PWCC Blog - Personal

Top 5 Reasons Not To Miss PWCC Luncheons!

Administrator Account — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:07:00 -3660

On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, PWCC luncheon attendees were graced with the presence of Kathleen Ameche, CEO & President of Ameche Group LLC and author of The Woman Road Warrior. Kathleen, with her wit and charm, gave us not only important tips on personal safety while traveling but also practical do’s and don'ts while traveling – something many of us do on a daily basis even if it’s just commuting to and from work. Here are some of the tips Kathleen shared:

Every time you get into a cab, text the cab number to a friend or family member. This way should anything happen to you – like being held up at gun point by your driver (which happened to Kathleen) – someone will have this valuable information.
When your hotel front desk attendant says “Thank you Miss Smith, you will be staying in Room 202 tonight,” respond back, "I’m sure Room 202 is lovely, but can I get another room and just write the room number down on this paper for me?" You never know who can be lurking around to hear what your room number is.
When you get into the elevator with a stranger and you get an eerie feeling – act like you forgot something and don’t get off on your floor. It only takes a few minutes to head back down to the ground level and back up to your floor safely without worrying you may be followed.
Use concierges and valets when traveling to an unknown location. Concierges are there to assist you in getting where you need to go safely and via the best route, and they can also explain any nuances or differences with the culture at your destination. Valets keep you from entering unsafe parking garages.
When in doubt, ALWAYS follow your gut instinct. It was given to us for a reason, so we should use it! 9 times out of 10 if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Kathy also mentioned that she is COO of a tech start-up, called CareBinders. It's personal record keeping software that helps simplify your life. It stores all of your medical, insurance and banking information. It also keeps track of your passwords, emergency contacts and much more.

If you're interested in checking it out, go to www.CareBinders.com. The cost is $199.00, but you'll receive $40.00 off if you type in the word "Ameche" (as a discount code) during checkout.

To learn from Kathleen, visit her website at http://www.womanroadwarrior.com/author/index.html.

Lastly, don’t miss next month's luncheon on February 8, 2012, where networking and getting what you want from it are on the agenda!

Heather Bailey is a Partner with SmithAmundsen’s Labor & Employment Law Group, assisting the management-side. Heather has been a PWCC member for almost a year and may be reached at 312.894.3266 orhbailey@salawus.com.

Holiday Connections at PWCC

Administrator Account — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:31:00 -3660

The holidays are all about connecting, both in life and at PWCC. A couple of times a year, PWCC opens up its monthly luncheon programming for a multi-stage, organized networking event. At most luncheons, attendees introduce themselves and hand out cards to everyone at their tables during the salad course and a speaker or speakers – always with an interesting message – addresses the group during dessert.

In December and again in the spring, though, the luncheon is all about members and guests connecting with each other. I enjoyed these luncheons a few years ago when I first joined PWCC, but after I’d let my membership lapse and then decided to start my own business, it was these “progressive connections” luncheons that brought me back to PWCC.

The premise is that you’re at a different table for each of the three courses, introducing yourself to and learning about 9 other ladies at each table. That’s 27 possible new connections in a little over an hour! With a few empty seats at my tables and being seated with two ladies I already know (through PWCC), I walked out with 20 cards from women new to me. One person forgot cards but took mine and sent me a LinkedIn request thinking we might be able to collaborate in the future.

Each table included ladies from a good variety of professions, all explaining what they do and how other attendees might be able to help them, either personally or professionally. Several times I heard women talk about their “day jobs” and then go on to explain their “night jobs.” Inevitably, the night job was something they are truly passionate about and hope to turn into a day job someday. How inspiring!

I witnessed several people chime in right away at the table with suggestions or tips for the person who had just introduced herself and explained some kind of assistance she could use. Whether it was how to break in as a motivational speaker, a type of software that could help with a small-business challenge or what to consider in finding commercial real estate, the resources practically flew around the table.

I left the luncheon recharged to tackle my personal and professional challenges and optimistic about my ability to build my own business in the coming year.

Julie Hanahan is a commercial freelance writer with nearly 10 years of experience in marketing communications. Learn more about her at www.juliehanahan.com or email her at julie@juliehanahan.com.

