Women Business Owners of Montgomery County WBO Blog

7th Annual Women Spanning the Globe Event

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:11:16 GMT

World Trade Center Institute & Jhpiego invite you to a day filled with jam packed action! Hear from dynamic speakers on some of the most relevant topics for women today, enjoy premium networking opportunities including table swaps, an international luncheon, international trivia and wine tasting, and more!

Topics include Women, Entrepreneurs & Global Innovation; Religious Beliefs/Cultural Norms for International Business; Women, Gender Equality and Political Leadership; and Communications in Today’s World.

Featured Guest Speaking Presentations:
“From Classrooms to Olympic Swimming Pools – One Mom’s Take” Debbie Phelps, Director, Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools

“Communications in Today’s World – One Man’s Take”
Marc Pritchard, P&G, Global Marketing & Brand Building Officer

Speakers:

Joy White - Director of Strategic Measurement, DAI
Jenny Regan -CEO & President, Key Technologies
Lajla Jakhelln - Deputy Chief of Mission, Royal Norwegian Embassy
Dr. Laura Richman, Head of Translational Sciences, MedImmune/AstraZeneca
Jeni Klugman, Director of Gender and Development, World Bank Group
Deborah Kielty - President and Executive Director, WTCI (Moderator)
Leslie Mancuso - President and CEO, Jhpiego (Moderator)
Sheela Murthy - Founder and President, Murthy Law Firm (Moderator)

for more information, and to register, click here

Maryland Women's Business Center Workshops and Events

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:44:35 GMT

Orientation to MWBC, Thursday, May 9, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Learn more about the programs available through the MWBC and other resources in the community, including counseling, training, and on-line resources. Free!

ABC’s of Starting a Business, Thursday, May 9, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Join us to find out what it really takes to start your own business. Learn more about the steps involved and discover the many resources that are available to support you. Explore the demands of being an entrepreneur and take a brief self-assessment. Fee: $10

Writing a Successful Business Plan, Tuesday, May 14, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

New and existing businesses benefit from a strong business plan. Join Lynne Benzion, Deputy Director of Rockville Economic Development, Inc., to learn why you need one and how to develop a good one, the right way. Includes business plan outline, financial templates and additional resources. Fee: $25

Intellectual Property 101, Wednesday, May 15, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Join Joan Teich, The Teich Law Firm, to learn what business owner needs to know about the different types of intellectual property you may own, what is and is not protected and how to get the maximum protection available under the law. Fee: $15

Developing Your Financial Projections, Thursday, May 16, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Getting a handle on your financials is a critical component of running your business and/or writing a business plan. This workshop, led by Archisha Mehan, Vice President of John Marshall Bank, will help you to demystify your financial statements so that you can use them to run your business more effectively. Learn how to develop projections for and present the major financial documents for your business - Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement. Walk through performing a Break-Even Analysis for your business and learn how to use it in managing your business. Fee: $15

Marketing Plan to Transform Your Business, Wednesday, May 22, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Evan Leepson, Leepson & Associates, will walk you through 3 steps process for developing an effective marketing plan. First, learn to identify target market based on the strengths of business. Second, explore strategies for reaching target market. Finally, figure out how to measure outcomes and success. You will build a targeted list of potential referral sources and customers. Fee: $25

Funding Options, Thursday, May 23, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Are you looking for ways to fund your business? Join Saule "Sally" Druskin (CitiBank), Marla Bilonick (LEDC), and Randy Croxton (MMG/MSBDFA), to learn more about the programs available through banks, microenterprise organizations, and government agencies. You will get advice on when and how to approach a lender and which type of funding will best meet your business needs. The workshop will also introduce you to alternative sources funding including: competitions, crowd funding, and factoring. Fee: $15

QuickBooks Training, Thursday, May 30, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Learn how to use QuickBooks Online to pay your bills and track the financial performance of your small business. Monarch CPAs leads this workshop with topics such as: QB Online set up, processing invoices & payments, handling bank accounts, reporting. Bring your laptop or borrow ours. Fee: $75

2013 StartRight! Women's Business Plan Competition

Fri, 03 May 2013 01:57:17 GMT

The StartRight! Women's Business Plan Competition is in the 10th year. The competition is designed to give new businesses a boost with cash prizes and publicity. In addition, the businesses have an opportunity for review and recommendations from an experienced panel of judges from area businesses, financial institutions, organizations, government agencies and colleges.

