Empowering Women in Business: Transformational Leader Jeanne Porter’s Journey

Summary

In this episode of Transformational Leadership TV, host Genesis Eakes interviews Jeannie Porter, founder of Women In Business Networking. Jeannie shares her journey from working in the juvenile court system to becoming an entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of community support during economic recessions. She discusses the creation and growth of her organization, which aims to provide a supportive network for women in business, fostering unity and collaboration. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced in building the organization and the significance of recognizing and empowering women in the community.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Jeannie Porter is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Women In Business Networking, aimed at supporting women in the business world.
• 🎓 Jeannie's background includes 20 years in the juvenile court system and a few years with the Better Business Bureau before fully committing to entrepreneurship.
• 💼 Women In Business Networking started as a small gathering and grew to hosting 150 events annually, reflecting a significant need for community among women entrepreneurs.
• 🌐 The organization was initiated during an economic recession, yet it thrived, indicating the strong desire for support and camaraderie among women in business.
• 👥 The network created intimate groups to facilitate sharing and learning among women, which quickly filled up and expanded, demonstrating the popularity and effectiveness of the approach.
• 🏆 Jeannie introduced recognition programs like '25 Women to Watch' to celebrate and uplift women's contributions to the community, enhancing their visibility and impact.
• 🤝 The script emphasizes the power of unity and collaboration over competition, even among businesses that might be seen as rivals.
• 🚀 Jeannie faced challenges in scaling the organization and finding ways to stand out among numerous networking groups, highlighting the importance of differentiation in entrepreneurship.
• 💡 The advice from a Canadian networking organizer to find a unique niche was pivotal for Jeannie's strategy, leading to a diverse schedule of events to accommodate different women's availability.
• 🌱 Jeannie's passion for encouraging and empowering women was her driving force, which helped her overcome the desire to give up during overwhelming periods of growth.
• ✅ The organization's merger with the Better Business Bureau ensured its continuation and expansion, showing the value of strategic partnerships for long-term success.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Transformational Leadership TV?

The main focus of Transformational Leadership TV is to inspire, equip, and challenge leaders to bring about transformational change in their communities.

Who is the host of Transformational Leadership TV?

The host of Transformational Leadership TV is Genesis Eakes.

What is Jeannie Porter's background before founding Women In Business Networking?

Jeannie Porter has spent about 20 years in the juvenile court system and a few years with the Better Business Bureau, with the rest of her life dedicated to entrepreneurship.

What motivated Jeannie Porter to start Women In Business Networking?

Jeannie was inspired by a leadership institution in Columbus, Ohio, but wanted to focus more on business support for women rather than politics, leading her to start Women In Business Networking.

How did Women In Business Networking begin?

Women In Business Networking began with Jeannie researching existing networking organizations, creating a website, and holding the first Lunch and Learn event with about 20 women from the business world.

What was the community's response to Women In Business Networking during the recession?

Despite the recession, Women In Business Networking grew tremendously, holding 150 events annually, indicating a strong need for women's business support and networking.

What was the significance of the entrepreneur groups within Women In Business Networking?

The entrepreneur groups, limited to 20 women each for intimacy, were significant as they provided a space for women to share experiences, learn from each other's successes, and foster a sense of comradery.

How did Jeannie Porter handle the rapid growth of Women In Business Networking?

Jeannie initially handled most aspects of the organization herself but eventually realized the need for a leadership team and advisory board to manage the organization's growth and meet the needs of the community.

What was the impact of Women In Business Networking on the community according to Jeannie Porter?

The impact was significant, fostering unity among women, supporting the growth of businesses, and recognizing the contributions of women in the community, especially during a time of recession.

What advice did Jeannie receive from a woman in Canada that influenced her approach to networking?

Jeannie was advised to find something that sets her networking organization apart from the thousands of others, leading her to create a diverse menu of networking opportunities.

How did Women In Business Networking evolve to become a part of the Better Business Bureau?

Jeannie wanted to ensure the organization's continuity after her departure, so she sought a partner aligned with their mission. After receiving the Integrity Award from the Better Business Bureau and discussions with their leadership, Women In Business Networking merged with the BBB and became one of their programs.

What is Jeannie Porter's advice for other transformational leaders?

Jeannie advises transformational leaders to help others succeed, practice a hand up instead of a hand out, and care about others by integrating their lives with the community they wish to impact.