In 2003, a team of business associates decided to pull their talents together to develop a women's networking group. The business associates attended social networking groups and business expo's in the Northern Virginia Area. They also researched various business development groups on the internet. In their quest to move the women's networking group idea forward, a luncheon was hosted at Paradiso Restaurant in Springfield VA. Sheila Dixon and associates invited about 40 women to the luncheon who said they had an interest and were expected to show up. February 2003 at 12:30, there were 5 women in the room...2 were the hostesses. Not knowing what would happen to the idea, the 5 individuals had a terrific lunch and began to knowledge share. We introduced ourselves to each other, stated what we are looking for to grow our individual businesses and had a GREAT time. We all decided that next month, we would each seek out 10 women owned business owners to attend the luncheon. March 2003 30 ladies attended the luncheon. April Luncheon 32 ladies and 1 gentleman. The female numbers increased as word began to spread about WBIS.
In 2005 we moved the WBIS luncheon to Houlihan's Restaurant in Springfield, Virginia. As the group continues to grow and attracts several different types of independent professionals,
we have re-branded WBIS in 2008 to include business and personal development
interactive workshops and seminars to successfully address the specific needs of our membership. As the
business development strategies created a strong core for the group, we have developed solid community relationships as WBIS's Inner Circle and Success Partners continue to work diligently, empowering women to be their best self through WBIS. We look forward to seeing you at the next WBIS luncheon. WBIS is noted as one of the strongest and longest lasting independent small business building luncheon groups in the Northern Virginia Area.
We launched our first local chapter, August of 2008 in Prince William
County.
About Visionary & Founder Sheila Dixon
WBIS started as an idea by Sheila K, Dixon of S&E Marketing Concepts. She is a stay at home/work at home mom and understands the importance of keeping one's skill sets in tact as the demands of motherhood can sometimes be a struggle of the heart. Her mission was to utilize and maintain her Marketing/ Management skill sets to help entrepreneurs with marketing success in 8 months or less. She owns S&E Marketing Concepts, LLC , a successful business consulting and marketing coaching business for solo-entrepreneurs. Her most recent clients include: Centreville Medical Arts Pharmacy, LiteTouch Medical Spa, Treats by Gale, Fernwood Solutions, Elizabeth Linares Photography
, B&B Envirosystems and Professional Image Digital Imaging &
Photography. Part of Sheila's business is to market the talents of solo-entrepreneurs by promoting their business through WBIS. She is currently working toward coaching certification and
released, "THE Marketing Mission" February 2008. Sheila is published in the 2008 edition of Cambridge's Who's Who Directory. She is from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where she graduated
with a BSBA from Duquesne University and currently serves as
Board Member for the Duquense University Alumni Chapter in
Washington DC. Sheila is member of The American Marketing
Association, NAFE, Local Chamber . She has over 19 years of experience in a fast paced Corporate environment. Sheila is a wife, mom of 3 rambunctious boys and has a passion to help every woman in her path to be their best self. Sheila speaks from the heart, fills her audiences with the motivation, inspiration and effective tools to help the independent professional
woman excel beyond their expectations.
The key to WBIS Success is for Professional Women to use their
strengths, gifts and talents. We believe that one must invest in
others to succeed. Our model compensates leaders in way that is of
mutual benefit to the growth of their individual company and WBIS.
Theresa Johnson
WBIS Chapter Development
Megan Urbaniak
Prince William County Launch Manager
Kerry Molina
Prince William County Launch Manager
Susan Shelton
Founding Fairfax County
Success Partner
Kathy Kalmar
Founding Fairfax County Success Partner
Cinnamon Bowser
BYBS Incubator Coach
Gaea Honeycutt
WBIS Feature Writer
Trish Thackston
WBIS On-line Moderator
Karen Carter
WBIS Event Planner
Interested in becoming a WBIS Success Partner? We are looking for assistance in the following areas:
WBIS started as an idea by Sheila K, Dixon of S&E Marketing Concepts. She is a stay at home/work at home mom and understands the importance of keeping one's skill sets in tact as the demands of motherhood can sometimes be a struggle of the heart. Her mission was to utilize and maintain her Marketing/ Management skill sets to help entrepreneurs with marketing success in 8 months or less. She owns S&E Marketing Concepts, LLC , a successful business consulting and marketing coaching business for solo-entrepreneurs. Her most recent clients include: Centreville Medical Arts Pharmacy, LiteTouch Medical Spa, Treats by Gale, Fernwood Solutions, Elizabeth Linares Photography
, B&B Envirosystems and Professional Image Digital Imaging &
Photography. Part of Sheila's business is to market the talents of solo-entrepreneurs by promoting their business through WBIS. She is currently working toward coaching certification and
released, "THE Marketing Mission" February 2008. Sheila is published in the 2008 edition of Cambridge's Who's Who Directory. She is from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where she graduated
with a BSBA from Duquesne University and currently serves as
Board Member for the Duquense University Alumni Chapter in
Washington DC. Sheila is member of The American Marketing
Association, NAFE, Local Chamber . She has over 19 years of experience in a fast paced Corporate environment. Sheila is a wife, mom of 3 rambunctious boys and has a passion to help every woman in her path to be their best self. Sheila speaks from the heart, fills her audiences with the motivation, inspiration and effective tools to help the independent professional
woman excel beyond their expectations.
