Whether the economy has pushed women and men into entrepreneurship or more people have decided to strike out on their own, one local organization has helped many local small businesses prosper.

The Women’s Entrepreneurial Network has survived and thrived since its inception in the early 1990’s.

According to WEN President Linda Everhardt-Kardux, the organization started in the Small Business Center within the Toledo Chamber of Commerce in 1993.

“Helen Davis applied for the grant from the Small Business Administration to start WEN,“ Everhardt-Kardux said. “The grant monies lasted until 1996. In 1997, WEN became a self sufficient, non-profit organization.”

Panelists at the Women's Entrepreneural Network Economic Growth Summit two weeks ago were Sharon Lange, publisher of the Sylvania Advantage; Chrys Peterson, WTOL Channel 11 newscaster; Sharon Speyer, regional president of Huntington Bank of North- west Ohio; and Megan Coyle Stamos of Coyle Funeral Home. (Photo courtesy of WEN)

Everhardt-
Kardux is currently the vice president and co-owner of Business Navigators, Inc., in Toledo. The business consulting and coaching company was formed in 1990.

“I have been a WEN member since 1995,” Everhardt-Kardux said. “I fell in love with the organization during that first meeting and I have not left yet. I loved the idea that WEN wants to help all businesses grow and prosper. I liked the whole idea of helping each other out.”

Although it started out helping primarily women, WEN currently has 260 members, 25 percent of those men.

“We have a lot of male members now. WEN has never discriminated against having men be members,” she said. “WEN offers a great networking opportunity as well as many business training programs throughout the year. We encourage relationship building and many times, people do not leave right away after the meetings. It really is a great opportunity to help each other’s businesses grow.”

Everhardt-Kardux said the organization has been steadily growing over the years, partly due to the economy.

Many women have been starting their own businesses for a while now,” she said. “The economy dusted off that entrepreneurial spirit and women are not being overlooked in family businesses anymore. It is not only the son who takes over the family business anymore.”

Kathy Crabtree, owner of Health Services Connection, in Oregon, is a charter member of WEN. Crabtree started her business in 1994 in east Toledo with a Neighborhood Development Loan.

Originally located in the River East Andrews Building, Crabtree was able to use connections within WEN, when it came time to relocate.

“As a new start-up business owner, networking is key to your success and your marketing plan,” Crabtree said. “WEN gave me access to people who have ‘been there, done that.’ When it came time for me to relocate, get printing done, etc., I was able to use WEN members. We support each other with financial help and knowledge.”

Crabtree said the initial draw to WEN was the lack of business help offered to women in the 90’s.

“There is no ‘old boy network’ in WEN,” Crabtree said. “Back in the day, we had to have husbands co-sign for everything if we wanted to start a business. As women, you either had a big bank roll or a husband to help you. I actually had a loan officer tell me how lucky I was to have a husband that let me have a business.”

“As members, we can all help share in the trials and tribulations of starting a business,” Crabtree added. “The success stories help as well. You can get inspiration by thinking, ‘If she can do it, I can do it.’”

Crabtree said more men are joining WEN for the same reason women have joined.

“They join for the networking,” she explained. “During the meeting, members give one to two minute commercials about themselves and their businesses. There are not a lot of places you can do that and have your message reach 75 people. Men have services women members can use too. We have website managers, software providers, carpenters, roofers, financial experts and lawyers. WEN is a constant in our lives. We have linoleum layers to Mary Kay consultants. Image makers to printers. Whatever you need there is a WEN member for it. The fact that WEN has survived and is thriving speaks to the quality and consistency of the people who participate.”

Melissa Combs, of Millbury, joined WEN one year ago. A stay-at-home mom for two years, Combs had 20 years of experience in the administrative field coupled with degrees from Owens Community College, the University of Toledo and Spring Arbor College.

Going back out into the working world did not seem like a good option. Combs, whom has two young children, wanted to make a living and be able to be there for her family. So, she started, Virtually Possible, working as an administrator and virtual assistant.

“I was working a job and I was not satisfied,” Combs said. “I put some feelers out there to see if anyone needed a virtual assistant. They (WEN) became a client and I became a member.”

Combs said she decided to join WEN because of the variety of services that are available from other WEN members as well as the variety of meetings and events they hold.

“There is a huge variety of services the members provide,” Combs said. “If you want to build a business, WEN gives you great networking opportunities. Within two WEN meetings, I had seven clients, all WEN members.”

WEN currently hosts many meetings throughout the month including an “AM Coffee” Meeting, held the second Wednesday of each month; an “I Don’t Do Mornings” meeting on the third Tuesday of the month, and a “Lunch Bunch” Meeting on the fourth Monday of the Month. A special “East of the River Meeting” is held at Cousino’s Steakhouse, on the first Thursday of the month.

Individual membership fees are $95 per year. Corporate memberships are $250 per year. For more information on WEN please go to http://www.wen-usa.com/.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed