Women Business Owners Council

2025 Meeting Schedule

• March 6 – 10:00 am to 11:30 am

• June 5 – 10:00 am to 11:30 am

• September 4 – 10:00 am to 11:30 am

• November 6 – 10:00 am to 11:30 am

• December 4 – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm – Council Year in Review Celebration

Who can join the Council?
Membership is open to women business owners in southeastern North Carolina who are also members of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. To qualify, your business must:

·       Have been operating for at least one year

·       Employ at least one person (W-2 or 1099)

·       Hold a Small Business level membership or higher with the Chamber

How do I apply or express interest?
Simply fill out the interest form, or contact April Davis at davis@wilmingtonchamber.org to learn more.

Do I need to be a Chamber member first?
Yes, a Small Business level Chamber membership is required before joining the Council. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please contact Blake Elliott at elliott@wilmingtonchamber.org.

Is there an extra cost to participate?
No, there is no additional fee.

How often does the Council meet?
We meet 4–5 times each year.

What happens at a typical meeting?
Each meeting begins with a warm welcome and introductions, giving members a chance to connect and share updates about their businesses. After that, the group hears from a guest speaker, usually a local expert, on topics that matter most to business owners, including finance, human resources, marketing, operations, or systems management.

Speakers are chosen with care to ensure the content is practical and immediately useful. Sessions often include time for discussion, Q&A, and exchanging best practices, so members walk away with strategies they can apply right away.

Equally important, meetings provide space to build relationships with other women business owners who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of running a business in southeastern North Carolina.

Are meetings in person or virtual?
Meetings take place in person at the Wilmington Chamber office.

Do I have to attend every meeting?
No. We encourage participation, but attendance at every meeting is not required.

What can I expect to gain from participating?
You’ll gain access to high-level learning opportunities, practical business insights, and meaningful connections with other women business owners who understand your challenges. The Council is designed to help you strengthen operations, grow strategically, and position your business for long-term success.

How is this different from other networking groups or women’s business organizations in the region?
Unlike general networking groups, the Council is focused specifically on established women-owned businesses. Our goal isn’t just to connect people. The goal is to provide strategic support through curated programming, expert speakers, and peer-to-peer exchange that helps members tackle real business challenges.

Will there be opportunities for collaboration or partnerships among members?
Yes. Members often discover ways to collaborate, share resources, or partner on projects.

How does the Council support established businesses versus start-ups?
The Council is not a start-up incubator. Instead, we focus on helping established businesses scale, sustain growth, and strengthen their impact on the regional economy. Chamber staff would be happy to provide resources to other groups focused on entrepreneurship, women’s leadership development, or women’s networking. Please contact Josh Hallingse at hallingse@wilmingtonchamber.org to learn more.

What types of programs or events are offered?
Programs typically include expert-led workshops, guest speakers, and peer discussions on topics such as finance, HR, marketing, operations, and leadership.

Will there be opportunities to share my expertise or lead a session?
Yes. Members are encouraged to share their knowledge, and many sessions highlight the expertise within the group.

Will there be opportunities for sponsorship?
Please contact April Davis at davis@wilmingtonchamber.org to learn more.

What is expected of members?
We encourage members to attend meetings regularly (4–5 per year), participate in discussions, and share experiences that benefit the group. There are no additional financial contributions required beyond Chamber membership.

Can I remain in the Council year after year, or is there a term limit?
Yes, as long as you continue to meet eligibility requirements, you may remain a member year after year.

How is feedback from members incorporated into programming?
Your input matters. Each year, we gather member feedback to help shape future topics, speakers, and initiatives.