“It is intoxicatingly fulfilling to realize a dream and feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose that I have never felt before”

Linda Quarshie is a recent WBDC FastTrac Graduate and owner of AOAactivewear. Learn more about her active wear line here and follow here @AOAactivewear.

“I love that I can think ‘outside the box’ to find a solution to unique needs as they arise without going through other channels for approval.  My business potential is only limited by my imagination.”
Robin Frank is a Long Term Care Analyst & Planning Strategist.  You can find out more about her business here or here.

“I love the politics of owning a love-driven company, I love the feeling that I can do something meaningful with my life by lifting other entrepreneurs, I love the freedom to create and explore new business opportunities, I love the dedicated people with whom I work – like the peeps in this group and I love the entrepreneur spirit.”

Lennie Rose is CEO of The Big Ooga, a Chicago-based small business and entrepreneur networking community.  Learn more here, or follow Lennie @BigOoga.

“I love the fact that it gives me the flexibility to do charitable work and spend quality time with my family without feeling guilty or like I’m undermining my career.”

Max Elliott is a Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning Attorney located in the Chicago area.  Learn more about her business here and follow her @maxelliottlaw.

“The ability to chose who I work with so they align with the beliefs and ethics of how I want business portrayed.”

Lori Johnson is the President of Ladies, Start Your Engines! LLC.  Learn more about her business here or follow her @LSYE.

“I like that my business is a reflection of me.  I like being able to push myself in ways I didn’t think I could.  Sounds trite but it’s absolutely true.”

Cynthia Collins Cieckiewicz is the owner of Uptown Soda Bread, learn more here or follow her @UptownSodaBread.

“I love that my business provides jobs for others!”

Adela Red is a product & service company that coordinates events, offer set and show services, as well as apparel and accessory products. Learn more about Adela Red here.

“I love being able to spend quality time with my family and still be able to use my type A personality to help other businesses succeed.”

Kimberly Loftis provides a broad range of financial management and business consulting services to a variety of clients as well as individuals. Learn more about Loftis Consulting here.

” I just sent out 2011 tax forms to my employees. I love providing jobs!”

Lauren Milligan is President of ResuMAYDAY, which provides resume development, interviewing skills coaching, networking coaching and everything that job seekers need to conduct a high-impact job search.  Learn more here and follow her company @ResuMAYDAY

“It’s the next best thing to giving birth! Creating your own business and watching it grow is amazingly fulfilling, particularly if your “baby” helps others grow within the industry as well.”

Jill Glaser is a Freelance Media Makeup Artist at Make Up First, LLC in Chicago.  Check out her company here and follower her @makeupfirstschool.

Jennifer Bias, Winner of the Third Annual Technology Makeover

“The judges were moved by Jennifer’s passion for her company’s mission, as well as her incredible entrepreneurial spirit,” said Hedy M. Ratner, co-president with Carol Dougal of the WBDC.
Click here to read the full article from the Chicago Sun-Times to learn more about the prize package and how Jennifer plans to use the materials.
Take a look at these great ceremony pictures from the event showcasing the finalists and judging panel.

Not Pictured: Lee Tkachuk, Keystrokes Transcription Service, Inc., Yorkville, IL

]]> http://wbdcchicago.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/13-wbeswbos-from-the-wbdcs-nine-state-region-being-honored-in-fl/feed/ 1 wbdcchicago Enterprising women copy http://wbdcchicago.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/notes-on-the-international-council-on-womens-business-leadership-inaugural-meeting/ http://wbdcchicago.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/notes-on-the-international-council-on-womens-business-leadership-inaugural-meeting/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:05:19 +0000 wbdcchicago http://wbdcchicago.wordpress.com/?p=1090 ]]> Tuesday morning, January 24, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted the inaugural meeting for the International Council on Women’s Business Leadership.  Members were invited by Secretary Clinton and include leaders of American and foreign public and private sector organizations.

For those that could not watch the live broadcasting, WBDC marketing assistant, Bethany Hartley has provided some notes from the meeting’s discussion.

First, what is the International Council on Women’s Business Leadership?

“The Secretary of State’s International Council on Women’s Business Leadership (ICWBL) serves the United States Government in a solely advisory capacity concerning major issues and problems in international business and economic policy, including the effective integration of business interests and women’s economic empowerment into overall foreign policy; the role and limits of international economic institutions from a gender-specific perspective; and the Department of State’s role in advancing and promoting the role of women in a competitive global economy.”

