September 2009 Bulletin

Welcome New Members!

Jane Anderson
Orchestration, Inc.

Peggy Brown Schaefer
MMBS & Associates, LTD

Andrea Buford
Buford Law, LLC

Deborah Ford

Mable Gin
Maven Services Group, LLC

Alison Gutterman
Jelmar, LLC

Debbie Heerdegen
DS&P Insurance Services, Inc.

Irene Kijak
Irene Kijak Photography

Lauren Leifer
New Market Visions

Charla Russell
PRSources

Janice Smith
Jan Smith Communications LLC

Attend the breakfast meeting to learn the latest and greatest NAWBO news, followed by an educational seminar on Social Media presented by Corporate Partner, Nology Interactive.

Social Media is about connecting with people and keeping your message authentic, personable and sincere. Companies should be going out there with helpful and informative messaging that makes people want to know who you are and positions you as an expert in your field.

Details

By Angelika Coghlan, Catwalk Consulting

Watch the President's message on YouTube.

Did you know about discounts offered to NAWBO members by corporate partners? A few examples: 1) Guy Viti Insurance has partnered with West Bend Mutual Insurance to offer NAWBO members a 10% discount on combined Home and Auto insurance. To see if you are eligible for this discount, call Dale Mooney at 847-432-1000. 2) Renewing members receive a complimentary subscription to Crain's Chicago Business! 3) Sign up and save with UPS. Check out details on www.nawbochicago.org.

Did you know that by renewing early, members in good standing receive a $25 discount on their membership renewals? About 2 months before your membership expires, you should receive an email from the NAWBO Office with a promo code. Renew online more than 1 month before your membership expires and receive a $25 discount on your membership dues. Easy savings!

Did you know that your referrals could pay for your membership dues? Now through September 30, 2009, you receive $25 off your renewal dues CUMULATIVELY. Yes, this means that if 14 people join NAWBO Chicago as new members because of YOU, you have earned a free renewal!

Submitted by Michele Katz, Director of Member Benefits, Husch Blackwell Sanders Welsh & Katz (corporate partner of NAWBO Chicago); feel free to direct questions about membership benefits to Michele.

Vicki Gerson's company, Vicki Gerson & Associates, Inc., has been selected for the 2009 Best of Northbrook Award in the Writers category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA). The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Chicago Chocolate Tours, founded by Valerie Beck, was featured in the Chicago Tribune as a good activity for locals in our own city. Read the article.

The new book Women Who Win at Work: Flowers of Wisdom from Visionary Businesswomen, includes interviews with Valerie Beck, and Hedy Ratner, among others. The book is available at bookstores and online, including www.prosperiapublishing.com and www.fellpub.com.

Rosemary Blandford, www.RosieKnows.com, was featured on WBBM-TV morning news on August 13. She was interviewed about her business, a website providing free lessons on how to use websites for finding information, saving money and purchasing a wide range of products and services. During the interview, Curran had Blandford demonstrate one website for people seeking food coupons and a second one helping people save money on travel. Currently, Blandford has more than 200 websites available with step-by-step tutorials, and new sites are being added every few weeks.

The Influential Women in Business Awards recognize women executives who excel in business, civic and personal arenas. The nominee's business must either be located or have a major presence in The Business Ledger's primary editorial coverage area (DuPage County, west or northwest Cook County, Will County and the Fox Valley). Nomination forms are due September 18, 2009. Awards will be presented on November 12 at the luncheon.

Nomination form

This year's event offers women business owners solutions to the current problems you are facing and the opportunity to increase the profitability of your businesses by building relationships with corporate and government buyers, business experts, and other women business owners.

Details

With Sam's Club, business members have the option of developing a website for their business. Members can save up to 25% with us versus other online advertising companies. Rates for websites are as low as $10.00 per month, or they can use their complimentary 5 page website offer just for being a Sam's Club member.

Members enjoy more than 100 design templates and site hosting. There's no software to buy, and no special computer skills are necessary. Custom design services are also available, along with full technical support.

Our starter site is a complimentary service to our members. It includes a 5 page website, domain name, web site, self edit tools, and industry starter content.

Details Contact Thomas Manning for more information. 479-586-6661

September 10: Members Only Meeting
September 25 Prospective Member Breakfast
September 29: NW SIG Meeting
September 30 (Date Change): Using LinkedIn
October 15: Connecting Points
Save the Date! December 3: Holiday Party

Register Now!
Cancellations must be received in writing 3 business days prior to the event to receive a refund.

September 15: Crain's NetMarketing Effective Digital Strategies
Join Crain's Chicago Business at the Wyndham Hotel Chicago for Crain's NetMarketing Effective Digital Strategies. Hear from a panel of small business owners and experts discussing mobile marketing, social media, Web 2.0 and beyond. Our panel will reveal the tools and tactics that have - and have not - worked for them. This year Crain's is introducing a Corporate Table Package, a great way for your company to receive prime seating -- and valuable exposure.

September 23: Crain's Webinar: Right Size Your Lease
Learn how to lower your office space costs from leading experts without leaving your desk. Crain's Chicago Business presents a special online seminar that will outline critical, cost saving strategies to empower your company to renegotiate its current lease now or find new space for much less. 11:30a.m. - 1:00p.m. (CST) $99 in advance
More information on the Crain' s events.

Developing Your Child Care Business (10 week program)
September 22, 6:00-8:00pm, 10 week program begins
Cost: $150.00

Wisdom, Wine and Cheese: Introduction to WBDC Services
September 23, 5:30-7:00pm
Cost: Free

FastTrac Planning: Maximizing the Potential for Your Business (12 week program) September 28, 6:00-9:00pm
Cost: $400.00

To register or find more information on any of these events, visit our website at www.wbdc.org.