Who you hang out with matters! More reasons to get out of your own backyard.

I feel like I jumped on the fast track since attending the eWomen Network conference in Dallas in late July. You can read my earlier blog post about my small world experience meeting Nancy Juetten because of her signature jacket. Since then I've been been jolted out of my comfort zone on many an occassion but none with more joy than the "Gathering of Great Gals" at Nancy's home in Bellevue, Washington a few weeks ago.

Kathie Nelson, Kristen Schuerlein, Betsy Talbot, Susan Harrow

What a privilege to be invited to make the 4 hour journey from Portland to Bellevue to hang out with Nancy and some of her favorite people. This gathering of million dollar women (and those of us on their way) connected quickly coming from a shared focus to serve our clients through packaging our passion. Let me share some powerful moments....

Betsy Talbot, Business Coach to Women Entrepreneurs, inspired me when she shared her excitement about her latest project. Newly married, she is writing a book, "Married with Luggage", about she and her husband travels as they explore the world. More about this project on her blog.

Wow'd by Kristen Schuerlein, savvy business woman and founder of Affirmagy, we raised our glasses to toast her upcoming co-host appearance on QVC Shopping network.

Jean Thompson, Seattle Chocolates, who recently appeared in O Magazine as one of Oprah's "favorite things" how she uses her Extreme Dark Chocolate and the Survivor Chick chocolate bar to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

Susan Harrow, Jean Thompson, Nancy Juetten

Working with Power (it's easier) founder, Michele Lisenbury Christensen, took a break from her new baby to hang out with us. Gals, visit her website to be inspired to new heights! I know I was. I can't wait to get better acquainted.

Phyllis Heppenstall, owner of the very successful Lover's Package retail chain, regaled us with stories of her early days of building her business in a highly dominated male arena.

Meeting Nancy's guest of honor, Susan Harrow, media coach and author of "How to Get Booked on Oprah" was indeed a special treat. Not only full of fun, Susan is generous and brings a practical wisdom to everything she does.

This was just one event that is serving me to catapult me into the next phase of growth.

What about you? What is your next big thing? Could a "Great Gals Gathering" be in your future? Better yet, get out of your comfort zone and connect with someone who inspires you...and intimidates you as well! Great things can happen from small steps.

Susan Harrow, Phyllis Heppenstall, Nancy Juetten

Women United in a Common Cause = Business Growth

Creative energy abounds when people of like minds come together. Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of experiencing what happens when entrepreneurial women are together in one place with a common objective; to grow their businesses.

It was a fluke I was even present at this annual women’s event but as a result of attending I discovered a renewed focus, energy, and enthusiasm to keep moving forward in building my company. The event, eWomen Network Annual Conference, in Dallas, Texas ran Thursday through Sunday. The days were packed with quality speakers, break out sessions, opportunities to work with coaches, talk to publishers, and network with other amazing women.

A couple of refreshing insights stand out.

• Women connected for a common cause make things happen. The heart of this organization, the eWomen Network Foundation, raises money throughout the year through their chapters and annual auction. The foundation’s beneficiaries are local non-profit organizations making a difference in the lives of others. The worthy recipients were nominated by those in the local chapters. On Thursday evening, to kick off the event, representatives from the nominated non-profits received their distributions. I was impressed with the diversity of the amazing people. It was quite a moving experience. An auction held during the evening raised another $185,000. WOW!
  
• Women supporting, believing, and encouraging other women to reach new heights…means everyone grows. We are talking BIG growth. eWomen has an annual award for emerging leaders. I met with a couple of last year’s nominees and the 2007 recipient. The publicity from receiving the award in addition to the connections they made grew the finalist’s business to over 1 million dollars.
  
• Women absolutely want to connect. Not only to gain assistance but to give back. Sprinkled throughout the weekend were eWomen’s signature Accelerated Networking and Wisdom Circles. Women had the chance to connect quickly in meaningful ways and provide feedback and problem solving. Priceless.

Visionaries, Sandra & Kim Yancey along with Taya Levine started with their vision of a robust yet dynamic women’s organization and filled a niche connecting women in business. Regardless of the size of her business, every woman walked away with something. I sensed an attitude of wealth and abundance throughout the event. Only a very special women’s organization could incorporate everything from a “girlfriends” tone to the nitty-gritty content of how to build wealth and make money.

For those of you serious about growing your business, I encourage you check out the organization www.ewomennetwork.com and mark the calendar for next year’s annual conference in August. The benefits gained from time away from your routine, challenges to your thinking, and new relationships are worth every penny.

Get started today. Look for a chapter in your own backyard. www.ewomennetwork.com