| What has been the primary achievement of WBO? | Is there still a role for a business group focused only on women? | What specific challenges do women business owners encounter that men do not? | What do you consider the primary issue facing all small businesses these days? | |
| Mark Bergan Bergan Telecom Analyst WBO member since 2007 | Woman Business Owners is celebrating its 30th year of providing a friendly and positive environment for woman business owners to gather, share ideas, learn from each other and grow. Some of the benefits of being a member are visibility for yourself and your organization, educational workshops, networking, a monthly newsletter, knowledgeable speakers, access to trusted professionals, information about government relations and issues affecting our businesses and an affiliation with the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center. | Yes, when someone is new and going to the first meeting to see what that group is about, being a woman and going to a woman’s group is less intimidating. Once you arrive and feel the warmth, you want to join and get involved. I also feel that in the current business environment, you should not limit yourself to just one group. I visited the Southside Business Men’s Club the first time years ago when they were introducing the new incoming president — who was a woman; and currently three of the four vice presidents of the SBMC are woman. | I appreciate being asked, but don’t feel I am qualified to address this question | Knowledge. Normally you don’t have the budget to hire all the specialists needed, such as marketing, legal, advertising, financial, telecommunications and IT. WBO has panel discussions with specialists that share their knowledge with the membership. WBO has a mentoring program to pair up a new person with an experienced one, and WBO has an affiliation with the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center, through which new and existing business owners gain access to education, capital, resources and networks. |
| Pixie Larizza Pixieglas Elegance in Glasswork HMT Inc. WBO president, 2011-12 | For me the longevity is the primary achievement. I am more of a relationship builder vs. a networker. I like the idea of knowing people on all levels and then doing business with them and staying with a business group that has 30 years of “herstory”. | Most definitely. The percentage of women-owned businesses is greater now than ever before. Our needs as women business owners are the same yet different. However, the ways we relate to each other and support each other is something I feel only other woman business owners can understand and provide. | Doing it all. Women still offer the majority of care for their families along with managing household duties. Add aging parents to the mix and top off with running a business and you have the ultimate woman multitasker. | Garnering new clientele. Everyone is competing for the dollars that are available and being creative in one’s advertising and marketing approach is key. Identify the one or two business practices that set you apart and capitalize on them. |
| Barbara Tolliver-Haskins Certified Executive Coach Executive Coaching Solutions WBO president, 2009-10 | WBO has consistently sustained the integrity of its mission to create and recognize opportunities to lift up the success of women. We are membership focused; however, we are not solely internally driven. Our members volunteer their time and talents to support the economic and developmental needs of women and girls. Our diverse skill sets, businesses, cultural backgrounds and economic successes have enabled us to reach a level of understanding far beyond textbook learning. | Definitely yes. While the economic impact of buying decisions made by women is prevalent in the business community, there are still circumstances that indicate a lack of willingness to do business directly with women. Some circumstances are cultural; others are simply because women are expected to “prove” themselves regardless of their successful track records and professional credentials. WBO provides an environment that reinforces the self-esteem, persistence and ongoing drive when women meet such obstacles. We don’t have pity parties; we create experiences that bring out the best in our members. | Time management and learning to say “no” is a more common theme with women. Also, while not always, men seem to be able to establish rapport more quickly than women with male counterparts in business networking settings. Both genders could benefit from understanding emotional intelligence and its impact on building relationships. Everything starts with the handshake, eye contact and trust. | Financial and economic instability is a major issue. Small business owners must make tough choices relative to hiring, employee benefits, marketing and personal development. The short-term choices made today can have a significant impact on long-term survival. Small business owners caught in the hurdles of cash flow issues and profitability find themselves unable to compete for grants, loans and government contracts. The focus within WBO is survival with energetic tenacity, in spite of the obstacles we face. |
| Patsy Underwood Atlantic Laser WBO historian WBO president, 2000-01 | The strength and fellowship I receive from my fellow WBO members is what has helped sustain me through the trials I’ve faced as a woman business owner. I’ve known women around the area who have faced debilitating illness, fire, storms, loss of their business and family crises. One of the most astounding occurrences for any of these women is the outpouring of support, care and love from their fellow WBO members. | Yes, I truly believe so. Women in business face different obstacles than men and react to situations differently. Women need the support of other women — someone they can turn to for business questions, someone who will understand their issues and challenges. WBO has always been about building the relationships that ensure trust and confidence with each other. | Women are typically the caregivers, the fixers, the one who holds the home together. Women business owners face the guilt of trying to take care of their families while running and growing their businesses. They are torn between the family and the business. Even in the current business world, women are typically responsible for the care of the children and home. | The economic chaos we face every day is stressful and confusing to the small business owner. We face increased costs of doing business — transportation, cost of goods, taxes and fees. Many small businesses have had to close their doors or find themselves in a balancing act to keep employees, keep business going, and take care of increasing debt. |