Tina Reed, Ann Arbor News Reporter and aspiring local business leader, wrote about the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW) on May 1^st. Tina summed up our inaugural event nicely when she said, “The May 7 event will address issues like managing business growth and breathing new energy into established companies. With an extended happy hour afterward, the organizers hope to create a networking atmosphere
that caters to local business women.”

> Read the entire article here.

Back in December when we started planning the inaugural WXW event, we wondered if there was a need in the market for a new group focused on women business leaders. With the WXW kick off just days away, we now know that we guessed right – women professionals, entrepreneurs, community officials, and aspiring leaders definitely feel the need to gather together to talk about business. Attendees are signing up in droves. In fact, we expect to hit 200 registrants within the next two days. We’re looking forward to an enthusiastic crowd and an interactive event where ideas, connections, and fun will abound.

> Register Now!

Attendees at the WXW inaugural event on May 7th will have the choice to attend one of four fun, interactive, breakout sessions. Topics include…

1. Managing Growth –

Most of us believe that a growing business is a successful business – because clearly unsuccessful businesses don’t grow. But growth is a tricky issue for most companies. To grow, you need to increase sales. Then you need to deliver your product or service. Then you need to continue to sell more and
deliver more…but what if your company falters as you try to scale up? What if you’re overestimating your sales projections? What if you can’t hire the right people quickly enough? What if the processes that worked when you were a smaller firm begin to break down as you expand?

In this breakout session, the group will want to talk about the struggles, successes, problems, and solutions of their growing companies. Whether you’re a company of one or about to hire your 150th employee, this session will help you begin to analyze your business and determine how you’d like to efficiently grow.

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2. Learning to Lead & Creating Culture –

What exactly does it mean to be a LEADER? If you’re the boss, the manager, or the person calling the shots, then you’re automatically a good leader, right? Well, probably not. Just because you’re bossy doesn’t mean you’re an inspiring leader.

Managers and bosses focus on systems, processes, structure, and control. Leaders focus on a direction, a path, and a shared dream. Ultimately, leaders focus on TRUST between PEOPLE. Good leaders know how to inspire and empower others to turn a company’s vision into action.

So, how can we learn to be leaders? This session is for women who want to become better leaders. Participants will discuss how to build trust, communicate a compelling and inclusive vision, empower their teams to be creative & innovative, and create a strong, positive, open culture within their companies.

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3. Relationship Building –

Good salespeople will often say that networking is everything. In reality, networking is only the beginning. Shaking hands and exchanging business cards shouldn’t be the end of the process—it’s actually the first step in building lasting, rewarding business relationships. A business relationship goes beyond networking to create a bond of trust and respect. As you build relationships you will see the reciprocal benefits. You’ll earn referrals, you’ll build your business, and grow!

Are you searching for a new ways to build meaningful relationships? During this breakout session, participants will think beyond the standard notions of networking and discuss how to forge relationships that matter—with prospects, clients, trusted advisors, potential partners and collaborators.

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4. Visioning - You Made It Past the Start-Up Phase - Now What?

Like most business owners, you invested all your time, energy, and ideas into beating the odds and starting a successful company. A few years later your company is coasting along - revenues are steadily increasing, and you have a solid team. You shouldn’t have a care in the world, right? Wrong!

Do you feel like your business is stuck in a rut? Do you feel more like a manager and less like an entrepreneur? Are you struggling to find more meaning in the work your company does? Attend this breakout session to rethink your company’s vision, rekindle those entrepreneurial flames, and take your company to new heights.

The Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw is proud to announce the panelists for our Wednesday, May 7 event. These four dynamic businesswomen will bring stories to share with you of how they managed growth, created a vision, built their businesses, and forged business relationships. Our dynamic panel will be led by Gretchen Driskell, Mayor of Saline, another local, successful businesswoman. In addition to answering your questions, the panel participants, as well as many other local businesswomen, will be participating during the entire event. The breakout sessions will be an opportunity for you to interact directly with other businesswomen, exchange ideas and make connections. Get ready for the exchange!

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Marcie Brogan -CEO, Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing

Marcie Brogan is CEO of Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing — headquartered in Birmingham with a branch in the Research Triangle, an affiliate in Chicago, and service offices in Lansing, DC and Naples. In 1972 she traded in a doctoral program at the University of Detroit for a copywriting job at Doner. She later joined BMP in London, followed by a stint in Brussels running a copy consultancy for overseas GM clients. She was then hired by Interpublic as creative director of its two ad agencies in The Netherlands. Back in the USA, Marcie opened her own agency in 1984; it has grown into a successful, high-energy, culturally and ethnically diverse agency committed to “creativity at work.” She most recently co-founded Ignite, the country’s fastest growing social media agency. She’s active in the community, civic and professional boards—the Nature Conservancy, the Eli Broad School of Management at MSU, the Detroit Regional Chamber and others. She has been honored by local, national and international organizations for her creative work, her professional achievements and her workplace innovations. Marcie is married to mystery author Mike Brogan, has two adult children and a brand new granddaughter named … Brogan.

