By: Sean Patrick Murphy


I am woman, hear me network.
Networking is just one of the aspects of the Bucks County Women's Business Forum (WBF). There is also a chance to mentor or be mentored and having more than 300 people in your corner.
Chanin Walsh, president, founded the Doylestown-based WBF a few years ago because she had been involved with a similar organization in the midwest.
"It had really changed my life," she said.

Walsh said the WBF is different from other groups because it is free to join and its speakers do not sign on to sell anything.
"Our speakers are all dedicated to trying to help the people in the room," she said.
Walsh also said some groups don't want two people in the same industry.
"We embrace the fact that we like people to be in the same industry," she said, noting it's a chance to connect and help each other.
"We are extremely supportive," Walsh said. "We don't look at each other like competition."
The forum is looking at a free mentoring program and is always seeking to get grants for new business owners.
"As we grow in numbers other opportunities are opening up," Walsh said.
The WBF currently boasts a membership of about 350.
Walsh described the WBF as "nurturing."
"It's a place where you can always go and say, 'You know, I don't know where to get office space, I don't know whether I'm supposed to be a sole proprietor or an S corp, or incorporated or what I'm supposed to be' and somebody in that room will have gone through that challenge and stand up and say, 'I'll help you.'"
Gina Rubel, who owns a public relations agency, has been a WBF member since 2002 and is president-elect on the forum's board.
"Women's history month is important to me because it celebrates women, it celebrates empowerment and it celebrates the things we can do together, but it also remembers those who came before us," Rubel said.
She called the WBF a "truly a philanthropic mission."
"The most important aspect of the mission of the Women's Business Forum is that we are here to help people," Rubel said. "We strive to help one another succeed."
She said personally the Women's Business Forum has helped her grow spiritually and socially as a newcomer to Bucks County. It has also helped her learn from her colleagues' best practices.
"In business, the organization has helped me grow fivefold," Rubel said. "There's an abundance in referrals in networking and assistance."
She noted the forum is an organization for all working women, be they business owners or workers.
Cheyenne (she goes by the single name), a founding member and a member of the WBF board, is a healer and speaker.
She said she had guided relaxation CDs and told forum members they were for sale at a Doylestown Bookstore. In the six months following that, the sales of the CDs tripled.
"It's an awesome resource," Cheyenne said of the WBF. "We have a group of dynamite women."
Debi Sarandrea has been a member since 2003.
She and her sister have an earth-friendly, non-toxic house cleaning service.
"Coming to the Women's Business Forum, I had a team of experts at the ready to help me grow my business," Sarandrea said. "It's been instrumental in the growth of our business.
"As a female entrepreneur you find the support and help that you need in a wonderful, giving environment," she said.
Andy Cleft is the Webmaster for the WBF Web site, www.womensbusinessforum.org, as well as the organization's treasurer.
"I think the mission is great: providing a safe non-competitive place for women who are just starting in business or have established businesses to grow," Cleft said.