20
Business
April 19 - May 2, 2014
www.SanTanSun.com
Chandler Women in Business Series valuable asset Business Alliance events BY ANA ANGUIANO
The Chandler Business Alliance hosts Thursday morning breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at BLD, 1920 W. Germann Rd., Chandler. Those interested in networking with a cause are encouraged to join the breakfast. All member and guest businesses will be allowed to present themselves to other local businesses that care about Chandler. Information about local Chandler events and causes will be provided. The Chandler Business Alliance is a professional business coalition dedicated to the economic and social development of its members and the Chandler community as a whole. This mission is accomplished through establishing a network of businesses owned and/or operated by members of Chandler neighborhoods. Upcoming local events include: About Care’s seventh annual golf tournament on April 26; Cinco de Mayo Festival and Chihuahua Races on May 2 and Fans second annual “On a Roll for Education” on May 18. For more information about the Chandler Business Alliance, visit www. chandleralliance.com.
With the Women in Business Series luncheons, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce is giving participants more than just food for thought. The organization is lending support, thanks to peer discussions and guest speakers, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Soho63 in downtown Chandler. Terri Kimble, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, says the functions recently switched to a luncheon format to create a more welcoming atmosphere. It worked. Soho63 has been hosting packed houses with men and women who are interested in business, finance and networking. Anyone can attend, but lunch is $25 for chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. Kimble says the chamber seeks speakers who have really made a difference and who are successful. Previous themes have included strategic planning and the importance of customer service. “All of our speakers are giving real life, practical tips that you can walk away and use right away in your company. It’s very hands-on and interactive,” Kimble says. Before the luncheon, guests can enjoy free value workshops from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This includes the Expert Lounge where anyone can come in and ask questions regarding finance and
other topics. It is a laidback area where participants are encouraged to chat. There are also display tables for businesses to showcase themselves and mix and mingle with attendees. The other free value workshop is the mentor-led Mastermind Group. Here, people can come to share ideas and learn from one another. Afterward, guests have 30 minutes to network before the luncheon begins. Mentoring is another important part of the Women in Business Series. “The mentoring program has started where we actually have a key group of really committed individuals,” Kimble says. “They are really here to share their expertise and knowledge. What they did right, what they did wrong, what they wouldn’t do again, and they’re working with businesses one-on-one mentoring there.” One of the mentors is Denise Cote’ McCreery, owner of D’Vine Gourmet and Women in Business chairwoman. Kimble says McCreery has been successful and this is her way of giving back. May’s guest speaker is Mary Cravets, a business coach and speaker who will discuss how to “win at business without losing your mind” with “three small business steps in a small business.” Kimble explains that women really enjoy the program. “I think everyone who comes really enjoys it,” she says. “It’s not like a set meeting you have to go to. It’s really
more about the networking and it’s really positive. People are really there to help one another. They really are there to learn about one another and how best to help them. It’s kind of fun watching people interact.” And while this might all seem very female oriented, Kimble says it is most definitely not. “We do have a number of men who attend the events,” she says. “Even though most of our topics are geared toward women, they are finding value out of it, too.” Ana Anguiano is a reporter for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.
EMPOWERING: Terri Kimble, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, welcomes attendees and keynote speaker, Sandy Cowen, at the first Women in Business event on Feb. 18. Photo submitted by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.
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