YOUR WEDDING TEAM, one of the most successful Power Groups in the Ann Arbor region, discussed their history, operations, and how they maximize benefits for the individual women business owners in the group. Laura Girbach, president of YWT and owner of Majestic Coach, introduced YWT members and the overall concept of Power Groups.

"We are a group of women with businesses that have a common interest- weddings- who meet monthly to plan events and strategies to bring more business to ourselves and each other," she said. Laura pointed to word-of-mouth promotion as the "oldest, most cost effective and powerful form of marketing." YWT members use it to promote their own businesses and refer clients to each other. YWT members pay an annual fee for joint marketing costs which includes booths at wedding shows and printed materials. There is also a Your Wedding Team website, which offers one-stop shopping for the time-stressed bride.

"Out-of-town brides getting married here can make one phone call and tap into our entire group," she said. "It's a huge savings in time and money for them."

Mary Stevens of LifeCycles, gave a capsule history of YWT, which arose out of a conversation with Mary Rasmussen, of Bake Shop Wedding Cakes, about setting up a more formal structure to refer wedding- related business to each other. A few interested WBO members started meeting monthly in February 2005. The group evolved over time to its current status of 13 members and high visibility in and around Ann Arbor with brides and venues that host bridal shows.

Sandra Xenakis, Xenakis Gemstone Jewelry, spoke about the results of her recent marketing survey of the group. She found that top benefits of the group, ranked by its members, include: camaraderie, referrals, joint investment in shows and promotional materials, sharing of information, ability to refer clients to other trusted professionals, accountability, and visibility in the community.

The YWT members present then addressed how membership has benefited them specifically. Mary Bortmas, Unforgettable Photos; Belinda Dance, Belinda's Floral; Hillary Handwerger, TLC Wedding Websites; Kate McClellan, Purple Clover Events; and Lori Shepard, Simply Scrumptious Catering all provided positive reactions to being part of this dynamic group.

Sandra Xenakis

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Open House/Power Hour
Time: 6:00-8:00
Sponsor, Lori Shepard, Simply Scrumptious Catering

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Speaker, Casey Stark, 1-800-Got Junk
Time: 6:00-8:00
Sponsor, Jennifer Rice, GreatCommission Air

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, September4, 2007
Speaker, Cheryl O'Brien, Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce
Time: 6:00-8:00
Sponsor, Gail Nicklowitz, GN Communications

Nancy Ray Award to be given at November's WBO Annual Meeting. The Nancy Ray Award winner will be selected from applicants that are in business for two years or less and provide a business plan to the WBO Board for consideration. The winner will be given one year's free membership to WBO along with a package of other gifts provided by the WBO Board and members. More information can be found on the WBO website.

Lake Forest Golf Club will be sponsoring this years SafeHouse Golf outing on September 19th. WBO will also be a sponsor of this event. We encourage members to also sign up for this event. More details on the LFGC website.

Classes in Business Development are available at CEED on Hogback Rd in Ann Arbor, at Henry Ford CC, and at Wayne CC, Eastern Campus. Business Planning: A Blueprint for Success will be starting again on July 10th. Check it out at the CEED website at www.miceed.org/planning.cfm.

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 December. 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 November on.

Lake Forest Golf Club & Practice Center has earned the reputation as Ann Arbor's favorite golf destination through our commitment to consistently offering a quality experience for each and every one of our guests.

Come to Lake Forest and Discover:
> Consistent, Quality Course Conditioning. Our greens are often referred to as some of the finest public greens in the area.
> A Completely Natural Setting. Our course design blends beautifully with the inherent natural landscape. Most holes are wrapped in native grasses, including wildflower areas, while many others are surrounded by tree-lined fairways, wetland areas and several large ponds. Hole features include generous fairways, large greens, and four sets of tees to accommodate all levels of play.
> A Full Amenity Practice Facility. Practice every aspect of your game on our three tier driving range with grass and mat hitting stations, two large putting greens, and chipping areas including sand bunkers. Our Professional Staff is available for private and group lessons, as well as outing and event clinics.
> As WBO members know, we have Banquet Facilities. A space with Large picture windows frame the golf course and, of course, perfect sunsets from our 160- seat banquet and outing facility.
> Ogies Bar & Grille has consistent, quality food and service that has made our traditional pub fare a favorite for our golfers and casual diners alike.

Lake Forest will be hosting the 2nd Annual SafeHouse Golf Outing to raise funds to provide critical 24 hour response services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. WBO is a supporter and I hope to see many of you on September 19th, for this 18 Hole Scramble.

If you need a place for your Golf Outing, office party, meeting, or reception, think about LFGC, the perfect venue for any occasion. For more information contact Jenny at fosterlakeforest@yahoo.com or 734-929- 3854

Your Wedding Team:

Nancy Biehn, Sweet Gem Confections
Lauren Gelso, Elegant Chair Coverings
Sahar Swidan, Pharmacy Solutions
Sara Bond, Dental Spa Center
Sue Schoonmaker, VMS Mailing Services
Sue Stoker, Genesis Service Associates, LLC

TLCI, Website Design, Development, Consulting, SEO, Marketing, 10% off, 662-0154
Healing in Motion, $20 discount for Myofascial Release and Exercise (Wellness Program), 913- 4816
Contours Express, Women's Fitness, 1 month free, 761-8663
Cafe Marie of Ann Arbor, Breakfast/Lunch Cafe, 20% off, 662-2272
Artway Interactive Writing, 10% discount, 734-484-9795
Strickfaden Photography, Complimentary Professional business portrait session $150 value. 734-996-4030
Instant Imprints, 10% discount, 734-929-0577.
Breakout Marketing, free 30 second radio commercial
J'spaa at Eastover , 10% discount, 734-827-9775
Genesis Service Associates, LLC, 10% discount off first graphic design project. Call Sue Stoker, 734-994-3900