWBO, keep reading...
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Letter from the President - Melinda McVadon
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Walking through the crowd at our November meeting I was suddenly struck by how many times I heard someone say thank you… Thank you for asking, thank you for the call, thank you for the connection, thank you for the support. Thank you for listening. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about my business.
It got me thinking, just how powerful gratitude is. November, the month of Thanksgiving, is all about gratitude. I can hardly believe it will soon be 2023! As business owners we have at least one eye already on the new year, what we want to create, what changes we want to make. Along with of all that planning and preparing there is also wondering about what the future holds.
All year I have been focused on reaching a particular milestone in my business and I confess I am prone to focus on what I have not done, where I am behind, or what I did wrong. But there is also now, right now. Part of me says I don’t have time to stop and focus on gratitude, but in truth, gratitude is a big part of what got me to where I am. Gratitude for the people patiently helping me overcome the challenges of launching a new business; gratitude for those who gave a word of encouragement just when I needed it; gratitude for the board members who have planned the special events, found speakers and corporate sponsors, managed advocacy and our social media, kept our Connects and Masterminds going, kept our records and finances and made sure that you, the members, are informed of it all.
Take a moment for gratitude and thank those who contribute to you; it is a kindness you can give to them and to yourself. It’s a great way to Power your Dream. As we end this year and start the next one, I wish the Happiest of Holiday Seasons to each of you.
December Happenings:
· Come Celebrate with us at our annual Holiday Party on December 6th! Register below!
· Connect Connect Connect — Pick one of our many options and bring others
· Join the National Empower Hour — and meet NAWBO members from across the country
As always, I am here to make sure you are served. Find me at melinda@themclynngroup.com or 704-634-5523. I can’t wait to see you at these events!
Melinda McVadon
NAWBO Charlotte President 2022-2023
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November Signature Dinner Meeting - Here's What You Missed...
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Steve Gatter - How to Work On Your Business, Not In Your Business
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In November, we welcomed Steve Gatter, for a discussion on How to Work On My Business, While Working In It. This discussion was geared toward solopreneurs, but Steve shared with us tips that business owners of any size can use.
According to Steve, there are 5 business ingredients you need to "mix well" to achieve optimum success. First, you need to establish your Motive - what is it that drives us in this business? Every strategy session you hold should aim to reaffirm this motive.
Second, it is important to figure out who your ideal customer/client is. We can't help everyone, so who would most benefit? Third, you need to approach things from a win-win mentality. This follows a basic value proposition - the customer gets their desired outcome, and you get your desired outcome (you both have to get something out of it).
Next, Steve encouraged solopreneurs to focus on customer acquisition...leads become prospects who become clients. Every meaningful contact provides information to assess - what can we learn and grow from? Finally, as a business owner, you must engage in a regularly scheduled "internal" discussion to review the four steps above. This is where the working ON our business comes in to play.
It was an excellent discussion, and we want to thank Steve for his time. If you missed the meeting, we hope you'll join us in January - information on that meeting is below!
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January Signature Lunch Meeting
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Please join us at our
January Signature Lunch Meeting
Tuesday, January 10th
Networking & Lunch Buffet: 11:00-11:30am
NAWBO Meeting: 11:30-1:00pm
In January, we are thrilled to welcome Tami Jaffe, for a talk on
10X Your Business With Other People's List.
You hear all the time that the money is in your list, but the truth is the real money is in other people’s lists. Your list has gotten you to where you are but in order to really grow and scale your business you need to multiply your reach. Leveraging the communities that other people have developed is the key to 10x your business.
During this presentation you will learn:
- The different ways that you can leverage other people’s lists
- Which methods work best for each phase of business
- How to identify and create these win-win collaborative opportunities
We hope you will join us. For more information on our Speaker and to Register, click below!
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2022-2023 Signature Meeting Schedule
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Mark your calendars now to join us for our
2022-23 Signature Meetings:
Tuesday, January 10th - Signature Lunch Meeting - Register Above!
