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Mentor Resources:
Mentoring is a concept that has been defined in many ways, including a one-to-one
interaction or counseling, as well as group interaction or counseling. While there is no generally agreed upon
definition of what business mentoring entails or what form it takes, it is clear that there is a growing interest in
mentoring for and by business owners, and an increasing number of such programs. Business mentoring
occurs throughout today's business environment, both formally and informally, and across sectors.
Formal business mentoring differs from the informal in that formal mentoring is typically the product of planned
programming. Formal business mentoring programs can be found under public and private auspices at the
local, state and national levels. These programs employ diverse models, establish varying eligibility
requirements and target different audiences, among other characteristics.
The purpose of each program, however, is fundamentally the same --
to foster the success of business owners.
Athena Foundation-Athena PowerLink
Athena PowerLink is a program that unites a woman-owned business with a group of local mentors who serve
as a panel of advisors. Advisors work with the protégée on her business for one year at no charge. The
protégée and her panel meet quarterly and run their meetings with the formality of a Board of Directors
meeting. To qualify for participation, the protégée needs to have been in business for at least two years, as well
as meet certain revenue thresholds. Each PowerLink program is governed locally by an interested community
organization. These organizations make use of a panel coordinator with each match to ensure an effective and
professional mentoring process.
Contact Information:
http://www.athenafoundation.org/
800-548-8247
Center for Women and Enterprise-Community Entrepreneurs Program
Community Entrepreneurs Program is an entrepreneurship training program. It is designed primarily for women
who intend to start their own business to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The program offers a modular
approach to training, which enables clients to start the program at any point and take different modules based
on their needs and prior experience. Fees for the training are offered on a sliding scale. The majority of
participants are women, although men are welcome.
Contact Information:
http://www.cweboston.org
617-536-0700
Committee of 200--Growing Entrepreneurs Mentoring Program
Growing Entrepreneurs Mentoring Program seeks to help women entrepreneurs take their businesses to the
next level (represented by C200 membership). Six to seven entrepreneurs who gross between $3 million and
$10 million on an annual basis are selected for the protégée class via an application process. Using a team
approach to mentoring, each protégée receives two to three mentors who serve as her advisory board.
Protégées meet with their mentors throughout the year individually and informally. Additionally, the protégée
class meets together four times a year to network and attend a two-day Teaching Institute facilitated by an
accomplished instructor and offering curriculum defined by the protégées themselves.
Contact Information:
http://www.c200.org
312-751-3477
Commonwealth Institute--The Commonwealth Forum for Women CEOs
The Commonwealth Forum for Women CEOs is a structured peer-to-peer networking program that brings 8-10
women CEOs together in a confidential environment on a monthly basis to discuss issues and develop growth
strategies. Participants come from a variety of industries with no competitors in each group. Groups meet
monthly for four hours and are scheduled one year in advance to incorporate the meetings into the
participant's schedule. A professional facilitator with extensive business experience runs each Forum. Meetings
often feature an expert resource with extensive knowledge in a particular business discipline.
Contact Information:
http://www.commonwealthinstitute.org
617-859-0080
Commonwealth Institute--
The Commonwealth Forum for Emerging Technology Companies
The Commonwealth Forum for Emerging Technology Companies is a structured, peer-to-peer networking
program that brings 8-10 emerging women CEOs together in a confidential environment on a monthly basis to
discuss the high-growth potential technology companies they are launching. Participants are graduates of a
"boot camp" at which top experts have worked through their business plan. As with the Commonwealth Forum
for Women CEOs, participants come from a variety of industries with no competitors in each group. Groups
meet monthly for four hours. A professional facilitator with extensive business experience runs each Forum.
Meetings often feature an expert resource with extensive knowledge in a particular business discipline.
Contact Information:
http://www.commonwealthinstitute.org
617-859-0080
Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship
( University of Maryland )--Dingman Traditional Mentor Program
The Dingman Traditional Mentor Program is a local initiative that focuses on entrepreneurs with specific plans
to build companies that produce significant revenues and jobs (an emerging growth company). Entrepreneurs
are matched at a low cost with a mentor who averages twenty years of business experience. ( Mentor services
cost $45/hour, which is paid to the Dingman Center , not to the mentor). Each match is tailored to the needs,
business maturity and industry of each entrepreneur. Mentor and protégé meet for one or two face-to-face
meetings per month for as long as the needs of the entrepreneur's business dictate. More than one mentor can
be sought by a participating entrepreneur.
