The theme of this year’s NAWBO Women’s Business Conference—to be held June 9-11, 2010 in Washington DC—is “The Power of One.” It celebrates the fact that we live in a world where one woman, one business and one collective NAWBO voice have the power to make a difference for women entrepreneurs in the U.S. and beyond.

One sponsor or exhibitor also has the power to make a difference for women entrepreneurs. Will it be your organization? Remember that history shows companies that continue to invest in marketing initiatives during a tough economic environment position themselves to capture more market share than their competitors who remain standing when the market turns.

Make the smart decision to reach out to women business owners in your 2010 marking efforts. Click here to access the 2010 Sponsor Prospectus to explore all the possibilities. Then contact:

(email)

1-800-55-NAWBO (phone)

The Woman of Excellence Award was created by the Federation of Houston Professional Woman (www.fhpw.org) and recognizes a member who has made notable contributions and outstanding achievements to her member organization and the Houston business community.

Each year, NAWBO Houston accepts applications from NAWBO members who meet the eligibility requirements for this prestigious award.

The eligibility requirements are:

1. Must be a current or past officer, or made a major contribution in time or effort to NAWBO Houston.
2. Must be a Voting Member.
3. Must be a member in good standing.
4. Must be female.
5. Must have been a member of NAWBNO for a minimum of two (2) years.
6. Must have a business currently operating.
7. Must never have received this award from any other organization; this is a once in a lifetime honor.
8. Must have attended an FHPW event or quarterly meeting.

If you meet these requirements and would like to fill out an application, contact Holly Uverity at to get the application.  Hurry – applications are due back to Holly by Monday, 3/15/10.

We’d love to see you put your name in the hat so don’t be shy!

Join NAWBO Member, Holly Uverity with Office Organizers and Organize Your Workday Using Outlook 2007

When: March 18, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: UH SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200 Houston, Texas 77002
Register: click here

Time:
11:00 – 11:30 Registration / Networking
11:30 – Announcements / Lunch
12:20 – Speaker
12:45 – Closing

Member Price: $35 (prior to Monday, March 22 @ 2:00 pm)
Guest Price: $ 45 (prior to Monday, March 22 @ 2:00 pm)
Location: The Briar Club (2603 Timmons Lane, Houston 77027; MAP)

RSVP: Reserve before Monday, March 22, 2010 and save! Reservations made after March 22 – add $10.

Make your reservations now!  Click here.

Holly Uverity, President Elect
Vicky Reynolds, Treasurer
Kim Kelley, Membership Director
Carrie Carter, Technology Chair

Ladies, thank you for your creative energy and willingness to serve NAWBO Houston.

The NAWBO Houston Board is looking for a few good women to help make our board complete.  We are looking forward to filling our vacancies with energetic, creative and dedicated women and we’d like you to be a part of our team.  Currently, we are looking to fill the following director positions:

Secretary
Corporate & Economic Development
Public Policy

If you have an interest in getting your business more involved with NAWBO Houston, please send an email to .

~ ~ ~

A big thank you and warm send off to Julie Riley, j.rileycreative, our Technology Chair who is in the process of moving to Washington State.  We appreciate you and will miss you very much!  When you are in Houston, please come see us!

MEMBERS! We have an opportunity to showcase your business! Please come to our party and bring a door prize!!

Place: X Factor Fitness Solutions, 1535 West Loop South, #410, Houston, TX  77027
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Time: 5 pm – 8 pm
Cost: Free.  While there is no cost, please RSVP to , so we’ll know who to expect.

This party is open to all NAWBO members, guests and spouses.  Please join us as we network, mingle and learn more about each other.

NAWBO’s mission statement includes building strategic alliances; this party is a great opportunity to do just that.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Holly Uverity, NAWBO Membership Director at or 281.655.5022.

See you there!

Our February program “Impact of Health Care Reform on Small Business Owners”. Our guest speakers will be Shannon Meroney, Director, State Government Relations, Aetna Austin.

Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010

Time: 10:00 NAWBO Orientation(everyone welcome!)
11:00 – 11:30 Registration / Networking
11:30 – Announcements / Lunch
12:20 – Speaker
12:45 – Closing

Member Price: $35 (prior to Monday, February 22 @ 2:00 p.m.)
Guest Price: $ 45 (prior to Monday, February 22 @ 2:00 p.m.)
Location: The Briar Club (2603 Timmons Lane, Houston 77027; MAP)

RSVP: Reserve before Monday, February 22, 2010 @ 2:00 p.m. and save! Reservations made after Feb. 22 – add $10.

Make your reservations now!  Click here.

Shannon Phillips Meroney, J.D., manages Government Relations for Aetna in nine states including Texas. Ms. Meroney was previously a Partner at the law firm of Thompson Coe Cousins & Irons where she specialized in insurance defense litigation and lobbied for the Texas Association of Life & Health Insurers (TALHI) and the Association of Fire & Casualty Insurers of Texas (AFACT). Shannon received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center where she was Order of the Coif. She is Past President of the Texas Association of Health Plans, Chair-elect of Leadership Austin’s Board of Directors, sits on the Austin Bar Association’s Foundation Board of Directors, the Seton Forum, the Leadership Council for the American Lung Association’s Austin Chapter, and is a past President of Austin Young Lawyers Association and Past Vice-Chair of the City’s Commission for Women. She is the proud mom of Cal (3) and Griffin (22 months).

Wells Fargo and NAWBO want to recognize the extraordinary talent, drive and innovation of women business owners across the country. In 2002 we launched the NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award to celebrate the enormous role women entrepreneurs play in driving the American economy.

We are looking for women business owners who have built successful businesses with unique products, services or delivery channels and are serving as role models for others to follow. Tell us how your business reflects your vision and commitment to building an organization that makes a difference in your community.

Three outstanding women-owned businesses will be recognized for their trailblazing spirit as demonstrated by their companies’ business performance, innovation, growth and contribution to the community. Each winning business will receive a cash grant of $5,000, gain nationwide recognition, and be honored at the NAWBO Women’s Business Conference 2010 in Washington, D.C.

We are looking for Houston representation for this prestigious award! Apply or nominate a woman trailblazer today! You may submit your nominations ONLINE or by mail using the attached Application Form. All applications must be submitted by February 19, 2010 to qualify.

CLICK HERE for award qualifications, evaluation criteria and nominations process.

CLICK HERE to apply online.

For questions or additional information, please contact Wells Fargo Women’s Business Services at .

Date: Saturday Feb. 20, 2010
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Magnolia Hotel, 1100 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002

The Private Reception with Kathy Whitworth

The event within the event is a private reception with Kathy Whitworth immediately prior to the 2010 Kickoff Event. It is limited to the first 20 EWGA Houston members who sign up. Click Here for more details.

The Main Event with Guest Speaker Kathy Whitworth

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for social reception, vendor exhibits, information about 2010 Houston EWGA Chapter Programs, silent auction and drawings items, and a cash bar. Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. followed by our guest speaker, Kathy Whitworth, a live auction and photo opportunities with Ms. Whitworth. Click Here for more details: http://www.ewga.org/Kickoff2010.htm

Click Here to Register.

Registration begins on January 18th @ midnight and closes on February 13th @ midnight.

Featuring Gail Blanke, Founder & CEO, Lifedesigns, LLC as the Summit MC & Keynote Speaker

This multi-track Summit offers:

• Critical advice for growth in today’s changing economy
• One-on-one small business counseling from SCORE professionals
• New business ideas for opportunity-rich markets like government contracting
• Tips on leveraging social media to grow your bottom line
• Contacts with an inspiring community of successful women business owners
• Inspiration and expert advice from the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition
• Speakers and resources from our partnering women’s organizations

Date: Wednesday, February 17 – Thursday, February 18, 2010
Time: 9:00 am – 7:o0 pm (Thursday), 7:30 am – 7:00 pm (Friday)
Location: JW Marriott Houston, , 5150 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77056
RSVP: Register here.

What steps are you taking to get your business off to a great start in 2010?