A Season of Gratitude: Celebrating Our Community

I hope this letter finds you thriving and filled with excitement as we approach the holiday season! It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner—a wonderful time for reflection, gratitude, and celebrating all that we’ve accomplished together!

As we embrace this season of thankfulness, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for you and your membership in our community. Your active participation in our monthly signature meetings, special events and various activities plays a crucial role in empowering women entrepreneurs like you. It is your enthusiasm and commitment that fuel our mission. I am deeply thankful for our incredible NAWBO Board Members and dedicated volunteers whose passion ensures that our events and initiatives are not only successful but truly transformative.

A special shoutout to our strategic corporate sponsors! Your invaluable partnership allows us to create meaningful events and opportunities for all our members. We couldn’t do it without your support!

Save the Dates for Upcoming Signature and Special Events:

1.    November Signature Dinner Meeting: Join us on Tuesday, November 12th for an unforgettable evening featuring our special guest speaker, Zahn Patin of The Wonder Group! Zahn will share invaluable insights in "Get It Done Differently with A.I. – Tips to Increase Your Team’s Productivity and Lower Your Firm’s Costs."

2.    Charlotte Business Inclusion Office Webinar: On November 14th, dive into exciting opportunities across various industries (hint: it’s much more than just construction!) and learn how to become MBE, SBE, and/or WBE certified with the City of Charlotte. This is a fantastic chance to expand your network and discover new avenues for growth!

3.    NAWBO Cheers & Connections: A Celebration of Women 2024 Holiday Party: Let’s celebrate together on Thursday, December 12th, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in Uptown Charlotte. It’ll be an evening filled with joy, laughter, and connection—a perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

4.    NAWBO’s Epic 50th Anniversary Event: Get your tickets now for a spectacular celebration happening June 5-8, 2025, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. We are throwing a party for the ages to honor our golden anniversary and set the stage for the next 50 years of advocacy for women in business!

As we approach this season of gratitude, let us take a moment to reflect on our collective achievements and the strength we find in our community. I am thankful for each of you—your dedication, your passion, and your unwavering support for one another. Together, we are not just building businesses; we are building a legacy of empowerment and inspiration.

Wishing you a holiday season overflowing with joy, love, and peace. May this time of year remind us of all of the incredible blessings in our lives. Thank you for being an essential part of our community. Together, we’re making incredible strides!

With heartfelt appreciation and gratitude,

Rochelle Stewart

President, NAWBO Charlotte

704-904-2397

November Signature Dinner Meeting

Tuesday, November 12th

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Brewers at 4001 Yancey

In November, we are excited to welcome Zahn Patin of The Wonder Group for a discussion called Get it Done Differently with A.I. - Tips to Increase Your Team's Productivity & Lower Your Firm's Costs

AI is transforming the way businesses operate, offering tools that streamline processes, improve decision-making, and reduce costs. This session will focus on practical ways to leverage AI to boost productivity and drive cost savings for your firm.

This session will empower business leaders and teams to "get it done differently" by utilizing AI to not only boost productivity but also reduce costs in practical, sustainable ways. By the end of the meeting, attendees will understand how to strategically implement AI solutions in their firms and realize tangible benefits for their teams and clients.

City of Charlotte Virtual Certification Event

Thursday, November 14th

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Via Zoom

Whether you are looking to become certified for the first time or would like to recertify, this event will go over the following information:



• Past, Present, and Future Opportunities for Procurement With the City
• Certification process and how it works
• Review of certification application and common questions
• Benefits of getting certified
• Upcoming events and projects
• Q/A Session

Register today! This is a virtual event - your Zoom log in information will be emailed to you a few days ahead of the meeting and again the morning of the event.

2024 NAWBO Charlotte Holiday Party

Cheers & Connections

Thursday, December 12th

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Bank of America Tower - Uptown Charlotte

Mark your calendar for the holiday event you won't want to miss! Join the women of NAWBO Charlotte at Cheers & Connections, our 2024 Holiday Party. This year, we are excited to welcome you to a breathtaking spot overlooking the beautiful City of Charlotte skyline in Bank of America Tower for a celebration filled with joy, laughter, and connections.

Stay tuned for full details and registration info in the next few weeks. You won't want to miss it!

NAWBO Turns 50!

Washington DC

June 5th - 8th

Omni Shoreham Hotel

We’re throwing a celebration for the ages that will honor our golden anniversary and set the stage for our next 50…back in Washington, DC where it all began for NAWBO in 1975 as the first women’s business advocacy organization.

Tickets are now available to this once-in-a-lifetime event at our best rate, and can be paid for at time of purchase or in monthly installments (buy now, pay later processing fees may apply). There are multiple ticket types. Click the link for more info!

We are thrilled to announce that on Monday October 14, 2024, Mayor Vi Lyles declared the month of October Charlotte Women’s Small Business Month!

