President's Message - January 2013
By Charisse Witherspoon
President, NAWBO Chicago
President/CEO, Witherspoon Marketing Group, Inc.
Happy New Year, NAWBO Chicago!
Seems the long-awaited holiday season just flew by and we’re “back to the grindstone” already.
As we are again face-to-face with our 2013 business plans and intentions, I encourage you to utilize and enjoy your NAWBO membership locally, nationally, and regularly. Resolve to meet a “new” NAWBO member this week…and another one next week.
Ending this sentimental holiday season, I thought about the first time I attended a NAWBO national conference (2009 in Chicago) and the most recent one (2012 in Louisville). Chicago was home, so I felt comfortable helping to welcome hundreds of women to the Windy City. I had the honor of moderating the “Trailblazer” luncheon and watching continuous expressions of collective admiration and support, session after session…even as some paused to process news of the passing of Michael Jackson.
Amidst the hundreds of local and visiting women in Kentucky, I felt as comfortable as at the Chicago event. The October conference again reminded attendees that NAWBO is a sisterhood of smart, thinking and feeling women business owners. Too often, locally and nationally, we put off reaching out to “strangers” and turn the easiest part of our networking into the hardest part.
The theme at the 2012 NAWBO National Women’s Business Conference was “Start Something.” Let’s continue with that this month in Chicago as we use 2013 to start new relationships, business opportunities, networking strategies, political awareness/involvement, and relevant conversations.
The 2012 national conference featured an array of impressive speakers you still can read about on the national website, also available for your reference. One highlight certainly was Kathy Ireland speaking on moving from supermodel to super mogul, building a $2 billion business. The 2009 “Power Your Dream” conference featured Peter Walsh and other great speakers, as well. And attendees in Chicago were encouraged to write their dreams on poster-sized paper along the walls. My favorite from one attendee: “expand my business nationwide until I’m so busy I lose weight.” My point: get to know the many sides of NAWBO National and NAWBO Chicago.
Make friends. Make referrals. Make money. Learn new techniques. Personalize, execute, enjoy and repeat.
See you soon,
Charisse
3 Secrets to Building a Powerful Sales Routine
Are you ready to stimulate your revenue growth and make your daily operations more effective? Join Kirsten as she shares her powerful secrets that can make you more effective in your daily sales routine by consciously planning for success.
Presented by: Kirsten Zoub, Growth Catalyst at Dasein Training
Tuesday, January 15
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Naperville Bank & Trust Community Room
555 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville
Workshop: What Women Should Know
Waltz, Palmer & Dawson, LLC believes that women play a vital role in enriching our families and communities. Our firm knows that you realize the importance of adapting to the changing needs of your family and work. Life is full of milestones: graduating high school/college, starting your career, buying your first home, having a child, and you know what to do, for the most part, to prepare yourself for these events. From graduating high school to entering into retirement, this program addresses additional measures you should take to ensure you protect your family and assets.
Tuesday, February 12
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Wintrust Financial Center
9700 West Higgins Road
2nd Floor Conference Room, Rosemont
(Free and ample parking available in adjacent lot)
Prospective Member Wine Events
Prospective members will have the unique opportunity to pair unusual wines and food at four one-of-a-kind events sponsored by NAWBO Chicago in January and February. Watch your inbox for complete details coming soon!
DePaul's Internship Best Practices Forum
Join the DePaul University Career Center for a morning of discussion, expert legal advice and insight from a panel of employers and students. Engage in conversation about best practices for creating a rewarding internship for you and your interns. Learn how an intern can benefit your organization and the steps to recruiting DePaul students.
This free event is brought to you by DePaul's University Internship Program.
Thursday, February 14
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
DePaul Center
1 E. Jackson Blvd., 8th Floor, 8005, Chicago
Click here to RSVP Click here for event flyer
Badge to Business Program
In support of the Girl Scouts organization, Badge to Business is looking for business owners and professionals to speak about their business sense and tell their stories to a group of young girls from all over Chicago. This event will take place at Journey World, an experimental space that mimics businesses such as banks, TB stations, office environments, city government and science. NAWBO Chicago members are encouraged to donate their time by discussing how they do their business in their own way or by sponsoring a young girl to attend for $25. Sponsorship opportunities still exist.
Saturday, April 20
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Journey World
770 N. Halsted Street, Chicago
(Corner of Halsted St. and Chicago Ave.)
Click here for more information.
Business Accelerator Program
American Family Insurance wishes you a healthy and prosperous New Year!
We’re pleased to continue serving your needs with the American Family Insurance Business Accelerator Program. It’s all part of our mission to help you realize your business dreams and protect them, too.
New Year, Changes for the Better
In 2013, we’re introducing the following improvements to our tools, tips and resources to help accelerate your business’ success:
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A new series of brief videos starring real-life entrepreneurs who share valuable business lessons
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Brief webinars loaded with valuable business information
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An exciting in-person business forum, including panel discussions and awards
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Monthly Business Accelerator Program email news updates
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Business @dvisor, a content-rich quarterly newsletter
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Special sweepstakes and contests, including one that will be announced soon
Stay tuned for these changes and more!
