WPO: The 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies

©2025 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"The 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies list honors the remarkable accomplishments of women who are not only driving impressive revenue growth but also redefining the future of business,” said Camille Burns (second from left), CEO of the Women Presidents Organization. 

“Their leadership demonstrates the profound economic and societal impact of women at the helm. With a strong commitment to innovation, purpose, and people, these companies exemplify the essential role women-owned and led businesses play in building a more sustainable and inclusive economy. This recognition is more than a milestone—it’s a powerful affirmation of the transformative influence women have in shaping modern business.”

Read more here.  Full list of winners can be found here.

Presidents Turn to Music to Calm a Nation

On Memorial Day, between the flags and parades, we have an opportunity—to remember those we've lost and to reflect on what brings us together.

In times of national grief or uncertainty, music has often been the thread that stitches people back into community.

Some of our greatest American leaders knew this. Long before neuroscience could explain it, presidents were turning to music to steady a nation, calm collective nerves, and kindle hope.

Today, on Memorial Day, I invite you to use music to connect across generations and reflect with purpose.

The Only Certainty Is That Executives Should Focus on Creating More Resilient Organizations

As noteworthy as the magnitude of the tariffs, is the unprecedented uncertainty introduced by their scale and ever-changing nature. The only certainty is that executives should focus on creating more resilient organizations to navigate this historically volatile environment.

As the new tariff regime reshapes the global business landscape, resilience should be at the top of every executive’s and business owner's agenda.

Learn more here by reading the full report.

This is WPO Chicago (Home of Pope Leo): WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum (EEF) 2025

A glimpse of WPO Chicago members in action at the Women Presidents Organization Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum (EEF) 2025. More can be found here.

If you are not a WPO member yet, you need to be.  Ping me and I'll introduce you to the right person to start the ball rolling.

Photo credit:  2025 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

How to Tell a Great Story

Storytelling is a key business skill.  Telling a good story can help you connect with your audience on an emotional level. It can make complex data easier to digest, and make your arguments more persuasive.

So how do you tell great stories, particularly great business stories? Here’s how to make your narratives more persuasive.

See You in Antonio, TX at the WPO EEF 2025!

If you haven't signed up, here's what you are missing.  The 2025 forum (28th annual) agenda can be found here. 

Oh, and you might still be able to attend if you move on it now.  We have 16 Chicago members attending and I can't wait to connect and learn together. 

The program takes place from May 7-9, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa.

See you in San Antonio!

From Side Hustle to Shower Curtain Empire

Lisa Schulner-Fine (along with photographer husband Michael Fine) had been frustrated with the lack of shower curtain options on the market for a while. She and Michael both had an eye for design — she worked as a director of styling at Madewell and he as a freelance fashion photographer — and the couple struggled to find aesthetically pleasing bathroom accessories on retail shelves. To make matters worse, most of the items available were far from sustainable.

And so a side business becomes a multimillion-dollar business.  It's called Quiet Town.