All about our meetings and special events

Thurs.
January
17

Kickstart Your Year: Be Strategic and Intentional

The beginning of the year is filled with new ideas, new dreams, new goals and new visions for success. Join Michelle Smith of Z&B Consulting, Inc. as she helps us capitalize on all the energy and excitement that comes with the new year. We’ll Be Strategic and Intentional as we create a plan to bring about the Success we’re hoping for in 2019!

Michelle Smith is a Strategy Rockstar who saves entrepreneurs and small businesses time, money and frustration through smarter planning and process improvement. With over 25 years of experience supporting organizations, Michelle has a wealth of business strategy expertise. She has helped companies double their clientele and triple their annual revenue. In 2013, she started her own business in an effort to achieve a work/life balance and enjoy her boys who are now 17 and 11. Through working smarter, not just harder, and implementing the relationship building strategies she mastered during her career, Michelle is able to enjoy the money AND time to do the things she loves with the people she loves. It’s her personal mission to help others do the same.

RSVP by Wed., January 16th and we’ll save you a seat.

Meetings are FREE for our members. Guests are welcome to attend for $35, which includes food, programming, and access to a fabulous group!

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Krave Restaurant, Elmhurst | Members FREE | RSVP now

Thurs.
February
21

Members-Only Insight Session

This is a MEMBER ONLY event … and a benefit of belonging to WSWE! Our members can design and host their own open discussions, focusing on any aspect of their working lives where they need help. That could mean cash flow, sales, employee engagement, marketing, work-life balance … ANY challenge of running a business. This custom conversation delivers a wealth of ideas and solutions that flow from the shared expertise of the group.

Featured WSWE member: Alexandra Bednar of In Your Court

RSVP by Wed., February 20th and we’ll save you a seat.

Meetings are FREE for our members. No guests at this meeting.

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | The Berwyn Bottega, Berwyn | Members FREE | RSVP now

Thurs.
March
21

Communication: Speaking with Authority

Join us as seasoned speaker and author of Show Up and Shine, Catherine Johns, talks to us about power, presence and profits.

RSVP by Wed., March 20th and we’ll save you a seat.

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Solstice Restaurant, Western Springs | Members FREE | RSVP now

Thurs.
April
18

Women Sharing Wisdom: Technology and Business

Women sharing wisdom: Join us as we discuss business and technology tools and tips that can streamline your business operations!

RSVP by Wed., April 17th and we’ll save you a seat.

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | The Berwyn Bottega, Berwyn | Members FREE | RSVP now

Thurs.
May
16

Health and Wellness and the Small Business Owner

When’s the last time you dedicated a few hours to take care of your own health and wellness? Join us for a fun morning with a great group to do just that!

RSVP by Wed., May 15th and we’ll save you a seat.

Meetings are FREE for our members. Guests are welcome to attend for $35, which includes food, programming, and access to a fabulous group!

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Location TBD | Members FREE | Ticket link coming soon

Tues.
December
4

Our Holiday Dinner!

Our annual holiday dinner with toy drive benefiting Child Link.
Davanti Enoteca, Western Springs

Thurs.
November
15

Marketing to Millennials

Discussion led by Sarah Corbin of Free Fly Marketing and Tanner Panozzo of T-Promos, LLC.
Solstice Restaurant, Western Springs

Thurs.
October
18

Book Club! Negotiation: Getting to YES

Discussion of Getting to Yes:  Negotiating Agreement without Giving In by Roger Fisher and William Ury.
Krave Restaurant, Elmhurst

Thurs.
September
20

Financial planning for small businesses

John Hong of  CBLH Group at Morgan Stanley talks about financial planning strategies for small business owners.
Delia’s Kitchen, Oak Park

Thurs.
August
16

Members-only insight session

An open conversation and brainstorm session led by a WSWE member Paige Logan regarding her business, Event Staffing by Paige.
Solstice, Western Springs

Thurs.
July
19

The Success Principles: Go further and faster with less effort

Ready to be get motivated and learn how to work smarter, not harder? Nancy Belda presents her Success Principles to help you do just that. Get ready to conquer!
Brewpoint Coffee Workshop & Roastery, Elmhurst

Thurs.
June
21

June Dinner: Our Annual Summer Celebration

Cheers to another year in the books. Come meet the 2018-19 Board and our new PRISM Scholar!
Hillgrove Tap, Western Springs

Thurs.
May
17

Tech talk

Bring your tech challenges and your favorite time-saving apps. We will compile top tips to distribute after the meeting!
Egg Harbor, Elmhurst

Thurs.
April
19

Women sharing wisdom: What’s your passion away from work?

What feeds your soul when you step out of the office? We want to know! Come out for a morning of conversation about what recharges you.

