Women Business Owners: Fastest-Growing Sector in O.C. and Across U.S.

Women business owners are one of the most dynamic sectors of the national economy, with majority women-owned companies growing at nearly twice the rate as other companies. Not surprisingly, Orange County is one of the leaders of this movement.

Orange County in Top 10

Statistics announced

at the end of 2006 from the Center for Women's Business Research, a national research organization based in Washington, D.C., identified the top 10 metropolitan regions for majority women-owned firms, based on number of companies in the region, sales figures and number of employees. The Santa Ana-Anaheim metropolitan region, which encompasses Orange County businesses, is among the top 10.

The Orange County Chapter of NAWBO is ample proof that this is true. NAWBO-OC President Camille Jayne reports, "You don't have to look any further than NAWBO to see the validity of this research. When we see the explosion that has occurred within our own NAWBO chapter, these numbers are easy to understand and their power is unmistakable. .

. "Our chapter has grown to almost 400 members, with a healthy diversity of companies as far as both size and industry. Further, we have attracted large, well-known corporate members who recognize the value of our membership - they want to be part of an organization packed with successful, growing women business leaders."

Barri Carian, President-Elect of NAWBO-OC, added, "Our organization has grown right along with the amazing growth of women business owners everywhere, but particularly in Orange County. Our dinner meetings typically attract more than 150 members and guests. Our annual Remarkable Women Awards luncheon each October brings a sell-out crowd of more than 900 businesswomen and men."

NAWBO-OC currently is the second-largest among the 90 NAWBO chapters around the country, second only to the Chicago chapter.

Saluting All Nominees

The month of May is always exciting for women business owners in Orange County. NAWBOOC applauds the Orange County Business Journal for once again celebrating women business owners through the Women in Business Awards. This special section of the OCBJ includes miniprofiles on more than 150 women who have been nominated for their leadership roles and inspirational stories in business. Many of these are NAWBO-OC members: we congratulate all of the nominees, with a special salute to our own members.

If you've attended a NAWBO-OC meeting lately, you've seen the energy, the strength, the camaraderie and the determination to succeed - and help fellow NAWBO members succeed in the world of business.

The theme for this past year has been "Delivering the Value." Our constituents - individual members, corporate members, affiliated organizations, corporate event sponsors and the Orange County community at large - have discovered the value in being a member or affiliate of NAWBO-OC.

As would be expected, there are many different reasons to gravitate to NAWBO-OC. With many facets, members can select the membership components that best help their path in the world of business. Education, mentoring, inspirational speakers, networking, Website and media exposure, and leadership opportunities are just some of the reasons people join NAWBO-OC.

Education Center Begins Year Two

The Education Center - a joint effort of NAWBO-OC and The Women's Business Institute (WBI), a 501 (C) (3) non-profit - was launched in 2006 with generous support from Marquis Sponsor Sunwest Bank and other local businesses. Already, approximately 300 women have completed business education classes, seminars, workshops, and Success Teams at the Center. Topics have tied into business themes ranging from finance to marketing to management.

Scholarships have been added too - five women won scholarships from $1,000 to $5,000 to use toward business courses and five more will be awarded at this year's Remarkable Women event on October 19. Local businesses have generously provided this support.

One highly praised section of the Education Center has been the aptly named Success Teams, which are small groups of business owners that meet twice per month for peer advice, support with business goals and facilitation by expert coaches. Each 10-week segment has seen higher enrollment, as word has spread of the benefits of the low-cost, high-value Success Teams.

Another magnet has been NAWBO-OC's Mentoring Program, in which more seasoned business owners are teamed up with less experienced members and given expert one-on-one coaching. While mentees must be NAWBO-OC members, mentors have included successful business owners both inside NAWBO-OC and from the general business community.

Our Remarkable Women

The annual Remarkable Women Awards Luncheon, now in its 12*n year, is an event that continues to grow in size and stature. Marquis Sponsors Farmers & Merchants Bank and Farmers & Merchants Trust Company are partnering with NAWBO to make this a truly memorable event for all of Orange County. This year's luncheon, Friday, October 19, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, will salute three Remarkable Women, along with approximately 30 additional remarkable women selected by their own organizations for recognition at this event. Education Center Scholarships will be awarded as well. Anyone interested in assisting with sponsorship, table purchase, advertising in the souvenir program or just attending, please contact the NAWBO-OC office.

NAWBO-OC is THE premier organization for women business owners in Orange County. If you are a woman business owner and haven't checked us out, we encourage you to do so. If you are a business that recognizes the importance of women business owners, and would like to become involved through corporate membership or event sponsorship, please join us.

More information is available at the website, www.nawbo-oc.org, or by calling 714-630-2983.