Tuesday, February 7th - Signature Dinner Meeting
Tuesday, March 7th - Signature Lunch Meeting
Tuesday, April 4th - Signature Dinner Meeting
Tuesday, June 6th - Signature Lunch Meeting
Lunch meetings are held from 11:00am - 1:00pm and Dinner meetings are from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. We do not have a Signature Meeting in December or May because we are celebrating at our Holiday Party and Awards Gala. We are also off in July so everyone can enjoy a summer break.
Our meetings are held at Brewers at 4001 Yancey in the heart of South End. It offers fabulous food, a fun atmosphere, both indoor and outdoor space, and ample parking. We hope you will join us!
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SITQC & NAWBO Talks was a Smashing Success!
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Success in the Queen City/NAWBO Talks went off without a hitch - even the rain couldn't keep nearly 75 of us from gathering at Whitehead Manor in Charlotte for this fabulous evening.
We networked, ate, drank, and danced before hearing 4 incredible NAWBO Members share some of the journey's they went through to Power Their Dream. In addition, every attendee was able to stand up and introduce themselves and their company - allowing everyone the chance to make some meaningful connections.
Thank you to Sherré DeMao, Caryn Lee, Lisa Stryker, and Sunny Grigorova for your fabulous discussions - it was wonderful to hear how different each of your journey's have been, and how you were all able to overcome your own obstacles and challenges to Power Your Dream.
This event is consistently one of the best events of the fall and such a great opportunity to meet many other business owners. If you were unable to attend, don't worry - there is always next year! Until then, please enjoy some of the photos from our wonderful night courtesy of NAWBO Charlotte Member Ada Stevens. You can find those photos here.
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Thank you to our Event Chairs - Nikki Bradley & Amy Christieson! You ladies put together a great night!
And thank you to our Event Sponsors!
Without you, we could not pull this event off.
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Lisa Stryker
ConNEXT Communications
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Sunny Grigorova
Sunny Yoga Realtor
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Sherré DeMao
BizGrowth Inc
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NAWBO Charlotte 2022 Holiday Party - Register Now!
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Thank you to our Sponsor!
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City of Charlotte: October is Charlotte Women's Small Business Month
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On October 24th, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles declared October Charlotte Women's Small Business Month. The women of NAWBO Charlotte have spearheaded this Proclamation for years, and a great group of them turned out for the announcement.
We are grateful to Mayor Lyles and to the City of Charlotte for always showing support for Women Business Owners in our area.
#weshowup
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Uptown CONNECTS - NEW DATE & LOCATION!
Location: In Person @ Waterbean Coffee
University/LKN CONNECTS - NEW DATE/TIME!
Location: In Person @ Waterbean Cafe
NAWBO Virtual Only CONNECTS
Location: ALWAYS VIRTUAL
Ballantyne CONNECTS - NEW LOCATION!
Location: In Person @ Amelie's
Waxhaw/Weddington/Wesley Chapel CONNECTS - NEW CONNECTS GROUP!
Location: In Person @ The Buzz Beer & Wine Co
South Park CONNECTS
Location: In Person @ Rooster's
Fort Mill CONNECTS
Location: In Person @ Corkscrew
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NAWBO National Dues Changes - Coming in 2023
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This is a friendly reminder that our annual dues will increase on January 1, 2023. This was announced in previous weeks and will be the first dues increase at NAWBO in 11 years. Here are some additional details:
- This increase is $10.00 per month and is the first dues increase in 11 years.
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If you wish to pay your dues ahead - BEFORE December 31st - you may do so at the current rates. Details will be released very soon in your National Newsletter on how to do so, so please check that newsletter each Sunday.
- The increased revenue and will be split 50/50 between National and the chapters, so some of this will return here to Charlotte.
- When you renew your membership in 2023, you will see this increase reflected.
- If you’d like to pay your remaining dues for this year before December 31st, you can do so at the current cost.
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YOUR RENEWAL DATE WILL NOT CHANGE…so expect the new pricing to begin when your current year ends.
- Look for details next week on this pre-payment option in your National Newsletter
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NAWBO Charlotte Board Nominating Committee
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Are you interested in serving NAWBO Charlotte? We have two opportunities coming soon as we enter Board election season!
