Article of Interest: Meet the 12 Most Powerful Black Women 2014

First Lady Michelle Obama

Forbes assembled the world's 100 most powerful women in 2014.  Of the 100 women featured, 12 are black - from CEOs to entrepreneurs to musicians.  Check out who they are:

The World's Most Powerful Black Women 2014

Photo Credit: AlexJohnson

News of Interest: Manilow Suites Wins TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014!

Manilow Suites, a short-term corporate housing company of 35 years, announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award 2014. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide.  Establishments awarded the Certificate of Excellence are located all over the world and represent the upper echelon of businesses listed on the website.

Read the entire news release:  Manilow Suites Wins Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence!

Congratulations to long time WPO member Francine Manilow, President and Founder of Manilow Suites, for earning this prestigious honor.  We are very proud of you and all your successes!

Screenshot courtesy of Manilow Suites

Event of Interest: 11th Annual WPO Chicago Summit (For Members Only) Hosted at Google

Invitation courtesy:  MAB Advertising Inc.

Article of Interest: Investing in and Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Worldwide

How Goldman Sachs deployed a far-reaching, data-driven strategy to further the cause of women’s entrepreneurship through its 10,000 Women Initiative.

The 10,000 Women Initiative began in 2008 as a five-year program sponsored by the investment bank Goldman Sachs.  Funded with a $100 million commitment from the Goldman Sachs Foundation, the initiative aims to provide training and support to women entrepreneurs.

Read the entire article:  Applied "Womenomics" | Stanford Innovation Review

Supplement to the article above:  Progress Report

Related video:  Investing in Women Entrepreneurs

Screen shot courtesy of Goldman Sachs

News of Interest: Alecia McClung Featured on Windy City LIVE

Our very own WPO Chicago member Alecia McClung, President of Administrative Resource Options (ARO) was featured on Windy City LIVE concerning her kidney transplant in 2003 and the unlikely bond she formed with the organ donor's Mom.

Before we get to the video, here's what her peers -- fellow WPO Chicago members -- had to say about the it:

•  I just watched this with my husband. You were incredible! And inspiring! And so wonderfully you :)

•  You were amazing!  You spoke so eloquently, and so from the heart.  Definitely inspirational for all who watched.  Thanks for sharing!

•  I second those sentiments.  Anyone watching you and Penny Brady had to be moved by the story that binds the two of you.  Truly inspirational.  Hopefully it encourages all to know the lifesaving difference that organ donations make.

Watch the video here:  Son's organ donation leads to friendship

Screenshot courtesy:  Windy City LIVE

News of Interest: Where Mary Bahr Lunches in Chicago

Our very own WPO member, Mary Bahr (pictured), president of MAB Advertising, is featured at Crain's dining blog:

Mary Bahr is president and creative director of MAB Advertising Inc., a 15-year-old Chicago firm whose clients include Sears Holdings Corp., Kmart Corp. and Pet Supplies Plus Inc. She often dines with chief marketing officers ...

Read the entire article:  Where the president of MAB Advertising does lunch in Chicago

Article of Interest: Why I Admire These Two Women Entrepreneurs

Our friend and colleague, Dr. Sharon Hadary (@hadaryco and pictured), writes a wonderful piece for the Wall Street Journal on why she admires two women social entrepreneurs.  The fact of the matter is that the two women she praises are staunch supporters to the Women Presidents' Organizations so we could not be happier to see them honored in this fashion.

Read the entire article:  Why I Admire These Two Women Entrepreneurs

Photo screenshot courtesy:  Sharon Hadary and Co.

News of Interest: How WPO Chicago Member Sandy Marsico Got On CNBC

WPO Chicago member Sandy Marsico, who runs Sandstorm Design, had a fantastic opportunity to share her story of building a culture of gratitude, fun, and recognition with Marcus Lemonis from CNBC's "The Profit."

See what went on:  How we got onto CNBC With Marcus Lemonis

Congratulations to Sandy for this incredible media opportunity!  We are so proud of you!

Screenshot courtesy:  Sandstorm Design

News of Interest: Where Laurel Delaney Dines For Business in Chicago

©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

In case you wonder where WPO Chicago Chapter Chair Laurel Delaney dines for business, now you can find out. At the same time, learn how she prospects for WPO Chicago members.

Read:  Where Laurel Delaney dines for business - Crain's dining blog - Crain's Chicago Business

News of Interest: The Unilever Foundry

Is your business a technology innovator?  Unilever launches a new program called The Unilever Foundry:

THE UNILEVER FOUNDRY IS THE HUB FOR UNILEVER’S ENGAGEMENTS WITH TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS. THROUGH THE FOUNDRY, PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CAN RECEIVE MENTORSHIP FROM OUR MARKETERS, PILOT PROJECTS WITH OUR BRANDS AND RECEIVE INVESTMENT FROM UNILEVER VENTURES.

You can pilot a project.  Receive a mentorship.  Receive an investment.

