See You In Colorado Springs, CO at the WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum (EEF)!

See you at the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum (EEF), the premier gathering of women entrepreneurs who lead multi-million-dollar businesses, May 15-17, 2024, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs!

How to Fund An Acquisition

How are you going to actually pay for a business acquisition? According to Josh Tolley, from his new book Acquisitional Wealth, there are really two elements to this question: 

1. How are you going to come up with the down payment?
2. How are you going to repay the monthly loan payment?

Step one is answering the first question. If you cannot answer where the down payment is coming from, then the second question becomes irrelevant.  Learn what else Tolley has to say here.

Create Value and Lasting Momentum Through Generative AI (GenAI)

The huge potential for disruption promised by the latest iterations of generative AI (GenAI) has sent shockwaves across industries. In PwC’s 27th Annual Global CEO Survey, published earlier this year, 70% of CEOs said they expected GenAI to significantly change the way their company creates, delivers, and captures value in the next three years. 

More than two-thirds of the surveyed CEOs who had already implemented some form of GenAI in their organization reported having changed their broader technology strategies as a result. 

Have you?

Do You Care If Your Email Was Written by AI?

AI can be a time-saver for those who struggle with writing. But there are telltale signs that AI was used—and some serious risks, as well.

Should you use it—and can the recipient tell if you’ve relied on a bot to do your writing for you?  Here are 4 signs your email was written by AI (requires subscription).

Find Your Own Path to an Extraordinary Life

Texas native Helene Sula shares her global adventures as the voice behind her eponymous blog and social media accounts, Helene in Between – with 566,000 Instagram followers and counting

She has shared culture shocks she’s experienced living abroad, not once, but twice. Her love for Christmas markets is contagious, with posts featuring steamy drinks and indulgent dishes oozing with cheese adding to her platform’s appeal. 

Is she a WPO member?  Don't know.  Could she be?  Will check. Meanwhile, check out her story, which includes a new book that encourages readers to find their own path to an extraordinary life.  Who doesn't want to achieve that?

You've Got This: Business Owners Have Monday's (4/8/24) Solar Eclipse Pathway Covered

Business owners within the 70-mile-wide swath of total darkness during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse are renting whatever rooms, cars, or anything else they still have left.  That said, owners of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and any other type of lodging establishment are ready.

At this point, anyone in the path of totality without a place to stay ahead of the event should probably forget about it. Last-minute eclipse chasers will have to open their wallets wide, as prices for rooms have really lit up across Monday's trail of darkness.

It's going to be unbelievable.  Best places to see the eclipse in Chicago can be found here.  Be safe and enjoy the moment.

Why the World Needs Women Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurship needs to be addressed – because the preconditions might be different depending on the person’s gender – and for two main reasons, clearly identified by the OECD in its work about entrepreneurship promotion. 

The first reason is that, despite lower participation rates in entrepreneurship than men, women entrepreneurs are an important untapped source of economic growth. They create new jobs for themselves and others. And by being different they also provide society with different solutions to management, organization and business problems as well as to the exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities. 

The second reason is that the topic of women entrepreneurship has been largely neglected both in society in general and in the social sciences. 

Women are faced with specific obstacles that have to be overcome in order to give them access to the same opportunities as men.

Why Businesses Need More Women at the Top

WPO members are already at the top by running their own businesses.  But let's take a look at gender imbalances in the corporate world.

Women are better educated and more active in the labour force than ever, and are increasingly working in managerial roles. Yet despite these gains, their representation in top positions in business still lags behind that of men.

Explore this InfoStory to find out why gender balance at all levels of business is better for companies and economies as a whole.

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2024 from WPO Chicago

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“We Irish prefer embroideries to plain cloth. To us Irish, memory is a canvas—stretched, primed, and ready for painting on. We love the "story" part of the word "history," and we love it trimmed out with color and drama, ribbons and bows. Listen to our tunes, observe a Celtic scroll: we always decorate our essence.” ― Frank Delaney, Irish novelist, journalist, and broadcaster.

Where Are the Top Countries for Women Business Owners?

On a global level, the top three countries for female entrepreneurship include the United States, Australia and Canada. 

According to Business News Daily, the top five best places for women-owned businesses include:

1. Sante Fe, New Mexico
2. Boulder, Colorado
3. Monroe, Michigan
4. Racine, Wisconcin
5. Ocean City, New Jersey

But let' back up a bit.  Before there was Oprah, Ariana Huffington, and Sheryl Sandberg, there was Sarah Breedlove. Sarah – better known as Madam C.J. Walker – was the first woman entrepreneur in history.

