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Women Business Owners of Southeastern Michigan
Meetings on the Second Tuesday of the Month
at
The Quarter Bistro & Tavern, 300 S. Maple, Ann Arbor
(new location for 2010)
6:00 p.m. Networking & Light Refreshments
6:30 p.m. Program & Meeting
Goal Setting for 2010
Speaker:
Michelle Seyfarth, President and Founder of
Seyfarth Diversified Strategies
Shellie helps people discover and effectively use their fullest potential in order to create the extraordinary life they deserve to be living. Shellie will help us define how a day, a life, a company can be changed by setting reasonable, and achieving them by examining and affecting the attitudes, thoughts and beliefs that drive goals and lead to success.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
at
The Quarter Bistro and Tavern
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| Dear Hillary,
Who would believe it is already the end of 2009? I am honored to have served as your president for 2009 The Board and Steering Committee were an outstanding group of dedicated women who made this organization go.
We enjoyed an outstanding program year with speakers that took us from goal setting in January, through every component of the business planning process:
- Feasibility
- Industry Analysis
- Market Research
- Customer Definition
- Competitive Analysis
- Internet Marketing
- Process and Procedures
- Operation and Management
- Legal Structures and Exit Strategies
- Financial Record Keeping
The lineup of outstanding experts was impressive. Our Program Chair, Kiela Samuels is to be commended for a great year.
Our Celebrate Women in Business Annual Awards Dinner was packed to the rafters. We recognized amazing, accomplished women who didn't just survive in this challenging economy - but thrived. We are grateful for Ana Skidmore's work on all of our special events. Read more about the dinner in the article below.
Patricia Harroun stepped up to fill in for Margaret Crandall when her husband Mike needed her attention with some medical challenges. Marg is a tough act to follow, but Patricia is up to the task and we are grateful she will stay on in 2010.
The website keeps improving under Hillary Handwerger's careful watch. Maria Saez kept careful watch over the finances; Gail Nicklowitz documented the year's activities as our Secretary. Although the PR/Communication spot never did work out, the board stepped up to help insure the newsletter hit the presses. Truly a team effort of exceptional leaders. I'm pleased to have worked with each and every one.
Theresia Radke kept us connected with our strategic partners all year long, now assuming the role as President, she will become the leader to whom we will look for guidance into the future.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve WBO. I look forward to soupporting the organization on the board as Past President and welcome the chance to come to meetings to network, not just work!
Sincerely,
Jan Davies McDermott
2009 President |
Celebrate Women in Business Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony 
A packed house at The Quarter Bistro and Tavern made for a memorable evening for the Annual Celebrate Women in Business Event with Keynote Speaker Debbi Scroggins, President and Founder of Bearclaw Coffee and the 2009 Outstanding Woman Owned Small Business Award Recipient inspiring us all with her words of wisdom. Debbi emphasized that, even in a tough economy, there is opportunity. She pointed to the other honorees and their accomplishments, dispite of the current challenges our region is experiencing. "Stay positive, believe in yourself, and focus on those things you can control," sums up Debbi's message of hope and encouragement.
Other women recognized for their achievement at the event:
Cindy Neam of Yogaware (formerly Primary Solutions) for Business Growth - transforming her home sewing business into a global provider of yoga clothing and practice props; Gail Nicklowitz of GN Communications for Outstanding Meritorious Service - unselfishly contributing to WBO as our graphic designer and secretary and to the community giving countless hours of service to Therapeutic Riding building strength and confidence with disabled and challenged children and adults; Tanya Prill of Totes by Tanya - receiving the Nancy Ray Memorial Founder's Award as the 2009 New Business of the year; and Carrie Hensel of Inner Circle Media and Debra Power of Power Marketing for Cutting Edge Innovation in founding WXW - Women's Exchange of Washtenaw, a new opportunity for business women in the Washtenaw County area.
We are grateful to our sponsors:
Key Bank, United Bank and Trust, Bearclaw Coffee, GN Communications, Moving Fit, ServePro, Cardea Construction, iSoldit on Ebay, TLCI Website Solutions, Davies House Inn Georgetown, and JP Print and Copy.
We thank The Quarter Bistro and Tavern for their hospitality and look forward to holding our meetings at this location in 2010. |
| October Educational Topic & Speaker: Financial Recordkeeping for Small Business, Patsy Aiken, CPA with Miller & Associates, P.C. submitted by Gail Nicklowitz, Secretary
Patsy advised the audience to understand and have the best business entity for their company. Different entities offer different advantages and it is important to have as much coverage possible with the least amount of tax liability. She advised finding a professional to consult with to determine the best option. It is important to have an EIN number for your business, not your own social security number.
It was also stressed the importance of a good record keeping system that helps you properly track all business transactions. Business transactions must be separate from personal transactions. Record keeping should include itemized vehicle miles, detailed cell phone records to break down business miles versus miles, business entertaining (food is 50% deductible) which needs to be broken out from travel expenses. Records should be maintained and kept accessible for seven years. That is how far an IRS auditor can go back.
Money given to employees for business expenses must be documented and itemized if you want to claim it for taxes. If a lump sum is given then it should be documented as such and the recipient would need to pay taxes on the amount. The example given was paying for an employee to move. If you give an employee $3000 without asking for documented expenses then the employee would be required to pay taxes on that amount. If the employee provides receipts and returns any left over money then it would not be taxable.
One strategy for building business is to form an association or advisory team comprised of an attorney, CPA, marketing professional and any other skilled business associate and take them out for a meal on a monthly basis. This is an opportune time to discuss current challenges and opportunities and get fresh perspectives.
We are grateful to Patsy and to Miller and Associates for being faithful sponsors of WBO providing sponsorship and expertise for so many years. |
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For more than 20 years, the Women Business Owners of Southeastern Michigan has served the area's sole proprietors, partnerships, and LLCs with the opportunity to learn more about being a business owner through education, networking, referral and support at monthly meetings featuring an outstanding lineup of expert speakers on relevant business topics. We hope you will join us on the second Tuesday of each month at the Quarter Bistro and Tavern, 300 S. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor, MI to learn more about the organization, meet sister business owners, share your advice and knowledge and network with peers.
Start the New Year off right with our Goal Setting meeting, January 12, 2010! Happy New Year to you all.
Sincerely,
Jan Davies McDermott
2009 WBO President |
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