Doing What You Love

Administrator Account — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:58:00 -3660

I am a huge believer in the saying “do what you love and the money will come." Being a creative person, sitting behind a desk all day was just not for me. I did try out the corporate world for a few years but always knew that it never felt right. I have been doing graphic design for about 12 years now on my own and I can now say that there is nothing about my work that I don’t enjoy. As a hobby, I started baking for friends and found that this would also be my calling. I always put my own spin on recipes and eventually started to get a feel on formulating ingredients for just the right texture and taste. I tried out cupcakes for a while with rave reviews, but quickly became bored with seeing them EVERYWHERE. This is when the "cake bite" was born! I then became addicted, and had to give away the cake bites I would make to avoid eating it all!

I knew that I was on to something when my friends and family would start to request them on a regular basis. One friend in particular said to me, “You should sell these.” That is when I made the decision to do just that! I do have the added bonus of being able to do the entire design and marketing myself, so it was a natural process to design the logo, business cards, and website.

I then realized that I could not cater the cake bites without a commercial kitchen; so baking out of my home was not an option. This is where talking to people about what you are doing is key! I happen to also enjoy organizing events, so I contacted Sopo Lounge here in Chicago to use their venue for a Holiday Bazaar that I am organizing. I mentioned briefly that I bake as well, and the owner told me that they were revamping their menu and were looking for a new dessert item. He told me that the cake bites would be perfect, and I said well that would be perfect because I need a commercial kitchen! Literally overnight I now had all the pieces in place to start selling.

It might sound hooky, but during this entire process I had constructed vision boards and mentally concentrated on my goals. Being aware of opportunities and listening to others was a huge component on making Cake Bite Girl happen. The next step will be online ordering, which will be happening soon after the New Year! See cake bite girl at www.cakebitegirl.com

Submitted by Jamie Arlin, Jamie Lynn Designs/Cake Bite Girl, 847-452-9956, info@cakebitegirl.com

Chicago’s Dynamic Duo of Food at November Luncheon

Administrator Account — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:53:00 -3660

I’m sure I wasn’t the only PWCC member who was both entertained and inspired at the Nov. 9 luncheon/panel discussion featuring Ina Pinkney (“The Breakfast Queen”) and Gale Gand, host of the Food Network’s popular “Sweet Dreams” program. The two friends, both of whom are top-ranked Chicago chefs, seemed so in sync with one another that they could almost finish each other’s sentences (with some great one-liners included).

Each woman, though, had her own experiences and philosophy that have guided her to the success she now enjoys. Ina, for example, came to see that she was meant to be an entrepreneur after she had been fired from 19 of 21 jobs she had. After first establishing Ina’s Kitchen, a premier breakfast restaurant, she found further success as the chef/owner of Ina’s, a very popular restaurant in the West Loop.

I found her public relations strategy to be especially noteworthy. Her goal, she said, is to be mentioned in every section of the newspaper except the food section. Being mentioned in the business section, for example, broadens her name recognition and therefore increases the number of potential customers.

Gale’s path to success started differently. After working in such seemingly disparate areas as music and bookkeeping, Gale was asked to cook something at a restaurant. She said she immediately felt a connection to what she was doing. Now, along with hosting “Sweet Dreams,” she is the executive pastry chef and partner of the four-star Tru Restaurant in Chicago. She is also the author of seven cookbooks.

Ina’s parting advice seemed to sum up their accomplishments. “All your experiences have a reason,” she said. “Follow your passion and your heart, and you’ll end up where you want to be.” That’s certainly a recipe for success for each of us!

Submitted by Kathy Swain, who serves on the PWCC Communications Committee. Kathy is a freelance writer and editor with more than 20 years of experience in the fields of communications and publishing. Her work ranges from writing brochures, news releases, and feature articles to editing and proofreading manuals and textbooks. In additional to being a published author, Kathy has won awards for feature articles and classroom materials. She owns Word Matters (www.WordMattersChicago.com) and can be reached at k-swain@sbcglobal.net.

Maternal Alzheimer's Connection

Administrator Account — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:57:00 -3660

My mother suffered from dementia for the last 20 years of her life, so I was alarmed to read that a recent study published in Neurology suggests that if your mother had Alzheimer's disease you have a greater risk of falling victim to the disease.

