About Us
Whatcom Women’s Network (WWN) is a partnership of businesswomen and womenpreneurs dedicated to in-person networking and word-of-mouth marketing.
Our meetings are a time to get to know each other and to learn more about each member’s businesses. We recommend each other, refer potential customers, and do a great deal of business together as a result.
The group was founded in Bellingham in 1994 as the Bellingham Women’s Leads Club, part of Ali Lassen’s International Leads Club. Lassen founded the Leads Club business in the 1970s to give women an alternative to the “men only” groups she had been barred from joining.
We found the structured meetings, one-on-one focused networking, opportunity to practice our “30-second promotional speech” and 10-minute presentations to be empowering and effective in developing our businesses.
WWN became an independent group in 2003. As the Whatcom Women’s Network, we have lower dues and a local focus. We support local nonprofit organizations of our choosing, which primarily provide services to women and children.
Empowered women empowering women
Improving women’s equality and status in business through free-flowing information, shared resources, and educational presentations designed to give members the opportunities and insider knowledge that give them a business advantage.
Inspired women inspire women
Behind every inspired woman, is a network of inspired women.
To all the women searching for motivation, that inspired woman and her network are positively inspirational.
Charitable Giving
Whatcom Women’s Network Charitable Giving Program funds local programs that benefit women and children.
The grants are modest, and have been made periodically since 2007 by agreement of the group subject to the availability of funds. At present, there is no formal process for soliciting applications.
Past recipients of donations have included the Boys & Girls Club of Lynden, Girls on the Run, The Assistance League Bellingham and the Whatcom Community Foundation.
Most recently, donations were made to the Whatcom Humane Society.
Embrace the power of WOMen
Out of the top five popular ways to recommend a business, WOM (word-of-mouth) comes first, followed by Facebook, Google, and Twitter. (Semrush.com)
The premise behind WWN is word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing. WWN members recommend member businesses to their clients, vendors, and people they meet at other networking events. Every encounter is an opportunity to promote a member or share a resource.
Meetings
Meetings are structured to allow time for group business and the featured speaker.
Each member provides a 1-minute elevator speech or a brief update on what’s happening in their business or industry.
The featured member or guest speaker gives a 10-minute presentation on a business-related topic designed to educate members on the updates and developments in the member’s business or industry. The presentations provide the group with the necessary information to develop good business referrals.
Members also provide business referrals to other members and acknowledge the referrals they receive from other members.
We also share local business news and community events.
Meeting details:
12:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Monthly – on the 2nd & 4th Thursday
At Thrive Business Group,
1325 Lincoln St., Bham
Meeting location is subject to change.
Check our Events page to confirm the location.
Guests are asked to RSVP to director@whatcomwomensnetwork.com
Board of Directors
The WWN Board of Directors serve 6-month terms. They can be re-elected multiple times and those terms can run consecutively.
The current Board will serve from July 1, 2024-December 31, 2024.
Your NETWORK creates your NET WORTH
Michelle Ihlan
Director
Namaste Wellness & Coaching
Michelle has been serving as the director of WWN since January 2024.
Crystal Tamcke King
Secretary
NW Technology
Judy Paulson
Treasurer
Paulson Financial Services