Contact Information:
http://www.smith.umd.edu/dingman/inside_mentor.html
301-405-9545
Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship ( University of Maryland )-
-Dingman Cohort Mentor Program
The Dingman Cohort Mentor Program is a local initiative that brings together three entrepreneurs and three
mentors for a structured, eight-week period to focus on specific goals of the participating entrepreneurs. Each
entrepreneur is matched with a mentor. The match is encouraged to have at least three face-to-face meetings
during the eight weeks. Each entrepreneur is also given the opportunity to network with the other
entrepreneurs and mentors in the cohort. Dingman staff contact each match at the mid-point of the program to
monitor match effectiveness, as well as progress toward goal achievement. The cost of the program is $250.
Entrepreneurs can participate in the program as many times as they like.
Contact Information:
http://www.smith.umd.edu/dingman/inside_mentor.html
301-405-9545
Entrepreneurs' Organization--WPO-EO Mentor Program
The WPO-EO Mentor Program is sponsored by EO in collaboration with the World Presidents' Organization
(WPO). It matches EO entrepreneurs with experienced WPO mentors in a mentorship that seeks to develop the
entrepreneur in business, personal growth and perspective. EO members must be the founder, co-founder,
owner, or controlling shareholder of an operating business with a minimum of $1 million in annual gross sales
and join before their 50th birthday.
Contact Information:
http://www.eonetwork.org
703-519-6700
Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program--
The Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program has a three-year program cycle that kicks off annually in the
fall. Locally run, its recruitment targets protégés who, among other qualifications, are passionate about what
they do, generate between $1 million and $75 million, and whose businesses are not in the midst of major
change. Once recruited, protégés and mentors are selected through a rigorous screening process and then
matched one-on-one. Mentors are viewed as coaches, rather than consultants who fix problems. Face-to-face
meetings occur as determined by the match, and an additional fourteen group meetings are held each year
(retreats, speakers, networking events, celebration dinners). The cost of the program to the protégé is $750
annually.
Contact Information:
http://helzbergmentoring.org
816-235-6125
Kauffman Foundation--Kauffman Fellows Program
The Kauffman Fellows Program is designed to educate and train future venture capitalists and future leaders of
high-growth companies. Fellows develop learning plans with industry mentors and program faculty and then are
placed on-site at a venture capital firm to gain first-hand experience of the venture capital process.
Requirements to become a fellow include: U.S. citizenship, a graduate degree, and some professional
experience. Beyond this, excellence is emphasized along with a desire to learn about the venture-building
process. The program lasts for a year and a half.
Contact Information:
http://www.emkf.org
913-648-0002
Mentoring is a concept that has been defined in many ways, including a one-to-one
interaction or counseling, as well as group interaction or counseling. While there is no generally agreed upon
definition of what business mentoring entails or what form it takes, it is clear that there is a growing interest in
mentoring for and by business owners, and an increasing number of such programs. Business mentoring
occurs throughout today's business environment, both formally and informally, and across sectors.
Formal business mentoring differs from the informal in that formal mentoring is typically the product of planned
programming. Formal business mentoring programs can be found under public and private auspices at the
local, state and national levels. These programs employ diverse models, establish varying eligibility
requirements and target different audiences, among other characteristics.
The purpose of each program, however, is fundamentally the same --
to foster the success of business owners.
Athena Foundation-Athena PowerLink
Athena PowerLink is a program that unites a woman-owned business with a group of local mentors who serve
as a panel of advisors. Advisors work with the protégée on her business for one year at no charge. The
protégée and her panel meet quarterly and run their meetings with the formality of a Board of Directors
meeting. To qualify for participation, the protégée needs to have been in business for at least two years, as well
as meet certain revenue thresholds. Each PowerLink program is governed locally by an interested community
organization. These organizations make use of a panel coordinator with each match to ensure an effective and
professional mentoring process.
