Thank you Ellen Kaplan!

The NAWBO Boston Chapter spent an evening at the Boston Design Center in the beautiful Ailanthus, Ltd. showroom. Thank you Toni and Maria!

Our special guest, Ellen Kaplan, engaged us in a wonderful discussion around changing your business GPS. Ellen encouraged us to stay informed. 1. Knowledge is a valuable resource: stay connected, attend programs, carefully watch your industry and be aware. 2. Differentiate yourself: find a niche - something that you can specialize in to make yourself different from your competition. 3. Make sure your products and services are all of high value. 4. Have a strategic plan (always) and continually re-adjust your plan. 5. Become proactive rather than reactive.

If you are interested in learning more about Ellen Kaplan, please contact her at www.linkedin.com/in/possibilitesatwork

Thank you Ellen for joining us for this lively discussion.

Holiday Networking Event

We recently sent out an invitation that had the wrong day, but the right date. I'm so glad so many of you were paying attention! Our corrected invitation reads - Tuesday, December 1 at the DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel at 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. The event will take place from 6-8pm. Our Programming Elves have come up with a wonderful menu and a cash bar will also be available. There will be no guest speaker for this event. We wanted to make sure you had plenty of time to network with each other and have some holiday fun.

Please join us as we celebrate the holidays! We scheduled this early in the month so you wouldn't have any conflicts with other holiday events.

Wishing you all the best,

Debbi Carducci
President - NAWBO Boston Chapter

Greetings from NAWBO Chicago!

Thank you, Deborah!
It was a pleasure to welcome you to the Boston Chocolate Walking Tour, and I am grateful for your belief and enthusiasm.
Having gone to college and law school in the area, I love Boston and just can't stay away! So it's a dream come true to open my new business there, which is a sister business to my company Chicago Chocolate Tours.
Thank you too for connecting me to NAWBO Boston member Amy Mastrobattista for her outstanding assistance with my local legal needs. NAWBO Boston members are first class.
Best wishes to you and the wonderful NAWBO Boston Chapter, and keep eating chocolate!
Onward and upward,Valerie
Valerie BeckNAWBO Chicago President Electwww.bostonchocolatewalkingtours.com

Can it be November already?

Hello Nawbo Boston Members and Guests.

I can't believe that it's already November. This year has been very challenging for all of us. I am happy that the Boston Chapter has continued to grow this year in such a challenging economic time. We have 3 new members since October 1. Please welcome Jocelyn Philbrook, Shelley Weiss and Deborah Grinkley. I personally welcome you all to the Boston Chapter. Please know that one of the wonderful things about being a NAWBO member is that you now have a network of individuals who are there to support you.

I recently went to the Grand Opening of Boston Chocolate Tours, a delectable walking tour of the best chocoloate locations in Boston! Our host, chief executive chocolate lover, Valerie Beck is President Elect of the Chicago Chapter of NAWBO. Valerie and I met at the National Conference in Chicago back in June. We were introduced at a chapter roundtable and shared stories and best practices. She recently called me to tell me that she was expanding her business to the Boston area. I immediately connected her to one of our members, Amy Mastrobattista, an attorney. Amy was able to provide legal counsel for Valerie's new business.

When I went on the Grand Opening Tour this weekend, Valerie was so happy to be in Boston. She commented on how terrific it was to be able to tap into the NAWBO network and find someone who was ready to help her and support her business. NAWBO works on a local level, but also can help you on a national level.

By the way - the chocolate was not only fabulous - it was very educational. My personal favorite: The Cagliola dessert wine I bought at Formaggio Kitchen to go with the chocolate caramel I bought at Aroa Chocolate! Buon appetite!