-from the Secretary of State website

Objective for the meeting:

“What are the ideas that we can promote that can help women be able to fulfill their own potential. How do we widen that circle of prosperity which will lift the entire global economy – women and men alike – and how do we, within our own organizations, do more to train and promote women to positions of leadership?”  Secretary Clinton

The meeting targeted issues currently impacting countries around the world.  Hot topics included:

1. Child Care Options
   For Sweden’s Maud Olofsson one of the main problems hindering financial growth and business leadership for women is the lack of child care options available to women.  By sharing parenting duties between parents and allowing for child care to be more easily accessible and financially feasible, women would not be derailed from their career.  South Africa’s Wend Luhabe affirmed these challenges.
2. Insurance Offerings for Women
   South Africa’s Wendy Luhabe also raised the issue of insurance offerings for women.  It is Luhabe’s belief that women are not covered nearly enough, stating examples of families being destroyed from having to repay medical bills when children fall sick and a need for further coverage for women when a divorce takes place.
3. Building Wealth Through Sustainable Credit and Grassroots Programming
   India’s Meera Sanyal discussed how there is no overt gender discrimination in India, yet constantly changing policies for credit cause confusion.  There is a need for basic savings methods because if women keep the money in their home they will spend it on their family.Jamaica’s M. Audrey Hinchcliffe discussed her country’s problem being that of a small, wealthy few control the less fortunate larger population.  It’s a pyramid that needs to be altered by implementing programs to provide training and financial assistance to the large base and thus creating a more stable economic standing for the whole country.
4. Innovative Program Models
   Wanda Engel, Executive President, Unibanco Institute, discussed Brazil’s Bolsa Familia program where funding is provided for families with children as long as children are attending school on a consistent basis.  Brazil has a high number of uneducated people which creates a poor economic situation.  With this program, children are becoming educated and potentially able to achieve a higher economic standing than their parents through professional work.  Many of the other countries representatives at the meeting expressed interest in adapting the Bolsa Familia program in their homelands.
5. Women on Boards – About 3% of United States CEOs are women

“One fact is already clear, including more women at the top of organizations, businesses and the public sector- it’s not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.  It’s good for business, it’s good for results” –Secretary Clinton

Overall, the meeting was inspiring and thought provoking.  Essential topics were discussed including access to capital, women helping women and getting more business education out there to promote women in leadership roles.  These are all issues we look at every day at the WBDC and the reason we continue to provide the support we do for women.

What do you think?  Did you watch the meeting?  What would you ask the members?  Most importantly, do you think anything will come of this council?

Supplemental Links:

Cherie Booth Blair’s foundation: MWomen Initiative

Secretary Clinton’s September speech at APEC

List of Members: ICWBL Council Members

Introduction of Meeting: Secretary Clinton

How can the WBDC CCBP help you?

1. Training: Between workshops, seminars and conferences we equip you with marketing, financial and other business skills.

• If you’re just starting out, take 10 weeks to learn how to launch and sustain a successful home or center-based child care business. Sign up now for the next workshop series!
  
• Workshops are also available for established business owners looking to understand the Business Administration Scale Program and other advanced business topics.

2. Counseling: Our professional team of business counselors provide free individual and group counseling

3. Networking Opportunities: Our Child Care Business Expo is an annual event providing a platform for all levels of child care providers to network with other child care providers, hear from industry professionals, including  Tom Copeland, and connect with suppliers to meet your purchasing needs.

Don’t miss these opportunities to grow your skills on the business side of child care. Take it from Allison Perkins, WBDC client and owner of Allison’s Infant and Toddler Center,

“It’s not what people think it will be.  As the administrator you make sure the children are able to have the experiences they need.  Make sure you’ve done your research and have a solid business plan.”

Read more about Allison’s story of successful business ownership here.  Whether you’re thinking about starting as a home-based business or leasing a space for your child care center, the CCBP provides you with information about all your options.

Tools for you:

1. Child Care Business Plan Template
2. Sample Revenue Assumptions
3. Sample Start Up Budget

Want more information about the program or have questions about the CCBP?  Contact Janice at jlopez@wbdc.org.

If your face has become a scrunched up question mark, maybe you should consider group consultations.  A group consultation is a great way to bounce your ideas off of other peers in the same situation as you, with the help of an experienced business counselor to keep you on track.  Here are the four reasons why group consultations might be just what your business plan needs:

1. Your Cloud: Just like Apple developed the iCloud, you develop the BusinessCloud.  You have already created a cluster of ideas, notes and projections for your business, and it’s all floating around with a clear path seemingly hard to find.  By creating this cloud of content you are laying the foundation for great ideas to come, and with the help of others, you can pull out the good and toss the bad.  It’s amazing to see what people have floating in their minds, and group discussions can focus in on the ideas that could make your business great!
2. Building Business Relationships: Is your business going to do business with other businesses?  Chances are at some point it will.  Whether you’re knitting scarves to sell at a farmer’s market or creating software to save the world, you’re going to deal with other business people.   Being involved with a group can teach you how to perform in the business world.  You can learn to see the big picture of how others may see your business and what’s out there for businesses in the current economic climate.
3. Feedback: One of the biggest perks of group consultations is the quantity and quality amount of feedback you’ll receive. Instead of one business counselor giving you an opinion, you’re getting the reactions of multiple people.  Unbiased opinions are hard to come by in this day and age, especially with technology.  People are often looking for feedback online about their businesses. For instance Yelp! is an entire website devoted to feedback.  However, when you’re starting out, you may not want all the feedback to be public, nor do you want feedback clearly coming from competitors seeking to bring you down.  The controlled setting of an in person small group is ideal for start-ups.  Be sure to feed off the feedback, don’t just take answers from others and run, give your opinion about their business plans too.
4. Expert Knowledge: Typically speaking, group consultations have a facilitator who is knowledge in business development.  They are a great resource for planning out the next steps of your plan.  Often times it’s difficult to find a setting where you can be comfortable bouncing ideas around, and it’s important to find the right fit for you.  Maybe it’s at a Bank Branch or maybe…the Women’s Business Development Center.

It’s critical to see all sides of your business box, not just your perspective.  Keep these four things in mind as you work on your business plan.  And if you’re looking to join us for a group consult, the next one takes place January 11, 2012 at the WBDC in Chicago, call us at 312.853.3477 x 0.  Oh, did I mention they’re free and limited to five people?  Not sure if you’re ready for group consultations? Download this free resource, “Developing Your Business Plan” from the WBDC.

1. Know your audience:  Whether you’re preparing an entire webinar series or just getting your toes wet with a single session, you should research where the market is lacking and combine that with your expertise.  There are clearly fields of knowledge that are saturated with information, like “home based businesses” so even if that is your expertise perhaps trying to tie it in with a specific industry or field.  For instance, “Social Media Marketing for Home-Based Businesses.”  Collaborate with someone familiar with social media strategies and work together to create a great webinar.
2. Quality above all else:  This means quality audio equipment, quality graphics and quality takeaways.  I recently sat in on a webinar about social media and was blown away by the poor sound quality.  It completely distracted from the subject being discussed.  On top of bad sound quality, the slides were moving at a different pace to the speaker’s discussion, making it difficult to follow and challenging to take notes.  Quality does not mean spending a lot of money on audio equipment or video software, but simply taking the time to test out what you have and adjust accordingly.  Quality takeaways are what you give your attendees.  Do they walk away feeling like they learned something or that they just wasted an hour of their day hearing something they already knew?  Be sure to describe your webinar accurately so people don’t join under false pretences, which can make for unhappy feedback.
3. Engagement: The main perk of doing webinars vs, “how-to” videos is the two-way communication.  The instant engagement adds a level of enrichment that videos lack.  Make your webinar full of information and be prepared to answer questions and receive different opinions on the subject.  Just because you are an expert doesn’t mean you know everything!  Engagement should go beyond the one hour webinar: create a call to action for attendees.  Maybe you want them to leave questions on your blog, direct them to do so in a way that isn’t pushy and blatantly saying you want more traffic to your blog. Perhaps write a supplemental blog post that publishes immediately following the webinar with a question sheet for attendees.  People enjoy giving their opinion, especially online!

Keep these three tips in mind when you go to create your webinars and let us know how it goes!  Sit in on one of our webinars starting in January, if you’re looking to learn more about starting and growing your business.   We encourage your feedback!  And if you have any more tips, put them below!

Eva Brown is the Director of the Access to Capital Program at the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC).  She provides financial business counseling and training to WBDC clients, including a monthly workshop titled “Take the Mystery out of Finance.” The next workshop will be held January 17,^, 2012.   In Part 2, Eva discusses: “What Are the Top Three Things Lenders Look For?”  She briefly outlines the importance of cash flow, credit scores and collateral for potential entrepreneurs.  What other small business finance questions would you like Eva to answer?

Eva Brown is the Director of the Access to Capital Program at the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC).  She provides financial business counseling and training to WBDC clients, including a monthly workshop titled “Take the Mystery out of Finance.” The next workshop will be held January 17,^, 2012.  In Part 1: Debt vs. Equity of our two part video series on Finance, Eva discusses the differences and similarities between debt and equity.  The information provides a clear explanation of what can sometimes be a difficult topic for business owners. Next week, in part two of the finance video series, Eva will discuss the top three things lenders are looking for when determining eligibility for loans.  What other small business finance questions would you like Eva to answer?