Learn more about The Unilever Foundry

Photo courtesy: Wouter Ernsting

News of Interest: Dr. Marsha Firestone Featured at the Huffington Post

Dr. Marsha Firestone

Laura Dunn at the Huffington Post conducts an interview with Dr. Marsha Firestone (pictured).  Here's a clip:

How are female business owners driving growth in the economy? 

WPO members account for significant economic growth. They generate $19 billion in aggregate revenue and employ 145,000 people. Two out of every three new businesses being started today are by women. I call entrepreneurship the great equalizer. By owning their own companies, women have more power, more influence and can pay themselves more. By 2018 one third of all U.S. jobs will be generated by women-led businesses (source: Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute).

Read the entire Q&A:  Women in Business Q&A:  Dr. Marsha Firestone, Founder and President of the Women Presidents' Organization

News of Interest: Emilia DiMenco (WBDC Chicago) Is Ally For Women Business Owners

Emilia DiMenco (pictured) has become president and chief executive officer of the Women's Business Development Center in Chicago.  WBDC has always been a friend to WPO so we are delighted over Emilia's appointment and wish her the best of success.

"Our founders were such iconic women," DiMenco said. "And people knew what the organization did was important because they trusted Hedy [Ratner]. They knew she was an advocate for women, but they really didn't know as much as they should about the direct services that we provide. ... It's time to brand the center."

Read the entire article published in the Chicago Tribune here.

Screenshot courtesy:  WBDC Chicago

News of Interest: WPO 17th Annual Conference in New Orleans Was Insanely Great

The Women Presidents’ Organization 2014 International Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana was insanely great (as shown).  Mark your calendar now for next year's conference (2015) in sunny Phoenix, Arizona:  April 30th - May 2nd.

See you there.

All photo credits:  ©2014 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

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: Eriksen Translations

Eriksen Translations Inc. (http://www.eriksen.com) is proud to support women-owned businesses by providing complimentary copies of Laurel Delaney's new book, "Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably," to attendees at the upcoming Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) 17th Annual Conference.

The highly anticipated WPO Annual Conference, to be held April 23-25 in New Orleans, provides opportunities for successful women entrepreneurs from all over the world to share business strategies and experience, as well as learn from interactive seminars and inspirational speakers. Eriksen will provide complimentary copies of "Exporting" to all 800 attendees in their conference bags. As a woman-owned business enterprise that helps companies reach their global audiences, Eriksen is pleased to have this opportunity to provide a resource for women who are already in the international marketplace or looking to expand globally.

Learn more:  Eriksen Translations Helps Women Business Owners Reach Their Audiences in the Global Marketplace

Article of Interest: Using Metaphors to Foster Creativity

Whether you are trying to design a great new product or launch a game changing website for your business, using visual metaphors can help foster brilliant ideas.

Whatever the source of the effect, the practical implications for designers are quite intriguing. During a product development process, for instance, visual metaphors might prime people to give designers more creative feedback. And say you hold a focus group in a room vivified with bright light bulbs. Theoretically, participants would come up with more, and more constructive, ideas than participants who sit in an empty room.

Read the entire article:  The Remarkable Power of Visual Metaphors To Make Us More Creative

Photo courtesy:  Flickr

News of Interest: WPO 17th Annual Conference

The Women Presidents’ Organization will hold its 2014 International Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana on Wednesday, April 23 - Friday, April 25.

The conference encourages WPO members to share business strategies and experience with other successful women from all over the world, as well as learn from interactive seminars and speakers. Additionally, it will provide potential members who qualify a unique opportunity to experience the impact the WPO has on women business owners professionally, and personally.

We look forward to seeing you there!  If you have questions, please email us at info@womenpresidentsorg.com or ldelaney@globetrade.com.

Photo courtesy:  Flickr 

Article of Interest: Do You Rule In An Area Where Men Used to Lead?

Women worldwide are taking the lead in places where men rule.  Is that you too?  Here are nine inspiring women entrepreneurs who have broken through barriers in some of the world's harshest business environments.

9 Women Who Are Taking The Lead In Places Where Men Rule

Photo courtesy:  Flickr

Article of Interest: Why Women Rule Social Media?

These 25 women mentioned in the article below are on top of their game in social media.  Are you?

It’s not just that more women use the most popular social networks, we can slice the data in different ways and why, if you own or manage a business, you should take note of this gender trend (other trends include education, age, and household income).

Read the entire article:  Why Women Rule Social Media?

Illustration credit:  Dean Meyers

Article of Interest: Why Women Entrepreneurs Are More Optimistic Than Ever

According to Emily Inverso at Forbes, women are growing companies at a rate one-and-half times the national average. Even though they continue to face challenges as always - access to capital and a complex economy - there's still a sense of optimism out there.

Up from last year, 92% of female entrepreneurs agree the stage is set this year for even more women to launch their own businesses.

Read the entire article:  Why Women Entrepreneurs Are More Optimistic Than Ever

Photo courtesy:  Ed Yourdon