To be eligible, the business must be at least 51% women-owned, be in business for two years or less (or pre-operational) and operate in DC, Maryland or Virginia. The deadline to submit the executive summary is June 5 and is June 14 for the entire plan.

Click here for more information.

WBO-PGC's "It's All About Me" Women's Business and Wellness Conference

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:55:29 GMT

This event will take place Tuesday, May 21, at The Country Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville!
IAAM 2013 features important business-enhancing and wellness-focused workshops and activities in one event designed to address the ultimate needs of all female entrepreneurs: to develop their businesses and achieve ultimate success.
For more information, and to register, click here.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County Event

Wed, 01 May 2013 20:49:45 GMT

Join us at our monthly HCCMC After Hours Networking Mixer, celebrating Mother's Day and women professionals.
Thursday, May 9, 5pm-7:30pm
BRIO Tuscan Italian Grille- Near White Flint Mall
20 Paseo Drive
North Bethesda, MD 20852
for more info and to register

Information for Small Businesses about the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA)

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:01:59 GMT

Montgomery County's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is repeating its Small Business Seminar about the ACA, due to popular demand.
It will take place on Thursday, April 25
Learn about the seminar, and register here

WBO-Prince Georges County April Meeting

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:50:00 GMT

Remember! As WBO-MC members you can attend the PGC meetings at the member rate! Extend your networking, and learn new things...

^{R.E.A.L. Talk: Tackling Challenges for Real Success!}

WBO will feature a "real deal" roundtable discussion entitled, R.E.A.L Talk: "Tackling Challenges for REAL Success" on overcoming the obstacles women business owners face. During this poignant discussion we will learn what we do, how we can help each other, exchange ideas, and share our experiences - the good, the bad and the absolutely ugly. Moderated by Financial Services Professional, Xiomara Pierre of XCeedia Solutions, LLC we will learn from the successes and mistakes of others, as we take away the should and should not's of working efficiently and effectively in our businesses.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Country Club at Woodmore

12320 Pleasant Prospect

Mitchellville, MD 20721

Cost: $40 for WBO members, $45 for non-members

Maryland Women's Business Center - April Workshops

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:54:41 GMT

The MWBC offers many informative events and workshops to help grow your business, conveniently located in downtown Rockville.

Orientation to Maryland WBC and Small Business Resources, April 4, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Learn more about the programs available through the MWBC and other resources in the community, including counseling, training, and on-line resources. Free!

Also offered on the following dates:

May 9, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

June 12, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

The ABC's of Starting a Business, April 4, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM

What does it really take to start your own business? Learn more about the steps involved and discover the many resources that are available to support you. Explore the demands of being an entrepreneur and take a brief self-assessment. Obtain concrete information about where to go and get "registered" with the federal government and state. Questions about legal structures are answered by an attorney. Fee: $10

Also offered on the following dates:

May 9, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM

June 12, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Business Tune-Up Group, Tuesday, April 9, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Join our working group of women business owners to learn new skills and review the cornerstones of business development. The meetings, led by business coach Suzy Zgorski of Out the Window Coaching, take place twice a month over a three month period and include a combination of discussions, exercises, and assignments. Fee: $100

Business Plan Intensive, Wednesday, April 10, 1 - 4 PM

Last chance before StartRight!

Work through each section of your business plan - mission, vision, business model, plan for your business enterprise. Group meets eight Wednesdays and includes homework. Workbook included. Fee: $125

Six Steps to Massive Results, Wednesday, April 17, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Join Jeff Miller from Action Coach business coaching as he takes you through six steps to attain business growth and a profitable enterprise that eventually can work without you. You'll leave with lessons that can be applied to your business immediately. Fee: $25

Start It Up: Home-based Businesses for Women, Wednesday, April 17, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

This joint program with Delta Sigma Theta encourages women to think of their hobby or home-based enterprise as a self-sustaining business and construct a pathway to success. Free!

