Archive for May, 2009
Orlando Business Journal Business of the Year Nomination & more..
A President’s Message by Kathleen Hawkins
The day started with 4 fabulous WOAMTEC meetings, Dr. Phillips, DeBary and two new Chapter debuts in Apopka and Atlanta. Xiomara Rivas and Andi Whitten rocked Dr. Phillips and DeBary like they do each week creating successful networking opportunities. But Veteren Director Toni Curlin also did a fabulous job with the Apopka Chapter launch. She had a wonder luncheon at Highland Manor. The food was fabulous and she had 25 people in attendance. She closed her meeting with several new chapter members! KUDOS!
Further North, in Roswell Atlanta, New Director, Carol Reinlie launched her chapter as well. She had over 20 people in attendance at her first meeting and also had several members excited about joining her new chapter. She even had a couple of people unable to attend the first meeting call prior to the debut to reserve their categories and block out their competition. Go Carol!
Then several WOAMTEC members closed the evening by attending the Orlando Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business event at the Mall of the Millenia. It was a fabulous evening of Central Florida’s top executives. Unfortunately, WOAMTEC didn’t win the Business Owner of the Year award nomination, we were honored to be nominated and included in the sea of successful corporations such as Lynx, Walt Disney, Orlando Health and many more. Look out Orlando, here we come….there is always next year. Go WOAMTEC GO! Do I hear a Wahoo?
It was a great day and a very good week. Thank you all for your support, motivation, and involvement. Every day, I read a daily devotional titled, ” Grace for the Moment” by Max Lucado. Today’s passage he shared something, I want to share with you.
“There are certain mountains only God can climb. Its not that you aren’t welcome to try, it is just that you aren’t able. Your role is to help the world, not save it. You aren’t able to run the world, nor are you able to sustain it. Some of us think we can. You are self made. You don’t bow to your knees, you just roll up your sleeves and put in another 12 hour day…..which may be enough when it comes to making a living or building a business. But when you face your own grave or your own guilt, your power alone will not do the trick.”
I read that this morning and felt compelled to share it with you. I believe from the bottom of my heart, the success and growth of WOAMTEC comes from the true desire to “help the world and make a difference.” Our desire to help build strong communities and encourage people to focus on their Faith and what really matters in life is what seperates WOAMTEC from other networking organizations. Our committment to helping others before promoting yourself is what will make us all sustainable. I am so proud as I hear stories of members pulling together in this challenging economic times. Together, you are creating opportunities to help each other, strengthen your communities, and build bonds that last a lifetime. I am very blessed and thank God each of you have been brought into my life. You are the definition of WOAMTEC. Powerful, proactive, productive women with a focus on faith, family and our careers! We know that when you do what is right in the world, it comes back to you and you are blessed.
Make today a WOAMTEC day,
Kathleen Hawkins
Meet WOAMTEC Chapter Directors, Veteran, Toni Curlin, and Newbie, Carol Reinlie
On Thursday, May 14th, WOAMTEC (Women On A Mission To Earn Commission) enters two new communities: Apopka, FL and Roswell, GA. The Apopka WOAMTEC Chapter will meet at Highland Manor, and the Roswell, GA chapter will meet at Bistro VG, just minutes north of Atlanta.
With growth as the measuring tool, WOAMTEC’s mission of keeping priorities in order of faith, family and career have struck a chord with professional women. “I am surrounded by so many fabulous women,” said Kathleen Hawkins, the organization’s president and founder. “WOAMTEC is a platform to empower one another. We want every WOAMTEC woman to reach their goals and achieve the success they envision – while keeping their life in balance.” The networking organization is a group of more than 300 successful, professional women with a collective soul. With Hawkins at the lead, WOAMTEC members are achieving individual growth while increasing the bottom lines of the companies they own or work for, and, at the same time, members are assisting the communities they are a part of. “We are building community beyond the boardroom,” said Kathleen.
Toni Curlin, the Apopka chapter director has been a part of WOAMTEC since its inception; Apopka is her third chapter launch. “I have made many lifelong friends through WOAMTEC,” said Curlin. “I would not be successful – both personally and professionally – without them.” Toni is owner of Just Between Us Girls, JBUG, a custom jewelry company, director of catering and events at Highland Manor, and now, she is the director of both the Apopka and Altamonte Springs WOAMTEC Chapters. “Apopka is going to be a very strong chapter,” she said. “The people and opportunities here are fabulous.”
When Toni is not working, or spending time with her husband, she can be found working on the fundraising boards of charities that have touched her heart including the National Kidney Foundation of Florida, Special Olympics of Florida and R.O.C.K. Camp (Reaching Out to Cancer Kids) in Eustis, FL. Twelve of Toni’s WOAMTEC friends joined her on the golf course this spring; the group served as volunteer scorers for the National Kidney Foundation of Florida’s annual golf tournament fundraiser. “We had so much fun together. Four of my WOAMTEC ladies had never even been on a golf course before – it was great,” she said.
