Welcome to our Blog! We’re the WISE – Women in Service Enterprises – a group of women entrepreneurs in Wilmette, Illinois, and this is our first posting.
My name is Nancy Tommaso, and I am one of the founders of the WISE and its current Chairman. You’ll be hearing from one of our 21 members each week, with timely articles based on our individual experiences and expertise as business owners. Our mission is to foster entrepreneurship – especially for women – and to provide a forum for discussion and growth. Please send us your insights and comments! We want to hear from as you start and grow your own businesses . . .
Women business owners are a significant part of the U. S. economy. We’ll be playing a key role in the economic recovery as well. Here are some eye-opening statistics: there are 10.4 million firms in the U. S. that are owned by women, providing 12.8 million jobs! 41% of all privately-held firms are owned by women, and for the past 2 decades, majority women-owned firms have grown at two times the rate of ALL firms!!*
Our goal in our blog is to support and celebrate this awesome contribution of women business owners, and to provide timely articles and information for all women. Who knows – you may get the itch to start your own business!
See you on these pages every week . . .
Nancy P. Tommaso
Financial Adviser
*Source: Center for Women’s Business Research
Thanks for the lovely posting, Nancy. I didn’t realize that women owned such a high percentage of U.S. companies. Looking forward to the next posting!
Hi Nancy,
I just wanted to let you know what a great idea I think WISE is! I am relatively new to Wilmette (2 years) and am establishing LAUNCH PAD: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COACHING FOR PROFESSIONAL WOMEN. I specialize in:
Career Assesment and Executive Mentoring
Communications and Marketing
Life/Work Balance
I would love to learn more about WISE and how I can contribute. As I am also a professional writer, perhaps I can offer some communications support.
I will be presenting on February 6,2009 to the Wilmette Chamber of Commerce Women In Business Group at 12:00 at the Wilmette Library. The topic is ‘Ladies Who Leverage: Maximizing your Time, Strengths, and Talents. I hope to see you there, but if not, let’s stay in touch!
Congratulations Nancy, Tammy, and Sue for putting the WISE blog in place. Your dedication and commitment is an honor to be around. I’m delighted to be part of the group.
Shannon O’Regan
SMO Ventures
– SMO Fit
– SMO Well
http://www.smoventures.com
http://www.smoventures.blogspot.com
http://www.smoventures.eventbrite.com
Thank you Nancy for getting this all going. And to Sue Boedeker for all the behind the pages work!
FYI: Two Wise Women are putting on a Business Workshop this Friday morning, February 27th. Don’t miss it! See our Wise Events page: calendar. http://www.awordfromthewise.org/events-2/