Newsletter

Plan ahead and start saving money! It’s almost time to do your Christmas Shopping at the Fundraiser for Cary Home for Girls. (Tuesday, December the 13th , from 11:30-1:00 at MCL, West Lafayette). What fun it is, every year, to see the donations from AWBO members and the community as we pull together to give back! I can’t tell you how excited and thankful Cary Home was to receive the big check of $5000.00 last year that we presented them at our meeting in February, this year!

Speaking of being thankful, November is the month where we are reminded to think about- and be thankful for-all that is around us: our loved ones, our companies and customers, and hopefully the “little things” we take for granted.

Those little things, such as grabbing a drink of clean water or snack from the fridge because we’re hungry! It struck me: many people don’t have these “luxuries”. I do these things on a whim without thinking twice. But I should!

This morning I had the indulgence of a nice, warm shower (including soap and shampoo) in my nice warm house. I ate a good breakfast and plan on having a good dinner tonight.

Something else I often take for granted: how fortunate we are to live in the United Stated of America. Unlike many women worldwide, we have the freedom to start our businesses, run them as we see fit, and participate in our little part of the “American Dream”. And it’s all because some very brave people, hundreds of years ago, decided to strike out for freedom in tiny ships!

I look forward to seeing you at the December Fundraiser/auction, where we can give to young women to help meet their needs and show them that someone DOES care about them and what they are going through. I am very thankful for each of you and look forward to our monthly meetings where we encourage one another.

Have a very "Thankful" holiday,
Melony Ramsey
AWBO President
Empowering Women

Business Succession Planning

Stuart Boehning has a knack for transactional matters and is passionate about the financial welfare of his clients. As a business-oriented person, Stuart is dedicated to helping his clients grow personally and fiscally.  As an attorney, he is proactive and considerate. “I always try to put myself in my client’s shoes when it comes to the recommendations I make,” he says.  Stuart is also responsive, and he encourages his clients to contact him whenever they have a question or concern, no matter the time of day. “I’m always there,” Stuart says. “That’s my job.”

Stuart attended the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and has been practicing law for over 20 years.  At BB&C, he focuses on estate planning, transactional and corporate law.  He assists clients in creating LLCs, buying or selling businesses, and setting up living trusts.  Because he owns several companies himself, Stuart understands how to incorporate children into business and estate plans and provide a secure future.

One of Stuart’s most memorable cases at BB&C included a nine-year, twice-appealed case that eventually received the largest verdict in the firm’s history.  “Helping my clients establish business succession plans and family needs in a way that will advance them through the next generation is what’s most rewarding,” he says.

Outside of work, Stuart enjoys spending time with his family. He also enjoys fishing and working on his family’s horse farm with his wife, Ann, and their four children.

3 Minute Spotlights

As your new president, I tell this story to challenge each of us to stay active in our organization, get to know other members and look for ways to grow AWBO and each other.  We are unlike any other group in this area!  Women’s Resource Committee of Lafayette Young Women began its journey in November, 1981 with the first meeting in May, 1982.  As we start our new year, I look back to 2009, when I joined the organization which was soon renamed, Association of Women Business Owners.  In 2010, I was invited to join the Hospitality Committee, where I continued to serve until 2015.

I loved working on the Hospitality committee but when Susan Benedict became president in 2015, she asked me to move to Programs.  I accepted but kept asking her if she needed me somewhere else.   No, she assured me, I was where she needed me.  I wasn’t at all sure I could handle the job until she paired me with Deb Plue.  We each had our own skills and strengths so we complimented each other and have been a great team.  But little did I know that Susan put me on Programs so she could stretch me…..let me experience new challenges.  Then it happened!  In March, Susan asked me to be President-Elect as well as finish my year on Programs.

It has been a real challenge, but also an amazing year of growth.  I have broadened my knowledge of AWBO and had a chance to see how the well-oiled machine works.
Where will AWBO take you?  Is there a committee experience in your future?  Perhaps a Board position? Maybe working with a new member to help her  grow her business!  One thing I have learned in these past 7 years: the Association Of Women Business Owners is a great place to learn, spread our wings and grow.  Join me in the adventure!

Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at MCL Cafeteria in West Lafayette on 52 bypass from 12:00-1:00p.m. Questions?  Contact Melony at mkramz205@gmail.com

Best regards,
Melony Ramsey
AWBO President
Empowering Women

Leadership is Influence

Shelly Bays is an entrepreneur and advocate for living a life of significance. She is an internationally certified Speaker, Trainer and Coach with the John Maxwell Team and 14 yearveteran with the Aflac insurance company. Shelly brings the leadership principles of the worlds leading expert on leadership development, John C. Maxwell, to life through her work with entrepreneurs, teams, and individuals.

With over 30 years experience as an entrepreneur building successful businesses and teams in multiple industries; having been the leader of multiple volunteer organizations, and having served two terms as a school board member and Board President in Lansing, Kansas, she brings personal experience and lessons learned to her clients in a way that helps them engage, discover, grow and empower themselves and others.

With a passion for empowering women, Shelly’s philosophy is to help build others up so that they can live the life that they desire. By becoming intentional about personal growth, and developing leadership and empowerment skills, she believes in the “power of multiplication” and that by helping others to reach their maximum potential, we can change the world.