Contracts & Business Structures, Thursday, April 18, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Meet attorneys from Venable to learn more about how to limit the risk to your personal and business assets. Learn the "anatomy of a contract" and important provisions that should be included in your contracts to empower you in your business transactions. Fee: $25

The Power of Public Relations (PR), Wednesday, April 24, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Don't miss this opportunity to hear Robyn Sachs of RMR discuss the basics of good public relations, how to gain publicity for your company, and the elements of a successful PR strategy. Fee: $25

QuickBooks Training, April 25, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Learn to use QuickBooks Online to pay your bills and track the financial performance of your small business. Perfect for new users who want to get started right. Topics include: setting up QuickBooks, processing invoices and payments, working with bank accounts and running reports. Bring your laptop or borrow ours. Fee: $75

Also offered on: May 30, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

To register, and for more information, go to http://www.MarylandWBC.org

Census Bureau FREE Data-Access Webinar April 4

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:38:35 GMT

Thursday, April 4, 2013 10:00am-11:30am

Sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships, this 90-minute webinar will show you how to use American FactFinder, the primary data-access tool on census.gov, to support your business plan, develop a community needs assessment, market to your clients, and more!
Registration requiredhttps://census.webex.com/mw0306ld/mywebex/default.do?service=1&siteurl=census&nomenu=true&main_url=%2Fmc0805ld%2Fe.do%3Fsiteurl%3Dcensus%26AT%3DMI%26EventID%3D200024952%26UID%3D0%26Host%3D3c0c2f3c782b4a46%26RG%3D1%26FrameSet%3D2

Montgomery County Economic Development Calendar

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:00:16 GMT

Great resource for business building!
The new e-Biz Calendar features DED-sponsored and supported events as well as local events hosted by our many partners, including BioHealth Innovation, local chambers of commerce, Maryland Women's Business Center, Rockville Economic Development, Inc., SCORE-DC, Small Business & Technology Development Center and many more.
click here for the calendar

Montgomery County Small Business Awards Ceremony on May 24th

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:03:49 GMT

Montgomery County Department of Economic Development is sponsoring its Small Business Awards program on May 24 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. Join us to honor individuals and organizations who have contributed to the vitality of our local community.

To learn more, and to nominate a business for an award, click here: http://www.choosemontgomerymd.com/montgomery-county-small-business-awards

To register visit http://mcsmallbizawards.eventbrite.com.

Women Business Owners of Prince Georges County Meeting-MARCH 19

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:51:06 GMT

Did you know that WBO-Montgomery County members can attend WBO-PGC meetings at the member rate (and vice versa)?
Their next meeting will be on March 19, 2013
the topic: The R.E.A.L Pitch: Marketing Madness and Sales Success
Women business owners know how essential it is to constantly sell and market themselves and their businesses. WBO will feature guest speaker, Earl Mann, CEO of ComF5 to provide a unique training, incorporating the proper tools to ensure sustainability through marketing and sales. Attendees will learn effective ways to sell their businesses products and services in the 21st century and walk away with a marketing template (inclusive of technology solutions) ready for implementation.
Click here to register

LinkedIn Essentials FREE members-only brown bag session

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 04:00:03 GMT

Join member, Kelly Leonard of Taylor-Leonard Corporation on March 18 as she teaches us the best way to use LinkedIn to grow our businesses.

Uncertain of how to leverage LinkedIn to grow your business? This fast paced, hands-on session goes beyond the basics to answer your LinkedIn questions, helping you get the most out of this powerful business building platform.

In preparation for this highly customized session, registrants are encouraged to email 2 LinkedIn questions/challenges to Kelly Leonard (kelly.leonard@taylor-leonard.com) no later than Thursday, March 14^th.

Hurry to register for this, as there are only 10 spaces which will go quickly.

Email Kelly your questions in advance, then bring your lunch and prepare to learn a lot!

Rockville Women's Business Center offers Workshop for Woman-Owned Enterprises

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 02:16:07 GMT

Friday, February 15, 8:00- 11:00 A.M., Fee: $40

Workshop Location: Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP,

111 Rockville Pike, 6th floor, Rockville, MD

Register here

If you plan to do business with major employers and/or the federal, state, and local government, you need to understand how certifications can help you. Our experts will cover the certifications available to woman-owned enterprises, including:

Woman Owned Small Business Program (WOSB) from the Federal Government
WBE Certification from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC); and
MBE Certifications from Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).

