A message from Joy Canova, President:

Drum Roll, Please! WBO unveils a new mission statement to guide us to future greatness.

“Women Business Owners propels resolute women entrepreneurs

to embrace their fullest vision of success.”

Just how will this declaration direct us? It provides an answer to important self-reflection, “Why do we exist and what do we hope to accomplish?” The mission statement brings focus to our work; it gives clarity to our reason for being. It helps us build a better organization for and of the future.

When we take a look at discrete parts of the proclamation, we begin to understand its power:

Propels – Defined as launch, mobilize, energize, or inspire this verb strongly suggests movement.

Resolute women entrepreneurs – We are driven, determined, and compelled to reach our goals. We are purposeful and do not dabble in business; the business we build holds a meaningful place in our lives.

Embrace – An embrace indicates fullness of action. It also speaks to an act of free will.

Their fullest vision of success – If we can dream it, we can reach it. Furthermore, this vision comes from each of us personally, we define it.

So, what will success look like? For our businesses? For WBO? Well, we are the artists of that painting, and we know it will be brilliant.

Sincerely,

Joy Canova

2008 President - Women Business Owners

Thank you!

Hopelink would like to thank the generous WBO members for their thoughtful donations of $3,150 worth of toys for Hopelink's clients this past holiday season. These gifts helped many local families and children in need.

The Seattle Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) will stage two benefit and fundraising performances of The Vagina Monologues raising funds and awareness towards ending violence against women. Last year more than 1150 communities hosted V-Day benefits around the world raising over $6 million through performances of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues. The two fundraising performances will be held on February 24, 2008 at 4 & 7 PM at the Museum of History & Industry’s McEachern Auditorium. Ticket prices start at $36. To purchase tickets or get more information, visit the NCJW website - www.ncjwseattle.org.

BBG's are forming!

For more information about Business Building Groups, please contact Karen Goodgame.

WBO Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering is absolutely the best way to get to know other WBO members and get the most of your membership. Join one of WBO's Committees - there are plenty of ways for you to get involved by serving on a WBO committee or initiative.

A Warm Welcome to the Following New WBO Members:

Jessica Adair
LeMaster Daniels, PLLC

Marie-Francoise Barnhart
Gearbot
Wholesale Distribution

Terri Blair
Nutrition & Wellness Works Inc.
A Registered Dietitian with over 12 years experience in the nutrition field,
I offer nutrition consultation for health clubs and conduct corporate
wellness seminars that offer professional guidelines on healthy eating,
exercise, and the most up-to-date research on maintaining an optimal
wellness program.

Kerri Bumgardner
The KAB Group, LLC
The KAB Group is about helping companies solve problems, small or big, by
working with you to align strategic business initiatives and technology.
Kerri is known for her ability to identify obstacles and quickly assess and
move on solutions.

Holly Goble
Professional Services

Jill Kremer
Kremer Music
Kremer music produces relaxation music. Relax to the elegant sounds of the
CD 'Somewhere Else'. The music can be used as background music for
commercials, work videos, or the CD can be part of a spa gift basket.

Sandy Kress
The Worth Collection
Retail Distribution

Connie Lewis
LeMaster Daniels, PLLC
Specializing in federal and state income taxes for individuals and business
entities as well as State of Washington B&O tax issues.

Rebecca Mosley
Duo PR
Specializing in consumer public relations, Duo PR is here to help - whether
you need a launch a new product or service, open a store or restaurant,
generate web traffic, increase sales, organize an event, write website copy,
draft a marketing presentation, or simply raise consumer awareness.

Danielle Villegas, CLTC, of New York Life Ins. Co. ended her 2007 year in the Platinum Producers Round Table for her extraordinary contribution in the Long Term Care Insurance division. She finished 4th in the company and first in the Pacific Zone. The PPRT is made up of the top ten producers in the entire company. She will be attending the Roundtable Meeting in NYC with her company peers in April.

Giannina Granata Silverman of Rocket Ranch Design + Advertising is pleased to announce that she has collaborated with Tenfold Organic Textiles, LLC to brand their new 100% organic, Fair Trade clothing line, Truly Organic Apparel TM. She was also tapped by Truly Organic to design an eco-friendly, fashion-forward T-shirt line, which will debut at the S(eco)nd Trade Show in February, where the best emerging talent in eco-conscious and socially conscious fashion will be showcased.

Lorraine Howell of Media Skills Training would like to thank all her WBO friends and colleagues for their on-going support and patronage. She is proud to announce that her book, Give Your Elevator Speech a Lift!, is in its second printing.

Terri Blair of Nutrition & Wellness Works, Inc. would like to thank Nancy Owyang, Eye to Eye Graphics, for giving her business cards a fresh new look.

Susan Elliott of RocketDog Communications is excited to announce that they have been selected to design and develop a re-branding campaign to elevate the branding and marketing for Revel, one of Seattle’s leading consulting firms. The campaign will include a brand identity package with a new logo, new print collateral, and a new web site with multiple online initiatives.

Nicole Bunselmeyer, MediaDesigns & Quid Interactive, Inc.

MediaDesigns designs and develops interactive multimedia training, education, and communication programs for CD-ROM or Online delivery. We work with clients to create dynamic, engaging programs for employee, partner, and customer training. Quid Interactive, Inc. was founded in 2007 to promote Quid Pro™, software that offers the best of our designs in a pre-programmed architecture, allowing corporate and educational developers to create their own multimedia, electronic learning programs, easily and affordably.

Meg Rohacek, Northrim Funding Services

Northrim Funding Services (NFS) is a division of Northrim Bank, headquartered in Anchorage Alaska. NFS provides purchased accounts receivable funding to meet your business' immediate cash needs. We work with your staff, bankers, vendors and accounting professionals to facilitate a smooth transition to Purchased Receivable Funding while retaining your current deposit relationships. You maintain all contact with your customers; our funding is transparent to them. We would like the opportunity to help your business be successful!

January’s luncheon was delightful and completely inspiring. Luly Yang, our 2007 Nellie winner, shared her innermost thoughts about the formation of her highly successful couture business and her aspirations for its future. Luly embodies the WBO spirit of living out one’s dreams. We were delighted many of her friends and supporters also attended. We would love to see you again.

Also at the luncheon, we met the 2008 board of directors. Most serve as volunteer committee chairs, and we wanted to recognize them and their invaluable committee members. Volunteers get involved for varied reasons. However, to WBO, they are the backbone of our organization and we most earnestly appreciate them. If you meet our volunteers, please thank them and ask how you may help.

Important: Please note a date change for our February luncheon, February 21st. We will be honored to have Lori Richardson, Score More Sales speak on The Power of One, The Abundance of Many: Increasing sales through feet-on-the-street referral partners. To accommodate the change of the luncheon date, please note a new date for Breakfast Networking, February 28th.

Have you seen it? There is a new posting to our Marketplace! We realize the Marketplace is new to everyone, and you may not yet be in the habit of checking it out. To encourage more participation, we plan to alert you to the listings in The Wire. Please support our member’s events and offerings and see Marketplace postings for details:

• Women, Money, and Identity - A Financial Empowerment Workshop for Women, facilitated by Penelope Bell. Seattle dates February 2nd and July 12th.

Sincerely,

Joy Canova

2008 President - Women Business Owner