As a wife, Mom of 7, Grandmother of 5 ½, Fur Mom to 1 rescue dog, and entrepreneur, she enjoys spending her “spare” time attending her children’s sporting and school events, riding “Lola” (Harley Davidson motorcycle) with her husband Alan, traveling, camping, any kind of new adventure, enjoys a glass of wine on occasion and writing.

For more information about ways that Shelly can help you or your organization to reach your maximum potential go to www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/shellybays or emailshellymbays@gmail.com

3 Minute Spotlights

Ram-Z Exchange opened in 1988 on Elmwood Avenue. By 2007, they had outgrown that location, so everything was moved to 205 Farabee Drive North. In 2009, the name was changed to RamZs Emporium- “a store with a huge variety of merchandise under one roof”.  It became a place “Where you’ll find things you didn’t know you needed, but now youdesperately want”.  While many new things arrive daily, some are so unusual that you would never expect to see them in Lafayette.

In 9,000 sq. ft. of space, there are over 130 displays of fine jewelry, coins for collectors and investors, antiques and collectibles, guitars and some electronics as well as firearms for hunting or protection. They repair treasured jewelry and miscellaneous items at their store daily (it isn’t sent out). RamZs can also custom design a new jewelry piece to meet your satisfaction.  People also come to them in need of some cash so they became the oldest licensed pawnbroker in 1990, giving loans to those in need during crisis times.  Notary service is also available.

December of 2007, they won the Small Business of the Month award.  Melony later served on the committee and became co-chairman.  Currently serving on the Greater Lafayette Commerce Education Committee, she really enjoys helping with Golden Apple Award selections. Being in AWBO for several years and on the board has been a favorite thing because she’s learned so much, developed many friendships and found several members who have given her help in many ways.

Stop and see RamZs Emporium. With 17 staff members, RamZs is still family owned and operated.

Melony Ramsey, RamZs Co-Owner
AWBO President Elect
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Why I Like AWBO...
By: Susannah Hall-Justice, Hall-Justice Law Firm

"AWBO is a great place to learn from speakers and fellow business owners while enjoying lunch.  A business can always be improved and this is a fun way of learning how to do it."
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What No One Will Ever Tell You

I’m talking about “Burn-out”. This is a topic you may have never dealt with. But if you have been in business for several years I’m guessing you have had to address it.

What can you do? How do you snap out of it? What if….. You still LOVE your job/career? You even have a viable business. What can you do when you start to get that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach every time a normal task needs addressed?

You could:

• Take up a new hobby to divert your attention temporarily
• Schedule time in your calendar to take up a new activity or do community service
  
• Hand off unwanted tasks to an employee or outsource them
• Cut back your hours

You could schedule into your calendar a longer than one week’s vacation. Studies have shown that employees who take five weeks of vacation a year, are more rested and effective at their jobs. In fact Henry Ford was probably the first in the mid-1920s to identify this phenomenon. He reduced the workweek from six days a week to five and from 48 hours to 40 after his company discovered diminished productivity returns.

You can read more about more effective productivity at: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/08/the-case-for-vacation-why-science-says-breaks-are-good-for-productivity/260747/

So whether you are dealing with burn-out or just looking for more ways to be effective at work-let’s get that calendar out. It’s time to go against the grain and schedule in time for your next vacation yet this year!

Best regards,
Susan Benedict
AWBO President
Empowering Women

Information That Can Keep You Out Of Jail 102

Coming to AWBO for a second time is Debbie Elsner, a native of Albany, New York and graduate of Maria College.  She and her husband moved to Lafayette in 1976 so he could finish his education.  The move that was initially intended to be temporary, has already lasted 40 years, giving them a chance to raise their son and now enjoy grandchildren.

Debbie's work experience has been in Human Resources and the Non Profit sector starting in 1980.  Many years of paid and volunteer work with the American Red Cross brought her to the role of Executive Director.  Upon retiring, she formed her own organization in 2009, Personnel Matters, LLC.

She works regularly with small businesses, non profits and organizations not large enough to have someone trained in Human Resources.  Helping others and teaching them the things they need to know to successfully manage their staff brings a smile to her face.

And as if one business isn't enough to occupy her time, she has TWO!  Dabbling in making lovely Swarovski crystal jewelry became a business and it has gained her enough attention in other states that she makes beautiful pieces for them to sell in their stores.  Brides seek out Debbie's wedding planning skills and her Beaditude Jewelry to adorn their bridal parties.


3 Minute Spotlights

Everything You Didn't Know About Social Media

Hear from current members and some outsourced Social Media users about how they use this tool to promote their business.

During this panel discussion you will learn:

*How and Why Social Media took over market share from traditional forms of advertising.

*Which Social Media works best for different types of businesses/age demographics?

*When is the right time to engage?

*What do I need to know about using various platforms?

*How can I test and measure?

* When is it best for busy women to outsource this area-What can I expect?

* Are my goals actually achievable on Social Media?

Have a specific question you would like answered? Please email questions to Melony Ramsey at mkram205@gmail.com by Thursday, Aug. 4th.

3 Minute Speaker