You won't want to miss this popular program and the option to learn about the three major certification programs available to women-owned enterprises...all in one place!

The Rockville Women's Business Center helps entrepreneurs in Maryland to start and grow enterprises positioned for long-term growth in our community, through training, individual assistance, and resources. Learn more at: www.rockvillewbc.org

Speakers/Business Coaches Wanted

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 16:41:13 GMT

Blooming Women, Inc. is interviewing seasoned speakers and business coaches for the Small Business Propel Program. We are actively seeking speakers on the following areas: business accounting & tax planning, QuickBooks, sales training, and time management.

If interested, please fill out the event speaker application on our website.

Non-Profit Organizations at our December Networking Luncheon

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:07:48 GMT

Many thanks to all the wonderful representatives from non-profit organizations who attended our December luncheon. (and the members who invited them!)

Below are the list of non-profits and their "wishlists". Please take a look and see how you can help them out.

Adventure Theatre MTC
Michael Bobbitt mbobbitt@adventuretheatre-mtc.org
   -seeking board members
   -corporate sponsorship
   -operations funding

Days End Farm Horse Rescue
Caroline Robertson development@defhr.org
   -corporate sponsorship and partnership
   -in-kind donations for auction on April 6, 2013
   -marketing support
   -database support
   -fundraising support
   -volunteers (no horse experience needed!)

Diversity Walks
Arimathea Roberts diversity-walks@yahoo.com
   -event ideas
   -grant writers
   -gift cards
   -locations - free or rental to use for services
   -monetary donations to provide medical supplies
   -groups of volunteers to help with fundraisers

Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital
Carrie Shaw cshaw@gscnc.org
   -SHARE Campaign - monetary donations to help provide financial assistance and programming for the girls
   -ideas to spread message and promote fundraising campaigns
   -vehicle donations

Heritage Montgomery
Peggy Erickson Director@HeritageMontgomery.org
   -financial contributions for "Community Cornerstones" video

The Mindfulness Center
Deborah Norris TheMindfulnessCenter@gmail.com
   -in-kind donations for annual auction - February 2013
   -help publicizing Mind-Body Week, D.C. April 18-21, 2013
   -private or corporate sponsors for Mind-Body Week
   -monetary donations to provide relief and healing to individuals in need
   -printing sponsor

Rotary Club of Gaithersbur
Adrian Halperin Adrian@DecoratingDen.com
-need members! (meetings Tuesday, noon, Gaithersburg Hilton)
   -help with web updates and event planning
   -participation in Super Bowl raffle

St Luke's House and Threshold Services United
Kristen Wright wrightk@stlukeshouse.com
   -volunteers to do mock interviews, give resume feedback, host work trials
   -household goods for residential programs (list on website)

Terp Thon
Alysia Cutchis fundraising@TerpThon.org
   -sponsorships

Transformations of Montgomery County
Bethany Portner info@TransformationsMC.org
   -gift cards (MC, Visa, Home Depot, Target)
   -new sign ups on wish list ("contact us" on website)
   -tech-savvy help for website
   -inexpensive or no-cost warehouse space
   -truck and driver, periodically
   -handyman, periodically

Women Who Care Ministries
Judith Clark judith@womenwhocareministries.org
   -board members
   -collaborations with community businesses
   -donations of food and money
   -volunteers

January Events and Workshops at Rockville Women's Business Center

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:12:02 GMT

Orientation to RWBC Resources

Wednesday, January 10 from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

At this free workshop, learn more about the programs available through the RWBC and through other re-sources in the community, including counseling, training, and on-line re-sources. Whether you have been in business for years and are looking to expand or just starting your business, find out how the Rockville WBC can help you!

