” Owners who have undergone the process report that certification definitely helps move the needle when selling their
services and products. “It has opened doors with large corporations. And we think it has helped us locally and regionally,” says Elaine Lyerly, who founded her Charlotte, N.C., marketing agency back in 1977, but only became certified in 2004.

Read more here:

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/marketing/customer-service-acquisition/women-certifying-your-business-can-land-bigger-better-contracts.aspx#WomenCertifyingyourbusinesscanlandbiggerbettercontracts

Thanks for inviting me and keeping me informed. I plan to attend more meetings this year.

Wishing you much continued success… and more!

Heidi

“Much more – and different — than what we expected.”
That’s what many of those attending told me.

The February Valentines’ Day meeting was uplifting, bonding, fun, and a true NAWBO experience, with special thanks to our speaker, Dr. Sandra Coiffman–Yohros, Licensed Clinical Psychologist Clinical Director Mind Spectrum Institute. Among her many gems of brilliant and realistic advice – especially in these tough economic times — was to make an appointment – if you need it – to “beat up on yourself, and cry,” say 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. “But after one hour, that’s it,” she advised. Pick yourself up and get going!

Dr. Coiffman-Yohros pointed out that if you don’t vent your feelings and try to ignore them, they’ll take over anyway. The point is to give yourself a defined time to have your own personal “pity party.” (No one ever before gave me permission to have a “pity party,” let alone advice about how long it should be!) She also advised that we reach out to others – in groups like NAWBO, to get help and ideas. When one of what she described as the five “columns” in our life goes down, it’s critical to put energy into the others to keep us balanced. One is economic, and the others are social, physical, mental, and spiritual.

The new location – downtown’s Courtyard by Marriott – provided a cozy room with delicious buffet, thanks to the arrangements of Gladys Mezrahi, program director of the chapter, CEO of Indigo Events, LLC, who also happened to be the speaker’s sister. We are going to have the Board Meetings here, too. Next Open Board Meeting is Tuesday, February 19, 6:15 p.m. Please rsvp to me at 305-273-6640.

Recognized were two new members. Luisa Bravo, CEO of LM Bravo & Associates, our newest Corporate Sponsor, and Maria Acosta, executive vice president, our newest Supporting Member of United Home Care.

Luisa Bravo shared that she was looking for a group where she and her company “could make a difference.” She’ll be working on Membership and also the “Girls Going Places” program of The Guardian, a program that mentors high school girls in entrepreneurship. Maria Acosta told us about her 30-year-old agency that makes it possible for seniors to stay home, and not live in nursing homes, and the new services they will be providing to private-pay patients. Her company sees NAWBO as a sort of “focus group” to give first-hand information and ideas from the women who ultimately have the care giver responsibility for aging parents.

There were many new faces and a few we were glad to see back, including Dr. Lissa Nirenberg. Judicial Candidate Abby Cynammon told us she was a foster child who put herself through college and law school, and brings a unique perspective to the juvenile justice system. Election is August 26th. After the meeting, many folks stayed to network – always a sign of good things to come!

NAWBO Congratulations were given to: Valeska Jacques, CEO, uVium, for an outstanding “Blogging Party” in January, to Louise Harber, Active Language Learning Programs, who was featured in full-page article in the South Florida Business Journal, and Gladys Mezrahi for her successful Pangea World Festival in Aventura. If you have an “at-a-girl” you want recognized, let me know before the meeting and I’ll include yours. (E-mail anne@speakoutinc.com)

Thanks to Cassia Silva, Treasurer, and CEO Key Languages, for handling registration so capably and to the office of Diane Vollrath, Management Matters, and Immediate Past NAWBO President, for taking reservations and fielding the many inquiries we get.

We invite you to post your reactions and comments. Please visit http://www.nawbomiami.org for details of upcoming programs and opportunities. If you are interested in joining and are a business owner, please go to http://www.nawbo.org.

We also thank the Broward Chapter for their support of this innovative programming and we welcome the opportunity to interact more with the great members there, too.

Be sure and attend this Thursday’s meeting, Feb. 14, “Balancing for Women Entrepreneurs, Myth or Reality?” It’s 12 noon at the Downtown Courtyard Marriott Miami. RSVP@nawbomiami.org. $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers and at the door. Or come to our Open Board Meeting on Tuesday, 6:15 p.m. See the website at http://www.nawbomiami.org for details.

Questions about NAWBO? Either email info@nawbomiami.org, visit our website at http://www.nawbomiami.org or call me, 305-273-6640. Anne B. Freedman, president, Greater Miami Chapter, NAWBO.

Wishing you all the best… and more!

Heidi Richards, Publisher & Editor in Chief - WE Magazine for Women