Jump-Start 2013 With a Business Plan
Start off on the right foot this year! Business plan expert Michael Valentine will help you learn how to develop a pain-free business plan for success in 2013.
Take advantage of this free online workshop to learn all about identifying your challenges and strengths, as you map your path to success. For your convenience, the workshop can be accessed online at any time.
Connections Corner
NAWBO members are making business-generating connections every day. Find out who’s making connections at NAWBO’s Connections Corner.
Help propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power and shop NAWBO first! Read about these recent NAWBO shopping sprees:
Did you attend NAWBO’s Holiday Party? Here’s what these NAWBO members reported:
Michele Kurlander of Kurlander & Associates: I purchased the wonderful French origin macaroons to carry to Florida and give to my daughter-in-law. I usually purchase macaroons in a Paris pastry shop - but the ones I obtained from Delightful Pastries were just as good. I love Delightful Pastries’ breads and other baked goods - and often stop in the French Market in the Ogilvie train station - one of the places where they are sold - to purchase some. I also purchased, for the second year in a row, lovely gift sets of olive oil as well as soaps for my grown kids from City Olive. This year, I found these items at the NAWBO Holiday party. Last year I purchased them online at their web page, where each of the various oils and other products are described in detail. It is a great place to find a large selection of olive oils, vinegars, soaps and other specialty gift items.
Emily Smith of Chicagoland Commercial Real Estate: I purchased lots of gifts from Amy’s Candy Bar ! Amy's Candy Bar is a unique candy boutique located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago where you will find a wide variety of candies and confections to tantalize your taste buds. Amy's carries everything from gummies, licorice and chocolates to ice cream, malted milk balls and Amy's signature sea salt caramels. I purchased a hostess gift basket and several pieces of candy to include with holiday gifts.
Michele Katz of Advitam IP, LLC: I bought something at every booth I visited. Starting with a stunning dress from Chicago based fashion designer and fellow NAWBO member Lauren Lein. Then, I moved across the room to Calm Skincare, an ecofriendly skincare company keenly focused on refilling and replenishing your products, where I picked up some things to fight against this Chicago winter. Around the corner, from MaryBeth Smith and Patricia Callahan I picked up a Tibetan fish necklace, so unique and a one-of-a-kind find for my fish-loving mother-in-law. I finished off the evening at Amy’s Candy Bar where I bought these out-of-this-world caramel candies for my husband (luckily he shares with me) and giant lollipops for the kids!
It’s your turn! Take advantage of this free PR opportunity to share your NAWBO connections. To submit your story, please contact Michele Katz of Advitam IP.
See What NAWBO Is Doing for Members
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NAWBO BENEFITS - Did you know….
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…NAWBO has a full calendar of events? Take a break from social media and other online networking and join us for some face-to-face time. Check out upcoming events here.
…you can search for members in NAWBO’s online directory? Need a lawyer, financial planner, coach or pearl earrings? Search by category, name or zip code to find what you need and fast. The directory can be found on NAWBO Chicago’s website.
…NAWBO offers a board of experts to assist you with your business issues for free? Included in your membership is the ability to benefit from the sage advice of NAWBO Chicago’s Advisory Board. Surround yourself with experts to help with your business pains. Click here for more details.
Submitted by NAWBO member and Chair of Member Benefits Michele Katz, Founding Partner of Intellectual Property law firm Advitam IP, LLC; feel free to direct questions about membership benefits to Michele via email.
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Members In The News
Kudos to Linda McCabe ofOptimal Level, long time NAWBO member, who is taking the speaking circuit by storm in January. You can catch her on January 4 at Engaging Speakers; January 9 at the National Advisor Network, Northwest Suburban Chicago Chapter; January 16 at eWomen Network; and, January 31 at the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IEAC) in Charleston, SC. And there's more to come as Linda will also be speaking at the IECA's Chicago meeting in April. Whew! Congratulations and good luck, Linda.
Food & Wine Magazine named NAWBO Chicago'sAmy's Candy Bar as one of the 5 best new candy shops in the country!
Owner Amy Hansen, a graduate of Chicago's French Pastry School, sells more than 200 different candies and her own handmade confections (such as soft caramels and pistachio-almond nougat) at her shop.
Amy's Candy Bar was also featured on the December 22 edition of Steve Dolinsky's Saturday Night Sampler on ABC Channel 7 News.Click here to view the segment.
Visit the website to check out the wide variety of candy and confections Amy's carries! Congratulations, Amy.
Small Business Online Marketing Contest
The Chicago City Treasurer's Small Business Online Marketing contest is officially open for entries! NAWBO Chicago encourages its members to apply for this and other awards as an excellent way to increase valuable visibility for oneself and one's company. Hurry, the entry deadline is February 28.