By: Marsha Riibner-Cady
NFBPWC Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee Chair (2022-2026)

Our programming this year is focusing on our “Business Pitch”  

Our meeting on September 11, 2024, was at 8 pm Eastern via Zoom. We shared links to websites on resources for  your small business. Contact us if you were unable to attend and would like the information. 

On October 9, 2024, at 8 pm Eastern, our guest speaker is Rich Longo, Director of Duquesne University Palumbo Donahue School of Business. He will give us an overview of business plans. Please go to www.nfbpwc.orgevents to register.  

Here is his Bio: Rich Longo, R.N. FACHE, FACMPE, CTC, is the Director of Duquesne  University Palumbo-Donahue School of Business - Small Business Development Center  (SBDC) where he assists new and existing businesses in the areas of business plan  development: financial forecasting/financial statement development: marketing strategy  and implementation plans. Rich is also certified in Technology Commercialization. 

Previous positions held include Owner/CEO of RIOL; LLC a boutique consulting firm  specializing in Group Medical Practice Management, Pay for Performance, Accountable  Care Organizations (ACO’S), and Productivity and Quality Outcomes-based physician based compensation and Senior Vice President, Network Management for Devon Health  Services, Inc. King of Prussia, PA, one of the largest regional PPOs in the Northeast. 

Rich has also served as adjunct faculty at Robert Morris University and the University of Pittsburgh. He received  his Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (cum laude) from Duquesne University and a Master’s Degree (magna cum  laude) from the University of Pittsburgh. 

Rich Longo was named distinguished alumni in the School of Nursing in 2021. 

Upcoming meetings: 

November 13, we will have a tax specialist on hand to let us know more about preparing for the end of the  year. 

December 10, will be our holiday office party which will include festive attire and bring a beverage and  snack with the recipe to share! 

January 8, Nicole Sedon will be discussing “Human Resources for Small Businesses.” Future plans include a representative from SCORE to share that resource and much more!!!! 

We are looking for folks with expertise in all areas of business as participants, sponsors, and presenters to  participate in our Business Pitch program. Are you interested in participating or presenting? How about a 5 or  10 minute pitch of your business at our meeting? Please contact your small business committee at  smallbusiness@nfbpwc.org 

Did you know…That there are 109 folks who identify on our website as having a business but are not listed on  our ESB Business Page? Do you have an Entrepreneur or Small Business owner in your club? Please ask them  to reach out to us at smallbusiness@ngbpwc.org. Our submission form for the website is:  https://nfbpwc.org/Business-Directory-Submission-Form. 

Here are 2 women owned businesses  

that we visited: 

Right: President Barbara Bozeman with“Sew-lebrity”, Cheryl Slaboda. Cheryl Sleboda is

  an award-winning art quilter, lecturer, traveling teacher, and business owner. 

Barbara met Cheryl when visiting Cheryl’s brick and mortar store:  

Muppin’s Sewing Emporium in Paducah, Kentucky. https://muppin.com/ 

Left: Marsha is shown with her hairdresser Hunter Owen of Style DiVita of Kitty Hawk  and Elizabeth City, NC.  

Upcoming dates to celebrate: 

National Businesswomen’s Week is October 20-26, 2024 

It’s not too late to get a proclamation for NBWW. Below is a suggested template. Let us know if you have  done this in your community by October 27, 2024. to smallbusiness@nfbpwc.org 

NATIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN'S WEEK® 

October 20-26, 2024 

Proclamation  

NATIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN'S WEEK® 

WHEREAS, working women constitute 76 million, or almost half, of the nation's workforce and strive to  serve their communities, their states, and their nation in professional, civic and cultural  capacities; and 

WHEREAS, women-owned businesses account for 19.9% percent of all U.S. business, generating $1.9 trillion  in sales and employing $10.1 million people; and 

WHEREAS, working women should be applauded for their contributions to the workplace and the financial  stability of their families especially during the economic downturn when more women have  become their family’s breadwinner; and  

WHEREAS, the major goal of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc is to  promote equity for all women and to help create better conditions for working women through  the study and advocacy of social, educational and economic issues impacting women in the  workplace; and 

WHEREAS, since 1928, National Business Women's Week® has honored the contributions of working  women and employers who support working women and their families. 

WHEREAS, {something about your organization can be added here}. 

Therefore, I, {name of Mayor or leader}, Mayor of the City of {city name}, by the authority vested in me, do  hereby proclaim October 20-26, 2024,

NATIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN'S WEEK® 

This event is sponsored by the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. I urge all  citizens, businesses, and community organizations in {city, state} to join this salute to working women.  Encourage and promote the celebration of the achievements of all working women as they contribute daily to  our economic, civic, and cultural goals and livelihood. 

Looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting on October 9, 2024, at 8 pm Eastern.