A message from Joy Canova, President:

This is the month to say “Happy Independence Day!” Every July 4th, we see neighborhoods celebrate this holiday filled with fireworks, barbeques, and other festivities. As an entrepreneur, do you remember to celebrate your business independence? Why not?

Take a moment to congratulate yourself on your ability to weather a challenging economic year. I hope your association with WBO is an important resource for you; whether it is to grow skills, make connections, or be inspired, we are here for you.

WBO’s 4th Guiding Principle states: “We promote enduring and cooperative relationships that produce high-value business networks for far-reaching positive community affiliations.” As members meet at various WBO venues and volunteer to help our organization, our spheres of connection expand. Not only do we meet people who can help us with our business needs, we find ways where our help can make a difference.

WBO is proud of our long-standing support of local nonprofit outreach organizations. This year we awarded honorary memberships to five great groups: Americans for UNFPA, City Year, Fabric of Life Foundation, Family Services, and National Council of Jewish Women, Seattle Section. One thing I believe all these groups have in common is the knowledge that many small acts can make big changes. I encourage you to see how you may help in your own way. You will find their organization links on WBO’s website, listed under “Community Outreach.” This holiday, consider expressing your gratitude for American enterprise opportunities by extending support to volunteers in our community who make a difference every day.

Sincerely,

Joy Canova

WBO 2008 President

Business Building Group Mixer
Did you know other organizations charge for business building groups? Our BBG committee is committed to supporting WBO members and participation is included in membership! BBG mixers are a great way to find a new member for your established group or to create or join a BBG. This next mixer we will be focusing on tips for BBG success! Learn how to support your group to be more effective, fun, and supportive of each member’s success.

“BBG Mixer”
July 31st **FREE Event!!
5:00-7:00 at Shallots restaurant, 2525 Vine at 4th in Belltown, Seattle
RSVP to: Jodi Pierce, M.A., ACC at 206-782-8867 or at jodi@jodipierce.com

WBO Mailing List

BBG's are forming!

For more information about Business Building Groups, please contact Penelope Bell.

The Fabric of Life Foundation (a non-profit sponsored by the WBO) is holding a "Global Bazaar" on July 19th in Edmonds from 9am-3pm. We'll be selling beautiful crafts made by the Here je Center in Mali, West Africa. The sale will be at 18622 84th Avenue West.

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:

Natalie Allen

Natalie's Neat Nests

Professional Organizer. Helping You Get Organized and Stay Organized.

Yuqing Doty

Morgan Stanley

Protecting your wealth with global resources of Morgan Stanley.

Anne Fitzgerald

I am a Transformational Life and Business Coach. I work with people to get themselves out their own way to achieve all they are meant to be in life. What quality will you source instead of hide? What quality will you bring to the party of life today?

Lynnette Muenzberg

Aerospace loads and dynamics consulting for large or small aircraft. Product development, design and certification analysis and reports. Services available for new aircraft as well as major modifications to existing aircraft.

Lee Rhodes

glassybaby

Since 1998, Lee Rhodes has been designing, publicizing, and selling these small, extremely tough and strong cups. In 2001, she began to learn to blow these glasses, and has produced many glasses since.

Kathleen Steele, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, a financial professional with AXA Advisors, LLC in Bellevue, is pleased to announce that she has been named a FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager for 2008 by Seattle Magazine. This is an elite group representing less than 3% of the wealth managers in the Seattle area.

Congratulations to WBO member, Lorraine Howell, who was awarded two prestigious awards in the same week in June. First, she received the annual Member of the Year award from her peers in the Northwest Chapter of the National Speakers Association. And four days later, she was awarded the Georgina Davis Founders Award from the Seattle Chapter of the Association of Women in Communications.

Nancy Owyang, creative director and owner of Eye 2 Eye Graphics, is excited to announce the launch of her newly designed web site. The new site still has the same easy to remember address, and now has new content, new portfolio work, and a variety of great resources.

On July 17-18, 2008, Stacey L. Romberg, Attorney at Law, will be speaking at the Washington State Bar Association's 3rd Annual Solo and Small Firm Conference at the Wenatchee Convention Center. On July 17th, Ms. Romberg will be co-presenting with Lori Rath on "Effective Management of an Estate Planning Practice in a Solo/Small Firm Environment." On July 18th, Ms. Romberg will be part of a three-person panel discussing "Perspectives on Defining and Refining Your Personal Communication Style: Dealing Effectively with Clients (or Prospective Clients)."

Dr. Vivian Ledesma, long-standing owner of Alliance Chiropractic, would like to extend a special invitation to you to share in the unique Wallingford Art Walk experience! This aesthetic extravaganza takes place the 1st Wednesday of each month from 6-9PM and features local artists' works in a fun, social environment amongst the small businesses. It takes place in conjunction with the Wallingford Market, which occurs every Wednesday from 3-6PM in Wallingford Center during the summer. You can enjoy fresh produce and flowers from local growers as well as other carefully crafted wares. The Art Walk and Wallingford Market help to create a home-like sense of community. Please stop by Alliance Chiropractic to enjoy some refreshments and meet our local featured artist.

Danielle Villegas

New York Life Insurance Co.

Danielle Villegas utilizes experience gained from years of summer jobs as a Home Health Aide and EMT to help others protect their lifestyle and family future.. After moving to Seattle in 2000 to start-up the Utilikilts Company, she established herself as the “worlds best kilt seller”. Although selling skirts to men was a lot of fun, she ultimately traded in her skirts for suits and “The Company You Keep”. She is happy to represent the New York Life, specializing in Life and long Term Care insurance planning.

The June luncheon featured several of our Nellie Cashman Award Finalists: Kris Betty (KBA), Karen Say (Saybr Contractors), and Tamara Wilson (Wilson PR). We missed other finalists Lee Rhodes (Glassybaby) and Jean Thompson (Seattle Chocolates), but we had a wonderful time with these fine ladies nonetheless. Becky Cotter (Program Chair) lead a panel discussion and then questions were taken from the audience – the answers where insightful, our interest was keen, and the time just flew by. We also heard from one of our honorary nonprofit members, Lauren B. Simonds of the National Council of Jewish Women, Seattle Section. She spoke on one of their great projects called Shalom Bayit: Furnishing Peaceful Homes. It is a furniture bank for survivors of domestic violence in King County.

We have a winner ........... Patti Dobrowolski of Alchemy: The Art of Transforming Business. WBO is proud to announce that one of our members was chosen to receive a complement of prizes in the Make Mine a Million $ Business Event on June 11,2008. Finalists competed for a package of money, mentoring, marketing and technology tools to help grow their businesses beyond the million $ mark. WBO was at the event and staffed an information booth to promote membership. A very special thanks to members: Margaret Purvine, Taya Countryman, Amy Riesman, and Kelly Nolan – we could not have been represented more aptly.

Don’t miss this advert in The Marketplace. All postings are repeated here as an added benefit. Please support our member’s events and offerings and see Marketplace postings for details:

• Holly Hayes of Prime Lending announces the Prime Benefit Program. Earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars every time you buy or sell a house. For more information, check out the WBO Marketplace or call Holly at 206-883-2729.

Sincerely,

Joy Canova