A Message From Our President |
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Have you ever wondered what life could look like once you leave your business? Have you always wanted to travel? Or would you prefer to settle down in a quiet spot in the mountains or on the shore?
Business owners often become so consumed by their work that they don’t think about what comes next. As we age, it becomes more important to prioritize our families, our hobbies and our interests. It actually took me a few years working long hours, day after day before I asked myself that critical question.
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Membership Spotlights: Planning Your Business Exit |
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Have you thought about life beyond your business? Experts suggest planning for your exit strategy from day one in your business. What value have you gained from planning for your exit? |
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I’ve certainly had to consider life beyond my business at Haire's Gulf Shrimp. Last year, my husband (who founded the company) passed away. Now that I have taken over the business, I want to preserve my family's legacy.
Aisha Murff
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After 30 years with Pioneer Service, it would be unfair to my employees to not be considering my succession plan. If I don’t make these decisions, they’ll be made for me anyway – but will they suit the best interests of my employees and partners? These are not things one leaves to chance.
Aneesa Muthana
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This is a spectacular question for me since I help people to design more of their lives (things that support and invigorate them) into their businesses. Life beyond my business is a little hard to imagine because every day, I am doing the things that give me life. And while I find it a bit paradoxical to, from day one, consider how one will exit the very thing they are trying to get off the ground, it is also a very practical thing to do.
Karyn Pettigrew
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Yes, I have thought about life beyond my business. necessary & sufficient coffee is a tiny, walk-up take-out neighborhood specialty coffee shop that focuses on community, sustainability and craft. We’ve recently procured (and were early adopters of) our Living Wage and Oceanic Global Blue Action Sustainability certifications.
Kate Vrijmoet
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Meet The Board: Megan Wholey
Director at Large
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What do you hope to contribute?
I really hope to broaden and diversify membership and increase understanding about NAWBO’s mission.
What do you recommend to make the most of membership?
I would recommend that members join a Mastermind group. It’s easy for business owners to get wrapped up in the day-to-day of running a team and managing operations, so taking the time once a month to think strategically and bounce ideas off other women is invaluable.
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Secure Your Tickets Now For Celebration of Achievement |
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Don't wait! Get your tickets now for the 39th Annual NAWBO Chicago Celebration of Achievement conference. A variety of ticket types are available. Non-members are welcome to attend, so please share this opportunity far and wide. |
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The Celebration of Achievement conference offers a variety of event sponsorship opportunities.
The Silver Sponsorship level allows organizations to be one of eight breakout session presenters to conference attendees.
Are you an expert on a topic relevant to women business owners? Are you on top of industry trends and outlooks? Do you offer a knock-out presentation beneficial to female entrepreneurs? Don't wait! Sign up to sponsor a session today!
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Sponsor Tickets For Lake Forest College Women In Biz |
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Did you know you can support NAWBO Chicago's NextGen program and the Celebration of Achievement conference at the same time?
NAWBO Chicago is currently partnering with the Lake Forest College Women in Biz club for a competition where student groups create branding campaigns that could be used by NAWBO Chicago to market future Celebration of Achievement conferences.
This competition will provide NAWBO Chicago with potentially useful branding campaigns while also creating a hands-on project for members of Women in Biz.
The winners will receive complimentary tickets to the 39th Annual Celebration of Achievement. The runners-up will receive virtual tickets to the conference.
Can you sponsor these driven female entrepreneurs and give them the opportunity to attend Celebration of Achievement? Your support is important now more than ever. These women are the future of our organization. Click HERE to view the sponsorship form. |
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Magie Cook is a Latino businesswoman who was born in an orphanage in Mexico. She grew up in poverty along with 68 brothers and sisters. She missed her opportunity to play basketball for the Mexican National Team because she broke her collarbone. Shortly after, she immigrated to the US on a basketball scholarship to the University of Charleston. After obtaining her college degree, she became homeless.
In 2004, Magie entered a Fresh Salsa competition for the State of West Virginia and won. She started her company with $800 and created Maggie's All-Natural Fresh Salsa's Dips, a company that grew into a multimillion dollar business within four years.