Contact Information:
http://www.athenafoundation.org/
800-548-8247
Center for Women and Enterprise-Community Entrepreneurs Program
Community Entrepreneurs Program is an entrepreneurship training program. It is designed primarily for women
who intend to start their own business to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The program offers a modular
approach to training, which enables clients to start the program at any point and take different modules based
on their needs and prior experience. Fees for the training are offered on a sliding scale. The majority of
participants are women, although men are welcome.
Contact Information:
http://www.cweboston.org
617-536-0700
Committee of 200--Growing Entrepreneurs Mentoring Program
Growing Entrepreneurs Mentoring Program seeks to help women entrepreneurs take their businesses to the
next level (represented by C200 membership). Six to seven entrepreneurs who gross between $3 million and
$10 million on an annual basis are selected for the protégée class via an application process. Using a team
approach to mentoring, each protégée receives two to three mentors who serve as her advisory board.
Protégées meet with their mentors throughout the year individually and informally. Additionally, the protégée
class meets together four times a year to network and attend a two-day Teaching Institute facilitated by an
accomplished instructor and offering curriculum defined by the protégées themselves.
Contact Information:
http://www.c200.org
312-751-3477
Commonwealth Institute--The Commonwealth Forum for Women CEOs
The Commonwealth Forum for Women CEOs is a structured peer-to-peer networking program that brings 8-10
women CEOs together in a confidential environment on a monthly basis to discuss issues and develop growth
strategies. Participants come from a variety of industries with no competitors in each group. Groups meet
monthly for four hours and are scheduled one year in advance to incorporate the meetings into the
participant's schedule. A professional facilitator with extensive business experience runs each Forum. Meetings
often feature an expert resource with extensive knowledge in a particular business discipline.
Contact Information:
http://www.commonwealthinstitute.org
617-859-0080
Commonwealth Institute--
The Commonwealth Forum for Emerging Technology Companies
The Commonwealth Forum for Emerging Technology Companies is a structured, peer-to-peer networking
program that brings 8-10 emerging women CEOs together in a confidential environment on a monthly basis to
discuss the high-growth potential technology companies they are launching. Participants are graduates of a
"boot camp" at which top experts have worked through their business plan. As with the Commonwealth Forum
for Women CEOs, participants come from a variety of industries with no competitors in each group. Groups
meet monthly for four hours. A professional facilitator with extensive business experience runs each Forum.
Meetings often feature an expert resource with extensive knowledge in a particular business discipline.
Contact Information:
http://www.commonwealthinstitute.org
617-859-0080
Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship
( University of Maryland )--Dingman Traditional Mentor Program
The Dingman Traditional Mentor Program is a local initiative that focuses on entrepreneurs with specific plans
to build companies that produce significant revenues and jobs (an emerging growth company). Entrepreneurs
are matched at a low cost with a mentor who averages twenty years of business experience. ( Mentor services
cost $45/hour, which is paid to the Dingman Center , not to the mentor). Each match is tailored to the needs,
business maturity and industry of each entrepreneur. Mentor and protégé meet for one or two face-to-face
meetings per month for as long as the needs of the entrepreneur's business dictate. More than one mentor can
be sought by a participating entrepreneur.
Contact Information:
http://www.smith.umd.edu/dingman/inside_mentor.html
301-405-9545
Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship ( University of Maryland )-
-Dingman Cohort Mentor Program
The Dingman Cohort Mentor Program is a local initiative that brings together three entrepreneurs and three
mentors for a structured, eight-week period to focus on specific goals of the participating entrepreneurs. Each
entrepreneur is matched with a mentor. The match is encouraged to have at least three face-to-face meetings
during the eight weeks. Each entrepreneur is also given the opportunity to network with the other
entrepreneurs and mentors in the cohort. Dingman staff contact each match at the mid-point of the program to
monitor match effectiveness, as well as progress toward goal achievement. The cost of the program is $250.
Entrepreneurs can participate in the program as many times as they like.
