PWCC Connections Newsletter
January 2019
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Mission
PWCC provides networking connections that support, enrich and inspire women to advance professionally and personally.
Goals
PWCC brings professional women together in a variety of networking venues to share knowledge, experiences, and resources with other women. Members have access to:
* Facilitated networking opportunities at monthly speaker luncheons
* Special member-only events
* Committee activities
* Board participation
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January Networking Luncheon:
Carol Roth Unfiltered – Behind the Scenes of Business, Bestsellers & Life
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Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Union League Club of Chicago
65 West Jackson Blvd.
11:30 am-1:30 pm
$40 members | $60 non-members
$500 Table of 10
Sponsors and Premier Members no charge, but RSVP is requested.
To avoid a $10 increase, register by 5:00 p.m. on
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Carol Roth is a national media personality, creator of the legacy planning system
Future File
, ‘recovering’ investment banker/billion-dollar deal maker, business advisor, investor, speaker and author of the New York Times bestselling book,
The Entrepreneur Equation
. She has been a judge on the Mark Burnett (Shark Tank, The Voice, Survivor, The Apprentice) produced technology competition series,
America’s Greatest Makers
, on TBS and the Host of Microsoft’s
Office Small Business Academy
show, among other on-air engagements.
Carol also contributes various media, where her multimedia commentary covers big and small business and the economy, current events, politics and pop culture topics. Previously, Carol was the host of The Noon Show, current events talk show on WGN Radio and a contributor to CNBC where she was a weekly panelist/co-host of CNBC’s Closing Bell. Carol has also been seen weekly on a variety of national television outlets including
Fox Business, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC
.
Carol has worked with hundreds of companies, ranging from a single entrepreneur with an idea to Fortune 500 businesses, on all aspects of business and financial strategy. Collectively, she has helped her clients complete more than $2 billion in deal transactions, including raising more than $1 billion in capital, completing $750+ million in mergers and acquisitions, securing high-profile licensing and partnership deals and creating 7-figure brand loyalty programs.
Come to our January program and be inspired! Register
here
.
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Instructional Programming:
Social Media for Business
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Tuesday, January 29, 2019
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Evolveher Studios
358 West Ontario, Chicago
$25 Members/$35 Non-Members
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Save the date and plan to attend PWCC’s kick-off Instructional Programming event.
PWCC’s instructional Programming events are new in 2019 and feature topics that our members and luncheon attendees have expressed an interest learning about more in-depth. First-up, Social Media!
Network, mingle and learn in a fun and relaxed setting.
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An entrepreneur is defined as “One who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise.” Although the official definition summarizes what an entrepreneur does, there are many more traits that define an entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur is about blazing new trails and being able to balance a strong vision with a willingness to embrace change. It’s about imagining new ways to solve problems while constantly working to make things better. An entrepreneur has a passion for learning, has a great deal of resourcefulness, and can turn any possibility into a reality.
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Tips for Smarter Living: Are You Ready to be an Entrepreneur?
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Do you dream of the day you become the master of your own destiny? And…does achieving this dream necessarily mean you have to own your own business?
How do you know when the time is right and if it is right for YOU?
The reality is, undertaking the creation, organization, ownership, and risk of a business is not for everyone. I have struggled with this question for years now, often feeling like I will have failed if I don’t fulfill the entrepreneurial dream of owning my own company.
But I have realized that owning my own business is not for me: it would mean losing the friendship of wonderful people who have helped me grow to where I am now personally and professionally as well as hurt the business of which I am a part. Instead I choose to find ways to bring my entrepreneurial spirit to work every day and continue to grow and learn.
But if you think you may want to forge out on your own, find a mentor, business coach, or trade organization for support. You will need to make choices early in your transition that may not be easy, support will be priceless.
As you do your due diligence in terms of building your own business, consider whether or not you have the following characteristics required of entrepreneurs. Do you have:
- A strong sense of self-confidence and a healthy opinion of your skills and abilities as well as the ability and hunger to learn?