Job Opportunity for Grant Writers

Administrator Account — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:57:00 -3660

I am on the Board of new non-profit and we need a Grant Writer on a project basis. The organization is:ALAS: Asociación Latina de Asistencia y Prevención del Cáncer de Mama (Latina Association for Breast Cancer).

The goal of ALAS is to reach out to uninsured/underserved Latina women throughout Chicago and suburban locations to educate and create an awareness of the resources and services facilitated by ALAS. This will be accomplished through outreach programs, presentations and support groups.

If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity please contact that Executive Director of ALAS, Judy Guitelman at judyguitel@yahoo.com, phone (630) 440-1335.

What Joe Scarborough Doesn’t Know About the PWCC

Administrator Account — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:29:00 -3660

Yesterday I attended a book signing for Mika Brzezinski’s latest opus - “Knowing Your Own Value.” The book is primarily about her struggles at MSNBC to get paid what she’s worth despite being a woman. As most of you no doubt already know, Mika is the co-host with former Florida Congressman Joe Scarborough of a TV news show called “Morning Joe.” What you may not realize is the Joe has been Mika’s strongest advocate and mentor throughout their partnership. All that is well and good. And I along with all of the other attendees of the luncheon thoroughly enjoyed watching the two of them work together. But during the course of their presentation, Joe Scarborough made a comment that was rather unsettling. He said that while men will mentor other men, women don’t seem to do the same for their female colleagues. What’s more, Mika seemed to agree with him.

The implication was that women by their very nature not only undermine their own success (one of the main themes of Mika’s book) but feel no sense of obligation to help other women when they can. Yet, as Mika pointed out during her talk, women are so intent on helping others, they deliberately overlook chances to help themselves. Given this observation, the claim that women are unwilling to help mentor other women really doesn’t make sense. I think what Joe Scarborough missed is that women mentor other women (and men) all the time but, unlike men, they don’t compartmentalize these activities. Rather, they advise, suggest, offer to make connections, and show concern for people as part of everything they do. Certainly anyone attending a PWCC luncheon has been a participant and beneficiary of this kind of interaction.

PWCC now offers a formal mentoring program that pairs women seeking mentors in their field with other members who can fill this role. We’ve just celebrated the end of the roll out of this program and it has proven a very positive experience for all concerned. Aside from the opportunity to develop closer relationships within the group, the mentoring program also offers both mentee and mentor a unique chance for personal growth as well as professional contacts. Hopefully, more members will take advantage of this special PWCC benefit in the fall. Maybe we could even invite “Morning Joe” back to demonstrate that women do indeed have just as much talent for mentoring their peers as the “old boy” network does.

Wendy Lalli coaches professionals in transition or who want to advance their careers in their current jobs and writes articles, features, and columns for professional journals and newspapers including the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun Times network. She also has written career advice columns for several Web sites such as www.what collegeforgot.com and gives seminars for associations, colleges, and libraries throughout Chicago. Learn more about Wendy at http://www.wendylallicoach.com.

Tips and Tricks when using Social Media

Administrator Account — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:31:00 -3660

The social media jungle can be difficult to navigate through. You have Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In as your heavy hitters with hundreds of other options for every type of activity. These three particular social media sites are amazingly powerful, as these three portals are literally connected to every brand, group, business, celebrity, and even television network. You can reach literally the entire world with one sentence. Best of all it is free!

There are a few things to remember when you are using social media sites for your business. Once you have a rhythm down for how you advertise yourself, product, or service it is easy to keep it going.

Don’t post anything you don’t want the whole world to see.

This seems pretty basic, but with the ability to tag individuals in photos puts a face with name. You never know what a potential client or employer is going to see if you are not aware of the photographs you are in. These days, employers can search for your name on Google, and before you know it your night out with the girls is right in front of the CEO. You can’t control everything on the Internet, but you can control what you post yourself. If you do have photos that you prefer that everybody doesn’t see, kindly tell your friends to ask permission before tagging.

