February 2024 Newsletter

As we enter the second month of the new year, I’m reminded of the goals and growth we aspire to as business owners for ourselves, our businesses and our communities. To achieve our goals, we must have the confidence and tenacity to see them through.

Confidence is the cornerstone of success, and as women business owners, it is a quality that empowers us to reach new heights, break barriers and shatter glass ceilings. In a world that constantly presents challenges and obstacles, our confidence becomes the driving force that propels us forward.

February Member Spotlight - Talent

Employees are the backbone of businesses, particularly small businesses. A recent SCORE study shows that for small business owners, 60.7 percent rank hiring the right talent as their top challenge. Meanwhile, 62 percent say they struggle to keep employees engaged and productive, while 45.8 percent report difficulty retaining existing employees. As a woman business owner, how do you navigate hiring the right people and successfully retaining your team?

My primary emphasis is on culture and values. Our company thrives on a culture of creativity and collaboration, where kindness and relatability are blended with expertise and reliability. These qualities are essential when we consider new team members for hiring. Additionally, we prioritize regular training sessions and team meetings to ensure that our team stays well-informed about the latest trends and acquires new skills.

CJ Harris

CEO

That's So Creative, LLC

Deciding what help we need and finding the right people to fill those positions has been among the top challenges that we (and our small business owner clients) have faced. After some missteps, I did a deep dive into my law firm's specific needs and culture because finding an employee with compatible outlook and interests has been as, or more, important than the precise skills they bring to the job.

Stephanie Melnick

Owner

Melnick & Melnick S.C.

As a woman business owner, I understand the significance of hiring the right talent and retaining a motivated team, especially in the healthcare industry. Here's how I navigate these challenges while incorporating our company values and principles:



1. Word-of-Mouth Referral: I believe in the power of word-of-mouth referrals. We encourage our existing employees to refer potential candidates who align with our company values of compassion, integrity, and excellence. This not only attracts like-minded individuals but also builds a sense of community within our team. 

Isoken Ogbomo

President & CEO

Complete Health Services, Inc.

As a business owner, I draw upon our company’s culture and core values when looking to hire new employees and while retaining current team members. I intentionally look for individuals with integrity and who exhibit respect, leadership skills and a growth mindset.  I do feel, however, that retaining talent is sometimes the bigger challenge.

Yamili Saucedo

Owner

AC Hauling, LLC

Annual Conference Tickets Are On Sale - Secure Your Seat!

NAWBO Chicago is thrilled to announce that tickets are on sale for "Women Mean Business®: NAWBO Chicago's 41st Annual Achievement Luncheon & Regional Entrepreneurial Conference."

Please join the chapter for its signature event and largest annual fundraiser on Thursday, April 25 at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center. The event includes a full day of educational sessions on topics geared toward women business owners, a keynote address, awards ceremony and expo hall. The event will conclude with the traditional Chocolate Reception and Cocktail Hour.

Individual tickets and table purchases for up to 10 guests are available. Click the button below to view all tickets, as well as sponsorship, exhibitor and program ad information.

Nominations are open for NAWBO Chicago's most prestigious awards which showcase outstanding individuals for their business achievements and commitment to propelling women entrepreneurs forward.

Click on the links below to learn more about each award and to access each application. We invite you to nominate anyone that you feel embodies the award criteria or you may self-nominate, if applicable. All nominations are reviewed based on specific criteria for each award. Award winners will be recognized and honored at the Women Mean Business® conference and fundraiser in April.

• Member of the Year Award Nomination Form
• Visionary Award Nomination Form
• Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Nomination Form
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Nomination Form

Choose Your Location And Join Other Members For Coffee

Dive into a world where the aroma of freshly brewed ideas and the enchanting warmth of camaraderie mingle. Welcome to the NAWBO Chicago Member Coffee Connects – an experience that transcends your regular coffee break and immerses you in a realm of captivating conversations, sparkling connections and boundless inspiration!

This event will take place in-person at two different locations simultaneously on February 23 from 8:00 – 9:00 am. Please register by submitting the form below. You must select a location below to be added to the guest list. Please note, this is a members-only event.

Celebrate The Hidden Strengths Of Women At Behind The Mask

We invite you to experience an immersive networking masquerade event that features a live panel, cocktails and theatrical masks (that we provide, although you are welcome to display your own mask that narrates your unique story). As NAWBO Chicago members, we draw our strength from lessons learned and disappointments experienced. Join us for an event that showcases the real entrepreneur behind the mask.

