The Women's Business Council is built for business owners and executives like you.
Who are brave enough to ask the tough questions.
Who value learning from others.
Who are ready to share in a confidential and caring space.
Who are ready for growth.
We’ve experienced the fears that accompany running your own business. We’ve embraced the challenges that come with leading within a large or growing organization. We’ve confronted the barriers that exist within a system that was built on whiteness and men.
We’ve been where you are. And, where we haven't, we will connect you with the people who have so that you can be guided along your leadership journey.
We’ve got you.
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Tia B. Coachman
Co-Chair & Lead Executive Coach, WBC Portland
Founder of Affirma Consultancy -
“One of the most significant aspects of being part of this council is the opportunity for peer advisory. As someone who manages a business without a management team, the council has filled an essential role providing a platform for me to connect, share, and learn from other women entrepreneurs and thought leaders. This network has also broadened my perspective, influencing my business decisions and growth.”
- Member of the Gorge Women’s Business Council
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Maren Reed
Co-Chair & Lead Consultant, WBC Portland
Founder of Hatch Consulting
Be Supported & Expand Your Impact
The Women’s Business Council is a collective of women across industries from passionate entrepreneurs to seasoned executives who are ready to step into their full potential, transform their leadership and evolve their businesses to make sustainable, positive impact. Started in 2020 with a chapter in the Columbia Gorge, we are expanding to the Portland Metro Area in the Fall of 2024.
We aim to create space for women of all backgrounds, lived experiences and professional expertise who own established businesses or are leaders within a larger organization. Each local chapter is influenced by the members that join and the program content flexes to meet the needs of the group.
As a member, you’ll have individual access to experienced coaches and advisors, be in community with other entrepreneurs and leaders, and expand your competencies through impactful workshops and a member-only offsite.
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You are a woman who worked her ass off to get where you are and you’re not done breaking barriers and defining success.
You are accepting of challenges and complexities that require and foster your growth.
You are committed to impacting your people, your work, and your business positively and productively.
You are ready to invest in YOU.
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Monthly Workshops & Peer Council
Workshops are led by two experienced facilitators and the content is informed by the unique make-up of each chapter. Several workshops will be led by outside speakers who are subject matter experts. Example workshop content could include:
Exploring new business models
Developing your workforce - when, how and who to hire and fire
Fostering an embodied leadership practice
The peer advisory council allows members to address business challenges and opportunities in a roundtable format and function as thought partners for each other. This peer-learning model of sharing experience and expertise with the support of skilled facilitators is a proven approach to accelerate growth, enhance strategy and hone leadership.
Individual Support
Program members receive individual support and guidance through our distinct Sounding Board process that helps members identify an area of focus during the first month of the program. The approach has been honed over the past several years and is grounded in program learnings, coaching and advising best practices and member input. Each member is supported with individual coaching and consulting sessions.
Group Connections
We uphold communication agreements for all of our gatherings, providing a confidential and brave space for members to show up as they need on any given day. We reserve space for members to bring their pressing business challenges and fears. We facilitate a peer council that allows members to reflect on strategic questions, peer learnings and new observations to ultimately move forward more productively.
Throughout the year we’ll host two social events and the annual offsite that allows for deeper connections and reflection. The offsite gets members out of their familiar surroundings and is a combination of learning, council, story telling, laughing, strategic thinking, delicious food and relaxing in nature. The experience is inspiring and restorative.
Resource Sharing
We have a rich pool of mentors and speakers who share their expertise throughout the year. This is supplemented with timely data and research, emergent business strategy and embodiment practice. Our program includes access to Mighty Network, a private and secure online hub where community members can share resources, pose questions and provide recommendations.
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Commitment: the program begins in the Fall of 2024 and is a 12 month commitment. The program calendar will be set in advance so you can plan your schedule accordingly. We’ll connect monthly in some capacity through our workshops, social gathering or coaching and advising sessions.
Energy: as a member of WBC, you are an active participant in helping shape the content and direction of the peer council. In every workshop, there will be space for self reflection, group sharing and supporting your peers.
Knowledge Sharing: we are intentional in creating a program that brings together members across industries and includes business owners and leaders within larger organizations because we’ve seen the power in learning from women with different experiences.
Investment: the cost is $4,620 annually with a quarterly and monthly payments options. This membership fee covers all costs associated with Women’s Business Council including:
Monthly workshops, which include outside speakers
Two social gatherings
Member-only annual offsite with extended workshop
Personalized coaching session
Sounding board sessions
Two executive advising sessions
Private and secure online hub for our community
Access to a broader network of resources
“This program is not about networking, it’s about realizing your power and the fullest potential of your work. The robust network comes along with it, because every person involved, including me, believes in our purpose and in you.”
Briea O’Duinn
Founder & CEO of Beset
Visionary & Advisor, WBC Gorge & Portland
Chapter Chair, Women’s Presidents Organization, Portland
“I went from being a head-down workaholic to lifting up my eyes and breathing life into a clear vision for my org. And many accomplishments and partnerships formed from the coaching and support I received from WBC leaders and mentors.”
- Former member, Gorge Chapter
A POWERFUL COLLABORATION
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The Women’s Business Coucil was founded by Beset in 2020. A key tenant of the program model is to have fluid and dynamic leadership, which is made possible by strong partnerships.
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The Women’s Business Council of Portland Metro is launching in collaboration with Affirma Consultancy. It’s a dream come true to have Tia B. Coachman as our co-chair and lead coach to our members
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HATCH Consulting has been a contributor to the Women’s Business Council since 2020 and is a partner in program growth. Maren Reed has been critical to the evolution of our Gorge program in her role as Chair, as well as fractional COO at Beset.
Become a Member
The Portland Women’s Business Council
launches in November, 2024!
Hop on a call to learn more.
“From management and hiring training, to getting incredible in-depth guidance on financials the workshops and connections they offer have been incredibly helpful in making the appropriate decisions for my business with all the right data. I feel more confident in myself and my business going into uncertain times. It’s a great community and I’ve enjoyed the last two years being a part of this group.”
-Former member, Gorge Chapter
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