This week, I received an additional report from the NAWBO® membership survey, sponsored by Deluxe Corporation and conducted earlier this year. It was really the right thing at the right time as our NAWBO® National team works to put the finishing touches on our Women’s Business Conference, August 31-September 1 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California.
The report shows women business owners are ready and eager to grow their businesses. Thirty-seven percent plan to grow through expansion into new markets; 33% through increased efficiency or profitability; and 3% through a merger or acquisition. In fact, for 73 percent, business growth is their primary goal in the next three years.
Those with the strongest appetite for growth are women business owners who:
- Have been in business for five years or less (82%)
- Are under age 45 (81%)
- Have 10 or more employees (85%)
Look for an e-blast this week with more details on the report All Systems Grow: The Growth Orientation, Leadership Focus and Social Media Marketing Practices of NAWBO® members. Meanwhile, special thanks to past NAWBO® National Board member Julie R. Weeks and her firm, Womenable, for a tremendous job of conducting the survey and analyzing the data.
The exciting news for NAWBO® members who participated in the survey—and all entrepreneurs—is this year’s conference is designed to deliver business growth opportunities at every turn in a condensed day-and-a-half format that makes it easy to take time away from your business.
From facilitated small business roundtable discussions on topics like Financial Planning For Growth, Women’s Lending Program and Logistics of Going Global to procurement roundtables on Access to Government Contracting and How to Maximize New Technologies For Your Business, we have built a conference agenda that has something for everyone—no matter your stage of and plans for future business growth. Plus, NAWBO®’s incoming President and CEO will be on hand for you to meet.
Click here to view the full conference agenda and begin planning your experience.
I am excited to share these things and more with you in just a little over two weeks. If you haven’t yet registered for the conference, I hope you’ll make the decision to join us. If you are in California, and especially in San Diego, this year’s conference is particularly accessible and affordable—be sure to invite a friend or colleague who would benefit, too!
—Helen Han, NAWBO® President and CEO