Making common-ground connections that last By Angelika Coghlan During a time of economic crisis and one of the worst recessions in history, NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) Chicago membership is actually up from previous years.  I think the reason is that women business owners feel the need to be able to share and support other women businesses.   I have been told by many of our prospective and current members that before joining NAWBO Chicago they had no place to discuss issues or challenges they were having with their businesses.  It’s not something that can easily be discussed with family members or neighbors.  But NAWBO provides an environment where members can share and mentor in a confidential setting.  Now, more than ever, it’s important to be able to know that many are suffering the same frustrations you are going through, due to the economy. For those that are unfamiliar with NAWBO Chicago, our mission is to propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power.  Women business owners generate $3 trillion in annual economic impact and provide 23 million jobs!   The National Association of Women Business Owners has 80 chapters across the country and more than 9,000 members.  Chicago area NAWBO is the second largest chapter within our national organization.  Thirty percent of our chapter members own businesses with annual revenues greater than $1 million, compared to just two percent nationwide.  NAWBO Chicago members collectively have $1.15 billion in annual sales and employ 10,000 employees.  We at the chapter, are very proud of these statistics. In accordance with our mission statement the theme for this year is “Come to NAWBO First”.   We encourage all of our members, including our corporate partners, to turn to NAWBO businesses first to purchase products and services.  Since we have a diverse membership you can find access to just about any type of product or service.  If not, members are quite willing to provide referrals to companies with whom they have worked in the past. We also encourage members to come to NAWBO first for education and resources, and to take advantage of the essential community for women who mean business. Through meetings and networking opportunities, NAWBO Chicago creates an environment that provides invaluable information to our members. NAWBO Chicago offers opportunities to help sustain and grow a business.  We provide access to government and corporate procurement.  We establish venues for women business owners to trade ideas, ask questions and develop practical solutions to the sticky issues handled every day.  If a business owner is facing a road block we help find members that will motivate them to create a unique new route. NAWBO also advocates for legislation that helps businesses grow.  NAWBO empowers members to get involved in our nation’s decision making process by providing education and resources so they may understand the impact to their businesses. Members share in NAWBO’s community, accessing fellow members throughout the nation with an online directory.  It provides the opportunity to share a story with a woman who’s “been there and done that.”  It’s all about the lasting connections and lifelong friendships between women on common ground. NAWBO is the nation’s oldest and most respected organization for women business owners.  NAWBO has been in existence since 1976 and the Chicago chapter was founded in 1978, celebrating our 30th anniversary last year. Now, more than ever, it’s a great time to come to NAWBO for support, ideas and, most of all, encouragement that we are all in this together and together, we will overcome.  As in our nations past, it will be small businesses that help change our economic climate.  That is why it is important for us to continue to support each other and generate business for each other.  NAWBO is a place where this happens on a regular basis. Angelika Coghlan is president of NAWBO Chicago and managing partner of Catwalk Consulting. Contact her at acoghlan@catwalkconsulting.com or 847-516-1671. To learn more about NAWBO Chicago visit www.nawbochicago.org. Prospective members’ breakfasts are scheduled every month. Please check out our events calendar to register and learn more about the organization.

Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 (Archive on Tuesday, December 22, 2009) Posted by jstoltz  Contributed by jstoltz

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