Use Twitter wisely

You only get 140 characters to tell the world about what you are doing. That being said, you don’t need to tell everyone that you are going to the store or eating a sandwich. I was just watching the news this morning and Ashton Kutcher tweeted a riddle that meant that he would be taking Charlie Sheen’s spot on the TV show "Two and a Half Men." This was on the NEWS. That is how powerful Twitter is. If you are tweeting a web site, you can shorten your web address at http://tinyurl.com/. Simply enter your address and it will make it tiny. This is a great way to save character space and make sure your tweet is as powerful as it can be.

Keep it business only

If you own your own business that is more in the social sphere, it is important to not keep things too personal. It is totally fine to post personal photos or things that you are interested in, just remember that it is possible that anyone can see these posts. Since I am in the wedding and design business, I treat Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In as another avenue to reach current and potential clients. Keeping it neutral has been what has worked for me. If you don’t want to worry about how you will come across, just be sure that you have a separate Facebook page or Twitter account that is not connected to your business profile.

The Internet is one of the most powerful tools we have, and used to it’s full potential can lead to much success. Happy social networking!

Jamie Arlin is a graphic designer specializing in custom wedding invitations, stationery, print and web design. In addition to designing, she enjoys networking and helping others build connections. She can be reached at jamie@jamielynndesigns.com.

Their Legacy . . . Your Headache?

Administrator Account — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:57:00 -3660

The May issue of Money magazineincludes a compelling article entitled Their Legacy . . . Your Headache? and it discusses key points to consider when receiving an inheritance from a parent’s estate. I was both Executor and Trustee for my mother’s estate when she died in 2007 from ovarian cancer.Some of the key points I mentioned in my interview for this article that I would like to share with you, our PWCC members and friends, include:

·Call in the Pros. If the estate includes a house, securities, retirement accounts or multiple beneficiaries (in my case myself and my four siblings), and the deceased does not already have an attorney and a CPA who know them intimately, get an estate attorney and CPA onboard within the first month to help you navigate the complexities and provide guidance in case questions and disagreements arise.

·Embrace e-Mail. It’s all about transparency. Keep the other heirs regularly apprised of your progress.To avoid second-guessing, give them a heads-up on major decisions and transactions.In my case, providing a monthly recap of activities and bank balances helped keep things on an even keel.

·Clean House Together. Give heirs a fair chance to get personal effects they’d like to have for themselves. In our case, we all met at my mother’s house on a Saturday morning. Jewelry, silver, china, collectibles and such, were all gathered on the dining room table. We drew numbers and then went in order making our selections. For bigger items, like furniture and artwork we followed the same process but went from room to room choosing our preferred items. Another process, perhaps unique to our family, was that my mother had made a list of the truly valuable family heirlooms many years in advance and included it as an amendment to her will. By respecting her wishes, and each other, we avoided the kind of squabbles that cause siblings to walk out of each other’s lives.

·Set a Fee ASAP. This was by far the trickiest. Executors, by law, are entitled to compensation -- generally 2% - 3% of the estate. In my case, my siblings didn’t think this was appropriate. In fact, they felt I should do this as a willing family member. And so I did, for the next two years and countless hours. Had my mother stated in her will that I should expect to be compensated, this could have been avoided.

Both of my parents died of cancer, as did my mother’s brother, a cousin and my stepfather. So, in answer to the question posed in the headline, being the executor was a headache. But I was able to honor my parents’ legacy by using the inheritance I received to open Second Act, downtown Chicago’s only accredited cancer recovery boutique providing wigs, and post breast surgery products to cancer survivors. It’s a far cry from my career in advertising but oh so much more rewarding.

For more information check out the full story in the May issue of Money, page 96. And, while I am not an attorney or an accountant, if I can answer questions for you about how I navigated this process please feel free to contact me.

Pattie Cagney Sheehan, CMF

Second Act

3020 N. Lincoln Avenue

Chicago, IL 60657

phone: 773.525.2228

pattie@secondactchicago.com

Building a Niche Business

Administrator Account — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:11:00 -3660

After struggling with secondary infertility for three and a half years, I realized that there was one area of the infertility industry that was sorely lacking – a third-party advocate for intended parents. During my infertility process, I had no one to turn to. The fertility agencies represent donors and surrogates, not the parents. The physicians can help you through the medical portion, but there wasn’t anyone to explain or facilitate the legal, financial and even the emotional situations that arise during the infertility process.

