AVON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURS

DECEMBER 15, 2015 - MINUTES

Introductions were made by all in attendance. In addition, Lisa Bohman announced that Michelle Liebovitz of Rich Wright Productions has stepped up to become our new AWE Coordinator starting in January.

AWE Business:

We discussed future AWE meetings:

  • January 19 – Host: Sharon Gauthier, Patient Advocate for you; Topic: Health Eating, Dr. Aylah Clark, Whole Health Associates
  • February 16 – Host: Ann August, Senior Transitions CT; Topic: Finance, Ariel Stein, Argentum Financial Partners
  • March 15 – Host: Ariel Stein, Argentum Financial Partners; Topic: Dressing for your Body Type, Carol Tsacoyeanes, Ruby Ribbon
  • April 19 – Host: Adele Mary Caruso, Create Your Health Piece by Peace, at Whole Health Associates
  • May 17 – Host: Holly Neddermann, River Ridge
  • June 21 – Host: Hollis Hartman, The Landing at Farmington
  • August 16 – 6pm meeting – Host: Bonnie Sayward, WildTree at River Ridge – WildTree Tasting hopefully to include some grilled foods if we can secure a grill for the evening
  • September 20 – Renee Lacourciere, Avon Health Center

Host: Cal Miller-Stevens, Miller Foods & Oma’s Pride

Cal talked about change, transition and adapting. When she was growing up there were 14,000 turkeys on their farm just out her home’s back windows. She talked about how much Avon has changed since longtime residents like Ann August, Barbara Thomas and herself were growing up here. Because of town restrictions, Miller Foods has had to adapt and diversify over time to assure continued success. Oma’s Pride offers natural pet foods and treats. Their treats are shipped all over the world. She also told the AWE group how honored she was to see a Miller Foods turkey roast at River Ridge’s carving station at the holiday party. The turkey was purchased from a Hartford food distributor by River Ridge for the event. Finally, Cal kicked off short Christmas Carol sing.

Announcements:

  • Upcoming Chamber Events:
  • Friday, December 18th – Avon Chamber Day at the Salvation Army Holiday Store at Avon Old Farms Hotel – come visit and/or volunteer anytime during the day.
  • January 6th – Morning Networking at Cosi
  • January 13th – Business After Hours at The North House
  • VYBE: Vibrant Young Business Entrepreneurs, is a new group forming primarily for business people under 35. A kick-off event is being planned for February at The North House. They expect to be doing additional evening events. Over time, VYBE will be looking for mentors for their members.
  • Adele Mary Caruso announced that as a follow up to her recent Stress Management program, participants asked if weekly meetings could be arranged to reinforce skills discussed in the program. She is planning a 4 week program, probably on Thursday morning from 7 to 8am with the first meeting at the clubhouse at Peachtree Village (off Darling Drive in Avon).
  • Renee Lacourciere announced that Avon Health Center will be holding Vendor Thursdays from 12 to 4pm, and Bonnie Sayward will be there this week. Cal Miller Stevens will be there with pet products on Tuesday, December 22nd.

Wisdom Sharing Series Update

Sandy Duffy, Discovering the Present You, updated the group on the Wisdom Sharing series under development. As background, she explained that when AWE was founded about 2 years ago as a way for women to support each other the group also decided to look for a way to give back to the community. This led to working on Wisdom Sharing which will be a business mentoring program sponsored by AWE with programs held at the Avon Free Public Library.

The first program will be Do What You Love, Love What You Do to be held Tuesday evening, February 9th (snow day 2/23 working around area school vacations). The proposed agenda for the session is:

  • Opening Comments by Adele Mary Caruso (approx. 15 minutes)
  • Stories:Volunteers Needed and Sandy suggested Dr. Jean Folks and Ruth Harvey as possibles
  • Questions & Answers leaving enough time for more sharing if appropriate

Ariel Stein drafted a “logo” based on the idea of the Tree of Life which was passed around and got excellent response. This will be used in all announcements to keep a common theme regardless of topic.

Promotion will include:

  • Take advantage of the Library’s advertising vehichles
  • Barbara Thomas will work up a press release for area papers
  • Hartford Business Journal
  • Town Newsletter
  • Social Media – Post on the ACOC Facebook page so AWE members can share it on their own pages; also send to local groups such as Avon Mom’s Unite; Post on ACOC’s LinkedIn
  • Email – Both the ACOC eBlast (which also goes to 7 area chambers) and to AWE members to share with friends
  • Avon-Canton Rotary

AWE members agreed we should target April and early June for additional sessions and Lisa suggested perhaps repeating the first 3 in the fall of 2016. Suggestions included having flyers for the 2nd and 3rd sessions at the first, capturing participant email addresses to send reminders and having an evaluation sheet for participants to complete after the program.

Page 1