- A passion for the business you are starting?
- The ability to sell as well as communicate?
- The ability to dream big?
- The ability to think on a big scale rather than on the practical or rational to avoid risk?
- The ability to dream up ways to become more efficient?
- The ability to be tenacious and independent?
- The ability to recognize negative forces and avoid them?
Don't wait for the perfect plan... none exists. Take General Patton's advice: "A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week."
Just get started with your new project, business, or venture. It is not going to finish itself, and it will never go as you plan. And that's fine in the world of the entrepreneur.
But remember: it’s possible to be successful, financially secure, inspired, and fulfilled…all while working for someone else. The real key is in knowing yourself, knowing what you’re good at, and knowing what you love.
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PWCC Blog: What is an Entrepreneur?
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Entrepreneur: One who organizes and manages an enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk or an employer of productive labor; a contractor. From the French: literally, one who undertakes (some task), equivalent to
entrepren(dre
) to undertake (< Latin
inter-
inter-
+
prendere
to take, variant of
prehendere
) +
-eur
-eur
.
In 1828, the word “entrepreneur” took on the meaning of "manager or promoter of a theatrical production," reborrowing the French for
entrepreneur
"one who undertakes or manages," agent noun from Old French entreprendre "undertake" (see enterprise). The meaning of "business manager" was included in 1852.
So….an entrepreneur is a risk taker but a productive one. Also, someone who involved in theatrics.
Not much has changed, eh? If you decide to build your own company, you will need to stare risk in the face and laugh and perform well for others – to attract clients, to attract funding, to remain front and center.
Even if you can do all of the above there are some who believe that being an entrepreneur is more difficult for a woman than it is for a man.
Why? Several reasons come to mind:
- Women may feel pressure to be more “like a man”: to be more competitive, aggressive, and sometimes overly harsh.
- Women may find it more difficult to raise capital. A Babson College report found that less than 3 percent of venture-capital-funded companies had female CEOs.
- Women may struggle to be taken seriously. Many women CEOs find themselves in a male- dominated industry or workplace that does not want to acknowledge their leadership role.
- Women may be reluctant to own their accomplishments, perhaps a vestige of the communal, consensus-building qualities encouraged in young girls.
- Women may fear failure more than men, struggling to work through the moments of self-doubt that every business owner faces.
But can’t these negatives play into the very qualities that make women good leaders? The ability to nurture and inspire while also having clear expectations for others; the ability to communicate clearly about accomplishments but in a way that does not intimidate others; the ability to face failure and learn and grow.
What a great place PWCC is to offer women entrepreneurs – or those contemplating becoming one -- a space to test a business message, to meet a mentor, to network with women, to ask questions and perhaps formulate answers. Most importantly, PWCC is a terrific supportive environment to discover whether or not being a risk-taking manager of theatrics is for you!
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Member Share
is a newly launched feature to our newsletter to help further support PWCC’s mission to connect and support professional women with an additional opportunity to share experiences, expertise, and advice.
We start 2019 with the theme of
being fearless as an entrepreneur.
Thank you to our inspiring contributors for sharing their stories of and advice for overcoming obstacles and taking action to help fuel their business success.
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Julie Breckenfelder,
Certified Personal Coach, JBCoaching:
"I became fearless as an entrepreneur, when I stopped being a robot and stopped following all the rules. In giving myself the permission to trust my intuition, I’ve been propelled into a world of more connection, community, and support.
Fearless entrepreneurship is about listening to and trusting your intuition. It will never lead you astray. The path to fulfillment and success is about bending and breaking all the rules. We are all forging our own unique paths guided by our intuition. Follow your own agenda, honor your own values (this is key!), and show up every day, in every situation, as the true you.
Be fearless. Be true. Be you.:
Alyssa Burns,
Alyssa Burns Communications:
"As a business owner, I make it a goal to learn one solid lesson a year. This year, a potential client was clear he was talking to three others to decide who he was going to hire. I created a proposal, reviewed it in person, and made revisions. The email questions started. And continued. And continued some more. I asked him to call, which he did, immediately. I asked, “Before we answer other questions, do you have any intention to hire us? We’ve spent 15 hours on a proposal and answering your questions. Before we do additional work, I need to know if you have the intention to hire us.” The next day, we were hired. What did I learn?
