Why Join NJAWBO?

Ask 10 members what they get out of NJAWBO and, odds are, you'll get 10 different answers. No other organization gives women in business the support, training and opportunities that NJAWBO does. Among the most cited reasons for being a NJAWBO member are:

Networking: NJAWBO gives members the opportunity to network with hundreds of other women business owners through Chapter and Regional meetings and the organization's annual conference. The NJAWBO directory, a valuable member benefit, provides instant referral for member products and services.

Corporate Connections: NJAWBO provides opportunities for members to meet and do business with corporate procurement officers. The organization helps open doors to our many corporate sponsors and supporters at both Chapter and State levels who recognize that our members are a great resource and market.

Support: NJAWBO's members provide professional and personal support for one another. After all, who can better understand the concerns and successes of a women in business than another woman in business?

Education: NJAWBO offers various business education programs, including its renowned NJAWBO's Women's Business Center, a government-sponsor-funded series of seminars offering training and counseling for women business owners at all levels of experience.

Legislative Impact: NJAWBO promotes the economic growth and prosperity of women business owners through lobbying and activism in local, state and national political and legislative issues. Members have an unrivaled opportunity to influence decision-makers and create a receptive and rewarding climate for women entrepreneurs.

Discounts: NJAWBO members receive discounts on many services and products. Take a look at some of the generous offers provided by our Corporate Sponsors and Partners.

Affiliations:  NJAWBO partners with other organizations to bring more member value in terms of clout and access to opportunities and resources not otherwise possible.

For membership information e-mail NJAWBO State Headquarters at  njawbo@njawbo.org, call us at 609-799-5101 or  Join Now

NJAWBO Member Benefits

What’s in the name NJAWBO? We are an organization of diverse women business owners who have come together to ensure each others business success. Our goal is to “Work with our members to build their businesses.”

As a member of NJAWBO, the outstanding resources, benefits and opportunities we have available to you will enable your business is reach its full market potential and maximize your customer reach.

We know what you’re looking for in a women’s business organization, and it’s all here!

Networking Opportunities

Access to a potential 900 members at NJAWBO events and activities

 State Sponsored Events

 ►    Annual Conference with workshops and major keynote speakers

►    Public Policy Day where NJAWBO members meet with legislators and administration officials to discuss public policy and share opinions that make a difference to our businesses

►    Procurement Event & Expo where women business owners can meet with corporations and government agencies who are looking to outsource their business needs to women and minorities

►    Salute to Women Leaders where we recognize women who have made a difference in the business community, their work environment, and the community at large as well as those who have exceeded in their efforts to others and made an impact on our lives

►    Annual Meeting, open to all members and held in May

►    CLT – Chapter leadership Training for incoming and incumbent Chapter Officers which introduces them to the policies, procedures and practices of this dynamic organization

►    Bi-monthly Board of Trustees Meetings provide a forum for the exchange of information and the sharing of best practices to strengthen the bond between the State and our network of county Chapters

 Chapter and Regional Events

 ►    Attend monthly chapter meetings at your “home” chapter or any of our 12 chapters throughout the state

►    Enjoy dinner meetings with educational speakers

►    Monthly breakfast and/or Lunch meetings

►    Marketing Club Roundtable meetings

►    Business Expos

►    Charitable Fundraising Events

 Job Referrals and Advertising Opportunities
Make the right connections to market your business and get important job opportunities.

• Online Member Database that lists your company information and allows members and other NJAWBO website visitors to locate you and your products and services
• Online Membership Directory contains all members current contact information listed alphabetically by individual name and business classification.
• Link-Me Program that links your website to NJAWBO’S www.njawbo.org and let’s people know your business is out there
• Advertising is available in our quarterly online Membership Directory and in our bi-monthly newsletter, The Bottom Line, to increase your marketing opportunities
• Event Expos where you can purchase a display table, put an ad in the program book, provide promotional material for event bags, or sponsor all or a portion of the event
• Join the Speakers Bureau where your expertise can shine and others can request you to speak at their events

Access to State and Corporate Procurement Contracts
Think certification to increase your opportunities for new business.

• Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification. Government agencies and some corporations require that you are certified. NJAWBO will help you begin or conclude the certification process with certifying organizations such as the State of NJ, NJ Transit, and the WPEO.
• Annual Procurement Event and Expo where you meet with corporate and government agencies looking to outsource their needed services to women and minorities. You can also learn more about the certification process, and, if your business is a potential match for a particular need, have an interview opportunity with a prospective corporation or government agency.

Women’s Business Advocacy

You need to be aware of how your business can be affected by state and government legislation.

 Legislative impact through state, local and national political activities that address the issues and concerns of women business owners throughout the State.

 Affiliations that are automatically part of your membership in these important women’s organizations:

 ►   The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) which encourages, develops, funds and implements programs that foster economic empowerment and advancement for women around the world.

 ►    WIPP (Women Impacting Public Policy), America’s leading voice in Washington, DC for more than 500,000 diverse businesswomen and women business owners nationwide. WIPP has clout on the issues that impact you: Affordable Health Care; Implement set-aside program for women-owned businesses, enact economic stimulus policies.

►    U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the strategic force of the Women’s Ownership Movement that’s leading the revolution to secure women’s rightful place as the most influential economic force in America.

Opportunity to join the NJ Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Federation at a discounted cost off the regular membership if your business meets their criteria.

Business Relationships and Member Discounts

Our Corporate Sponsors include PSEG, Affinity Federal Credit Union, CNA-David Sayles, Sanofi-Aventis U.S., NJBIZ, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and Novartis. Garden State Woman Magazine is our media sponsor.

PSEG offers EnergeLink  - a robust eLibrary of energy saving ideas.

Affinity Federal Credit Union which offers free checking, over 32,000 surcharge-free ATMs, a variety of services including revolving lines of credit, loans, 401K’s, access to financial advisors and benefit counseling.

CNA, David Sayles - a business insurance program for NJAWBO members.

Enterprise Rent-a-Car offers members only a Corporate Class Discount Program for business or personal use inNew Jersey with Out-of-state benefits. Enterprise has 140 locations in New Jersey close to where you live and work.

NJBIZ offers free and discounted subscriptions.

PSEG, Sanofi-Aventis U.S., Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Novartis are looking to get more women owned business on their vendor list to outsource business to them.
 
Our Media Sponsors Garden State Woman Magazine, Mercer County Women Newspaper, Silk Purse Women Magazine, NJBIZ, The County Woman-Atlantic, Ocean, Monmouth offer special advertising and subscription rate discounts for NJAWBO members.

Our web-based Member Resource Link assists you in finding the resources and information you need to grow and develop your business. These links include: Women’s Business Resources, Business Development Links, Government Links, Magazines and Publications, and Women’s Heath Issues.

You can also meet and get to know corporate and government representatives at our Annual Procurement Event or participate on the Corporate Advisory Council.

Opportunities to Learn and Grow

Grow your business skills with classes from the Women’s Business Center. Classes are offered on a variety of topics throughout the state. Members and their employees may take many classes at a substantial discount or in some cases for FREE!

The Unpaid University Internship Program offers all active members an opportunity to “hire” and provide work program and university interns work experiences, as well as career development and mentoring. These student interns are from universities around the NJ area. There is no cost to your business  - just a few hours time to interview, orient them to their work assignment and offer ongoing feedback during their job assignment. A packet ofinformation outlining this exciting opportunity is available on-line to members only.

The NJAWBO University Program is a great way to expand your knowledge!  We would like to encourage all of our members to participate in the NJAWBO University Calls.  These calls will be offered monthly and you will have the option of taking the call in your office or in the comfort of your own home.

If “leadership” skills is something you are interested in developing or fine tuning, participate on your chapter or State Board of Trustees. Learn how to be an effective leader by working and collaborating with other members of your chapter on projects key to keeping our organization strong and visible.