A Like-Minded Group

Like dogs in a pack, people share a need to belong at times. This need can manifest more after times of isolation, say, after a Pandemic.

So, it is a natural time to seek the company of those like-minded colleagues or friends. This is just what we announced last week at Illuminate.

it has been nearly two (2) years since I left the constant company of a busy corporate floor for the smaller corner space of a fledgling small business. One common concept I continue to come across is the sense of isolation that sole proprietors, small business owners, female business leaders who may find themselves mostly among male counterparts, can and do feel. Couple that with the recent Pandemic isolation and the need for peer dialogue accelerates. A quest, sometimes unintentional, begins to fill that void and a search for a comfortable venue for idea exchange takes life.

In this vein, Illuminate announced the creation of our inaugural Illuminate Women Owners Network (IWON), an idea exchange among like-minded female leaders. There are no requirements for company size or even being an actual business owner. Instead, we are including all female leaders who are considered accomplished in their field. You may own a business or you may run your own book of business or department within the structure of a larger institution. We have been thrilled with the response and are excited for a new chapter at our company.

Facilitating conversation among like-minded professionals is about making connections in conversation among the participants. My corporate career afforded me the opportunity to observe Peer Advisory Groups, Pro-Net Sales and Lead Generation Groups, and participate in an Executive Exchange Program. I was privileged to know the importance of each platform.

IWON starts with an acronym of inspiration and accomplishment - I WON. From there we will embrace the personal camaraderie of meeting in person at the same place and time once a month. The majority of respondents to our initial advertising are friends, buyers and sellers of one another’s products or services, and, to no surprise, pet lovers! A female forum for friends and colleagues to meet and exchange ideas about the Post Pandemic Business Environment, and, an opportunity to shine the light on their new pathway, with the help of others carrying a similar lantern, lies ahead.

Like the dogs in the Blog Photo today, we all share common traits and a vision for a better future. How we all arrive there may be different, but we know it is a better journey with like-minded friends.

The detailed description of IWON can be found here on our website, under News, and on our Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter Pages.

Be well.