Contact Information:
http://www.smith.umd.edu/dingman/inside_mentor.html
301-405-9545
Entrepreneurs' Organization--WPO-EO Mentor Program
The WPO-EO Mentor Program is sponsored by EO in collaboration with the World Presidents' Organization
(WPO). It matches EO entrepreneurs with experienced WPO mentors in a mentorship that seeks to develop the
entrepreneur in business, personal growth and perspective. EO members must be the founder, co-founder,
owner, or controlling shareholder of an operating business with a minimum of $1 million in annual gross sales
and join before their 50th birthday.
Contact Information:
http://www.eonetwork.org
703-519-6700
Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program--
The Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program has a three-year program cycle that kicks off annually in the
fall. Locally run, its recruitment targets protégés who, among other qualifications, are passionate about what
they do, generate between $1 million and $75 million, and whose businesses are not in the midst of major
change. Once recruited, protégés and mentors are selected through a rigorous screening process and then
matched one-on-one. Mentors are viewed as coaches, rather than consultants who fix problems. Face-to-face
meetings occur as determined by the match, and an additional fourteen group meetings are held each year
(retreats, speakers, networking events, celebration dinners). The cost of the program to the protégé is $750
annually.
Contact Information:
http://helzbergmentoring.org
816-235-6125
Kauffman Foundation--Kauffman Fellows Program
The Kauffman Fellows Program is designed to educate and train future venture capitalists and future leaders of
high-growth companies. Fellows develop learning plans with industry mentors and program faculty and then are
placed on-site at a venture capital firm to gain first-hand experience of the venture capital process.
Requirements to become a fellow include: U.S. citizenship, a graduate degree, and some professional
experience. Beyond this, excellence is emphasized along with a desire to learn about the venture-building
process. The program lasts for a year and a half.
Contact Information:
http://www.emkf.org
913-648-0002
Please feel free to let us know of any great mentor resources out there that deserve to be on this list.
Also if you have used any of these resources and would like to share your experience with others,
please post it on the HouseWifeMafia.com Message Board
Also if you have used any of these resources and would like to share your experience with others,
please post it on the HouseWifeMafia.com Message Board
Trust your hunches.
They're usually based
on facts filed away
just below the
conscious level.
Dr. Joyce Brothers
They're usually based
on facts filed away
just below the
conscious level.
Dr. Joyce Brothers
If you view all
the things that
happen to you,
both good & bad,
as opportunities,
then you operate
out of a higher
level of
consciousness.
Les Brown
the things that
happen to you,
both good & bad,
as opportunities,
then you operate
out of a higher
level of
consciousness.
Les Brown
One worthwhile task
carried to a successful
conclusion
is worth half-a-hundred
half-finished tasks.
Malcolm S. Forbes
carried to a successful
conclusion
is worth half-a-hundred
half-finished tasks.
Malcolm S. Forbes
Achieving
'success'
is not the key
to happiness,
but happiness
is the key to
success.
If you love
what you do,
you are
successful.
'success'
is not the key
to happiness,
but happiness
is the key to
success.
If you love
what you do,
you are
successful.
| The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious. |
MicroMentor (An Initiative of Mercy Corps)
MicroMentor is a nonprofit project linking small business owners to individuals who have successfully navigated
business ownership or management in the same industry. Collaborating with community-based microenterprise
organizations, national trade associations and corporate partners, MicroMentor helps entrepreneurs gain
access to markets and increase revenue and profitability by offering timely, relevant and trusted business
mentoring services from a community of engaged volunteers.
Contact Information:
http://www.micromentor.org/
415-348-6271
National Association of Women Business Owners--NAWBO Mentor Program
The NAWBO Mentor Program is a new pilot program. Mentors are recruited by business issue and then
matched with a NAWBO protégée(s) who is interested in being mentored on a specific business issue. Mentors
will have been in business at least five years. Protégées need only to be NAWBO members to apply. A
mentoring agreement will be used to launch each mentoring relationship. Matches are targeted to last for a
year. The majority of participants will be women, although men are welcome.
Contact Information:
http://www.nawbo.org
800-55-NAWBO
SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership--WNET Roundtables
WNET Roundtables is an unstructured peer-to-peer networking program that offers access to public and
private sector individuals who are available to provide contacts, services, and suggestions for women business
owners. Peers are women business owners, and they receive practical support and guidance in an informal,
ongoing relationship from a range of mentors with a wealth of experience. There are several hundred
roundtables across the country. Each is structured according to the needs of the community it serves. If a
roundtable does not exist in the community of an interested woman entrepreneur, she can start one with the
help of the program's national coordinator. Men are welcome to attend a WNET roundtable.