ABC's of Starting A Business

Wednesday, January 10 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST

Writing a Business Plan

Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

New and existing businesses benefit from a strong business plan. Join RWBC staff to learn why you need one and how to develop a good one, the right way. Includes comprehensive business plan outline, financial templates and additional resources. Fee: $25

One Day Website

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Trumpet Marketing leads this dynamic workshop where you bring your laptop and walk away with a fresh new website, domain name, and hosting for the new year! You can not beat this opportunity to develop your own website using a free Wordpress platform that is easy to edit with tons of robust features. This includes your first year of hosting on our platform and a domain name for your website. Fee: $295

Top 10 Legal Issues for Small Businesses

Thursday, January 17, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM EST
From day one of starting a business, owners are faced with many difficult business and legal decisions. This seminar, led by McMillian Metro, P.C., is designed to help business owners obtain a basic knowledge of important legal issues, identify potential problems with their businesses and gain insight into how to protect themselves and their businesses. Fee: $25

Knowing Your Numbers

Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

At the end of the year, your financial program gives you great reports, but what do they mean? What do they tell you about your business and how can you use them to set goals for the New Year? This workshop, led by Woodard & Associates, will help you review your year-end financial reports - Profit & Loss, Cash Flow, and Balance Sheet - and interpret what they mean for your future. Fee: $25

You-Tube for Your Business

Tuesday, January 29, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM EST
Learn how to use video and email marketing to get your message across to current and potential clients. Understand the 4 key principles of successful video marketing and best practices for incorporating video into your email and social media strategies. In this workshop presented by MiniMatters, you will learn to build your business with video tools and market to new customers in the new year. Fee: $25

QuickBooks Training

Thursday, January 31, 2013 from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM EST
Learn using QuickBooks to pay your bills and track the financial performance of your small business. This workshop, presented by Monarch CPAs, is perfect for new users who want to get started right. Topics include: setting up QuickBooks, processing invoices and payments, working with bank accounts and running reports. Bring your laptop or borrow ours. Fee: $75

Headshots taken at November meeting

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:39:57 GMT

Special thanks to our November meeting sponsor IMB Images for taking headshots of our participants.
Butch touched up the photos and sent digital images to each participant at the end of last week. If you haven't received them by now, they are most likely in your spam folder.
If you have any questions, email Butch directly at butch@imbimages.com
And thanks again, Butch!

Advertising + Sponsorship Options for Transformations Bellydance Luncheon

Bethany Portner, ASID — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:38:33 GMT

www.saharastreasure.com - Advertising and Sponsorship options for the Transformations Belly Dance Gala:

And all advertisement sales directly benefit Transformations.

Full Page Ad: $75 - 7-3/4" h x 5" w 3-1/4" h x 5"

Half Page Ad: $50

Inside Back Cover: $100.00

1/4 Page Size: $35.00 - 3-3/4" h x 2-1/2" w

Business Card: $20 - 1-1/2" h x 2-1/2" w

Contact

Info: _______________________

saharastreasure@yahoo.com

www.saharastreasure.com

Belly Dance Luncheon for Transformations!!

Bethany Portner, ASID — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:27:58 GMT

Special Announcement !!!

Sahara’s Treasure hosts a Belly-Dance Gala Luncheon

for Transformations of Montgomery County on December 2nd

We PROMISE you don’t want to miss this one!

Transformations is honored & thrilled that the renowned troupe, Sahara’s Treasure, has chosen to support the work we do in this phenomenal manner. Transformations helps needy families in Montgomery County to make their residence a place that finally feels like "home," while they continue on the difficult road to a better life. We thank Sahara’s Treasure for recognizing, and so generously supporting, the work we do to improve the lives of others.

When: Sunday, December 2, 2012 – doors open at noon

Where: That’s Amore Italian Restaurant in Rockville

15201 Shady Grove Road, Rockville

Purchase

Tickets: At the Website: www.saharastreasure.com.

Your $40 ticket purchase (only $35 if you purchase by Nov.10th) includes an Italian buffet lunch and admission to an afternoon of dazzling belly dance entertainment from some of the best dancers in the region.

Browse the raffle and silent auction items. Consider donating an item for the raffle, or purchase advertisement space in the event program (all proceeds from the raffle and advertisement sales directly benefit Transformations).

See next entry for Advertising and Sponsorship Options.

Transformations of Montgomery: Improving Lives by Design thanks you for your support. See our updated Website at www.TransformationsMC.org