During the first half of my career, I carried a secret stuffed deep in the bottom of my back pocket. Once in awhile, the lawyer in me would consider the facts as I knew them. No one must know, I’d whisper under my breath. So, as quickly as Luke Skywalker disappeared on the heels of the Jedi Academy’s demise, I would make my secret vanish. Then I joined NAWBO in 2008. And the evolution of me began.
Read MoreWhen I first spoke with NAWBO Chicago President Michele Katz and Achievement Luncheon Chair Ginna Ryan, I was thrilled to learn that the group has been focused for a year on the topic of confidence. I’ve come to believe, after years of focus on women’s leadership, that confidence is a crucial missing ingredient and a real game-changer for all of us. Hence The Confidence Code, a book I co-authored with Katty Kay.
Read MoreLadies, we are midseason in the spring membership drive for the National Association of Women Business Owners. This is an actual competition. Just like wrestling has different weight classes, chapters compete by size. As one of the largest chapters, we are up against 10 other big cities. The winner gets recognized at the National Women’s Business Conference in September held in – hold your breath – COLUMBUS, OHIO!
Read MoreI took a personality test thinking for sure it would reveal me as a “star,” one of eight possible profiles. Turns out I’m a “supporter;” I was shocked. I likened supporter status to somebody who wasn’t concerned about making their mark. Didn’t the survey know that I founded a successful translation company? That my presentations on the global stage were dubbed inspiring? That I get the deals done
Read MoreWant to elevate your involvement in this organization and help chart its future course? Want to join us in our mission to strengthen the wealth creating capacity of our members? Here is your chance to join the NAWBO Chicago leadership team! Now in its 38th year, the Chicago Area Chapter is one of the very first chapters chartered by our national organization, and we have long been regarded by NAWBO chapters across the country as a leadership role model.
Read MoreNo one can do it alone. I’ve tried, and it doesn’t work. Advice from others has shaped my most important milestones – from the early days of my father teaching me to tie my shoes to the graduate professor enlightening me on the finer points of andragogy right down to my current business advisers suggesting I focus on stage two companies. In the instances where I’ve folded my arms and said, “I don’t need anybody,” I have almost always fallen short. The fact is: We need others to succeed.
Read MoreNAWBO Chicago threw down a challenge and Connie Lavin, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Manager - Business Banking for First Midwest Bank, did not disappoint. As our guest blogger for December we asked her to offer up five big financial words for 2016. Here’s what she had to say.
Read More