07/27/2006

Women's Business Forum celebrates anniversary
By Gina V. Stevens

Founding members, from left, Maria Evans, Cheyenne, Kim Bensing and Lisa Naples share a moment at the organization’s fourth annual Social last week.

Entrepreneurial women, corporate executives and significant others left their business attire dangling in their closets and opted for festive casual wear at the Fourth Annual Women's Business Forum Summer Social, hosted by Catherine Ponist of New Hope, financial director of the group and one of its six founding members, last Wednesday evening.

The potluck indoor/outdoor affair celebrated the successful growth of the non-profit organization to its current standing of 300 members.

The Women's Business Forum (WBF) is an eclectic group of women in business for themselves, in positions of respect with major corporations, and women researching the opportunity to transition from a company job into a "be your own boss" scenario.

The mission of the non-profit is to provide inspiration, mentoring and support in a network of like-minded individuals. Founder and President Chanin Walsh of Ampersand Design in Doylestown jumpstarted the cadre in 2002, following a successful professional career in graphic design.

"We've become so much more than what we hoped we'd be," said Walsh.

"Five other women joined with me in creating an organization that was first off free to anyone who wanted to attend. That was important, especially to women who were starting up a new business. It can be costly, and we didn't want the finances to prohibit their attendance. We wanted to provide an environment to network, learn, challenge ourselves and grow. Our meetings are nurturing, welcoming and now that we're paying the rent, so to speak, we've made levels of membership available for those who want to be a part of our remaining around for many years to come."

Monthly meetings were originally held at the home of one of the founding members, but as WBF grew, so did the need for expanded use of space. The Forum moved to the Doylestown Bookshop for a time, and then Foster Winans provided a key for access to The Writers Room off Main Street in Doylestown for a year and a half. When that location became unavailable, the James-Lorah Memorial Home graciously filled the need.

The historic residence at 595 W. State St., the birthplace of Henry Chapman Mercer, is a quintessential hub for WBF each month. (Miss Sarah M. James, a charter member of the Doylestown Village Improvement Association, made her home there for 85 years.) Naturally, it almost seems apropos that 21st-century female mavericks now occupy its rooms.

Meetings are scheduled the first Wednesday morning of each month starting at 8 a.m. and running up until around 9 a.m. Evening meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month beginning at 7:30 p.m. sharp. The alternating dates and times provide options to often busy business planners. Each session averages 30 to 50 members, with women from all demographics.

The median age of a WBF member is 35 to 55 years old, although Walsh pointed out that many who attend have just graduated college, while others are retirees.

Board of Directors Vice President and life member Gina Rubel of Furia Rubel Communications, a full-service, women-owned certified public relations agency, said the women who join WBF have that entrepreneurial spirit.

"As a business person, it is comforting to know that you are venturing out on your own and that you are always greeted with open arms," she said. "We are completely accessible to anyone in Central Bucks interested or in the process of building their own clientele, and the networking opportunities through WBF are unsurpassed.

"We help each other. I can't tell you how many women have grown their businesses thanks to the camaraderie they've found through the Women's Business Forum. Our web site is a click away, and our meetings are welcoming and available mornings or evenings, depending on your busy schedule."

WBF offers three levels of membership: free and always open to the public; a supporting member ($75); or the Margaret Mead Lifetime Sponsor (one-time contribution of $500).

To learn more about the Women's Business Forum, visit www.womensbusinessforum.org.