We are looking for Members to serve on our Board Nominating Committee. This committee will work directly with Immediate Past President, Mindy Mills Hinson, in helping to slate our 2023-2024 Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please email Mindy no later than December 17th.
Additionally, if you've ever been interested in serving on the NAWBO Charlotte Board - or know someone who might be - then keep an eye out for emails to nominate yourself or others in the near future!
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NAWBO Awards Season is Coming...Are You Ready?
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It's that time of year again! Very soon, we will be looking for nominees for our 2023 Woman Business Owner of the Year and our 2023 Rising Star of the Year.
If you, or someone you know, would be a great candidate...or if you just want to learn more about the process and your business...then keep your eyes out for the nomination form and training classes in the new year!
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Premier Member Benefit - Mastermind Groups
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Are you a Premier Member of NAWBO Charlotte? If you are, and are not a part of one of our outstanding Mastermind Groups, you are missing out on one of the most valuable benefits of your membership.
What does Mastermind offer?
Collaborate with other women business owners to:
·Increase your power & productivity
·Take your business further, faster
·Draw on the advice, counsel & support of like-minded women
Mastermind Groups rely on confidentiality, and are a safe space for sharing
We have eight (8) different groups with varying sizes and meeting locations around Charlotte - including a new group! If you are a Premier Member, and are looking for somewhere to collaborate, learn with others, set goals, and be accountable, then Mastermind may be the right place for you. If you are not a Premier Member, but think you want to be a part of Mastermind, you can upgrade your membership anytime through NAWBO National.
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Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
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Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is committed to helping small businesses grow. It’s why they set up their program to arm businesses with the tools and resources needed to thrive in today’s digital economy.
By joining, you’ll get free access to courses, live coaching sessions and learning opportunities, plus the potential to apply for an exclusive pool of $10K small business grants.
To unlock the application:
1.Register on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
2.Complete any combination of two courses, coaching or community events
3.Apply by November 14th
4.Participate using the link in the QR Code and the Charlotte Chapter could earn rewards!
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NAWBO National Upcoming Events
NAWBO National Weekly Events have kicked it into high gear for a busy fall! Here are some of the upcoming events::
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NAWBO Empower Hour - Formerly called Community Connects - Every other Wednesday @ 5:00pm ET. Final one for 2022 will be on Wednesday, November 30th! Check your National Newsletter for more details!
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Virtual Connect & Learn - Held on Tuesday's, schedule will vary - but generally occurs every two weeks at 12:00pm. There are no meetings held in December, but they will begin again on January 10th.
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DEI&B Training Workshops - see below for info and Registration
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NAWBO National Leadership Academy - February 6th in Long Beach, CA
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To view all currently scheduled events, click here!
To Register or for more information, check out your weekly email from NAWBO National - sent to you every Sunday morning - or visit the NAWBO National website by clicking below.
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NAWBO National DEI&B Open Forum
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NAWBO DEI&B Open Forum
Friday, January 20th
12:00pm ET
NAWBO National DEI&B consultant, Sertrice Grice of Mattingly Solutions, and DEI&B committee members are excited to kick off 2023 by sharing national highlights from our 2nd annual diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) survey.
We’ll talk progress from our last DEI&B survey as well as opportunities as we move forward toward our goal of being recognized as the most inclusive and diverse women’s business organization by NAWBO’s 50th anniversary in 2025.
We’ll also open it up for questions and dialogue, so please plan to join us for this important conversation!
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI&B) work isn’t just the right thing to do for business owners; it’s smart business. That’s because businesses with diverse leadership generate 2.3 times more cash flow. Studies also show diverse teams make better decisions in half as many meetings.
NAWBO HQ’s staff, National and Institute Boards, PASC and chapter leaders participated in DEI&B training earlier this year, and now, we’re inviting our entire community to benefit from it. Capacity is limited and available on a first come/first serve basis.