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Michelle Crumm -Co-Founder/Chief Business Officer, Adaptive Materials, Inc.

Ms. Crumm has over 14 years of business and financial experience. As Co-Founder of Adaptive Materials, she has been integral in growing the company over 300% in the past three years. Capitalizing on her background, Ms.Crumm has been able to significantly increase market share and cash flow. With integrity and straightforward decision making, Ms. Crumm has been key at leading the company through the transition from start-up, high-technology, R&D company to a second stage, fast-growing manufacturing company. Prior to founding Adaptive Materials, her professional experience spans service firms, large automotive suppliers, and consumer package goods. She has held a variety of positions, including investor relations, procurement, and various financial positions. She is a licensed CPA, receiving her BS from Purdue University and her MBA from the University of Michigan.

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Carol A. Goss, President & CEO of The Skillman Foundation

Carol A. Goss is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Skillman Foundation in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to coming to The Skillman Foundation in March 1998 as a Senior Program Officer, her philanthropic experience included work as Program Officer at The Stuart Foundation in San Francisco, California and as Program Director at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Ms. Goss has more than 27 years experience in the human services field as a social worker, social work supervisor and agency administrator with the Detroit Dept. of Public Welfare, Oakland County Family and Children’s Services, and The Children’s Home Society in Oakland, California. Her experience spans the areas of child welfare, family services and youth development.

Ms. Goss, a native Detroiter, began a career of service in her youth and has continued to be active
with numerous area and national service, advocacy and philanthropic organizations, including: Grantmakers for Children Youth and Families; Association of Black Foundation Executives; Women in Philanthropy; Detroit Area Grantmakers; Detroit Parent Network; Michigan’s Children; Council of Michigan Foundations; Court Appointed Special Advocates Advisory Committee; Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee; The Links, Inc., Oakland Chapter; McKinley Foundation; Michigan Aids Fund; Michigan Task Force on the Overrepresentation of Minority Children in Foster Care; Minerva Educational Development Foundation; NAACP; New Detroit, Inc.; Skillman Center for Children; Tomorrow’s Child Michigan SIDS, Inc. and the Wayne County Task Force on Foster Care Youth.

Ms. Goss is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, earning both a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

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Eileen Spring -President/CEO, Food Gatherers

During Eileen Spring’s twelve year tenure at Food Gatherers, the organization has received local and national recognition for its efficiency and effectiveness. Food Gatherers has been listed as one of the Top Ten Charities in the nation and the nations’ best food bank by Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of non profits. Since it inception in 1988, Food Gatherers has rescued and distributed more 31 million pounds of food. Eileen manages a staff of fourteen and a volunteer force of 5,000. She is currently engaged in efforts to address the root causes of hunger through innovative programming and meaningful collaborations. Food Gatherers manages a Culinary Arts Job Training Program for homeless youth and is a founding member of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, a unique public and private collaboration dedicated to ending homelessness. Eileen is active on the local FEMA board, and is a board member of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and The Food Bank Council of Michigan and has served on the National Council of Food Banks. Eileen received her BA from Hofstra University and her MA from the University of Michigan. She has more than 24 years experience in grassroots organizing and non-profit management.

The Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw Steering Committee has been gearing up for our first event, Wednesday, May 7. Every time we meet, the energy in the room seems to grow, and now it has spread across the region. I’ve been receiving emails from people who are ready to register. The wait is almost over. We will be posting registration details soon, and look for more information to come to your email inbox as well.

Our first event will be a day to remember. You will have the opportunity to exchange with women in an exciting, innovative forum. Our goal is for you to feel that you connected with someone new, discovered a new way to grow your business, and exchanged ideas by the end of the day.

I also just received some news about our panel of speakers. Our goal was to invite a panel of speakers that could address some of the major business issues of the day—managing growth, leadership, and relationship-building. Watch this space for an announcement about the panel, the list of speakers, and their bios. I think the panelists will bring stories to share, lessons learned, and advice that will speak to all of us.

