This year's WBO Open House was a little more structured than most. The Program Committee turned it into a chance to think about alliances- both the obvious and the more obsure- where members could help each other in more ways than just referrals.

The turnout was great as we hosted 16 guests along with our members. Comments from our visitors indicate that they enjoyed their experience and believe that WBO is a worthy organization that many plan to become a part of.

The Open House was designed to help women business owners come up with a different marketing strategy. The exercises were dividing into two segments. In the first segment, participants sat at the pre-defined table that most closely matched their business product or service. For example, all of the women that are in the financial services sat together, as well as those in health & wellness or IT. Seated with like-business owners, the women were then asked to answer a series of questions geared toward thinking about how they could combine resources to work together, elevating each business as part of a team.

The idea for this type of exercise came from the "Your Wedding Team" concept. Your Wedding Team is an organization of women businesses who have combined their efforts to provide one-stop-shopping for new brides as they plan for their special day. Their diverse services complement each other and enhance the Team's capabilities and credibility. These women have formed a unique alliance where they can share resources and expenses to promote themselves and each other to women seeking either of their services.

The second part of the meeting was similar to the first, but with a twist. In the second group, the participants were seated at randomly-selected tables with people from differing disciplines. The teams were again asked to answer the same set of questions, figuring out how they could work together to promote themselves as a team at a trade show. Again, this exercise required some unique thinking, beyond what a typical business owner might think about promoting her business.

Since the Your Wedding Team concept is not totally new to the group, there have already been spinoffs: Margaret Crandall and Susan Franke have partnered with other local businesses to create "Active Living Lifestyles for You", activelivinglifestyles.com. And "ALL for You" is a group of experienced professionals bringing services and problem solving strategies to adults 50+ and their families. We hope this meeting will encourage more of this type of activity.

"I'm very pleased with the turnout for this year's Open House and look forward to continuing to build upon the relationships that were started that day," said WBO President, Jeanne Loveland, owner of Cafe Marie.

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Speaker, Casey Stark, 1-800-Got Junk
Time: 6:00-8:00
Sponsor, Karen Essary, Couture by Karen
Casey will provide information and challenges for growing your business, staying motivated, and business strategy.

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

SafeHouse Golf Outing at Lake Forest, Wednesday, September 19, 2007
WBO is sponsoring a Team and a hole
Time: 9:00 am

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Speaker, Rita Long, Bob Proctor's Life Success Publishing
Time: 6:00-8:00
Sponsor, Sandra Xenakis, Xenakis Gemstone Jewelry

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, $100 reimbursement towards a business related workshop or seminar, and an attractive prize package of women owned products and services. More information can be found on the WBO website.

WBO is looking for volunteers to assist with the planning and activities for this year's Annual Dinner. Specifically we are looking for people willing to work on Publicity, Awards, Sponsors & Doorprizes, and Vendor booths. If you are willing to help with any of these committees, contact Carolyn Anderson-Fermann at info@simplyorganizedlife.com.

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.

Downsizing and Organizing for Small Spaces
Carolyn Anderson-Fermann will be giving a talk at Sunrise Assisted Living on Plymouth Rd in Ann Arbor on August 22nd from 6:00-7:00pm. It is free and open to the public, but you do need to register. Contact Carolyn at info@simplyorganizedlife.com for more details and to sign up to learn about being organized in small spaces.

Hillary Handwerger, TLCI has developed A2Bridal.com, a bridal directory for the Ann Arbor area, which is about to go live. For WBO members only, through September 30, the price for a listing is $25; sign up at www.tlc-i.com/texis/a2bridal/A2bridalintro. The list of categories for Vendors is extensive, and the output is based on the sign up date. Banner Ads and the chance to provide "Tips" for the bride and groom are also available.

Marketing Opportunities
WBO is looking for Sponsorships and Door Prizes for its Annual Meeting. Sponsorships are in the $1000, $500, $250, and $100 categories.
Vendor booths are also going to be available for the Annual Meeting. A 4x4' booth gives you the chance to educate and market to the members and guests at the WBO Annual Meeting. More information coming soon.

Have more than one business? WBO provides the opportunity to list more than one business on the WBO website. There is a discounted fee of $20 each extra company promotional membership.

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 October and beyond.

The Parish House Inn has been my home since December of 1993. It has also been my business. All of this was made possible after I returned to Washtenaw Community College and earned a Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management degree at the age of 51. So I always say it just took me a while to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. Before the age of 51, I had worked in the retail, restaurant and marketing businesses, so I brought that experience with me. I have been able to draw on all of that experience and education at the Parish House which has helped me tremendously.

I answered an ad for an innkeeper and was hired. After four years I was able to buy the Inn and make it my own. During those four years I saw the possibilities, had my "when it's mine" list and checked it off over the past nine years. I have changed the furniture in all but one bedroom, redecorated bathrooms , window treatments, changed some colors, written 3 cook books and changed the patio area and the landscape.

The business has changed with the times as well. From 1993-1996, innkeepers only had guide books and referrals to drive people to our door. The lead time was often two months or more. It required a phone call, sending brochures and waiting for that return phone call. Then the internet became a reality with web sites, home pages and on line reservations. Now reservations occur without even a phone call, and we no longer have brochures. We have been well received and supported by Ypsilanti and the area, and our location has proved to be ideal.

After doing this for 14 years we would like to move on and so have offered the Parish House Inn for sale. I will be happy to work with new owners to make the transition a smooth one. In the meantime, I look forward to our guests who have made this business very rewarding.

There are all sorts of networking opportunities. Who can you work with who will increase your business, your knowledge base, and your referability?

Julie Fielek, Fielek Enterprises LLC
Sara Brintnall, Juice Plus
Karen Essary, Couture by Karen

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
Juice Plus, Free canister of plant-based Complete Shake with order of capsules or gummies.