The WBON mission focuses on these three pillars:
Education • Public Influence • Community
Education
WBON holds two conferences a year, regional monthly chapter meetings, and occasional special events. The emphasis of much of our educational work is on sharing knowledge about how to run a sustainable business, supporting members in their efforts to succeed (however success is defined), and on how to be partners in their wider community. We also provide many concrete RESOURCES to help our members beyond in-person events.
Public Influence
WBON’s Public Policy Committee works actively to influence public policy at the state and national level. Through appointments to boards and commissions, coalitions, testimony, public policy meetings and member education, WBON has been at the forefront of advocacy on behalf of women business owners and the issues that affect their companies. Our recent work has involved:
- The on-demand economy and independent contractor-employee misclassification
- Paid sick leave
- Access to capital, credit and contracts
- Statewide sustainable economic development
Our PUBLIC POLICY BLOG and POLICY COMMITTEE page outline our current work.
Community
WBON works to facilitate the exchange of information between our members, but we also work to promote business between members, and encourage the growth of a vital Vermont economy. All of our events include time for informal mixing and networking. Members share information about which ideas have worked well, and which haven’t, as they work to run their businesses. They also have the chance to make business connections with other WBON members, and to simply socialize with others who understand the special challenges and delights of being a woman business owner.