Women President’s Organization Launches First Cleveland Chapter

Women President’s Organization Launches First Cleveland Chapter
WPO and KeyBank’s Key4Women Group Co-Host Cleveland Reception for Multimillion Dollar Women Owned Companies

CLEVELAND – The first Cleveland chapter of Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) launches in October for women owned companies with over two million dollars in annual sales. The nonprofit membership organization aims to improve business conditions for women entrepreneurs and promote the advancement of women owned businesses across industries.

“Women business owners are rapidly changing the face of business in Cleveland and across the country,” said WPO president Marsha Firestone. “More than ever, women entrepreneurs are recognizing each others successes and connecting as peers. We are very excited about our newest chapter and the resources WPO brings to accelerating their growth.”

The launch of a new Cleveland chapter is indicative of the remarkable growth that women-owned businesses are experiencing not only in Cleveland, but across the country. As of 2004, there are an estimated 353,130 privately held, women-owned firms in Cleveland, accounting for 44.2% of all privately held firms in the metropolitan area, generating $83 billion in sales and employing 663,182 people.

“Key’s work with WPO is a natural fit with Key4Women,” said Lisa Oliver, KeyBank’s Cleveland district president. “Uniting women who own their own business in a way that benefits their company and empowers them as community leaders demonstrates Key’s commitment to their success and to Cleveland. Their influence on our community is very powerful.” said Oliver.

Jeanne Coughlin, author of the book, “The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs: People, Processes & Global Trends,” the Immediate Past Chairman of COSE (Council of Smaller Enterprises), and President since 1993 of the Coughlin Group, Inc., will serve as the facilitator of the Cleveland Chapter. “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to facilitate this new chapter for WPO, which will fill a need in the community for women-owned multi-million dollar companies. The WPO forums will provide these women entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet with their peers on a regular basis to obtain critical feedback and ideas on the growth of their businesses.”

To celebrate the new chapter launch, WPO and KeyBank will hold a special reception at Key Tower on October 5 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for multimillion dollar women owned companies to learn about the WPO and meet current members. WPO’s membership includes a diverse group of women presidents who have guided their businesses to at least $2 million in gross annual sales (or $1 million for a service-based business).

All interested women presidents who qualify are invited to attend the reception by calling Jeanne Coughlin at 440-933-3700 or e-mail her at jc@cgroupinc.com to receive an invitation or further information.

About Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO):
The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) locally and internationally connects top women entrepreneurs at the million and multimillion-dollar level ($2 million in gross annual sales or $1 million for service-based business) for greater personal and professional success. In monthly meetings across the US and Canada, chapters composed of 20 accomplished women presidents from diverse industries and backgrounds invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. For more information, call 212-688-4114 or visit http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com.

Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
919-233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com

MMI Associates, Inc.
7406-H Chapel Hill Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 233-6600 • (919) 233-0300 (fax)
patty@mmimarketing.com

Contact: Patty Briguglio (919) 233-6600

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