Women Business Owners

[FamilyGal]

Business Women’s Forum of Montgomery County

A networking group for any woman who owns a business, holds an executive level management position in a business or directs a non-profit organization.

Meetings are held at 7:15 AM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Classics Pizza. See our web site: www.bwfmc.com or respond to this email for more information.

[Sonchyenne]

How many people usually attend these meetings? I was talking to someone about this at another networking function last night.

[FamilyGal]

I really don't know. I have four female friends who own their own businesses. Two with rather large businesses, two out of their home, but doing well. They attend these meetings and the information was in their e-mail(s) to me, so I thought I would post it here to those that might be interested.

One friend of mine is a huge networker. She is great at it and has worked the Taste of the Town for several years. She started out taking one computer class at MoCo years ago and just decided one day to have her own graphic business. She busted her butt going to every networking function and volunteered at everything she could which helped her get her name out. She is still going strong. I just sent her some business today, so she is taking me out to lunch. I send my other friend lots of sign business. I love getting the word out to others about who has what service to offer. I can't decide what business to start and wondered how I could make THAT my business. (Just thinking out loud.) I am always sending people to this business or that business. Only just recently did I hammer out some deals to get referral $$.

Anyway, that is more than you asked. I have no idea how many attend. I'm sure they are always open to more though!

[Wilson]

I need your sign friends' info again! I promised my CC 10 signs quickly! I keep forgetting about it...

[FamilyGal]

Coming to you via e-mail.

[Wilson]

Thanks! I just sent her the info.

[FamilyGal]

Sonchyenne, are you a woman business owner? Or trying to start one? Do you like the networking meetings? Do a lot of people attend those?

[Sonchyenne]

I work for a very small woman-owned business in Spring (3 FT and 1 PT employees). I attend a couple of different networking meetups and have seen attendance anywhere from 10 to 110. Generally, it just depends on what you're putting in to them on whether or not they work. I love them.

[IndianSpringsGuy]

I would be interested in that also. My wife loves to network and that would give her an additional option.

[FamilyGal]

I can see where it is true you get what you put into them. The one friend I mentioned that does graphic art has been successful, in my opinion, because of how much she has put into those groups. She volunteers for a lot of stuff around town which has given her a lot of exposure. She also has the kind of personality that gets out there and works it! My other friend isn't as outgoing and her business growth reflects it.

That is how we came to an agreeement that I would make some sales for her and get a commission. But, I have no desire to continue to work for someone else.

[FamilyGal]

ISG, have you guys done much print advertising? Or direct mail?

When or if you get ready to buy a mailing list and do a direct mailing, Stephen (from the softball team) and his wife own Woodlands Mailing & Fulfillment (http://www.mymailinghouse.com). You should give him a call.

Edited to add that I put their link on the name.

[Sonchyenne]

ISG - is your wife on-site most of the day? You guys are right on my way to and from work. I could stop by and talk to her about some of the things that I'm involved in if she would like to check them out!