2025 - Women Business Owners Council Meeting - WBOC Q2

The Women Business Owners Council is dedicated to advancing the success of women entrepreneurs by focusing on business development, strategic growth, and economic impact. Our programs will offer high-value learning opportunities, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and address the critical business challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Through targeted initiatives, we aim to strengthen the regional economy by supporting the scalability and sustainability of women-owned businesses.

Membership in this council is exclusively open to women business owners who are current members of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. Invitations will be extended upon completion of the interest questionnaire.

It is important to note that the Women Business Owners Council is not designed as a start-up incubator, general networking group, mentorship program, or sales platform. Southeastern North Carolina already offers robust resources in these areas. Instead, our council is focused on complementing and enhancing the region’s business ecosystem by providing strategic support tailored to established women business owners.

We hope you will join us on Thursday June 5th as we hear from Derek Schmidt Founder & CEO of DesignLoud, Inc.

Derek is a digital marketing strategist and the caffeine-fueled founder behind DesignLoud — a Wilmington-based agency that helps small businesses grow big online. With over a decade of experience working with entrepreneurs, home service pros, and e-commerce hustlers, Derek specializes in crafting digital strategies that actually move the needle. When he’s not speaking about SEO, social media, or analytics, you can find him rooting for local startups and showing business owners how to turn the volume up in their online spaces — the smart way.

2025 Meeting Schedule:

March 6, from 10:00 am - 11:30 am

June 5, from 10:00 am - 11:30 am

September 4, from 10:00 am - 11:30 am

November 6, from 10:00 am - 11:30 am

December 4, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm - Council Year in Review Celebration