January 2023 Newsletter
Save The Date: 2023 Celebration of Achievement Conference
Member Spotlight
What processes or systems have you put in place at your company to be prepared for potential economic downturns? What recommendations would you give to other business owners to help them prepare for a recession or other economic turmoil?
We work with hundreds of businesses by managing their business and health insurance plans plus monitoring retirement plans. Our clients' regular feedback indicates the potential direction of the economy. A question that is always asked in both good and bad economies is: What would happen if you lost 20 percent of revenue because of unforeseen changes? Anticipating a reduction in revenue helps to plan going forward. Anticipated recessions means that we must be prudent with discretionary expenses and must continue to build a sinking fund. 

John Gotschall
Founder
My business philosophies have always been the same for my company and our clients. The three core principles for growth and sustainability through any conditions are:

1. Manage your expenses tightly. Yes, you have to “spend money to make money,” but do your due diligence to ensure that you are getting the best rates and value for your dollar.

Melissa Lagowski
CEO, Founder & Queen Bee
Our family is entering its 98th year in the printing business. There are several reasons we’ve lasted this long, but one of the principles that our dad instilled in us was “never put all of your eggs in one basket.” You need diversified streams rather than having most of your revenue coming from a handful of clients. When times are great, it’s easy to sit back and relax, but this can be very dangerous to your survival.

Mary Lawrence
President
Many of us experienced huge growth and sales in 2022. How can we carry that into 2023 with a possible recession looming? I am reducing costs and launching new products while constantly evaluating my line to determine what is selling and what might not be of as much interest as previous seasons. I love making new merch and adding more options for my customers, but I would say it’s more important to know your numbers and be prepared to cut costs and always be ready to pivot. 

Heather Polcaster
Owner & Maker
Members In The News
Member Sherri Jordan received the 2022 Thought Leadership Excellence award in December as part of the 41st annual "Marketplace: Governor's Conference on Diverse Business Development," which honors Wisconsin businesses owned by minorities, women and service-disabled veterans.

Sherri is Founder and Principal Consultant of Envision the Ladder.

Congratulations, Sherri!
Member Gail Zelitzky, and her business partner, Catherine Marienau, were awarded the Turn The Page on Age award from Chicago Innovation and Village Chicago in December. Gail and Catherine produce the weekly podcast Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined.

"Catherine and I accepted this award on behalf of the 206 guests we have interviewed on the Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined podcast since 2019. It is their stories that inspire women of all ages. We are part of a movement to debunk ageism and our mission is to shatter the myth that women become irrelevant as they age," Gail said.
Why NAWBO - Submit Your Video And Share Why You NAWBO
Why do you NAWBO? It is such a robust and intricate question to ponder. Click the button below to hear why NAWBO Chicago Board Member Mary Balistreri chooses to be part of the organization.

We invite you to check out the NAWBO Chicago YouTube page where the "Why NAWBO" videos will be uploaded. Please share them on your social media platforms and spread the word about NAWBO Chicago.

Premier members: submit your own video! In under one minute, explain why you joined NAWBO Chicago and the benefits you've experienced. Email it to info@nawbochicago.org. Need help filming? Ask us for assistance.
Nominations Being Accepted For Enterprising Women Awards
Nominations for the 2023 Enterprising Women of the Year Award are open. Honorees will be recognized at the annual conference on May 23 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Winners must be able to attend. There is a new award this year recognizing women entrepreneurs age 30 and under.

The deadline to submit is February 1.
Commercial Property Down Payment Grant Just Announced
Bank of America and the Small Business Administration have partnered to offer a new "Down Payment Grant Program" for women- or minority-owned small businesses that intend to purchase owner-occupied commercial real estate within an opportunity zone.
Start 2023 With A NAWBO Chicago Member Orientation
Start 2023 with the momentum to propel business growth and fuel personal and professional development. Join NAWBO Chicago for a virtual Member Orientation on January 10 from 9:00 – 10:00 am! Whether you are new to the organization, a long-time member or simply want more information before joining, all female entrepreneurs are invited to attend this FREE orientation and learn how to maximize all that NAWBO has to offer.
Connect With Women Business Owners At Next Coffee Date
NAWBO is built on the invaluable relationships women business owners cultivate for support, empowerment and inspiration. If you're new to NAWBO or simply want to build more connections within the network, don't miss our upcoming Coffee Date on February 2 from 8:00 - 9:00 am. These unique online events are a relaxed and informal way to get to know each other from the comfort of your couch. Join us and get to know your fellow NAWBO members!
Back By Popular Demand! Learn About The ERTC Program
It's back by popular demand! Join NAWBO Chicago for the return of the virtual event "ERTC: Are You Leaving Money On The Table?" presented by Angie Noll, NAWBO Chicago Board Member and owner of Reconciled Solutions. A costly misconception about Covid-19 relief funding has many business leaders falsely assuming they don’t qualify for the Employee Retention Tax Credit. This comes from the myth that if they received any PPP funding, they would be ineligible – which is NOT true. Your company could be entitled to up to $26,000 per employee per qualifying period! So, whether you have a staff of one employee or a dozen, you may be able to secure additional revenue.
Book Your Hotel Room Now To Lock In Discount Pricing
The hotel room block pricing for the upcoming NAWBO Leadership Academy expires on January 12.

Book your room at the discount rate of $189/night at the Westin Long Beach HERE.

Click HERE to view the conference agenda.
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
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 February submissions to the newsletter editor by January 20, 2023.
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