Contact Information:
http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/index.html
202-205-6673
SCORE Counseling
At SCORE, counseling is always free-of-charge. Our volunteers donate their time and talent. As a nonprofit
association, we bring Fortune 500 executives and successful entrepreneurs to your team as mentors.
Business counseling relationships can last just a few sessions or a number of years, based on your needs as
an entrepreneur. SCORE volunteers sometimes counsel in teams, bringing a specific strength to the table.
Counselors may be available to visit you at your place of business to learn about your venture and concerns.
Contact Information:
http://www.score.org/counseling_training.html
1-800-634-0245
Springboard Enterprises-Springboard
Springboard is an entrepreneurial training program. It is designed to increase the participation and profile of
women entrepreneurs in the equity markets. Participating entrepreneurs are focused in the area of technology
or life sciences and represent a variety of business stages. Their recruitment occurs by market via networking
events and information sessions sponsored by Springboard. Applications are put through a rigorous screening
process to determine business readiness. Twenty applicants are selected and sent to a "boot camp" where
they spend two months with coaches and peers reworking their business plans. The culminating event in the
program is the Venture Forum at which participants pitch their businesses to equity investors. The program
lasts for six months.
Contact Information:
http://www.springboardenterprises.org
202-242-6282
U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce--USWCC CEO Forum
The USWCC CEO Forum is a structured, peer-to-peer, networking program designed to reduce the feelings of
loneliness that many women leaders experience at the top. Specifically, each forum provides women CEOs with
education, feedback and support in a confidential atmosphere on a monthly basis to enhance the success of
their businesses. Forums are led by a seasoned CEO and have 12 members who are from non-competing
businesses.
Contact Information:
http://www.uswomenschamber.com
888-861-9290
University of Houston Small Business Development Center -
Women's Business Ownership Initiative
The Women's Business Ownership Initiative is a structured, peer-to-peer, networking program that hosts seven
roundtables a year beginning each fall for local women business owners who have been in business between
one and four years (no start-ups). Participation occurs via recruitment and word-of-mouth referrals. Each
roundtable meets on a monthly basis and comprises an SBDC staffer, four to five "coaches" and one to two
"coaches." Coaches are in charge of roundtable management. Members of a roundtable are at the same
business stage and comprise non-competing businesses. The objective of the roundtables is to provide a
forum for women business owners to tackle the issues that will help them develop their businesses. The cost of
the roundtable to the coachee is $100.
Contact Information:
http://smbizsolutions.uh.edu/
713-752-8444
Vistage: The World’s Largest CEO Membership Organization
Vistage members engage in one-to-one business coaching with their Vistage Chair, an objective executive
advisor offering advice, insights, accountability and support. Each month, for an intensive two hours, Vistage
Chairs offer unrivaled professional development, challenging each member to improve their performance and
holding them personally accountable for implementing business solutions.
Contact Information:
http://www.vistage.com/programs/products-services/coaching.html
1-800-274-2367
Women Presidents' Organization--WPO Chapter
WPO Chapter is a structured, peer-to-peer, networking program that brings 20 women presidents together in a
confidential environment on a monthly basis to discuss their business challenges. Meetings are managed by a
trained facilitator and the agenda often focuses on one member's business in a case-study fashion. This allows
the member to have some of her current challenges rigorously analyzed and discussed from a number of
different perspectives. Business revenue thresholds drive membership in a WPO chapter.
Contact Information:
http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com
212-688-4114
Women With 2020 Vision
The Women With 2020 Vision program is a low-cost, long-term, high-impact program to provide networking,
education, scholarships, and hope for girls and young women in developing countries who aspire to be
entrepreneurs in the year 2020. The program involves biannual virtual conferences, monthly online lectures,
mentor-protégée matching, and scholarship awards to disadvantaged girls majoring in business. Girls and
teens from around the world will be mentored by successful businessmen and businesswomen. They are
electronically-linked to learn key business concepts, hear from world experts and thought leaders, and are
given practical advice. Business plans are created and partnerships are developed, with a goal of helping girls
and teens start new businesses.
