Women Balancing Business: December 2015

Meeting Information

MEETING DAY AND LOCATION:

Women Balancing Business (formerly Moms, Inc.) meets the 3rd TUESDAY of every month from 10:00 AM until Noon at:

The Olney Library, 3500 Olney Laytonsville Road (Rt. 108), Olney, MD 20832 (in the small meeting room).

Mark Your Calendar for 2016 Meeting Dates: Jan. 19, Feb. 16, Mar. 15, Apr. 19, May 17, June 21 (topics and speakers are subject to change)

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Women Balancing Business will be taking a hiatus for at least the summer. Our last meeting will be on Tuesday, June 21 from 10 - noon at the Olney Library. Please join us!

Speakers List (see full monthly Speaker details below group information section)

6/21/16 Meeting:

No Guest Speaker - Let's just talk and celebrate ourselves! What's happening with your business as we approach mid-year? What will you be doing to fit some summer fun in with work, family, and life? We've had two recent speakers helping us get going with our ideas, our planning, and facing our resistance. Let's share, brainstorm and be there to support each other.

Membership information is below. Please contact group leader, Donna Dettling at WomenBalancingBusiness@gmail.com if you have questions.

For content prior to May 2015, please visit the previous Mom's Inc. site at www.momsincss.blogspot.com

Membership Guidelines and Fees

Membership Guidelines and Fees:

To join Women Balancing Business, simply attend a meeting. Your first visit is free. If you enjoy the group and would like to become part of it, please ask for a Membership Application Form. Our annual dues are $75 per year and are renewed each July 1st. If you join mid-year, your renewal will be prorated based on the month you joined. There are no refunds. Please make your check payable to 'Women Balancing Business' and mail with your application to: Donna Dettling, 8728 Tryal Ct., Montgomery Village, MD 20886, or bring them to the next meeting.

We have added another level of participation, a Drop-In Fee of $10 per meeting (payable at the meeting), for those who can only attend occasionally. We hope this will encourage visitors and previous members to come back when they are able, if they are hesitant to commit to membership due to schedule conflicts. They will not receive the full benefits of membership, but will be able to enjoy the meetings and speakers.

Benefits of membership:

1) Accountability for business and personal goal setting and growth

2) Receive and provide support within the group and with guests

3) Networking with like-minded business women

4) Learn from expert guest speakers on various business and life topics

5) Opportunities for member spotlights at meetings and on web page

6) Business listing on the Women Balancing Business web page

7) Participation in Women Balancing Business social media groups and events

Policies:

Since we are not a leads generating networking group, we do not restrict the number of members who belong to each business category. In Women Balancing Business, the emphasis is on friendship and support in all aspects of our lives, rather than competition for business. In this spirit, we hope that members in the same category will be able to co-exist.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

January 19, 2016 Meeting

Kelly Leonard, CEO of Taylor-Leonard Corporation

Maximizing LinkedIn for Business

Session Overview:

Now more than ever, we rely on social media and peer connections to network, exchange best practices, and make business decisions. LinkedIn is a virtual goldmine, offering endless opportunities that can be leveraged for branding, business development, and more! During this short workshop, we'll examine the "7 Mistakes That Will Keep You From Maximizing LinkedIn for Branding, Business Development, and Recruiting" along with the BOOSTmyLinkedIn strategy to:

· Build Your Brand,

· Obtain More Leads,

· Optimize Relationships,

· Secure Thought Leadership Space, and

· Tap into New Markets

About the Presenter:

Kelly Leonard, CEO of Taylor-Leonard Corporation, has personally trained 4,500+ business professionals throughout Metro Washington, DC. Among her clients are small businesses as well as large organizations like Pentagon Federal Credit Union, NIH, National Cancer Institute, Red Peg Marketing, Montgomery County Government, and Montgomery College. Using the same strategies Kelly teaches, T-LC generated $500,000+ in new consulting revenue in their core practice area (Customer Relationship Management) within the first 24-months of implementing the BOOSTmyLinkedIn strategy.

www.Taylor-Leonard.com

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

December 15, 2015 Meeting

Some of the group at a summer meeting.