Be bold. Don’t be afraid to call out someone when they need to stop dragging their feet. This client respected me more because I took a stand. Lesson learned."
Jessica Worny Janicki,
JWJ Consulting:
"Recently I was offered the opportunity to provide an Emotional Intelligence Workshop for a French company in Paris. While the program was to be conducted in English, the audience was multinational with no Americans. I was worried my style, examples, and exercises might not translate well culturally outside of North America.
Rather than going it alone, I invited a French coach to join me on the project. Together we were able to work with the client to design the program and tailor our content to cultural expectations, and work with the non-English speaking IT team on site.
The decision to share this project and its revenue with a partner helped me to overcome my fears and deliver a highly successful program overseas. I have found that partnering with others, even though it may mean less revenue in the short-term, always pays off in the long-term. This is why I belong to PWCC!"
Jill Hammelman,
Jill Hammelman Hair Design:
"I used to be a Colorist at NYC’s Bumble & Bumble hair salon. One day, a longtime color client, Ainsley Earhardt, host of FOX & Friends, mentioned how her and her fellow anchorwomen’s hair was being ruined by daily hair extensions, which were glued-in back in those days.
Even though my expertise was in-salon color, I thought I could come up with solution that could be a gentler, safer way to add length and volume to their ‘on air’ hair. Rather than staying in ‘my lane,’ I decided to take a chance and experiment on my own. I ended up buying long strips of hair, cutting and coloring them, and then adding clips to custom fit to clients. Ultimately, this blossomed into many referrals and the ability to specialize in hair extensions and medical hair loss solutions.
Don’t feel boxed into your current role: trust your own creativity and experiment. You never know where things might lead!"
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We want your input!
Our February newsletter will focus on getting better at life and work. For February's
PWCC Member Share,
please share a tip for saving time and doing things more efficiently.
The topic will be
“Simple life and work hacks.”
It would be terrific to gather a mix of time-saving ideas, tools, and shortcuts to share with our members to help them at work or home. Think of something you know that has helped you and others and send it our way!
Please keep it simple and limit your submission to no more than 125 words. For consideration for inclusion in the February newsletter, please send your submission to Debbie Gidley (
admin@pwcc.org
) by
January 21, 2019
with subject line: PWCC Member Share Section.
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Networki
ng Tip for Female Entrepreneurs
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Networking may seem like a simple task up front, but it can be difficult to get started. Whether you are shy, new to the business world, or just not sure where to meet other professionals in your area, the following tips can help you to grow your network and expand your business opportunities:
1.
Start in your community.
Look for local events, groups, and clubs that will give you the opportunity to network. Concentrate on events that are created for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and business professionals who want to meet new people within their communities and make connections.
Pick your networking events carefully. There are plenty to choose from. If you don’t like the vibe of one organization’s events, try another.
2.
Look for local incubators and co-working spaces.
Collaboration is often the key to growing your business. Networking with other entrepreneurs who may want to collaborate or offer their guidance is a great way to discover new opportunities for your business.
Incubators and co-working environments are specifically designed to support the successful development of entrepreneurs. They provide an invaluable opportunity for women entrepreneurs to network with like-minded female peers in their communities.
3.
Be memorable at networking events.
A warm smile, making eye contact, and taking time for everyone you encounter will go a long way. Having a positive demeanor and attitude will draw others to you. People remember positive encounters, and they may recommend you if they hear of an opportunity.
While this sounds obvious, in a sea of black and grey, you will stick out in a bright color or a remarkable accessory.
4.
Actively listen.
When you meet business professionals in your community for the first time, it’s important to actively listen and contribute positively to the conversation in order to build lasting connections.
