All about our meetings and special events
We plan a full year of fun, informative meetings and events for your personal and business growth. All meetings are FREE for WSWE members! Many of our meetings are also open to paid guests. Tickets to our regular monthly meetings are $35.
Interested in coming as a guest? More info here.
Questions or suggestions on upcoming events? Contact our Programming Chair.
MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETINGS
Third Thursday of each month, 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Locations throughout the west suburbs
8:00 – 8:30 Networking and breakfast
8:30 – 9:00 Announcements and member introductions
9:00 – 10:00 Program
Cost: Members FREE | Guests $35 in advance
EVENING GET-TOGETHERS
Third Thursday in June (Annual Dinner), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Early December (Holiday Party), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
April (Spring Mixer), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Periodic happy hours
All evening locations, costs and other details to be announced
Upcoming meetings
Thurs.
March
18
Stay Tuned for Our Next Online Event
Details coming soon!
Past meetings
Thurs.
February
18
Refresh and Reverberate: Showing Off Your Brand in a Digital World with Sarah Corbin (Online Event)
Always an inspiration, Sarah Corbin brought a welcomed dose of enthusiasm and shared how to show off our brands in the digital world!
Thurs.
January
21
5 Steps to a Life and Business You Love with Heather Vickery (Online Event)
We enjoyed an interactive online session with Heather Vickery, founder of Vickery and Co. and executive producer of The Brave Files Podcast, as she coached us on how to cultivate professional and personal abundance.
Thurs.
December
17
Sharing Holiday Cheer: Member-Only Festive Happy Hour (Online Event)
This year, we gathered together online for an informal happy hour of catching up and sharing what makes us joyful this season.
Thurs.
November
19
You have a website… Now what? with Madhoolica Dear (Online Event)
We heard from Madhoolica Dear, Owner of OrangeSpike Inc., a website development company, sharing a wealth of information about website best practices.
Thurs.
October
15
Women Sharing Wisdom: Resilience and Changing Course (Online Event)
We gathered online for a guided discussion about how we’ve weathered “pandemic life” both professionally and personally, sharing how we’ve managed change, faced challenges and kept going to come out stronger.
Thurs.
September
17
Growing your Business: How to Be Successful in Trying Times (Online Event)
Panelists Aileen Gilpin, Owner of AGilpin Consultants, Maria Onesto Moran, Former member & President of WSWE and Founder/Owner of Green Home Experts, and Jennifer Conroyd, Founder/Owner of Fluid Running shared how they are taking their businesses to the next level and the lessons they have learned along the way.
Thurs.
August
20
The EQ Factor with Val Spiropoulos: The Key to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur (Online Event)
Val Spiropoulos, Psychotherapist and owner of The Centered Entrepreneur, explained how our emotional intelligence (EQ) is the key to growing a successful business.
Thurs.
July
16
How to Increase Your Online Visibility to Rockstar Status with Vanessa Cabrera (Online Event)
Vanessa Cabrera, an award winning marketing consultant, social media and email strategist, and dynamic speaker presented 4 simple steps to help us amplify our online visibility and position us as THE go-to experts in our industries.
Thurs.
May
21
Wear Your Brand and Accelerate Your Online Business Goals with Suze Solari
(Online Event)
Personal stylist and author of the ‘Stylish Upgrades’ series handbooks, Suze Solari showed us how to wear our brand and shared practical tips for having a successful online image.
Thurs.
April
16
Member-Only Meeting: Women Sharing Wisdom (Online Event)
In our first Women Sharing Wisdom online meeting for members only, we talked about helpful resources and tips for navigating this time of the coronavirus pandemic.
Thurs.
February
20
Women Sharing Wisdom: In The Company of Women
Women Sharing Wisdom: We discussed and got inspired together by the book, In The Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs from Grace Bonney (view on amazon).
Thurs.
January
16
Member-Only Meeting: The Year Ahead
In our first member-only session of the year, we gathered to hear from our President, Aileen Gilpin, on all that’s ahead for WSWE in the new year.
Tues.
December
10
WSWE Annual Holiday Celebration
We gathered at La Barra in Oak Brook for a fabulous holiday dinner and even better company!
Thurs.
November
21
Branding Made Simple
The Free Fly Marketing team lead us through a process to help solidify the assets that every brand needs.
Thurs.
October
17
Small Business Bookkeeping and Accounting
Barbara Vondra, CPA and Aileen Gilpin explained how bookkeeping and accounting are not only different, but why we need both for our small businesses.
Thurs.
September
19
From Furious to Curious: Cordial Conversations in a Polarized World
We welcomed speaker Catherine Johns back to talk with us about how to deal with challenges in conversations.
Thurs.
August
15
Protecting Your Data and Managing Business Risk
Speakers Angela Birchfield from Data-Link Associates and Carol Kalins from Security Makers shared tips and advice on protecting your data in a digital age and the importance of insurance in managing business risk.
Thurs.
July
18
Strategic Thinking and Entrepreneurship: Moving your Business Forward
Women Sharing Wisdom: Get motivated to take your business to the next level!
Thurs.
June
20
2019 June Dinner: Our Annual Summer Celebration
Cafe DeLuca, Forest Park
Thurs.
May
16
Health and Wellness for the Small Business Owner
Amy Silver, Registered Dietician Nutritionist at Fitness Formula Clubs in Oak Park talks nutrition and wellness.
The Berwyn Bottega, Berwyn
Tues.
April
30
Our Annual FREE Spring Mixer
Enjoy an evening of fabulous company with the WSWE ladies and friends. We will provide light bites made by some of our favorite fellow entrepreneurs, and your first glass of wine/beer is on us.
The Outta Space, Berwyn
Thurs.
April
18
Women Sharing Wisdom: Technology and Business
Women sharing wisdom: Discuss business and technology tools and tips that can streamline your business operations.
The Berwyn Bottega, Berwyn
Thurs.
March
21
Communication: Speaking with Authority
Seasoned speaker and author of Show Up and Shine, Catherine Johns, talks to us about power, presence and profits.
Solstice Restaurant, Western Springs
Thurs.
February
21
Members-Only Insight Session
An open conversation and brainstorm session led by WSWE member Alexandra Bednar of In Your Court Legal Nurse Consultants.
The Berwyn Bottega, Berwyn
Thurs.
January
17
Kickstart Your Year: Be Strategic and Intentional
Michelle Smith of Z&B Consulting, Inc. helps us capitalize on all the energy and excitement that comes with the new year.
Solstice Restaurant, Western Springs
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
January happy hour
Now that the holiday buzz has slowed down, join us for Happy Hour! Come as you are for a drink, conversation, and a chance to exhale!
Pinstripes, Oak Brook
Thurs.
December
14
Our annual holiday celebration
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Well, that’s what we think about any time we have the opportunity to gather together and celebrate!
Francesca’s Bellezza, La Grange
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