Business group offers women free membership

 by Karen Michelle Sarver
 published on Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The Phoenix chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, or NAWBO, is sponsoring one-year memberships for 10 female ASU students who plan to own their own businesses.

"NAWBO is a national business and networking organization that propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of influence," said Membership Chairperson Dena Patton.

"One thing that most all the members agree on is that we all wish we had more advice and mentors at a younger age," Patton said. "Being a business owner is a challenging endeavor, and the more support you have the better."

Patton said NAWBO, whose Phoenix chapter has more than 300 members, has been in Phoenix for 20 years and has everything from a home-based consultant to a multi-million dollar business owner

All of them are able to mentor students.

"We are advisers to each other," Patton said. "We help each other succeed."

Patton said students are matched with members in a similar field or industry. NAWBO members include the owners of Changing Hands Bookstore, Cookies From Home, and Terri's Design and Consign Furnishings.

The benefits of membership include mentoring, networking andks workshops. Students do not have to be business majors to be members.

"We want female students who want to be around successful, entrepreneurial women and learn as much as they can," Patton said. "It is our obligation to support the next generation of business owners and the best way we can do that is to provide resources, time and our experience."

Reach the reporter at: ksarver@asu.edu.