Contact Information:
http://www.womenwith2020vision.org/
mccue@womenwith2020vision.org (email)
Young Presidents' Organization--YPO Forum
The YPO Forum is hosted at the local level internationally by YPO chapters. Within each chapter, small groups
of twelve, young business leaders meet on a consistent basis annually to share and consult with their peers on
personal and professional issues in a safe environment for the purpose of learning and growing. Work-life
balance is explored and supported through targeted educational programming. To make the most of its
international membership, YPO uses its Web site to facilitate the networking of members in different geographic
locales and time zones. Membership in the organization is sponsored by another member. Applicants must be
under 44 and have full responsibility for business operations. Other qualifications related to employees and
valuations apply.
Contact Information:
http://www.ypo.org
800-773-7976
Great Article: How Can I Make the Most of a Mentor Relationship?
From Business Women Connect. Dedicated to the development and connection of our community of
women. The editorial found here is designed to provide information, inspiration, and connections.
Through mentoring programs, range of articles from marketing your business, creating a new job, balancing
your finances, keeping your health a priority and our online business directory allowing you to find other women
with whom to do business, they remain committed to personal and professional growth.
MicroMentor is a nonprofit project linking small business owners to individuals who have successfully navigated
business ownership or management in the same industry. Collaborating with community-based microenterprise
organizations, national trade associations and corporate partners, MicroMentor helps entrepreneurs gain
access to markets and increase revenue and profitability by offering timely, relevant and trusted business
mentoring services from a community of engaged volunteers.
Contact Information:
http://www.micromentor.org/
415-348-6271
National Association of Women Business Owners--NAWBO Mentor Program
The NAWBO Mentor Program is a new pilot program. Mentors are recruited by business issue and then
matched with a NAWBO protégée(s) who is interested in being mentored on a specific business issue. Mentors
will have been in business at least five years. Protégées need only to be NAWBO members to apply. A
mentoring agreement will be used to launch each mentoring relationship. Matches are targeted to last for a
year. The majority of participants will be women, although men are welcome.
Contact Information:
http://www.nawbo.org
800-55-NAWBO
SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership--WNET Roundtables
WNET Roundtables is an unstructured peer-to-peer networking program that offers access to public and
private sector individuals who are available to provide contacts, services, and suggestions for women business
owners. Peers are women business owners, and they receive practical support and guidance in an informal,
ongoing relationship from a range of mentors with a wealth of experience. There are several hundred
roundtables across the country. Each is structured according to the needs of the community it serves. If a
roundtable does not exist in the community of an interested woman entrepreneur, she can start one with the
help of the program's national coordinator. Men are welcome to attend a WNET roundtable.
Contact Information:
http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/index.html
202-205-6673
SCORE Counseling
At SCORE, counseling is always free-of-charge. Our volunteers donate their time and talent. As a nonprofit
association, we bring Fortune 500 executives and successful entrepreneurs to your team as mentors.
Business counseling relationships can last just a few sessions or a number of years, based on your needs as
an entrepreneur. SCORE volunteers sometimes counsel in teams, bringing a specific strength to the table.
Counselors may be available to visit you at your place of business to learn about your venture and concerns.
Contact Information:
http://www.score.org/counseling_training.html
1-800-634-0245
Springboard Enterprises-Springboard
Springboard is an entrepreneurial training program. It is designed to increase the participation and profile of
women entrepreneurs in the equity markets. Participating entrepreneurs are focused in the area of technology
or life sciences and represent a variety of business stages. Their recruitment occurs by market via networking
events and information sessions sponsored by Springboard. Applications are put through a rigorous screening
process to determine business readiness. Twenty applicants are selected and sent to a "boot camp" where
they spend two months with coaches and peers reworking their business plans. The culminating event in the
program is the Venture Forum at which participants pitch their businesses to equity investors. The program
lasts for six months.