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In 2015, she sold the company to Campbell's. Magie went back to Mexico and rescued 31 orphaned children from a drug cartel. She started a movement with an idea to solve the generational problem of human sex trafficking. In 2019, she began working with the AOF Hollywood Dreams International Film Festival to make a feature film about her story.
Learn more about Magie on her website.
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International Women's Day is March 8! The NAWBO Chicago chapter is the largest in the country and one of the leading female entrepreneur organizations in the Chicagoland area all because of our dedicated membership.
We are a diverse group from so many different backgrounds. NAWBO Chicago is honored to have you all as part of this dynamic, devoted and amazing group of women business owners. You set the example every day, in both big and small ways.
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The NAWBO Spring Membership Drive is officially underway! Share with your friends and business associates all the benefits you have received being a NAWBO Chicago member and encourage them to join today to take advantage of the discounted rates:
- $47 off new member initiation fee in honor of NAWBO’s 47th anniversary
- $47 off NextGen annual membership for young entrepreneurs
- $25 reinstatement fee waived for lapsed members who rejoin
Click HERE to view membership levels and click HERE to view the membership brochure.
If you need a kickstart, email us at info@nawbochicago.org and we will send you a form letter you can customize and email to fellow women business owners who should join this organization. |
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March is Women's History Month! We invite you to follow along on the NAWBO Chicago social media accounts as we share stories about women business leaders throughout history:
Choose Chicago has compiled a list of events and exhibits celebrating Women's History Month. Click HERE to view the schedule. |
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Join A Monthly Connects For Inspiration And Connectivity |
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March's NAWBO Connects are virtual events and attendees will be sent the Zoom information prior to the meeting time.
Connects are open to all. Non-Members are able to attend up to two events before membership is required.
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Chicago Connects (Virtual)
Marketing A Professional Services Firm
Presented by Diane Yetter, President of YETTER Tax & Sales Tax Institute
There are many ways to generate business. Cold calling and paid advertising are often the ones professional service firms turn to. But there are many other methods that actually have a much higher success rate.
Tuesday, March 15
8:30 - 10:00 am
Every Third Tuesday
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North/Wisconsin Connects (Virtual)
Storytelling as a Driver for Success
Presented by Melissa Kehl of Rieke Office Interiors
Everyone loves stories! When you share your story, from the heart, it connects you to people almost instantly and opens the way for other people to share with you. Making this connection as soon as possible helps move business forward. People do business with people (whom they like and trust), not with companies – hence the importance of the personal connection. Join in this interactive event and learn how your story can help your success.
Tuesday, March 22
8:30 - 10:00 am
Every Fourth Tuesday
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West/South Connects (Virtual)
Estate Planning For the Business Owner: Taking Care of Your Business, Aging Parents and College
Presented by Nina Stillman, Business Law & Estate Planning Attorney
- Basic estate planning documents: what they accomplish for you in life and after passing
- Special estate planning issues for business owners
- Do my minor or adult children need a plan? Particular concern for the college years
- What should my parents plan for and how?
- What the heck is probate anyway?
Thursday, March 24
8:30 - 10:00 am
Every Fourth Thursday
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Celebrate International Women's Day with 1871 Programs |
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Join NAWBO Chicago partner organization, 1871, for #BreakTheBias on March 8 for International Women’s Day! This half-day of female-focused programming will focus on two tracks – founder and leader. This event will be presented in a hybrid format, with the in-person experience taking place at 1871. The keynote speaker is Mary Dillion, Executive Chair of the Ulta Beauty Board of Directors.
This year’s theme, #BreakTheBias, is a call for all individuals to imagine a gender equal world and strive to forge women’s equality and a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. From challenge comes change, so register today and join 1871 in celebrating International Women’s Day 2022.
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Click HERE to view NAWBO's March Advocacy updates. |
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Maximize Your Membership in 2022 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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NAWBO Chicago Newsletter Submissions
NAWBO Chicago newsletters are published monthly. Email April submissions to the newsletter editor by March 17, 2022.
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