This Women’s History Month, Grasshopper took a look back at her accomplishments and other women who have shaped the business world for women today.

Celebrating Women’s Diverse Contributions to Society

Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) is an innovative museum dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society. 

A renowned leader in women’s history education, the Museum brings to life the countless untold stories of women throughout history, and serves as a space for all to inspire, experience, collaborate, and amplify women’s impact—past, present, and future. 

NWHM strives to fundamentally change the way women and girls see their potential and power.

Women Entrepreneurs Are At the Cutting Edge of Change and Development

This year has been a testament to the remarkable resilience and innovative spirit of entrepreneurs, especially women, who are at the cutting edge of change and development across various industries.  Why just look at all the amazing Women Presidents Organization members!  

Female entrepreneurs stand as beacons of progress, seamlessly blending technological innovation with impactful social change and economic growth. 

They come from a myriad of backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspectives and bold ideas to the forefront. Their unwavering dedication and visionary approaches are not just shaping their respective fields but are also paving the way for the future of entrepreneurship.  

Here are a few to watch in 2024.

Happy Presidents' Day from WPO Chicago!

"I want in all cases to do right, and most particularly so, in all cases with women." – Abraham Lincoln, August 16, 1837

Leveraging the Year of the Dragon 2024 for Your Business

More brands are finding ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year – and Asian American business owners say that's a good thing. 

In the U.S., Asian Americans are forging their own traditions for the holiday, and many people who don't have Asian heritage are also getting in on the festivities, going out for dumplings or finding reasons to celebrate Asian culture during the coldest months of the year.

Big brands are catching on, too: Johnnie Walker, Xbox, and Target are among the many that are running prominent promotions. Gardena, California-based Ruggable has been running Instagram ads with a dragon-motif rug that's a "festive blend of ancient history and modern washability."

What are you doing to leverage the strength and power of the Chinese Dragon in 2024? 

Learn more here.

Meanwhile, WPO Chicago wishes you happiness, good luck and prosperity in the New Year of the Wood Dragon 2024.

February is Black History Month

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.

Discover artists to know, black history heritage and portraits of remarkable black women.

Chicago Member Nida Khan's Firm Arya Consulting Partners Celebrates 5th Anniversary!

WPO Chicago member Nida Khan and her team mark a significant milestone for Arya Consulting Partners (ACP) as they celebrate their 5th anniversary.  Nida is the founder and president of ACP. 

"I am filled with immense pride and gratitude, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge those who have been instrumental in our journey," says Nida Khan.

Her entire acknowledgement can be found here.

At the Women Presidents Organization, especially in Chicago, we salute Nida for her exceptional leadership at ACP.  

Congrats and to many more years of growth!

2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report

Women-owned businesses continue to fuel the economy, representing 39.1% of all businesses – over 14 million – employing 12.2 million workers, and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue. 

According to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report, in partnership with Ventureneer, CoreWoman, and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), the number of women-owned businesses between 2019 and 2023 increased at nearly double the rate of those owned by men; and from 2022 to 2023, the rate of growth increased to 4.5 times.

Access the report here.

Member of the Moment: Chicagoan Sandy Marsico

So thrilled to see our WPO Chicago member Sandy Marsico, Founder and CEO, Sandstorm Design, featured as the Member of the Moment at the Women Presidents Organization.

She is not only a member of WPO but serves on the WPO Board of Directors, too.  She is a rock star.  

Learn more about Sandy here.

IT Resolutions for 2024

CIOs share 13 of their objectives to shape IT outcomes in the year ahead, from building better business alignment to transforming IT into a business catalyst.

And yes, AI is one of them:  Answer those persistent questions about AI – how do you handle its adoption, governance, education about it to employees.

Happy New Year and Brisk Business in 2024!

Merry Christmas From WPO Chicago!

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

We Applaud You Susan Diamond! Thank You For Your Service to WPO.

After 17 remarkable years of dedicated service, Susan Diamond, our esteemed colleague and friend, will be retiring from her role as VP and Chief Learning Officer at the Women Presidents Organization.

As WPO CEO Camille Burns writes:

Susan joined WPO when we had just 35 chairs and has been instrumental in our growth to over 100 today. Her commitment and passion have been the driving forces behind our success, bringing invaluable speakers and content to enrich our community.

Her contributions to WPO are immeasurable. Susan has not just been an employee—she has been a cornerstone of our organization, a mentor to many, and a friend to all. We would not be where we are today without her vision, dedication, and unwavering support.

With that said, we applaud Susan Diamond (left) for her service to WPO and look forward to staying in touch with her as she unveils a new chapter in her life. 

