Finding safety in numbers is not a new concept for women. Humorous references have been made about women traveling in pairs and sauntering off to the ladies’ room as a group.
Women in the business world also are finding safety in groups of other businesswomen through networking. Several organizations in the southwest suburbs exist for the sole purpose of guiding and promoting women in their business ventures.
“Currently, there is a 50-50 ratio of men to women business owners, which might change because women are starting businesses twice as fast as men,” said Denise Mikulski, manager of the Small Business Development Center at Joliet Junior College. “There is also a greater failure rate of women-owned businesses. In the past, women thought they had to do everything on their own. They are now finding women must come together and support each other, and not just on an emotional level, but to share resources and information and trade services.”
The Illinois Small Business Development Center Network sponsors centers throughout the state, including the one at Joliet Junior College and one at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. The purpose is to create employment and economic development through the expansion of current businesses and the encouragement of new ones. Existing firms are strengthened and new businesses developed with classes and workshops, counseling, networking groups, mentoring opportunities, financial advice and how to apply for grants and loans.
“We are the gateway to hundreds of resources,” Mikulski said.
“I`m all for everyone networking,” said Tom Chopp, business analyst for JJC’s Small Business Development Center. “It’s a must in business. If you just come in off the street, no one knows who you are. Developing business contacts is a long, tedious process. Women tend to gravitate to other women when networking. They have to force themselves to cross that line. Networking is a skill women need to develop because that is where the money is.”
The Chicago office of the National Foundation for Women Business Owners estimated that 5.4 million businesses in the country in 1990 (the latest year for which figures are available) were owned by women.
Several Small Business Development Center programs are offered exclusively to women. One, Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET), was developed by the Small Business Administration to provide a network of resources to assist women business owners. It includes workshops, retreats and mentoring.
This organization’s mentoring program links successful women business owners with women entrepreneurs. Mentors must have founded their company and been its CEO for at least five years. A mentor’s business must be successful, showing steady growth. And the mentor must be able to devote about four hours a month to a protege for at least one year.
“Mentoring provides entrepreneurs with someone to call when they are faced with something they’ve never done before. It offers personal support and builds a relationship with someone to trade resources,” Mikulski said.
Another networking group, Leads Club, was founded as a women-only organization 15 years ago. The club generated great interest from men, and in 1985 enrollment was opened to any business owner, regardless of gender.
Members are divided into chapters of 30 people from different businesses who meet one morning a week with the sole intention of exchanging business leads. Each week, every member has an opportunity to describe his or her business and current needs and is expected to offer a lead to two other members.
“I receive leads every time we meet,” said Oak Lawn psychotherapist and astrologer Grace K. Morris. “Each lead not only brings me repeat business but also becomes a link in a chain as that person refers me to their friends and business associates, such as an insurance agent who recently came to see me (after being referred by the group) and has referred me to other insurance agency owners.”
“Some women come into the club and are very hesitant to ask for business and tell why their company is so wonderful,” said Kathleen Shaughnessy of Plainfield, Midwest regional consultant of the Leads Club. “They tell me they can’t talk, and I say yes, they can. They know their business better than anyone else. The first time out they stand up, bow their heads and talk softly. But with a little practice, they come out of their shells and do wonderfully.”
Another resource is Business Women Illinois magazine, started in Joliet and now based in Frankfort, which premiered last spring as an information clearinghouse. Businesses can submit articles on topics such as coming up with capital, starting a business or solving problems in existing businesses. Upcoming seminars and conferences also are listed.
The bimonthly magazine is dedicated to women and business-no articles on relationships, homemaking or child care are included. Nor is Business Women Illinois a source for the cutting edge in business news.
“We don’t try to give the news,” said publisher Judy Lane of Joliet. “There are other formats like Business Week and Crain’s to do that. We provide a communication tool where news can be exchanged.”
But Lane said the magazine must be used, rather than just read, to be effective. “Networking is more than just passing out business cards,” Lane said. “You must be willing to share your knowledge and expertise with others.” Subscriptions to the magazine ($29.95 a year) are available by phone from 800-745-8745.
Lillian Bjorseth of Lisle, founder of the networking organization Better Business Contacts (BBC), agreed with Lane and said the magazine was long overdue.
“Women need more opportunities for networking, because we have more catching up to do in the typically male-run business world,” she said. “Women have been networking for years over the kitchen table. Now we need to learn how to formalize those techniques for the business world.”
BBC has several chapters throughout the western suburbs and Chicago, all open to men and women. Chapters of up to 30 members meet biweekly to increase their business through word of mouth referrals and describing their businesses and the kinds of referrals they are seeking.
“This type of networking establishes credibility,” Bjorseth said.
Morris said BBC helped her tremendously when she opened a second office in Oak Brook. Besides receiving ideas about where to find clients from the group, she said, she turns to other members for services their businesses offer.
“I use a travel agent, insurance agent, graphic artist, printer and public relations specialist from the BBC,” Morris said.
The non-profit Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) in Chicago was founded in 1986 by S. Carol Dougal and Hedy M. Ratner to offer resources, information, education programs and entrepreneurial training to women in existing businesses and those considering a business venture.
Workshop topics include business expansion, legal issues, marketing, access to capital, hiring and employment skills and management.
WBDC has branches throughout Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Florida. Area meetings are held in Chicago, Joliet and Kankakee.
The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is open to women who own at least 50 percent of their business and to some who work at large corporations. Their primary function is also to educate and advance women in business. The Chicago chapter is one of the largest in the country, members say, with enrollment close to 500.
“Many women reach the glass ceiling in the corporate world and can’t get any farther,” said Gillian Schultz, the Chicago chapter’s president-elect. “The only way to advance is to form their own companies.
“Although networking is not the primary funciton of NAWBO, it just happens. People like to do business with people they feel they can trust. You can get your name out there with advertising, but when someone speaks at you, there is more of a potential for a business relationship.”
Mikulski told of a spelling bee in which her son recently participated. She said, “When a boy gave a correct answer, the other boys would give him a high five. If he was wrong, they’d tell him it was OK. He’d get it right next time. When a girl answered, none of the other girls responded in any way.
“Women have to learn how to support one another. In business, you have to have knowledge of your competitors and what they are doing. You have to mingle and get out there to sell your product. That’s what networking is all about.”
