News from Women Business Owners of Southeastern Michigan



Success Through Networking		OnLine Newsletter August 2007

President's Message

In the last few months we have highlighted the value and benefits of getting connected with an organization like Women Business Owners of SE Michigan. One of the primary objectives of WBO is "to provide a forum for women business owners to discuss issues of interest and concern to them and to provide an atmosphere conducive to the sharing and dissemination of information of interest to women in business." When something is done specifically for you, when you converse with another person and an immediate understanding is established, there is an empowering energy produced; an energy for facing the challenges in this demanding and ever-evolving environment in which we are compelled to thrive and find success.

This month the WBO board is putting out the call for you to consider taking the next step-- GETTING INVOLVED. Our Annual dinner will be Tuesday November 13th, 2007. For all the benefits that getting connected offers, getting involved truly helps catapult you into the next level. Volunteering just a little time and effort allows you the opportunity to truly cultivate these new business relationships while working on a project that celebrates the success of women business owners and contributes to the continued efforts of the WBO vision and mission.

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would solve most of the world's problems." - Mahatma Gandhi

Please contact the WBO special events co-chair Carolyn Anderson-Fermann to find out how you can get involved. You may reach her at 734.646-4177 or mailto:info@simplyorganizedlife.com. We look forward to working with you!

in this issue

	Meeting Update- "Challenges for a Growing Business" Upcoming WBO Events Opportunities Spread the Word - Peggy Bennett, Rubenfeld Synergy Mind-Body Healing Business Challenge New Members- Please welcome 2007 Member Discounts

Meeting Update- "Challenges for a Growing Business"

Casey Starke, the local franchisee of 1-800-Got-Junk, spoke to us about the challenges of business growth.

1-800-Got-Junk is a full-service junk removal company, hauling away items that are no longer wanted, like renovation materials, construction debris, old sofas, mattresses, etc.

In Ann Arbor, 40% if the "junk" they pick up goes to the landfill; 60% to recycle, reuse, and renew; they donate thier recyclable "stuff" to Habitat for Humanity Restore, A2 Recycle Center, A2 Reuse Center, and the Salvation Army.

Casey and her husband Tim had been franchisees of 1-800-Got-Junk for four years. Casey is passionate about her business. She is very hands-on, providing lots of rewards and motivation to her truck crews. And business had been really good. Casey and Tim doubled their revenue projection in thier first year and again in their second year. They thought they were on a roll. They opened a second store in Troy, a new office building, and made some of thier crew full time salaried positions. Then year 3 was flat. They did not meet thier goals and, with thier expansion and new building, found themselves over-committed. They needed to look and see where and what they could cut back. They went back to being truck crew a few days a week. They had to inform the staff that they had promoted, that they were not able to keep those positions; that they too would have to go back to working truck crew. Suprisingly, their staff accepted everything because they enjoyed their jobs. Family also helped by offering to purchase a share of the new office building. And luckily the second location gave them some diversification. So they are coming out of this okay. But with some lessons learned:

1- Be passionate about your business
2- Initial growth does not necessarily mean continued growth at the same rate
3- Diversify as much as you can
4- Continue to market and keep awareness of your business high.
5- Treat staff well; give them rewards and help keep them motivated and they will stand by you in tough times.
6- And, especially during hard times, "set goals for yourself to feel better about yourself". Casey picked up on endurance and strength training. She says, "It's easier to feel better and in control if you are more grounded and strong."

Upcoming WBO Events

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, September 4, 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 2, 2007
Speaker, Rita Long, Bob Proctor's Life Success Publishing
Time: 6:00-8:00
Sponsor, Sandra Xenakis, Xenakis Gemstone Jewelry

WBO Annual Meeting, Nov 13, 2007
Time: 5:30-9:00

For more Meeting information

Opportunities

ANNUAL MEETING OPPORTUNITIES:
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.

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 and signup on the WBO website.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES
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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.

A2Bridal.com, Ann Arbor's bridal directory, is about to go live. WBO members only, through September 30, 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 your sign up date. Banner Ads and the chance to provide "Tips" for the bride and groom are also available.

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.

8th Annual Helen eWards for Web Excellence Any site designed by or for a Michigan-based company is eligible to win this award. Nominations are being accepted until Friday, Sept. 7th at 5:00pm. Check out http://www.internettroy.com/index2.htm to nominate your favorite sites.

Spread the Word - Peggy Bennett, Rubenfeld Synergy Mind-Body Healing

"This is your body, your greatest gift, pregnant with wisdom you do not hear, grief you thought was forgotten, and joy you have never known."
- Marion Woodman, eminent Jungian analyst, author, and lecturer

Your body speaks. Are you listening? Unless you're an athlete or a dancer, chances are that you see your body at best as a vehicle to get you from place to place-at worst as a source of distress from failing to meet society's standards of beauty and fitness. Did you ever consider that your body might be your ally in living life more fully? How you live and move in your body is how you live and move in your life.

The Rubenfeld Synergy Method� is a mind-body approach to healing and renewal based on the premise that memories-and the deep wisdom that can accompany them-are stored in our bodies. "Listening" to old physical and emotional memories can release emotions, heal pain, and free you to discover the inner music of your life.

As you lie fully clothed on a massage table during a session, I combine gentle touch and talk to teach you to listen to your body. A spirit of play, exploration, and humor underlies this process, which evokes trust and safety and invites your mind to relax, your muscles to soften, and emotions to surface. Like the process of developing photographs, in which an image emerges from the developing solution, your story emerges from your body. And the body tells the truth.

You can learn to treat physical and emotional signs and symptoms not as nuisances, but as pointers to habitual patterns and "holdings." Developing awareness of these tensions and patterns is the first step to changing them. The buried treasure of your body's wisdom can lead the way to

Alleviating and managing physical pain
Easing stress
Befriending your emotions, even those we label "dark"
Discovering body metaphors that reveal patterns in your life
Healing old wounds
Learning self-care
Resolving emotional issues
Living creatively rather than reactively
Awakening your senses and heightening your awareness
Renewing the joy and celebration of your life

Attempting to describe Rubenfeld Synergy in words never fails to fall short of conveying its true essence. The ideal way to sense the power and elegance of this healing art is, of course, to experience it. I OFFER YOU, AS A WBO COLLEAGUE, A COMPLIMENTARY INTRODUCTORY SESSION. If you are drawn to the integration of body, mind, spirit, and emotions, give me a call. Within you is everything you need for your own healing. I would be honored to accompany you on your journey toward wholeness.
Peggy Bennett, MA, CRS
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 994-3719
pegben@umich.edu