This is in keeping with National Women’s Small Business Month, which recognizes the myriad of achievements of female entrepreneurs and the positive impact they are making on jobs and the economy. NAWBO Charlotte has spearheaded this exciting local tradition for many years, and we are so grateful to the City and to Mayor Lyles for their continued support of women business owners.

We are so grateful to the amazing group of NAWBO Charlotte members who joined us at the announcement of the Proclamation! #weshowup

In October, we held our Fall Membership Drive Event!

We were so excited to welcome a room full of Guests who were curious about what NAWBO Membership could do for their business. Current Board Members and NAWBO Charlotte Members new and old were there to fill them in on the benefits - including access to exclusive National events, Mastermind Groups, CONNECTS meetings, networking, advocacy and most importantly - connection. It was a great night and we were so excited to welcome 2 brand new members into our chapter by the end of the night.

If you are curious about Membership and how it can benefit your business, reach out to one of our Membership Chairs - Carolina Marrelli and Cindy Leap.

Interested in sharing your talents and making the most of your membership with NAWBO Charlotte?

If you are looking to grow your network, share your talents and ideas, maximize your membership, and build some wonderful friendships, we encourage you to volunteer to serve on one (or more) of our many committees!

We are only as great as those who answer the call to serve, and we hope you will join us as we work to make NAWBO Charlotte the best it can be!

Calling all Premier members of NAWBO Charlotte!

Did you know one of the best perks of Premier Membership is the option to join a Mastermind group? A Mastermind is like having your own Board of Directors - and you serve on the Board of their company. It is a great place to share wins and frustrations, bounce ideas off of, and to build camaraderie and a circle of trust.

Wondering if a Mastermind can benefit you? If you are interested in hearing about Mastermind groups and/or joining one, please reach out to our Mastermind Chairs, Zulma or Pam. Their contact info can be found below.

Why Women Business Owners Must Vote in 2024

As a woman business owner, your voice has the power to shape the future of our economy, communities, and rights. The 2024 election is critical, and your vote is essential in ensuring policies that benefit your business and the values you stand for.

This election will impact everything from taxes and regulations to education and healthcare. Your vote can help create an environment where women entrepreneurs thrive, innovation grows, and equality is prioritized.

Your vote is your power. Let’s ensure women business owners are heard in 2024. If you did not vote early, don't forget to cast your vote on Tuesday, November 5th!

2024 Pitch For Growth Competition

Thursday, November 14th

The Mint Museum on Randolph Rd

5:00pm

U.S. Bank Business Access and SCORE have partnered to present the Pitch for Growth Competition 2024 (PFG) Thursday, November 14th at The Mint Museum on Randolph in Charlotte, North Carolina. The main event kicks off at 5 PM, but come early for the best networking opportunities! Don't miss this chance to be part of Charlotte's entrepreneurial journey.

Tickets are limited! Reserve your free ticket now at: Get Your Ticket Here

U.S. Bank Business Access is part of the U.S. Bank Access Commitment^® a group of initiatives dedicated to supporting underserved communities, including communities of color, on their path to building generational wealth.

Spring Cohort

Applications now open!

Mecklenburg County's Get Up and Grow program is the community’s premier small business development program that enables business owners with knowledge and skills to grow, expand, and increase annual sales.

The no-cost program helps local business owners to develop a strategic growth plan. Participants receive access to professional consultants, a peer network, and training with subject matter experts.

Wix Open Studio Watch Party

Tuesday, November 19th

11:00 - 1:00

Lenny Boy Brewing

If you're looking to build an online presence or ready to take yours to the next level, join @RightHandHere as they host Charlotte's first Wix Open Studio Watch Party!

Connect with industry experts Michal Bignitz, Gali Erez, and Oren Inditzky as they share powerful insights on creating impactful online stores and partnerships. Plus, enjoy great food, brews, and the chance to network with other local business owners!

Emerging & Early Business Workshops

Tuesday, November 19th

Free!

On Nov 19th, Queen City Women in Business , along with its Sponsoring Partners, will host 2-workshop options to help emerging & early businesses convert skills into the trades big companies actively seek! Enjoy light refreshments, actionable next steps, and immediately usable resources!

Invite your networks to join us & get practical actionable tips to help them succeed faster!

1. Morning Option: 9am-11:30am ET (or)
2. Afternoon Option: 1:30pm - 4pm ET

Learn From:

• Queen City Women in Business- How to Transform your top skills into trades companies buy & how to convert these into commodities!
• EMILY Revolutionary Marketing- Get the blueprint on how to Build a stand out brand that gets seen and remembered!
• Fifth Third Bank - Understand your lending options as a startup or early stage founder!
• Clifton Larson Allen (CLA) - Set up Your Business for success & determine how to form a business entity for where you are today and where you are headed tomorrow!

Bring Your Laptops & RSVP Today!