Women Business Owners of Montgomery County, Maryland

Mastermind Groups (MMGs) are small groups of women who are dedicated to developing their businesses using a cross-mentoring approach. The groups' purpose is to provide structure, suggestions, and moral support to each member to further her success in business. MMGs meet regularly to share ideas and critique plans in a supportive, confidential environment.

Although each group establishes and agrees to its own parameters and procedures, successful MMGs are generally based on the following principles.

Group Criteria
Maximum of 8 members, to allow time for everyone to share at each meeting. All members are committed to developing their businesses by setting goals and reporting at each meeting on the progress they have made toward meeting those goals.

Meetings held twice a month (e.g., first and third Monday) for 90 minutes and will start and end on time.

Participation by all is encouraged and expected.

Expectations of members:

Non-compete provision: Members are not in direct competition with each other.

Group duration: Commitment of 2 months, followed by a re-evaluation.

Starting a Group

Announcements are made regularly at WBO meetings and also appear in the Networker.

Adding a Member

WBO's goal is to assure that each member who wants to join an MMG has the opportunity to do so as soon as possible. However, because members of MMGs develop significant rapport, the addition of a new member to an established group must take into account the interests of existing members.

History

This program was developed by Meredith M. Higgins of Resources For Professionals, Inc.

For more information, please email the Mastermind Coordinator, Susan Bell, Hilltop Garden Designs.

	Monthly Member Meetings Member of the Month Current Press Releases SPONSORS		Mastermind Groups (MMGs) are small groups of women who are dedicated to developing their businesses using a cross-mentoring approach. The groups' purpose is to provide structure, suggestions, and moral support to each member to further her success in business. MMGs meet regularly to share ideas and critique plans in a supportive, confidential environment. Although each group establishes and agrees to its own parameters and procedures, successful MMGs are generally based on the following principles. Group Criteria Maximum of 8 members, to allow time for everyone to share at each meeting. All members are committed to developing their businesses by setting goals and reporting at each meeting on the progress they have made toward meeting those goals. Meetings held twice a month (e.g., first and third Monday) for 90 minutes and will start and end on time. Participation by all is encouraged and expected. Expectations of members: 1. Commitment to attend meetings. 2. Commitment to setting and making progress toward personal goals. 3. Confidentiality Non-compete provision: Members are not in direct competition with each other. Group duration: Commitment of 2 months, followed by a re-evaluation. Starting a Group Announcements are made regularly at WBO meetings and also appear in the Networker. Adding a Member WBO's goal is to assure that each member who wants to join an MMG has the opportunity to do so as soon as possible. However, because members of MMGs develop significant rapport, the addition of a new member to an established group must take into account the interests of existing members. History This program was developed by Meredith M. Higgins of Resources For Professionals, Inc. For more information, please email the Mastermind Coordinator, Susan Bell, Hilltop Garden Designs.


	Women Business Owners of Montgomery County PO Box 1281, Rockville, Maryland 20849-1281 (301) 365-1755	Women Business Owners of Montgomery County provides support and networking for women who own and operate their own business and gives them the tools to help manage and grow their business. For more information on WBO's activities and the benefits of membership, please email or call us at 301-365-1755.