Nine months ago Debra Power and I sat down for lunch together and discussed the need for a business group for women growing successful companies in Southeast Michigan. We’d heard from local women business leaders that, while there are many business organizations for women starting small businesses or sole proprietorships, there aren’t any groups specifically for women whose companies are in the growth stage. That’s when we came up with the idea for the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw, an organization for women who are building strong companies. We formed a planning committee of 10-12 brilliant business women who decided that the WXW would fill a unique and shared need. We would build a new organization that is…

• INTERACTIVE – We’ve all attended too many events where a speaker or panel talks at the audience. Often they preach business theory, and rarely do they share real stories about their own failures, successes, and lessons learned. The WXW promises that attendees will have the opportunity to
  meet each other, share stories and struggles, and work together to find solutions. By the end of each WXW meeting, attendees will feel like they’ve made real connections with like-minded women.

• OPEN – At WXW meetings, attendees choose the direction and content of the event. Questions, ideas, goals, dreams – all are encouraged in an open, warm, welcoming environment.

• FUN – Let’s face it, as women leading booming businesses, we spend a lot of time at work. We may often feel isolated, like we’re sometimes the only ones driving the business. It’s important that we (the Boss Ladies and Women In Charge) have a place where we can have FUN, connect, laugh, talk
  through issues, and be ourselves.

With the support of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, the WXW is building a buzz and attracting high level sponsors. and Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dykema have signed on as Premier Event Sponsors. These sponsors will benefit from increased visibility to women business owners, entrepreneurs, and decision makers.

The WXW was started in conjunction with the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce. WXW’s founders, Debra Power and Carrie Hensel, are members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, and realized that an organization like the WXW would fill a unique need for Ann Arbor’s women business leaders. The Chamber
immediately embraced the mission and vision of the WXW and has provided immense support through staff assistance, marketing, and promotion.

The WXW kick off event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2008 from 1-6 PM at Kensington Court. Here’s a draft of the agenda:

• 1:00 - 1:30 PM: Registration and networking
• 1:30 - 1:40 PM: Welcome and Introductions
• 1:40 - 2:30 PM: High-Powered Panel - Stories from Women Business Leaders
• 2:30 - 2:40 PM: Break
• 2:40 - 4:00 PM: Break Out Sessions
• 4:00 - 4:30 PM: Report Outs & Wrap Up
• 4:30 - 6:00 PM: Happy Hour

Our goal is to have an interactive meeting where participants will first hear from a panel of women who’ve successfully built companies, sustained company growth, led strong teams, and have many tales from the trenches. Common questions, struggles, and issues covered by the panel will then become the initial talking points for break out sessions where participants will be able to openly talk, brainstorm, debate, and collaborate. After we’ve worked up a thirst from all the brainstorming and dialog, we’ll have a lengthy happy hour where attendees can make stronger business connections.

Did you hear the buzz ? A group of women business leaders has created a new organization for women business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders. We think there’s a huge need in our community for an
interactive organization that helps women grow booming businesses.

Women in Washtenaw County are starting and growing businesses at a spectacular rate. Statistics from the Center for Women’s Business Research show that for the past two decades majority women-owned firms
in the US have grown at around two times the rate of all firms (42% vs. 24%). Today women-owned firms account for 41% of all privately held firms. Women-owned companies and women executives in Washtenaw County are contributing greatly to our local economy. They are also redefining the workplace, our local business culture, and previous notions of business networks.

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What do local women-owned firms need?

Women-owned companies and women executives in Washtenaw County need an organization that is driven by and responsive to their unique needs. They need an organization that helps them get started, grow, evolve, and become long-term, viable, vibrant businesses. They need an organization that helps them navigate the business world by providing resources, education, events, and opportunities for networking,
connections, and collaborations.

The Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw seeks to fill the needs of women-owned firms and women executives, so those women can do what they do best: create ideas, jobs, business partnerships, booming companies, and make vital contributions to the strength of the Ann Arbor region.

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WXW Mission - Why do we exist?

The mission of the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw (WXW) is to organize, encourage, support, educate, and strengthen the businesswomen in our region by providing a venue for business connections, skill-building, professional support, and growth.

The WXW is a volunteer-driven program of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce. Events are fee-based with Chamber members receiving a discount similar to the current Morning Edition and Networks framework. In addition, we are supported by local sponsors.

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WXW Vision – What do we want to become?

In 5 years, the WXW will be the premier organization for women in business in Washtenaw Country. Because the women of the WXW are a connected, collaborative, supportive, and unified group, they build
strong companies, attract national and global business, and bolster our local and regional economy.

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WXW Goals - What do we want to accomplish?

• Provide a venue for networking, referrals, and relationship building.
• Conduct interactive, participatory events where meeting content is driven and created by the
  participants rather than fully planned by a group of organizers in advance.
• Connect, support and assist women business owners, entrepreneurs, and decision makers in establishing and achieving their business goals.
• Lead advocacy efforts to support the best interest of women business owners, entrepreneurs, and decision makers.