The chapter member panel will take you behind the scenes to look at the wins, lessons, mistakes and struggles of resilient successful women. New members are invited to attend 30 minutes before the start time to network and meet Board Members.

Tickets include beer, wine and appetizers. This event is hosted by the NAWBO Chicago DEI Committee.

Members In The News

Member and Chicago Connects co-leader, Sophie Evanoff, was recently featured on ABC7 Chicago. Sophie, owner of Vanille Patisserie, joined the broadcast to share her Galette des Rois recipe. Also known as a King Cake, this traditional pastry is made to mark the Epiphany or Three Kings Day which occurs on January 6 each year. This Christian feast day celebrates the star guiding the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus after he was born.

Amelia Forczak, CEO and founder of Pithy Wordsmithery, was recently featured on the Operations Mastery podcast. Amelia shares insights into the growth of her business and the challenges she faced in scaling operations. From being a solopreneur to managing a team of 30 contractors, Amelia talks about the importance of systems, project management tools like Asana and the role of documentation in streamlining processes. 

NAWBO Chicago President-Elect Angie Noll, Founder of Reconciled Solutions, was recently featured on the Women's Business Workshop podcast. Angie discusses financial mindset, the most common problems or roadblocks for small business owners, getting financially organized and the Profit First system for permanent profitability.

The BBV Wealth Management Group, headed by member Helen Balch, was recently included on the 2024 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list.

Updated NAWBO Chicago Website Launched

NAWBO National recently underwent a major technology transition, including the launch of new chapter websites. NAWBO Chicago is thrilled to announce its new website is up and running! Visit nawbo.org/chicago to view the changes.

National Releases The Updated 2024 Proud Member Logo

Thank you for being a valued member of our business community! We invite you to proudly display that you are a NAWBO Chicago member. Please feel free to use this logo (click on the logo to select it, right click and select "Save as Picture") in your email signature or on your company website to promote that you are a part of this inspiring group of female entrepreneurs.

All Members MUST Update Their Membership In New System

NAWBO National is in the process of transitioning its membership management system to a platform called GrowthZone. All members should have received an email from National with instructions on activating your GrowthZone account. Current members must take this action to maintain their memberships. Setting up your profile on the new platform makes you searchable in the Member Directory. The email with instructions came from delivery@nawbo.org. Please add this new email address to your safe-sender list. If you are having trouble activating your account, please contact lora@nawbochicago.org.

Chapter Mourns Passing Of Trailblazing Former Member

Karen Boehning, a NAWBO Chicago member for many years until 2011, passed away January 18.

Without Karen's strategic guidance, NAWBO Chicago would not have the strong advocacy voice it uses today on behalf of women business owners. She was a guiding light in formulating NAWBO political sessions that educated members while pairing them with the politicians who were setting policy, especially around procurement. At NAWBO events, Karen could be found hosting an exhibit table promoting the how-tos of women's advocacy actions.

Karen shined on NAWBO panels before senators and representatives when discussing issues including healthcare and tax legislation. She taught legislators how their laws impacted small business. Without Karen's guidance and leadership, NAWBO would never have had the impact it did on legislation.

She joined the Chicago Chapter of National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1969. In 1970, she co-chaired the Women’s Strike for Equality in Chicago. In 1971, she became president of the Chicago NOW Chapter, and at that time was also an Illinois delegate to the 1971 founding convention of the National Women’s Political Caucus in Washington D.C. In 1986, Karen founded Diversity Contract Services Inc., where she focused on assisting and growing minority owned businesses.

Karen is survived by her husband, Thomas Sharpe. To send condolences, please email info@nawbochicago.org to request the address.

NAWBO CEO Speaker at National Women's Business Council

NAWBO CEO Jen Earle was one of several leaders in women’s entrepreneurship who spoke at the recent Public Meeting led by the National Women’s Business Council at the U.S. Small Business Administration Headquarters. Council members reviewed wins from 2023, previewed wows ahead in 2024 and responded to questions and comments.

Maximize Your Membership In 2024

NAWBO Chicago Newsletter Submissions

NAWBO Chicago newsletters are published monthly. Email March submissions to the newsletter editor by February 16, 2024.