WOAMTEC’s mission attracted Carol Reinlie, the new Roswell chapter director and owner of Hot Biscuit Design, an established design, communications and marketing firm in Roswell, 
GA. “I like the flexibility of WOAMTEC,” said Reinlie. “I understand that sometimes we are juggling 80 things and can not attend a meeting. WOAMTEC supports keeping our priorities in order, and they give back to the community. I want to build a strong, powerful, business-based group with good core groups of support from different professional areas.” Carol is searching out business members that complement one another to build strategic alliances. “And, WOAMTEC is expanding nationally,” she said. “There is a lot of opportunity there.” Carol supports a charity each year through Hot Biscuit Design and she intends to provide Roswell WOAMTEC members the opportunity to join her.
Hawkins wants every WOAMTEC chapter to adopt a charity of choice, and many have. A short list of charities currently supported by WOAMTEC members and chapters include, the Heart Gallery of Metro Orlando, Children’s Miracle Network, SSB Breast Cancer Outreach and the National Kidney Foundation of Florida.
The Apopka, FL and Roswell, GA WOAMTEC chapters meet bi-monthly. Discover more about WOAMTEC’s latest chapters and learn how to become a part of this national women’s networking organization at www.woamtec.com, call the organization at 407-767-5417, or toll free at 866-757-2611.
WOAMTEC Spring Conference Highlights
CommentsConfident Women Conference April 2009
Hear what they have to say at the WOAMTEC Get Your Business Blooming Seminar. Excitement filled the room, Members enjoyed the program, and visitors traveled from as far as Atlanta. The new Confident Women Magazine debuted and successful business networking happened everywhere!
Video by Winter Springs Director Jennifer Lee
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOw_atXgRGs[/youtube]
Next Conference, July 2009!
Stay tuned for more information.
The speakers provided the crowd with necessary information about keeping positive during the current recession, sales tips that generate increased profits and publicity tips for businesswomen. Conference goers left inspired by WOAMTEC and the speakers. Sylvette Whittmer, Dr. Phillips WOAMTEC member and owner of Cakes By Design said, “All three speakers made me realize things I need to incorporate into my business.” WOAMTEC also provided a table for Whittmer to showcase her personal charitable outreach, SSB (Sole Sisters and Brothers) Breast Cancer Awareness Fund. “WOAMTEC has supported our cause quite a lot,” she said. “Members have given us ideas on how to raise money for our walks and they have been great supporters of our events, both attending and sponsoring our efforts.”
“WOAMTEC is part of my life, part of my family,” said Allison Kreiger, Downtown Orlando WOAMTEC director and founder of non-profit Helping Other People Eat, Inc. “Not a day goes by that I don’t email, speak to, or do business with a WOAMTEC person. I am blessed to have them in my life. They [WOAMTEC members] have helped me reach my goals and focus on the next chapter in my life.”
“The conference was extremely inspiring,” said Ruth Stern, licensed mental health therapist and first time conference attendee. “The energy in the room and the connections between members were amazing. I have so many ideas for my business. I went home, called my friend, and said, ‘This is an amazing group of women.’”
Prizes were awarded during the conference to Lisa Beyer, Beyer Communications and SEO Copywriter, Gloria Rand who followed WOAMTEC’s WaHoo Atlanta Launch Challenge. Both ladies correctly answered the number of “WaHoo’s,” Creating Your Masterpiece Co-Founder and Life Coach, Jennifer Lee rang-out during Hawkins and Lee’s road trip to Atlanta to launch three new WOAMTEC chapters. Danielle Simms, Atlanta’s Buckhead WOMATEC director, also attended the conference.
Toni Curlin, Just Between Us Girls, received a special award at the conference for her commitment and dedication to the organization. Curlin started three WOAMTEC chapters – the newest in Apopka. “Now, I’m home,” she told the crowd. Celebration WOAMTEC members won the conference participation award. Seventy-eight percent of Celebration members were in attendance.
The speakers were Carol Borne, professional consultant, facilitator, trainer and coach, and president of Learning Connections, a workplace learning and performance enhancement company offered sales tips; Connie Fitsmartin, The Magical Mom, author and speaker provided an attitude check saying, “Remaining positive is a choice.” Charnel Wright, veteran broadcast journalist and founder of News You Can Use, LLC and Scared Safe NOW offered an inside view of the newsroom to help businesswomen create their own compelling business stories.[SinglePic not found]
Hawkins wrapped up the conference. “Remember to stay focused on what matters most,” she said, and then she reminded attendees of the WOAMTEC mission of maintaining a healthy life balance of faith, family and career. “It doesn’t matter what industry you represent. Look at people and see them as individuals. I promise you, if you help others, it will come back to you. Make today matter, we never know if there will be a tomorrow.”
