NAWBO Newsletter April, 2010

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NAWBO's

March Madness Event!!

Pictured: Devona Williams (Pep Rally Leader!) and Maryanne Murray with the hostess from Paradise Palms Restaurant

See more pictures
below ...

NAWBO NEWSLETTER

April, 2010

President's Message
by Karen Miller

Rebirth. Renewal. New Beginnings.

Yes, these words represent spring. But in this instance, I'm referring to your business. Like spring cleaning, this is good time of year to revisit your business plan, clear the clutter, and refocus your efforts so you can get the most from your NAWBO membership?

For those who attended our March Madness Event, you saw what a fantastic group of inspired, talented women we are. For those of you that are not currently members, its time to renew yourself and your business by getting involved in NAWBO.

Why should you rejuvenate your business with NAWBO? We are a NATIONAL group, over 9,000 strong ... looking out for each other. Think about it, we have sisters all over the country, and you have the opportunity to share, gain insights, ideas and develop relationships with other women dealing with similar issues of running a business.

Get on board the train, (or bus or car)!

The NAWBO National Conference will be in Washington, DE - June 9-11. You can attend a day or all three. If you register by April 15, you'll save $100. I went to the National Conference for the first time last year and it was AMAZING. Come along with your Delaware sisters this year and get re-energized.

Let your voice be heard in DE and DC!

This month, on April 20, NAWBO will host a delegation to meet with the Delaware Small Business Caucus, the legislative voice (AND ARM) of small business issues in the state.

In DC, during the national conference, there will be a delegation visiting and lobbying our national leaders regarding the issues that affect women business.

What concerns you at a state or national level?

Taxes, licenses, contracting, access to business purchasers, access to capital, healthcare?

We want to know. They want to know. Unless you make your voice heard, others will make decisions that affect you.

Celebrate With Us at Our Annual Dinner May 20!

Please join us as we celebrate the close of one year and the beginning of a new year for NAWBO Delaware, present awards and install our new Board of Directors. We will recognize the Women Business Owner, Bridge Builder and NAWBO Member and our Corporate Partners of the Year.

Thanks to the University of Delaware, Professional and Continuing Studies Department for being
our Silver Sponsor for the Annual Dinner.

We are still looking for sponsorships. Opportunities available are:

Gold Level $1000

Bronze Level $250

Vendors opportunities are available for NAWBO members for free; non-members for $35 on a first come, first serve basis.

For more info, contact Annual Dinner Chair, Kyna Baker, at Kyna@5starvirtualservice.com.
Registration

Send Us Your Nominations for 2010 NAWBO DE Awards

Our NAWBO Delaware Annual Dinner will be held on May 20, 2010. At this exciting event, we will be presenting three awards to women business owners who are NAWBO Delaware members, and we are looking for nominations:

1. NAWBO Delaware Member of the Year: recognizes a member who has been actively involved and shown initiative and dedication in furthering the mission of the organization (download nomination form)

2. NAWBO Delaware Business Woman of the Year: recognizes a member that epitomizes a Delaware Business Woman (download nomination form)

3. NAWBO Delaware Bridge Builders of the Year: recognizes a leader who creates connections between organizations and individuals to build small businesses and their communities (download nomination form)

Do you know a NAWBO Delaware member who should receive one of these awards? If so, please use the links to download the nomination form, and send it to us at info@nawbodelaware.org.

March Madness Membership Special!

Join NAWBO now through April 30 and get an amazing $50 off membership fee! ($25 off national and $25 off Chapter dues). To take advantage of this special offer please complete the membership application and send directly to NAWBO Delaware, PO Box 4657 Greenville, DE 19807-4657. For more information contact Membership Chair, Joyce Dungee Proctor, at joyce@seminarsbyjoyce.com.

WELCOME New Members!

Deborah Gawel, President

Deballi Distinctive Properties, Inc.