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Solstice, Western Springs

Thurs.
April
12

Our annual FREE spring mixer

An evening of fabulous company with the WSWE ladies, accompanied by wine, beer, and light bites provided by New Rose Catering and Tee Tee’s Sweets and Treats.
River Forest Kitchen, River Forest

Thurs.
March
15

Members-only insight session

An open conversation led by a WSWE member Gina Spada regarding her business, The Law Office of Gina M. Spada, P.C.
Solstice, Western Springs

Thurs.
February
15

Health focus: Life balance as a form of self-care

Hear from success coach Heather Vickery of Vickery and Co about her 7-step system to achieving a work-life balance that actually works for you!
Counter Coffee, Forest Park

Thurs.
January
18

It’s a new year: Get yourself together!

Tips and systems to keep your office running efficiently so you can work smarter, not harder. Topics: organizing your workspace, marketing jumpstarts and CRM. Panel includes Beth Fuchs, Organized to Perfection; Rosaria Becker, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services – Koenig Rubloff Realty; and Tracy Jensen, Frizz Marketing.
Butterfield’s Restaurant, Oakbrook Terrace

Thurs.
January
11

Thurs.
December
14

Thurs.
November
16

Members-only insight session

An open conversation led by a WSWE member Tanesha Watkins regarding her business, Tee Tee’s Sweets & Treats.
Solstice Restaurant, Western Springs

Thurs.
October
19

Less for the IRS and more for Y-O-U

You still have time to get organized for 2017, and it’s an even better time to plan for the year ahead. With our favorite tax expert, Barb Vondra.
Butterfield’s Restaurant, Oakbrook Terrace

Thurs.
October
12

Fashion wisdom for ultra-busy women

An exclusive night of fun and fashion, FREE for women business owners at Team Blonde Boutique & EcoSpa. Hosted by West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs and sponsored by Beyer Brofman Design!
Team Blonde Boutique & EcoSpa, Forest Park

Thurs.
September
21

What’s in a name? Will your branding bring you business?

With Pamela Krikorian, freelance graphic designer, and Sarah Corbin of Free Fly Marketing
Solstice, Western Springs

Thurs.
August
17

Summer biz book club

(1) Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Matter, E.F. Schumacher
(2) Who Moved My Cheese? Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Counter Coffee, Forest Park

Thurs.
July
20

Women sharing wisdom: Successful business presentations

What does it take to make a presentation that wins business? Great tips, strategy and problem-solving.
Counter Coffee, Forest Park

Thurs.
June
15

Our fabulous June dinner

Celebrate a great year, meet the 2017-18 board and our new PRISM Scholar!
La Cabanita, Burr Ridge

Thurs.
May
18

Women sharing wisdom: It’s vacation time

An open discussion of ways to relax, renew and escape the daily grind
Solstice Restaurant, Western Springs

Tues.
April
25

Our FREE spring mixer

A relaxed, fun evening for members & prospective new members
DigRightIn Landscaping, Westchester

Thurs.
April
20

Members-only insight session

An open conversation led by Pamela Krikorian
Butterfield’s Restaurant, Oakbrook Terrace

Thurs.
March
16

March Madness: How to score more leads

A Mastermind session on generating new business
Solstice Restaurant, Western Springs

Thurs.
February
16

Healthy woman, healthy business

With Beth Fuchs of Organized To Perfection, Maria Onesto Moran of Green Home Experts and Betsey O’Brien of Pen & Hand
Sponsor: Freyja Conrad, DigRightIn Landscaping
Krave Restaurant, Elmhurst

Thurs.
January
19

Should you be doing something else?

With Laura McAdam, MSOD, CPA, CIA, of Profitability NOW
Counter Coffee, Forest Park

Thurs.
December
8

Our festive holiday party

Come on out and relax with us!
Lucca’s Pizzeria, 108 W. Burlington Ave., La Grange

Thurs.
November
17

Facing the future of your business (without the fear)

With Katherine Tipper, co-founder of Hunter Benefits Consulting Group
Sponsor: Su Jang, New Rose Catering
Butterfield’s Restaurant, Oakbrook Terrace

Thurs.
October
20

Holiday gifts and greetings that build your brand

A Mastermind Session
Sponsor: Judy Shoup, JTS Jewels
Special Presenter: Michelle James, Apprize Promotional Products
Blueberry Hill Pancake House, La Grange

Thurs.
September
15

Sales success through the gift of GAB

With Conor Cunneen, The Irishman Speaks
Krave Restaurant, Elmhurst

Thurs.
August
18

The brainy businesswoman’s guide to corporate structure

With Barbara Vondra, CPA, Carol Kalins of The Security Makers and Jack Kennelly of Kennelly & Associates
Sponsor: Becky Brofman, Beyer Brofman Design
Counter Coffee, Forest Park

Thurs.
July
21

Who’s your business hero?

A Women Sharing Wisdom Session
Sponsor: Betsey O’Brien, Pen & Hand
Butterfield’s Restaurant, Oakbrook Terrace