The only way to get to know someone else is to ask them genuine and thoughtful questions. It’s best to walk away from a conversation having allowed the other person to speak more than you did. Not only will they feel great about the conversation, but you’ll know a lot more about them, helping you plan and execute your follow-up more thoughtfully.
Submitted by: Abby Rath, Quality Assurance & Online Reputation Management, aoneil07@gmail.com
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Mentoring Tip: Why Do you Need a Mentor as an Entrepreneur?
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It is generally agreed that entrepreneurs follow their own instincts and gut feelings. At the same time, most successful entrepreneurs, including Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs, have had mentors and credit their success to the role their mentors played in their development. Executive research also supports the claim that you are more likely to be successful as an entrepreneur with the guidance of a mentor.
Here are a few ways in which an effective mentoring relationship will increase your chances of success in life and in business:
- Opening doors to their network and connections - an effective mentor not only brings years of knowledge, s(he) usually has extensive business contacts you can lean on.
- Giving encouragement and reassurance - The life of an entrepreneur can be lonely. Facing the consequences of your business setbacks can be a heavy load to bear. A mentor will help you keep your chin up in tough times, talking you through setbacks they faced, and how they overcame their own roadblocks. They may also be able to guide you through your difficult times in more tangible ways with business advice.
- Helping you build a stronger emotional quotient (EQ) and leadership acumen, both of which are critical for entrepreneurs.
- Building accountability - Succeeding as an entrepreneur is about goal setting and purposeful hustling. A good mentor will keep you on track and focused on your mission. This is true assuming that you let them know where you need help focusing.
- In sum, the valuable connections, timely advice, occasional checks -- together with the spiritual and moral guidance you will gain from having a mentor -- will leapfrog you to success.
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Our 2018/2019 Luncheon Events Schedule is available
here
. Mark your calendars and save the dates for these great events. Remember: non-members may only attend one progressive luncheon and one speaker luncheon in any membership year (September - June). So
become a PWCC member
now!
Don't miss our February 13, 2019 luncheon featuring
Dr. Wendy Borlabi
. Go to www.pwcc.org to register and learn more.
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Connections & Conversations
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All First Timers, Experienced Members and Guests are Welcome.
Join us at 11am, prior to every luncheon at the Union League Club, to learn about the Professional Women's Club of Chicago and membership engagement. Ask questions, participate in discussions about PWCC, and network during this brief, 30-minute meeting.
Our next Connections & Conversations Event is
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.!
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Please join PWCC in welcoming these new members who joined during December 2018:
Mary Connolly, The Cause Coach
Judy Gibbons, Jameson Sotheby's International Realty
Paula Giovacchini, Home Care Assistance
Maelyn Hecox, Northwestern Mutual
Alison Henderson, Moving Image Consulting
Karen Hood, @properties
Susan MacNicol, Strategic & Creative Marketing Inc.
Meredith Maresh, Embassy Suites & Hilton Garden Inn
Judy Mason, Michael Silver
Deborah McClain, Choose City Living
Bernadette McNicholas
Patti Morrow, Patti Morrow Wellness
Brenda Mugambe, PurePoint Financial
Jacqueline O'Boyle, Etcetera
Jinal Patel
Tiffany Prince, Prince Performance LLC
Payal Shah, Excelerate Health Care Services LLC
Chantal Tardif, Compass Real Estate
Eileen Tarjan, EMTconnects LLC
Julia Tuttle, ULBGC
Cindy Weidman, CFW Marketing Consultancy
Lori Ziesmer, Work Better
New Members:
Be sure to look for our New Member Ambassadors with their Red Ribbons affixed to their nametags at our next luncheon. The Ambassadors are keen to help you feel welcome,
comfortable, and introduce you to opportunities available within PWCC.
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All reservations for the monthly luncheons are requested no later than 5:00 p.m. the Friday before the luncheon. Anyone reserving after
Friday, January 4th
, at 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $10 late charge and seating availability.
Please help PWCC and the Union League Club make the monthly luncheon experience a great one and reserve on time and observe their
dress code policy
.
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