Hugs from all of us at WPO, especially from your Chicago fans.

Hit the Pause Button

The holiday dinner table is glowing and stacked with your homemade favorites. Your family members are feasting and chatting happily when your uncle brings up his extreme views on a presidential candidate. Everyone gets quiet and you can see the discomfort on people’s faces.

What do you do?  Turn the conversation to how your business is humming along or hit the pause button?

Learn the four steps to avoid drama at the dinner table during the holidays.  Spoiler alert:  Yes, one is hit the pause button.

Award Winning Valarie King Bailey

WPO Chicago member Valarie King Bailey, Founder and CEO of OnShore Technology Group, has earned the distinct honor of being one of the inaugural Chicago Titan 100 honorees.  We love her choice of accessories:  the prestigious WPO pin!

Congrats Valarie.  WPO and your Chicago sisters are so very proud of you.  Keep up your amazing work.  We notice every bit of it.

Women Supporting Women Will Be Significant Moving Forward

“While we may be fixing things at the top, the issue of gender parity is still pervasive. There’s no better time than now for us to push ourselves forward as advocates for one another,” said Ng Lai Yee, managing partner and country leader of IBM Consulting, Singapore. “I think women supporting women will be significant moving forward.”  Similar to how WPO operates.

Women today are breaking through the glass ceiling. More women are entering the boardroom and joining the C-suite. But these hard-won achievements may not last without a healthy pipeline of mid-level leadership, according to a Women in Leadership report by the IBM Institute for Business Value.

This Woman Invests in Other Women Founders

Joanne Wilson has invested in more than 150 companies focusing on women and Black and Brown founders. Now, the face of Gotham Gal Ventures is turning the spotlight on herself to challenge the cannabis industry and create an entirely new retail category.

Read more how this angel investor, serial entrepreneur and passionate team builder leveraged her track record of investing in hundreds of startups to become a business owner herself.  

7 Successful American Women Entrepreneurs

Long before Martha and Oprah, as far back as the late colonial era, these successful business women were breaking glass ceilings.

As all WPO members know, starting a new business has rarely been an easy endeavor. But throughout much of American history, female entrepreneurs faced especially daunting obstacles. They couldn’t open bank accounts in their own names, obtain a loan—or even vote. 

Still, some tapped family connections, sussed out unique business opportunities and beat the considerable odds. The businesses these women launched—some of which survived for a century or longer—turned their founders into role models for more contemporary American moguls like Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart.

Read on to discover the seven (7) trailblazing American women entrepreneurs.

Labeling for AI-Created Work

AI will play a role in every creative tool used to make content, and the "AI-generated" label that everyone is talking about will cease to have any meaning.

What's happening: Legislators, regulators and ethicists are going all in on requiring labeling for AI-created work — but as AI use becomes more of a human-machine collaboration, labeling will lose its coherence and meaning.

Discover what's driving this news.

$674 Billion

According to Babson College, $674 billion is how much money franchising generates every year in the United States.

As a way of doing business, it is effective, enduring, and lucrative, and evidence of its success can be seen far and wide. Take a drive just about anywhere, and myriad franchises that are household names dot the landscape.

Are you running a franchise business?  Discover what the future of franchising has in mind for you.

What Can Feeling Lazy Tell Us?

You're well-rested, well-hydrated, in your peak hours and still having trouble getting motivated. Does that make you lazy?  Not quite.

Should you hire lazy people to do hard jobs?  Sounds counter-intuitive, right?

Shift your focus and learn more.

Don't Skimp on Office Products and Services

Businesses have had an eye on improving products meant to help make life as a business owner much easier, whether you are overseeing thousands of employees or decorating your own cubicle. 

Small business owners especially might skimp on office products and services to save money—but what if those purchases themselves end up saving you money? And then there are those nice-to-haves that might give you a mood boost on a dreary work day.

Here’s what products and services to look into at your next budget meeting to give your space and processes a pick-me-up.

Introducing 2023’s Most Dynamic Women Entrepreneurs According to Inc. Magazine

See how these female founders are transforming the future of everything – from electrical infrastructure to fashion – and making it look easy.

Building Systems with ChatGPT API

For those who are interested in learning more about building systems with ChatGPT API, you can take a short course with Stanford Adjunct Professor Andrew Ng, who is also the founder of DeepLearning.AI.

To learn more and to register, visit Coursera.