P.O. Box 466

Bear, DE 19701

(302) 376-1113

debgawal@verizon.net

Jennifer Phillips, Owner

Images Everything

1611 N. Rodney Street, #1

Wilmington, DE 19806

artjennerator@msn.com

Karen Stephens-Johnson

P.O. Box 1475

Bear, DE 19701

(302) 918-4500

johnson@ewcholdings.com

Jaclyn Czachorowski

P.O. Box 645

Clayton, DE 19938

(302) 465-0935

jaclynzack87@aol.com

We're Looking For a Few Good Women Leaders!

The work of NAWBO depends on a volunteer board of directors. If you are a member and are interested in serving as a board member, please complete the application and return to Devona Williams, Immediate Past President NAWBO DE at devogo@aol.com). Hurry, board member nominations will close on April 23. Thanks!!

Becoming a NAWBO DE volunteer is a great way to maximize your membership by strengthening business relationships, developing a support network of other women business owners and growing your skills, to name a few.

We are currently in need of Committee Members in the areas below. If you have any interest, please contact us at info@nawbodelaware.org

- Corporate Partners & Economic Development

- Marketing & Communications Committee Members

- Programs Committee Members

- Public Policy

- Membership Committee Members

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, April 20
Noon - 3pm
"Small Business Caucus: It's Your Turn to be Heard"
Click here for more information and to register.

Friday, May 7
8:00 - 9:00am
"First Friday Networking"
Join us at Aflac, 1501 Casho Mill Road, Suite 13, Newark, DE, to exchange ideas and discuss business challenges. No need to register. Bring your own coffee and your business cards!

Thursday, May 13
"Social Networking Web 2.0"
YWCA Power Roundtables in New Castle (9-11am), Kent (10am-12noon) and Sussex (12-2pm) counties
Which social websites are best for business? How do you maximize your time for effectiveness? How do you keep up with this ever growing way to do business? Click here to register.

Thursday, May 20
5:00pm - 8:00pm
"Annual Awards Dinner"
It's time to come together and celebrate our accomplishments, our members, our sponsors and our guests! This year's dinner will be at Bella Vita at Cavaliers Country Club. Details to be announced soon! Contact info@nawbodelaware.org if you have any questions.

Wednesday, June 9
"NAWBO National Leadership Conference"
Washington, DC
The National Leadership Summit is a member's only exclusive event during the Women's Business Conference designed to provide leadership development and chapter capacity building opportunities. Space is limited. http://nawbo.org/section_231.cfm

Thursday, June 10 and Friday, June 11
"NAWBO Women's Business Conference"
Washington, DC
The Women's Business Conference brings together women business owners from diverse cultures and perspectives, giving them a forum to connect with one another, learn from inspirational speakers, get the latest information on tomorrow's trends and propel their businesses to the next level of success. http://nawbo.org/section_231.cfm

Take advantage of NAWBO events offered by our sister Chapters - NAWBO Greater Philadelphia and NAWBO South Jersey. NAWBO Delaware members pay member rates at these events.

Key Facts About Women-Owned Businesses

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NAWBO's unique mission is to continue to propel the success of all women business owners. NAWBO works to advocate for public policies to remove barriers and obstacles to women business owners. NAWBO is a contributor in helping women businesses grow and flourish. Here are a few key facts about Women-Owned Businesses from the Center for Women's Business Research that I shared at the March Member Madness Event.

The Overall Picture: 2008-2009

- 10.1 million firms are owned by women (75% or more), employing more than 13 million people, and generating $1.9 trillion in sales as of 2008.

- Women-owned firms (50% or more) account for 40% of all privately held firms.

Million Dollar Businesses

- One in five firms with revenue of $1 million or more is woman-owned.

- 3% of all women-owned firms have revenues of $1 million or more compared with 6% of men-owned firms.

March Madness Event!

We're just mad about women business owners, NAWBO and our members! That's why we hosted our March Madness Membership Event. Our Pep Rally was lots of fun as we shared the facts about women business owners, networked and shared ideas to make NAWBO better. Our Board members acted as coaches and asked attendees for ideas in Marketing, Programming, Membership and Corporate Partners. These ideas will be shared with the new board of directors when they are installed at our Annual Dinner on May 20. Thanks to all for sharing!!