The year is winding down. Time to celebrate our 2015 business and personal successes, and talk about our 2016 plans! Join us for group conversation, support, and brainstorming. No guest speaker this month, just the ladies getting their holiday spirit on.

We will be welcoming Thelma Ekeocha, a guest from local community organization Olney Home for Life, who will tell us about what they do and how we may be able to volunteer or refer. Our member spotlight will be Donna Dettling with Simpler Life Solutions. And as always, all participants will have a chance to network and give an introduction to their business.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: We will be collecting small items to brighten the holidays for seniors in the community. Some suggestions: Warm socks, lotions or other personal care products, books, magazines, holiday trinkets.

If you are a woman facing the challenge of balancing a business with a full life, we would love for you to check out our group. We provide a supportive environment for members and guests to build relationships, share their business successes and issues, and learn from each other and from outside speakers.

We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10 - noon at the Olney Library. First time guests are FREE! Our reasonable annual membership fee is $75. And we now offer a $10 drop-in rate for returning guests who have not yet become members.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL!!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Member Spotlight

Attention Boomers

Julia Rivas is Chief Encouragement Officer of Smarter Advantage an independent financial solutions firm serving individuals and business owners in the MD, DC and VA.

Julia is an advocate in helping people of all stages and ages find solutions to securing wealth care through retirement and legacy planning, healthcare for individuals and groups and Medicare for those turning 65. Julia provides her clients with the information they need to make the best decision for their particular situation in a caring and gentle way that is easy to grasp.

She holds the certifications of Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC), Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS) Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and is a certified broker for the new Maryland Health Connection, DC Link and Federal Health Exchange.

Julia is available for workshops, seminars, focus groups and provides one on one visits to individuals for a complimentary discussion on navigating the Medicare or wealth care road map, to and through retirement.

Julia can be reached at 240-421-0491 (talk or text) or e-mail, julia@smarteradvantageltc.com
www.smarteradvantageltc.com

Strategic Solutions

Ms. Marsha Suggs Smith began MS Smith and Associates in 2015, to provide strategic solutions that meet the needs of startup businesses. For those already in businesses, MS Smith and Associates helps begin the transformational change that will make that business a leader for the future.

In 2010 prior to beginning MS Smith and Associates, Ms. Suggs Smith began MSS Concierge of Maryland, LLC (www.MSSConcierge.com) after her education leadership career, to help clients reclaim their personal time. "We want to 'make your life free and easy.' No matter the job, we can handle your requests. "

“My demanding life as a wife, mother and executive, provided the management and lifestyle experiences that are so important to helping my clients. I was a team leader, educator and coach in Montgomery County Public Schools, MD. I was a local, state, national and international union leader traveling throughout the United State and the world. At the end of that career, I knew I wanted to use my skills in a new direction. I know how difficult it can be to start a new business career or to move to the next step for future sustainability.”

Marsha Suggs Smith is a highly experienced, business management consultant with an impressive record of accomplishment and years of pro-active experience in strategic planning, problem solving and crisis management. She has the knowledge and professional networking experience to get the job done.

MS Smith and Associates adapts to new projects, work cultures and colleagues easily. “We use skills and knowledge from previous projects to solve new problems and challenges. Our consultants listen first and they speak second. Their primary goal is to help other people and their businesses.We have built trust because of our dedication to helping our clients accomplish their goals.” We can help new business owners with startup basics, business strategic advice and planning, financial planning, marketing strategies, coaching and presentation skills, and keynote speakers.

If you are starting a new business or transitioning your business for future success, we can give you the advice and motivation you need to elevate your business. For confidential and professional personal assistance, you can contact Marsha at MS Smith & Associates or call 301-529-9003. Check out our new website, http://www.MSSmithandAssociates.com .

Women Balancing Business

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