"You're definitely not alone!" That's a key message that Michele Bailey, a member of the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO), would like to send to other highly successful Canadian women in business. The nonprofit membership organization with thirty-one chapters located throughout the U.S. and two chapters in Toronto, attracts a diverse group of women at the helm of companies that boast revenues of at least $2 million, or $1 million for a service-based business. Today, WPO member businesses are a powerful force with an average of 49 employees, $6 million in annual revenues and 10.5 years in business.

"The WPO brings together very motivated, highly driven women in a forum setting. It's a real place of camaraderie and place to connect with like-minded women," says Bailey.

The creation of the first Toronto chapter was spearheaded and sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada, one of five of the Bank's initiatives to help women grow their businesses. Plans are also underway to create chapters in Montreal and Calgary.

Why women are joining
Bailey, who heads a successful marketing and communications firm called Blazing Design, joined the first Toronto chapter of the organization two years ago and believes it has given her an excellent opportunity to network and learn from her peers. "Men are very good at networking. They take good care of one another. We have some catching up to do here. And WPO provides that chance," says Bailey, who is also a BDC client. Her chapter is comprised of 20 women who meet on a monthly basis and tackle important business issues, such as HR and financing, and cutting-edge business trends.

"It's like doing an MBA every month," says Bailey. "For busy women who have little time to read and no time for the classroom, the WPO is ideal," she explains. For example, her chapter recently held a forum on conducting a valuation of a business. "That was incredibly useful for all of us. You learn concrete strategies that can help you grow your company," she emphasizes.

Vital mentoring
Along with business development, women business owners also benefit from mentoring and getting honest, candid feedback from people "who share the same interests," says Bailey. "You get to share real experiences with each other and learn from one another. There are so many resources out there to help you bring your business to another level," she adds.

An annual national meeting of the WPO also offers ideal opportunities to members who want to make important strategic contacts with other successful women entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. and Canada. The 2004 meeting will be held in San Francisco. In addition, a monthly newsletter serves as a forum to share news and events and gives members an opportunity to highlight their businesses in the WPO Spotlight column. Members are also featured in a National Directory, which provides photos, bios and contact information for all members. The organization has also created the WPO Web site, which enables members to list their own businesses and provides a hyperlink to their own company Web sites.

For women who may not have an active WPO chapter near them, the organization also offers a Membership-at Large. Members-at-Large receive all of the same benefits with the exception of monthly meetings. They are also invited to attend chapter meetings as they travel.

For more information, go to www.womenpresidentsorg.com or contact Rhonda Levine Ruben at rlr@rogeres.net.