WBDC Chicago: Fueling Growth. Driving Change.

We hope to see you at the Women's Business Development Center Conference in Chicago on Wednesday,  September 2, 2015.  WPO's founder, Dr. Marsha Firestone, will be moderating a panel -- be sure to catch it.

Secrets Behind the Fastest Growing Women-Owned Businesses

Hear from three of 2015’s 50 Fastest Winners (sponsored by American Express Global Corporate Payments) share the strategies they used to develop their business into one of the fastest growing women-owned/led companies in North America. Participants will learn strategies to both grow their business and overcome the inevitable challenges that all business owners encounter on the road to success.

Moderator:  Marsha Firestone, Ph.D. Founder and President, Women Presidents’ Organization

Panelists:

• Rebecca Thomley, CEO, Orion Associates
• Michelle Vondrasek, President, Von Technologies
• Cassandra Sanford, CEO, Kelly Mitchell Group, Inc.

WPO's Booth No. is 714.  Stop in for a visit.  We'd love to find out what your business needs are and how we might help you grow.

American Express Global Payments Becomes Corporate Sponsor for 2015 WPO Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies

According to the news release (2/25/15):

The Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) has today announced American Express Global Corporate Payments as the exclusive corporate sponsor of WPO's eighth annual Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies™ ranking. Based on a strong legacy of supporting and advocating for women business owners, American Express will tap into the insight, experience and expertise of the Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies globally. To create content focused on business expansion, American Express and the WPO will be collaborating on a new guide for growth: The Fast Growth Handbook, which will detail strategies for success of 50 Fastest honorees to help propel women business owners through their growth journey. - Source:  American Express Global Payments To Be Corporate Sponsor for 2015 WPO Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies

We are honored and excited that American Express Global Corporate Payments has chosen to become an exclusive sponsor on this important initiative.

Screenshot courtesy:  American Express Global Payments

News of Interest: Fastest-Growing Women Owned/Led Companies

The Women Presidents' Organization released its seventh annual list of the 50 fastest-growing women-led companies.  This year marks the first time it has included applicants from outside the United States.

"We saw production soaring, with an average revenue growth of 203% from 2009 to 2013," says Marsha Firestone, Ph.D., president and founder of the WPO. "Not only is the financial growth of these companies impressive, it shows that women entrepreneurs are making inroads in non-traditional businesses, such as information technology, transportation, and engineering."

The winners were announced at last week's WPO 17th Annual Conference in New Orleans.  Read more here.  Visit:  The 7th Annual 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned/Led Businesses

Related articles:  Business owners share keys to success at Women Presidents' Organization Conference

News of Interest: Fabulous WPO National Conference in Dallas!

We had a wonderful time in Dallas at the WPO national conference where more than 850 thriving women business owners attended and fifty of them were recognized for their Texas-sized growth (list here).

We hope to see you next year in New Orleans!

Related post.

Photo courtesy:  ©2013 Laurel Delaney.  "WPO National Conference Dallas 2013"

Seeking: 50 Fastest-Growing Woman-Owned or Woman-Led Companies

The Women Presidents' Organization is in search for the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned or Women-Led Companies in North America! Applications are now being accepted through Wednesday, February 10th. Yes, that's right. Only two days left to make your move.

To be eligible, companies must be:

• Privately owned
• Women-owned/led
• Must have generated $500,000 in annual revenues by the first week of 2005
• Must have reached revenues of $2 million by year-end 2009

You do not have to be a WPO member to apply. What are you waiting for?

Click here to access the application form. Any questions can be e-mailed to fastgrowth(at)womenpresidentsorg.com