News from Women Business Owners of Southeastern Michigan



Success Through Networking		OnLine Newsletter April 2007

President's Message

Women's Business Owners of Southeast Michigan provides and promotes Networking, Education, Referral, and Support for its members and for women business owners in Southeastern Michigan and beyond. Developing an awareness of the value of these four primary objectives means greater success for all WBO members and for women business owners everywhere. This month let's focus in on what SUPPORT means and the various ways that support can be offered. How can you provide genuine support?

Use our members' products and services; do business with them. Support them financially by helping them generate more revenue and grow their business. Think about areas in your life where you can seek out the products and services offered by the women business owners you know.

If you not do have an immediate need for their products and services, refer them to others who may; a referral is spoken confidence in and support of another's business.

Support is also provided when you listen to women business owner's concerns and questions, share your experiences, give feedback and provide encouragement.

WBO meetings provide an excellent forum for offering this kind of genuine and meaningful support, we look forward to seeing you at the May Meeting.

"Once we are confident of our goal, all we need is a little support."
-Andre Laurendeau

in this issue

	Meeting Update- "Building Wealth in a Hostile Environment" Upcoming WBO Events Opportunities Spread the Word - Mary Bortmas, Unforgettable Photos Business Challenge New Members- Please welcome 2007 Member Discounts

Meeting Update- "Building Wealth in a Hostile Environment"

Turner Thompson, Financial Architects, Farmington Hills, MI spoke at our April meeting and made these points:

There is a lot of gloom and doom talk these days about the Michigan economic outlook, however there are many people who are creating more wealth today than ever before
We cannot count on the stock market or real estate today, so what can you do?
Look at your circle of wealth. Many people are unknowingly and unnecessarily transferring money away from their circle of influence because they are spending more on things like taxes and insurance policies, without realizing it. Many people are paying a premium for services that they do not understand. Some people sign documents they do not understand.
Everyone should have a "sinking fund" set aside for emergencies.
Failing to plan = Planning to fail
Find an agent or company, such as Financial Architects, that is in the business of helping people to look at their total financial picture and identify areas where you are transferring wealth away from yourself, capture that money, and put it back to work.

You need to understand what is going on in your personal financial world and personalize a program to suit yourself. Consider:

How long are you planning on living?
Are you financially prepared to live a long life?
Are you planning on Social Security being there for you when you retire?
How can you create an extra $500, $5,000 or $5 million?

Recommended Reading:

Sudden Impact

Good to Great

The Morality of Money

The Tipping Point

Never Eat Alone

100 Ways to Motivate Yourself

- T.Rose

For more information

Upcoming WBO Events

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, May 1, 2007
How to Live to be a Healthy 100
Speaker: Pamela W. Smith, MD
Sponsor: Linda Pickl, Autoform, Inc.

Dr. Pamela W. Smith is board certified in anti-aging medicine, which is the newest medical subspecialty. A Grosse Pointe resident, Dr. Smith is an internationally known speaker and an author on the subject of wellness and anti-aging. She is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Physicians. She is also the author of HRT: The Answers and Vitamins: Hype of Hope?

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Speaker: Your Wedding Team
Sponsor, Alicia Botti, AmeriPrise Financial

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Open House/Power Hour
Time: 5:30 - 7:30
Sponsor, Lori Shepard, SimplyScrumptious Catering

For more Meeting information

Opportunities

April 24. Women Making Connection event at Kerrytown, 4:30 - 7:30. Networking, food, fun, information about resources. Free if pre-registered, $5 at the door. See www.womenmakingconnections.com to register.

May 15, 2007 IRS Small Business Seminars sponsored by The Michigan SBTCD, Schoolcraft College. Business owners are cordially invited to attend the free sessions to receive information that will enhance their business strategies and goals. For additional information and registration, go to www.nawbogdc.org/files/BE_Seminar.pdf

Michigan Women's Marketplace offers all women owned businesses the opportunity to have a free listing. Join today at www.miwomen.com to have your business represented and please use the MWM whenever the opportunity arises.

T.Rose of Contours Express and a WBO member is writing a book about Women's Wellness. Be well, Love life! She is looking for volunteers to be interviewed. Contact T.Rose at info@bewelllovelife.com.

BECOME A WBO MEETING SPONSOR
For $25 you can sponsor one of our Monthly Meetings. You will have 5 minutes to describe your business and "train your salesforce". You will also get a link to your site in the WBO Newsletter and a listing in the WBO website. We are looking for Meeting Sponsors for September. Contact TRose at contoursexpress@thesistersgroup.com to sign up.

THE WBO NEWSLETTER CAN FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS
For $25 you can feature your business in this Newsletter. Not only do you get in print, but your article and links to your site remain in the WBO Newsletter Archives. Contact Hillary Handwerger at hhandwerger@ix.netcom.com. We are looking for sponsors for July on.

For more Women's events...

Spread the Word - Mary Bortmas, Unforgettable Photos

Hi Everyone,

I'm Mary Bortmas, owner and photographer at Unforgettable Photos in Manchester. At Unforgettable Photos, we are pleased to offer high quality portraiture and personalized service at obtainable prices. We are a family oriented business and treat our customers like family and friends. The studio atmosphere is unlike your typical photo experience. We try to maintain a comfortable, casual feeling, while producing professional quality portraits that combine personality and artistic flair. A variety of props and furniture is available for use in your session. Kids, and sometimes adults love to come visit because they see the studio as a giant playland! It's the perfect way to get the fun, relaxed shots we are looking for.

I often get asked if I will travel or go "on-location" and the answer is "YES!" I schedule park dates in the summer and fall, and will also travel to clients' homes or other favorite locations to photograph. I have created some fantastic images in some of the strangest places! Don't be afraid to ask.

In addition to family portraiture, I also photograph weddings and other special events. I have been a member of Your Wedding Team for a year. I look forward to every wedding and capturing every detail of the day. I also have done commercial work, photographing for Amcor PET Packaging in Manchester. While shooting plastic bottles may not seem all that exciting to most, it is a challenge, and I love a good challenge. Other commercial work I have done includes food photography (pizza shop fare and bakery items) and products for a local bicycle shop.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my information! I look forward to getting to know all of the WBO members. If I can help out with your photography needs, please give me a call!

-Mary Bortmas
Unforgettable Photos