Contact Information:
http://www.springboardenterprises.org
202-242-6282
U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce--USWCC CEO Forum
The USWCC CEO Forum is a structured, peer-to-peer, networking program designed to reduce the feelings of
loneliness that many women leaders experience at the top. Specifically, each forum provides women CEOs with
education, feedback and support in a confidential atmosphere on a monthly basis to enhance the success of
their businesses. Forums are led by a seasoned CEO and have 12 members who are from non-competing
businesses.
Contact Information:
http://www.uswomenschamber.com
888-861-9290
University of Houston Small Business Development Center -
Women's Business Ownership Initiative
The Women's Business Ownership Initiative is a structured, peer-to-peer, networking program that hosts seven
roundtables a year beginning each fall for local women business owners who have been in business between
one and four years (no start-ups). Participation occurs via recruitment and word-of-mouth referrals. Each
roundtable meets on a monthly basis and comprises an SBDC staffer, four to five "coaches" and one to two
"coaches." Coaches are in charge of roundtable management. Members of a roundtable are at the same
business stage and comprise non-competing businesses. The objective of the roundtables is to provide a
forum for women business owners to tackle the issues that will help them develop their businesses. The cost of
the roundtable to the coachee is $100.
Contact Information:
http://smbizsolutions.uh.edu/
713-752-8444
Vistage: The World’s Largest CEO Membership Organization
Vistage members engage in one-to-one business coaching with their Vistage Chair, an objective executive
advisor offering advice, insights, accountability and support. Each month, for an intensive two hours, Vistage
Chairs offer unrivaled professional development, challenging each member to improve their performance and
holding them personally accountable for implementing business solutions.
Contact Information:
http://www.vistage.com/programs/products-services/coaching.html
1-800-274-2367
Women Presidents' Organization--WPO Chapter
WPO Chapter is a structured, peer-to-peer, networking program that brings 20 women presidents together in a
confidential environment on a monthly basis to discuss their business challenges. Meetings are managed by a
trained facilitator and the agenda often focuses on one member's business in a case-study fashion. This allows
the member to have some of her current challenges rigorously analyzed and discussed from a number of
different perspectives. Business revenue thresholds drive membership in a WPO chapter.
Contact Information:
http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com
212-688-4114
Women With 2020 Vision
The Women With 2020 Vision program is a low-cost, long-term, high-impact program to provide networking,
education, scholarships, and hope for girls and young women in developing countries who aspire to be
entrepreneurs in the year 2020. The program involves biannual virtual conferences, monthly online lectures,
mentor-protégée matching, and scholarship awards to disadvantaged girls majoring in business. Girls and
teens from around the world will be mentored by successful businessmen and businesswomen. They are
electronically-linked to learn key business concepts, hear from world experts and thought leaders, and are
given practical advice. Business plans are created and partnerships are developed, with a goal of helping girls
and teens start new businesses.
Contact Information:
http://www.womenwith2020vision.org/
mccue@womenwith2020vision.org (email)
Young Presidents' Organization--YPO Forum
The YPO Forum is hosted at the local level internationally by YPO chapters. Within each chapter, small groups
of twelve, young business leaders meet on a consistent basis annually to share and consult with their peers on
personal and professional issues in a safe environment for the purpose of learning and growing. Work-life
balance is explored and supported through targeted educational programming. To make the most of its
international membership, YPO uses its Web site to facilitate the networking of members in different geographic
locales and time zones. Membership in the organization is sponsored by another member. Applicants must be
under 44 and have full responsibility for business operations. Other qualifications related to employees and
valuations apply.
Contact Information:
http://www.ypo.org
800-773-7976
Great Article: How Can I Make the Most of a Mentor Relationship?
From Business Women Connect. Dedicated to the development and connection of our community of
women. The editorial found here is designed to provide information, inspiration, and connections.
Through mentoring programs, range of articles from marketing your business, creating a new job, balancing
your finances, keeping your health a priority and our online business directory allowing you to find other women
with whom to do business, they remain committed to personal and professional growth.
Life is an opportunity,
benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious,
do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.
~ Mother Theresa
benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious,
do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.
~ Mother Theresa
| “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.” Oprah Winfrey |
| “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt |
| Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good. ~Joe Paterno |
| If at first you don't succeed, do it like your mother told you. |
| If at first you don't succeed, you're running about average. ~M.H. Alderson |