Executive Committee

History of the Women's Business Exchange
A core group met to form "some type of women's exchange group in Fargo" in October 2003. Founders included: Jodee Bock, Karen Stensrud, Arlette Preston, Connie Nelson, Cathy Jelsing, Ann McConn and Carolyn Kramer. The group wanted to be compatible with other local women's groups and talked about a focus on both "intra" and "entra" preneurial women's needs and issues.

In November 2003, Tara Holt - Center for Technology and Business, Bismarck, and Michelle Landsverk, Minnesota Women's Center - Fosston, Minn., met with the group and presented ideas on how they started their organizations.

By February 2004, the group had generated ideas for group presentations including:
• Differences between male and female communication styles
• What you need to know before starting your own business
• Intrapreneurship - developing opportunities in your current work site
• Relationship management
• Change - how to land on your feet

The first event was held at Stoker's, in the Donaldson Hotel, on Feb. 4, 2004, with 55 women attending.

The second event followed at Barbara's Deli in April 2004. By May, the executive committee had developed a mission statement, and was profiled in the online book "Testify! How Remarkable Organizations are Creating Customer Evangelists."

The executive committee finalized the WBE mission statement in May 2004. In June, WBE invited three local female entrepreneurs to tell their stories during an event at Seasons at Rose Creek.

By July 2004, the leadership decided the Women's Business Exchange needed to be formally organized. Officers were named, rules were established for decision making and a discussion about sponsorships resulted in some formalized guidelines.

In August 2004, the executive committee further formalized the organization by adopting bylaws and setting regular committee meeting dates.

Less than a year after its first meeting, the Women's Business Exchange was listed as one of "100 Bright Spots" in the state (Bismarck Tribune); launched a Web site; and on Sept. 14, 2004, drew nearly 70 women to the Plains Art Museum to learn the art of 30-second commercials.

In October 2004, the WBE executive committee hired a facilitator to lead a strategic planning session to further define WBE's goals and future plans. Subsequently, it was decided that WBE would host events approximately four times a year and that membership is based on participation in at least one event per year.

WBE invited female college students pursing business studies to participate in an event for the first time in the winter of 2005. Students paid just $5 to attend the "Power of Mentoring" on Feb. 7 in the NDSU Alumni Center.