The Women's Exchange of Washtenaw has a few big plans for Michigan, and even more for helping women expand their business influence in Washtenaw County.
Information on all of those can be had at the WXW Forum 10 at Kensington Court (610 Hilton Blvd in Ann Arbor) on May 21. The all-day event will feature regional speakers, workshops, breakout sessions and networking activities to engage the business community and work through the common issues women business leaders face in their efforts to grow and improve their companies. The event costs $95. For information, click here.
WXW co-founders Debra Power and Carrie Hensel are looking to pull off this forum and then expand the organization into other nearby markets. In the meantime they both agreed to answer questions over email with Concentrate's Jon Zemke.
Could you sum up what participants of the WXW 10 Forum can expect to take away from the event and how that could impact the local economy?
Debra Power: Participating in the WXWForum10 is a unique experience. We have combined all of the mainstays of WXW events—networking
, workshops, panels, and exchange sessions—into one day. Attendees will walk away having made new contacts and connections to help them grow their business. Participants have an opportunity to choose two interactive workshop sessions that come with takeaway workbooks. Our panel of women business leaders will inspire the attendees to reach new heights as they grow both their companies and their personal skill set. Our panelists are always willing to share war stories with the crowd and answer any and all questions.
When you walk away from the WXWForum10 you'll realize that other business leaders share the same struggles as you, and you'll be inspired to take on bigger and better things. We know that WXW has already impacted the local economy by creating jobs, finding employment for our attendees, and encouraging women to strike out on their own.
Carrie Hensel: Participants at the forum are going to experience 10 hours of hands-on learning amongst a huge group of experienced business women. This is our third day-long forum, and each year I feel like the format gets better and better. 
Specifically, we've figured out some great ways to really connect participants, help them get involved, and give them a space to openly discuss their businesses, careers, and lives.
Our workshops are really interactive; and this year attendees will get to attend 2 workshops at 2 hours a piece. Workshop facilitators are experts from around the region who understand business theories and have actually lived through all types of business situations (i.e. sales, negotiation, hiring, firing, keeping customers happy, etc). During the panel discussion, attendees will hear from some of the Michigan's top women business leaders who've promised to "keep it real" about all of their successes, mistakes, and memorable stories. Our break out sessions will give folks another opportunity to connect on shared issues and topics. And of course the happy hour will top off the day and give us all some time to wind down and have fun.
When our local business people get smarter about how they run their companies, attract and keep the right employees, and give back to their communities, that has a direct impact on the local economy. Last year attendees told us they went back to the office on Monday feeling like they could take on those big issues that had been perplexing them for months. They said the WXW event helped them connect with smart women, talk about meaningful topics that aren't often discussed in business settings, and work through tricky issues or situations that had been hanging them up or preventing them from becoming better leaders. Our attendees also told us they made connections at the WXW forum that led to direct sales, referrals, media connections, and improvements in their companies.
One of the workshops at this women's-oriented event is called "Sell Like a Girl!" Could you explain what that means and what you hope to convey with that workshop?
Carrie Hensel: If you ask many business people what they fear most, they'll usually say "public speaking" and "sales." The "Sell Like a Girl" Workshop will help participants get over their our mind trash about sales, and learn to embrace the fact that sales are the key to successful companies AND that they already have many skills that will help them in the sales process. The workshop will help attendees learn that you don't have to be a power seller with a smooth pitch and a quick answer for everything. Often we have inherent skills that help us bond with prospective clients, ask good questions, listen intently, and ultimately determine if a business deal is likely.
Stereotypically business was seen as the domain of men. That perception has been changing in recent years, especially in cities like Ann Arbor. How far has Washtenaw County come in regard to doing away with this stereotype, and how much further does it have to go?
Debra Power: I think Washtenaw County is a great example of how women have taken leadership roles in business and the community. I can run down a list of the local businesses and nonprofits that are owned or run by women, but at the same time there's room for many more. I think over the past few years what we've seen is more and more women taking the leap to start their own business. Those start-ups will grow and I predict an exponential growth in women-owned businesses in this region. That's one reason we created WXW, to facilitate that growth. I've had several people approach me and say "thank you" for giving them the nudge out of the nest.
Carrie Hensel: I've been running a small company in Washtenaw County for nine years, and I think we have an increasingly good business climate for both men and women. But I might be looking at the world through my own rose-colored glasses, since I'm the boss at my company and our internal climate is my own making. Outside of my company, I have friends who work for some of the more stereotypically "male" or "old school" firms, and they say that while we've come a long way, it's still rare that women are partners in law or accounting firms, CEOs of companies, or leaders of organizations that aren't nonprofits. I feel like women are making big strides. We just need to continue demonstrating our ability to lead, serving on boards of directors, and improving our communities. The more we prove ourselves, the more undeniable our power will be.
Name one no-brainer change you would like to see this region or state enact to help make it friendlier to the entrepreneur?
Debra Power: The biggest challenges to the entrepreneurs I work with is access to capital. I think if we could attract a wider range of investment options to the state (whether it's via venture capital or simply more creative financing options) we would retain more entrepreneurs. If we could replicate the Ann Arbor SPARK Business Accelerator model across the state we'd be in pretty good shape. The key is to provide the resources, and then keep that talent here.
Carrie Hensel: I'm not sure there's a "no-brainer" change I could suggest. Most changes would require a bit of braininess. Current and upcoming leaders will have to consider things like affordability, tax incentives, lower property and sales taxes, fun communities, and ways to recruit and retain individuals, companies, entrepreneurs and investors.
Name an idea, policy or mindset from elsewhere that you would like to see this region adopt?
Debra Power: One initiative I really like is London's Business Link clearinghouse. It's a comprehensive resource for businesses including information on starting your business, financing, taxes, growth, etc. It's a one-stop shop that I think we could use as a model for Michigan. If we want business to thrive we've got to provide the resources at everyone's fingertips.
Carrie Hensel: New Michigan Mindset (based on benchmarking other hot spots like Boston, Portland, and the Research Triangle) - We are awesome because of our diversity. Let's present ourselves as an ever growing cluster of smart companies (small and large) who easily work together and work with the world. Let's retain talent by giving them many companies to choose from as they climb the career ladder.
Source: Debra Power and Carrie Hensel, co-founders of Women's Exchange Washtenaw
Writer: Jon Zemke
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