July 2022 Newsletter
A Message From Our President
The word “advocacy” might sound overwhelming at first to a woman business owner who has never engaged with her legislators or testified on Capitol Hill about an issue that impacts her business, but it shouldn’t be. Our NAWBO founding mothers didn’t start out as advocates with a seat at the table. They were woman business owners, like each of us, with big dreams and obstacles keeping them from fully achieving those.

They formed NAWBO in Washington, DC, because they knew they were better together.
They began sharing information about federal contracts, access to capital and more. And their efforts, and the number of women who joined them, grew into today’s #NAWBOVoice that’s bipartisan by design and widely respected on Capitol Hill and in state capitals and communities across the U.S. 
Membership Spotlight: Seat At The Table
Women in business have always been fierce and outspoken advocates for themselves, and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) continues to believe that it is our mission to lift up the voice of female entrepreneurs across the country. How has this advocacy propelled you and your company forward? How important do you believe advocacy is for women in business and for future generations?
"It’s good to have a national advocacy program specifically for women business owners and leaders as we must consistently have a seat at the non-partisan table. As women leaders, it’s important that our legislative officials on both sides of the aisle understand our voting and purchasing power."

Sue Harrawood
Founder
Share The Gift Of NAWBO - Bring A Friend To Summer Social
Bring a friend to the annual NAWBO Chicago Summer Social! We look forward to seeing you all, so mark your calendar and secure your ticket today.

The Summer Social will be held at Tiny Tapp & Cafe, 55 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601. Tickets are $15 for Members and Member Guests, and $25 for Non-Members. Ticket fees will support the restaurant, reserve our patio space and include light refreshments. The event will have a cash bar.

If you have questions, please email info@nawbochicago.org.
NAWBO Chicago Welcomes New 2022-23 Board At Installation
(L-R) Top Row: Director Cheryl Vargas, Director Jeffrey Simon, Immediate Past President Elizabeth Colón and Director Vanessa Jackson. Bottom Row: Director Angie Noll, President Edie Comminos and Director Mary Balistreri. (Not pictured: Treasurer Lynette DeRose and Director Taneka Tucker)
President Edie Comminos (left) is sworn in by NAWBO Chicago Past President and member Diana Conley at the 2022-23 NAWBO Chicago Board Installation.
Advocacy Committee To Launch Member Survey This Month
The NAWBO Chicago Advocacy Committee exists to help advance important local and statewide legislation and funding that enhance opportunities for women business owners. We want to be sure that we are addressing the challenges you face in your business. Please keep an eye out for an important NAWBO Chicago Advocacy Survey, scheduled to launch on Monday, July 18. Results from this survey will help to better guide and prioritize the Committee’s efforts on behalf of our members.
 
We are also proud to announce the initiation of a summer college internship position. Cailey Davern, a student at DePaul University, joined our committee this June. She is currently majoring in Communications and Media, with a minor in Nonprofit Organizations. Cailey will be receiving academic credit for her 10-week commitment and will help with the development, distribution, data collection and communication of results from this original survey. 

Advocacy Committee members Cathie Van Wert (cathie@doubletakedesign.com) and Melissa McAtee (melissa@elbecreativepartners.com) are working directly with Cailey through this process, and are hopeful for wide participation from our membership. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions. Thanks in advance for providing input about what is important to you.
Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Update

Initially, the ERC was a refundable quarterly tax credit based on wages for business owners to retain staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was set at 50% of up to $10,000 in qualifying wages per employee for the last three quarters of 2020. The American Rescue Plan Act extended and expanded the ERC to include up to 70% of $10,000 in qualifying wages per employee per quarter in 2021, making it much more lucrative to business owners.
Businesses need to see a drop in revenue during specific quarters in 2020 and 2021 over 2019, or they had to be operating under significant government restrictions, including nearly all restaurants, daycares and other businesses. That could add up to $26,000 per full-time employee over the entire credit. Businesses that took the PPP also still qualify. Their PPP amount will be deducted from what they would get from the credit.

The credit begins to expire quarter by quarter, beginning three years after the due date of the first quarter’s tax return. That means, right now, the deadline is until July 31, 2023, to get the total amount. However, Congress could always remove the tax credit at any point, so take advantage of it now.
Connect With These NAWBO Chicago Women Businesses
Chicago Member Named Finalist For Woman Of The Year Award
NAWBO Chicago member Shital Daftari, owner of Saris and Things and SNT Biotech, is a top 10 finalist for the NAWBO National 2022 Woman Business Owner of the Year Award. This award recognizes and rewards an entrepreneur who excels at strategy, operations, finances, problem solving, overcoming adversity and giving back to her community. It’s not based on business size, but rather overall business excellence.

The top three finalists will be announced later this month. The winner will be presented during the Annual Gala on October 11. This award is sponsored by Bank of America.
Member Shital Daftari Featured For Women Of The Year Award
Shital Daftari, one of the recipients of the Enterprising Women of the Year Awards from Enterprising Women magazine, graces the cover of the Summer 2022 edition. The feature article tells her inspiring story of immigrating to America and starting her businesses, Saris and Things and SNT Biotech.

"I really wanted to change my life and I knew there had to be something better. I wanted to love what I did for a living," Daftari said. "I thought, even though this idea may not be perfect, it is the only one I have and it's my chance to change my life."
Nominate A Woman Business Owner For The Rising Star Award
The NAWBO Rising Star Award honors a woman business owner that, through creativity and innovation, is building sustainable growth in her economic and social ecosystem.

She utilizes her growing platform as a social entrepreneur to propel her generation and future women business owners, regardless of their age or social standing. The deadline to nominate is July 31.
Maximize Your Membership in 2022
Whether a solopreneur or a million-dollar business, NAWBO Chicago gives women-owned businesses of all levels the resources and support needed to help them grow and thrive. A NAWBO Chicago membership offers the power and benefits of an established community of women entrepreneurs.
Join a Mastermind
Premier Members are eligible to participate in one Mastermind as a Member Benefit. A Mastermind group is the same small group of women that meet on a regular basis to provide peer-to-peer discussions. Email to learn more.

Update Your Profile
Your profile is how you are represented to other members. By including details about your business, your interests and yourself, you have a better opportunity to be seen. Click here to update.
Get Involved with a Committee
NAWBO Chicago hosts four active committees: Advocacy; Diversity; Membership; and Celebration of Achievement Conference. Please find the descriptions and committee leaders here

Attend a Monthly Event
Connects are monthly small-group meetings that allow our members to come together regularly throughout the Chicagoland region. Find future events here.
NAWBO Chicago Newsletter Submissions

NAWBO Chicago newsletters are published monthly. Email August submissions to the newsletter editor by July 15, 2022.
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