Program Encourages Business Ownership

There are 120,000 women-owned businesses in Ohio with 48,000 in Columbus, according to the National Association for Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Despite the numbers, Jeanne Gokcen, first vice president of the NAWBO-Columbus Chapter, said that while women make great business people, they are poorly represented in the business world.

On January 13, Andrea Nameche, president-elect of the Columbus Chapter, and Gokcen spoke to female Otterbein students (and one brave male student) about what they can do to get started on a career path toward business ownership. Gokcen and Nameche also introduce NAWBO's University Partnership Program, through which the Columbus Chapter is reaching out to Otterbein students to provide guidance and resources.

What You Can Do as a Student

• Take basic business and marketing classes
  "Having an understanding of those concepts helps in every facet of business," Gokcen said. Gokcen added that having an understanding of finance, bookkeeping, taxes, and budgets is critical to any business. "The number one thing that happens to small business is they don't pay attention to the books," she said.
• Have an understanding of law and different types of businesses
• Dream
  "Create a vision to help lead you to create your business," Nameche said.
• Bring your "A" game
  Take your internships and mentorships seriously because you can bring value to a business right away, Nameche said.

Don't Settle on a Job

Nameche advised that you have to start your career somewhere, but there is nothing wrong with changing your mind. "There are people out there who will appreciate what you have to offer," she said.

Both Nameche and Gokcen advised students to shadow a business for a day to determine whether or not you're interested in that type of business.

"Figure out what you're really good at and find something or someone who can help you," Nameche said.

Learn By Example

One of NAWBO's goals is to spur more entrepreneurial endeavors from women. "We're trying to get women to realize the influence they have over legislative issues and economic issues," Gokcen said. Through the University Partnership Program, NAWBO is reaching out to females, who are majoring in business, engaged in the organization and provide mentoring opportunities.

The University Partnership Program would expose female students to women who own their own businesses and who can answer your questions, provide guidance, and help hone business skills through:

• Mentorships
• Advice forums
• Internships
• Networking at women business organization meetings and events
• Mock interviews

About NAWBO

The NAWBO-Columbus Chapter is a Central Ohio organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all industries. Membership is open to sole proprietors, partners, and corporate owners with day-to-day management responsibility.

The NAWBO-Columbus holds meetings on the first Thursday of every month that feature well-known speakers about issues that are relevant to women business owners, as well as providing multiple useful resources. NAWBO has 100 members locally and 9,000 members nationally.

Visit www.nawbocolumbusohio.com to learn more about NAWBO-Columbus and the University Partnership Program.