Training #3: Interrupting Microaggressions
- Thursday, January 19 at 2 p.m. PT/4 p.m. CT/5 p.m. ET
- This 1.5-hour workshop defines the term “microaggressions” and leads participants through a discussion that unpacks the term, its history and its present impact. Participants will discuss ways to disrupt microaggressions in their lives.
- Register Here
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Member Benefit - NAWBO Charlotte VIP Facebook Page
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Looking for a place to post about your business, specials you have going on, employment opportunities, etc? If you are a NAWBO Charlotte Member, you can join our NAWBO Charlotte VIP Facebook page!
Take these two Steps to Join:
1.Be sure to Like our NAWBO Charlotte page on FB
2.Search for the NAWBO Charlotte VIPs private group and request to Join
Once you're in, you are free to post!
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2022 NAWBO Advocacy Agenda
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The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) members are diverse in many ways, including the size of their business, the sectors and communities they serve, the stage of business development, race, ethnicity, geographic business areas, and political leanings that determine policy views.
The NAWBO Advocacy Agenda embodies the ever-present need to represent all of our members while creating both the avenue and environment to build sustainable women-owned businesses. To read about our 2022 Advocacy Agenda, please click here and visit our Advocacy page on the National website.
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Bank of America Down Payment Grant Program
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Bank of America is excited to announce a new Special Purpose Credit Program aimed at driving women and minority business growth! This program offers down payment grants for SBA 504 and 7(a) commercial real estate loans for women and minority business owners in Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas and Los Angeles.
The program will extend credit to historically disadvantaged small business borrowers and provide support to make purchasing commercial real estate more affordable. Eligible business owners can apply for down payment grants, covering up to 50% of required injection (capped at $25,000).
The link to apply for this special program will go live at the end of this month. If you have questions about it before then, please email below!
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Additional Small Business Resources
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Looking for capital for your small business?
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The SBA Microloan Program provides loans up to $50,000 to help small businesses and certain not-for-profit childcare centers start up and expand. The average microloan is about $13,000. Learn more
The SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program - 1st Thursday of each month
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The 8(a) program is a robust nine-year program created to help firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. This webinar is held on the 1st Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. ET. Click here to join online, or dial 469-225-3127. Conference ID: 577 388 907#
SBA Announces Call for Nominations for the 2023 National Small Business Week Awards
- For over 50 years, the SBA has celebrated National Small Business Week, recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. The NSBW Awards recognize SBA-assisted small businesses’ inspirational achievements and contributions to their communities and our nation’s economy.
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All nominations should be submitted electronically by 3 p.m. ET on December 8, 2022. The awards will be presented during the NSBW Awards ceremony in the first week of May 2023. To nominate a small business owner in your area or download related forms, criteria, and guidelines, visit sba.gov/nsbw.
ChallengeHER
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The ChallengeHer events provide matchmaking opportunities between women-owned businesses and government contractors and networking opportunities.
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ChallengeHER’s goal is to provide women business owners with procurement education, best practices for working with the government, and resources to learn how to apply and obtain a federal contract under WOSB/EDWOSB set aside. It also provides world-class programming and training, facilitated by subject matter experts, on entering into and navigating the public sector supply chain. These sessions are offered in person and online in a virtual environment. To register for a ChallengeHer, visit www.ChallengeHER.us.
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Bank of America Small Business Resources
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Looking for resources to help your Small Business? Bank of America has improved their already fantastic Small Business Resource website.
Business finance, day to day operations, and the changing economic landscape – with so much to manage, the way forward isn’t always clear. Bank of America is here to help you find the tools and information you need to do the next right thing for your business.
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New SBA Alliance Aims to Help Black Entrepreneurs Start and Grow
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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman has signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with President Reuben A. Shelton III, Esq., on behalf of the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s Council of Presidents, comprised of historically Black fraternities and sororities. The goal: to increase financial literacy within traditionally underserved, disadvantaged communities, expanding the SBA’s outreach and introducing Black entrepreneurs to tools and resources to start and grow businesses.
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Special Thank You to our Corporate Partners!
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NAWBO Charlotte | 704-900-3067 | nawbo@nawbocharlotte.org
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