After 16 inseminations, four in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and an exhaustive and frustrating process, I successfully became pregnant and delivered twin boys, the best gifts of my life. It was then that I found my true business passion. I left my career in Venture Capital and began working in the industry as an egg donor and surrogate recruiter and subsequently, as an IVF Coordinator. It was this experience, combined with my personal journey through infertility and my business background that enabled me to start one of the first infertility consultancies in the U.S. in 2005. I named my business Lotus Blossom Consulting after the lotus flower, which is the symbol for fertility.

The latest statistics on infertility show that one in every eight couples – more than 7.3 million people – struggle with infertility. Delayed childbearing is the primary cause. For example, by the time a woman reaches the age of 30, over 90 percent of the eggs in her body have been depleted. These days, with more and more professional women putting their families on hold (for good reason) to build their careers, these numbers are continually growing. I created this business to show these successful women that there is hope and often times, they can have it all! It’s this empowering message that keeps me going every day. This type of passion should be at the core of every business.

Reaching Your Target Audience

When running a niche business, it’s important to first fully understand your target audiences. For my business, it was women over the age of 35 or individuals with medical conditions that affected their ability to build their family naturally. I also targeted gay individuals and couples who had a desire to have a biological connection with their offspring.

I spent significant time speaking to women’s groups, gay communities and organizations to raise awareness about a topic that is often times stigmatized. I talked and talked and never lost sight of my dream.

I also always placed great emphasis on meeting physicians who I knew would be my best referral sources. In addition, I made it my mission to exceed the expectations of each and every one of my clients. I believe that when you commit to quality of experience, clients will tell your story. Today, clients come to me via speaking engagements, physician recommendations, client referrals and word-of-mouth.

Drawing on Experts

Being the founder, owner and sole employee of Lotus Blossom Consulting, I also needed to align myself with other experts in the industry to help deliver on my “path to parenthood” mission, and help build my credibility. I needed to assist my clients in finding the best egg donors and surrogates, lawyer referrals to draw up the necessary contracts, and insurance agents and financial planners to help them figure out how to pay for all of the treatments.

I spent the first few years building and developing these relationships through in-office visits, continuous telephone calls and e-mail communications. To date, I maintain relationships with over 50 egg-donor and surrogacy agencies around the country and hundreds of lawyers, financial advisors, estate planners, insurance agents and advocacy groups for gays and lesbians. I’ve gotten so familiar with each of these groups that I can efficiently match a client with the resources that will work best for their given situations.

Marketing and Branding

I continue to expand my business through creative affiliate marketing channels. For example, when one of my reproductive endocrinologist resources told me that 40 percent of his clients would have a better chance of getting pregnant if they lost weight, I formed a relationship with a personal trainer and launched a “Fit to Conceive” program, a personalized diet and exercise plan for would-be mothers. Together, we utilized our industry experiences and contacts to help one another expand our respective businesses.

I drew on my business background from Venture Capital to develop my brand identity as an infertility consultant. It has taken time, but I have worked hard to build this brand identity and credibility via public relations and social networking. I continually look for ways to tell my story to the media, I make myself available for interviews at any point during the day and I try to book interviews around my travel to various parts of the country. I also use social networks to connect with my target audiences and educate them about infertility.

Global Expansion

Most recently, I have taken my business international due to the restricted surrogacy laws in Europe, Asia, Canada, South America and Australia. With restrictions on compensating egg donors and surrogates in these countries, it was evident that advocacy work needed to extend to these locations. I started implementing the same referral business model in other locations and now, over 30 percent of my overall business revenue comes from international clients.

Mindy Berkson founded Lotus Blossom Consulting (LBC) to help intended parents globally explore their options for biological families in the U.S. Through strong strategic alliances, LBC Consultants bring together the unbiased resources and professionals necessary to accomplish the end family building goal and serve as a guide through the often stressful financial, physical and emotional demands of the infertility process. For more information, please visit www.L otusB lossomConsulting.com and/or www.TheInfertilityConsultant.com.