Message From Our President |
|
|
|
I hope this letter finds you well! We are just around the corner from Daylight Saving Time (March 12!) and closing out the first fiscal quarter for 2023. Inflation rates rose again in January, indicating that the Federal Reserve will continue to raise interest rates. Financial reports indicate interest rates will stay higher for longer than initially anticipated. In short, we haven’t slid into recession or deflation. Instead, the economy will likely experience slower growth and profitability as interest rates stay higher. And that concludes my economic roundup.
Happening at NAWBO Chicago–Executive Director Melissa Lagowski and chapter staff are finalizing plans for our 40th annual Celebration of Achievement on April 27 at Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook Chicago. Purchase your early bird tickets, tables, exhibitor space and sponsorships now! Stay tuned as we prepare to announce our keynote speaker.
|
|
What digital tools have you tapped into or invested in to assist with the management and growth of your company? How have these resources benefited your business, team, sales or goals? |
|
|
|
We developed a customized web app to facilitate our unique hybrid fee model. Like many college consulting firms, we charge a flat fee for advising services and overall assistance with the application process. However, we also wanted our fees to reflect the tremendous variance in the amount of work involved with applying to individual colleges, empowering clients to make informed and upfront decisions while allocating their resources.
Beth Kraemer
Co-Founder and Lead Consultant
|
|
|
|
Being a web agency ourselves, we use and have tried a variety of tools, apps and programs. There are several tools that stand out for our business operations, sales and project management, including Calendly, Salesmate and Plutio. Meeting or call scheduling is made easy with Calendly, whether it's with clients, leads or partners. When we need a dedicated place to track our deals pipelines, Salesmate comes to our rescue.
Ari Krzyzek
CEO & Head of Strategy
|
|
|
|
QuickBooks Online and IBM Planning are two tools that allow me free time by getting the job done three times faster and with more accuracy. I upload weekly information to generate reports and status reviews to plan the following week and manage the current week's activities. QuickBooks also allows me to do an online review with my accountant and assign items to them that I need guidance on.
Anabel Lopez
President & CEO
|
|
Be Seen During Women's History Month - Place An Ad |
|
Opportunities Abound Ahead Of Milestone Annual Conference |
|
Do you know a NAWBO Chicago member who helped make the chapter what it is today? Nominate them for an award at the 40th annual Celebration of Achievement this spring! Each year, the organization recognizes four honorees: Business Owner Of The Year; Member Of The Year; Visionary; and, Young Entrepreneur Of The Year. Click the buttons below to read a description for each award. Nomination forms are due March 10, so don’t delay! Email info@nawbochicago.org with questions.
|
|
Secure Your 40th Annual Conference Sponsorship Today |
|
NAWBO Chicago is proud and excited to celebrate the 40th annual Celebration of Achievement at the end of April. This milestone anniversary would not be possible without our dedicated membership. We turn to you now and ask you to help ensure the chapter positions itself to look toward the next 40 years. Lift up the female entrepreneurs in your network and beyond. The conference has a variety of sponsorship opportunities:
- Event Sponsorship (several options available)
- Exhibitors
- Advertiser
Don't delay - confirm your support today!
|
|
Join NAWBO Chicago In A Toast To Women's History Month |
|
March is Women's History Month, and NAWBO Chicago and Hera Hub Chicago - River North have partnered to host a special Happy Hour in honor of this important annual occasion.
Join us on March 16 from 4:30 - 6:30 pm at Hera Hub Chicago - River North for an afternoon of cocktails, connections, refreshments and appetizers. Tickets are $25 for members and $40 for guests. The NAWBO Chicago community – members and guests – are offered the opportunity to co-work for free at Hera Hub on March 14, 15 and 16. Please click the CO-WORK button below to fill out the registration form.
You are the heart of NAWBO Chicago, and we look forward to this gathering of women entrepreneurs and business owners in honor of Women's History Month. Join the chapter in celebrating and honoring each other – we are stronger together!
|
|
|
|
Javondlynn Dunagan, Founder and CEO of JMD Defense, LLC is featured in the Spring 2023 edition of Bronzeville Life. The "BronzeBiz" section includes Javondlynn's company profile and background.
"As a safety educator, Javondlynn is passionate about training professionals, businesses and nonprofit organizations in workplace safety and emergency operations procedures."
|
|
"Organizations like the National Association of Women Business Owners Chicago chapter can help point you in the right direction by helping you connect with the right resources," says Lagowski, who recommends that every woman in business join and network via NAWBO. |
|
|
|
NAWBO Chicago Board Member Cheryl Vargas, Founder and Creative-in-Chief of Art Studio 928, is the feature cover story of the greet LA GRANGE February edition.
"I joined the National Association of Women Business Owners, where I was connected with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and attained both a Women’s Business and Minority Business Enterprise certifications, the Women’s Business Development Center’s Top Shelf Program, as well as Chicago Minority Supplier Development Center’s PIPE program. To date, I serve as a director of the NAWBO Chicago Board and on the advisory board of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce."
|
|
Chicago Housing Authority To Host Networking Event |
|
|
|
Doing Business with CHA and Other Agencies
March 2 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center, 4859 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Workforce Opportunity Resource Center (WORC) will host a networking event for companies that qualify as a Section 3 business. Hear about upcoming procurements from CHA and City of Chicago sister agencies, as well as network with CHA contractors, developers, property managers and more.
|
|
BMO Completes Acquisition of Bank of the West |
|
On February 1, 2023 BMO Harris Bank completed the planned acquisition of Bank of the West. The merge brings nearly 1.8 million customers to BMO and extends its banking presence through more than 500 additional branches and commercial and wealth offices. |
|
NAWBO Chicago Advocacy Committee To Meet This Friday |
|
|
|
Have you wondered how to get more involved in advocacy efforts on behalf of woman-owned small businesses? The NAWBO Chicago Advocacy Committee is here to help you put that passion into action. Please join us on Zoom the first Fridays of each month (next meeting is March 3) at 11:00 am to learn about the current issues and policy work impacting our professional lives, and what you can do to help our small business community thrive. Together we can make a difference! |
|
HERstory International Summit Focuses On Circular Economy |
|
|
|
HERstory In The Making
March 29 on Zoom
From 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
In our current economy, we take materials from Earth, make products and eventually throw them away as waste—the process is linear. In a circular economy, we stop waste from being produced in the first place through a transition to renewable energy and materials. NAWBO is bringing women business owners from the four corners of the globe together for HERstory in the Making during Women’s History Month.
|
|
Maximize Your Membership in 2023 |
|
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
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 April submissions to the newsletter editor by March 17, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