Full bio on Ng:

Andrew Ng is Founder of DeepLearning.AI, General Partner at AI Fund, Chairman and Co-Founder of Coursera, and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University. As a pioneer both in machine learning and online education, Dr. Ng has changed countless lives through his work in AI, authoring or co-authoring over 100 research papers in machine learning, robotics, and related fields. Previously, he was chief scientist at Baidu, the founding lead of the Google Brain team, and the co-founder of Coursera – the world's largest MOOC platform. Dr. Ng now focuses his time primarily on his entrepreneurial ventures, looking for the best ways to accelerate responsible AI practices in the larger global economy.

A Sense of Belonging

What do you think is the single biggest driver to happiness for employees?  Compensation?  Flexibility?  

If you asked your employees (or even yourself) these questions: Do you feel like you matter here? Do you have a sense of community? What answers do you suppose you would get?

Happiness expert Laurie Santos, PhD believes we have “a real opportunity to maximize our happiness at work” if we focus on the right things. 

Here, she shares practices to begin doing so today.

Smashing Success: The 20th Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2023

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Twenty years is a long time to hold steady with something that is near and dear to your heart.  In this case, serving as the Chicago Chapter Chair for the Women Presidents Organization.  What an honor and privilege to be a part of such a vibrant organization. For two decades, we have been bringing together Chicago I and II chapters for members to spend time together, learn and grow.  And this year was no different – other than this time we acknowledged and celebrated our 20th Anniversary.

Special thanks are in order to our WPO Chicago Steering Committee:

• Karolyn Raphael, President, Winger Marketing (Chicago I chapter member)
• Lauren Loew, Partner, Foley & Lardner (Chicago II chapter member)
• Ellen Wheeler, Partner, Foley & Lardner (Chicago I chapter member)

And to our guest presenter:  The talented Wardrobe Stylist and Costume Designer, Jessi Sheehan.

To our host:  Foley & Lardner – what a spread!

To Lorri Kilavos, Foley & Lardner for her special attention to our needs: the exceptional food, the room, and the program.  Feeling extremely grateful. 

We very much appreciate everyone's hard work and dedication to WPO.  It is all of you who make WPO what it is today:  a smashing success.  Thank you.  

20th Annual WPO Chicago Summit: The Art of Balancing Style With Substance (9/14/23)

Jazzed.  Excited.  Proud.  Looking forward!  To our 20th Annual WPO Chicago Summit:  The Art of Balancing Style with Substance on Thursday, September 14, 2023 and hosted at Foley & Lardner, Chicago.

Steering Committee

• Karolyn Raphael, President, Winger Marketing (Chicago I chapter member)
• Lauren Loew, Partner, Foley & Lardner (Chicago II chapter member)
• Ellen Wheeler, Partner, Foley & Lardner (Chicago I chapter member)

Program Agenda (all Central Time)

• 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Registration and networking 
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Welcome and introductions
• 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Workshop presenter:  Jessi Sheehan
• 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. Questions and discussion
• 4:50 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closing remarks, and thank yous 

Talented Wardrobe Stylist and Costume Designer, Jessi Sheehan, will share her wisdom, outlining practical strategies to optimize your professional look delving beyond surface-level aesthetics. 

Discover how to infuse your personal brand with the substance necessary to captivate your audiences and make a lasting impact.   In addition, you will learn:

• Decision fatigue - creating your go-to looks so you can focus your energy on other things.
• Color analysis - find the best colors for you to wear.
• Brand discovery - you are sending a message with your outfit, let’s make sure it’s the right one. 
• Dressing for the body you’re in right now - a guide to intentional pieces based on your body type and silhouette 
• In doubt about your look?  Text-A-Stylist – Jess will share more on this! 

With intriguing visuals and thought-provoking analysis, she will provide a valuable resource for anyone longing to enhance their understanding of style. 

We look forward to this fun, engaging and interactive workshop. 

About Jessi Sheehan

Jessi Sheehan (https://jessisheehan.com) is a Wardrobe Stylist and Costume Designer with clients in Nashville and Chicago.

She started her fashion career almost a decade ago, working as an assistant fashion designer in New York.  She then moved back to Chicago and began working in luxury bridal, with private clients in their closets, and styling her own photoshoots. She built a wonderful network filled with many different people, photographers, models and actors.

Her versatility and profound passion for the craft keeps her busy in all facets of the styling world across private clients, commercials and film. 

She has worked with a variety of clients including: Eva Longoria, Jimmy Butler, Jeff Mauro (Food Network), Fall Out Boy, and Second City. 

*** Please RSVP to Laurel Delaney, ldelaney(at)globetrade.com by no later than 9/11/23 if you plan to attend (for members and sponsors only).***

20th Annual WPO Chicago Summit: The Art of Balancing Style With Substance (9/14/23)

AI Is Changing the Workplace

Unlike many tech companies that are actively downsizing office space and waffling on RTO timing and policies, AI companies are seeing the need for physical office space to do their suddenly desirable work. 

Artificial intelligence could be the savior of the office building. 

The real estate services firm JLL estimates that by the end of 2023, AI companies will occupy 17.2 million square feet of office space across the country.  

Life Centricity: What It Is and How It Captures Growth Amid Uncertainty

According to Accenture, businesses today need to take a broader view that allows them to see customers in their full lives and adapt to their ever-changing needs and priorities. They call this life centricity.

A life-centric approach is built on understanding that people are multifaceted, and that they embrace their own complexity. It involves keeping a finger on the pulse of the external forces that impact modern life (whether economic, social, cultural or beyond) and finding ways to respond that create value for all. Companies with life-centric strategies are willing to make bold, creative changes to the heart of what they do, whether that means upending business models and internal operations or reimagining who their customers are.

Learn more about the 5 distinct and empirically-proven ways that companies on the path toward life centricity are capturing growth amid uncertainty.

Focus On Max of Two Growth Pillars At a Time

What separates the startups that succeed over those who fail? I am sure a lot of WPO members could tell you.

While the author of this article doesn't have a crystal ball to predict everyone’s futures, Martinez does have a wealth of stories and experience gained from his work scaling his company. 

He offers his top five growth lessons, with the aim to help you avoid making the same mistakes that he made early on while scaling a business from $0 to $1M ARR.

How Scaling Is the Missing Innovation Discipline

Companies make significant investments in developing and incubating new business initiatives, but too few follow a rigorous path to scaling their ventures.  Is that you?

Scaling is the missing innovation discipline. Indeed, when these authors assessed the innovation frameworks used by 15 large corporate incubation units, they found that only four mentioned scaling. 

Why is that?  Let's take a look.

The Road to the Top for Camille Burns, CEO, the Women Presidents Organization

WPO CEO Camille Burns (pictured above) spoke with SUCCESS about the road that led her to the top of the Women Presidents Organization and her hopes for the future of all women entrepreneurs.

Her answer to the last question:

With all the demands on a woman president’s time, something has to give. And when you join a group like WPO, you’re committed to showing up. That’s an opportunity for women to get out for a few hours and escape everyone needing them. It’s healthy to be around peers you can learn from. Other women will have workaround solutions for extremely busy lives, because women still have more of the burden outside the office and in their personal lives. Juggling all of that is challenging, but you still have to do things for you. 

Read the entire interview here.

Women Are In a Renaissance of Entrepreneurship

Seizing the opportunity is what successful entrepreneurs do best. But ingenuity for new company founders also plays into it.

Since the start of the pandemic, women, particularly women of color, have become the leading drivers of business creation in the U.S. In 2020 and 2021, women accounted for 49 percent of new business launches, according to a study by Gusto, a human resources software company, compared to 42 percent for men in 2021. 

Meanwhile, nearly half of female-led startups in 2020 were launched by women of color. In 2019, the share of new companies founded by women was just 28 percent. 

What's driving the surge?  Find out here.

Wildly Successful Businesses Run By Women

No longer are female business leaders an anomaly. Although there are still more male-owned businesses, women entrepreneurs are catching up, owning 42 percent of businesses in the United States, according to American Express. 

Get some inspiration by learning about the successful businesswomen who run Fortune 500 companies.  And for even more inspiration on wildly successful privately-owned businesses run by women, visit the Women Presidents Organization.

Prudential and Women Presidents Organization 6/28/23 Chicago Event a Super Success!

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

We blogged about the Prudential + Women Presidents Organization 6/28/23 Chicago event here, under the theme of "Transitions: Strategies For Business Owners."  It was a super success!  Huge turnout virtually and wonderful, engaging group in person.

WPO CEO Camille Burns (moderator and pictured above at left), AJ Goehle, CEO, Luci Creative (second from left) Margo Jacquot, PsyD, CSADC, BCETS, Chief Care Officer & Owner, The Juniper Center, and Karen Hoffman (far right), CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, Vice President, Advanced Planning, Prudential Financial discussed concerns and strategies to help ensure that ownership of your business is transferred smoothly when the time comes.  They also addressed approaches for transferring wealth to people and organizations that you care about.

Thank you to all who made the program a success:  Emot Farley (Prudential), Megan McDonough (WPO), Judy Walk-Pearce (WPO, and Giana Dominguez (WPO).

And of course a big thank you to the panelists for their fun and informative discussion and to all the people who attended virtually and in person!