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Chix in Business is a Triangle-area community of passionate women business owners who support and educate each other through building personal and business relationships, information sharing, seminars, mentoring and community outreach.
The organization started in 1998, shortly after Elizabeth Galecke relocated to the Triangle to start her photography studio. The group began as a small network of Elizabeth’s peers – fellow women independent business owners – who met informally over potluck dinners at Elizabeth’s home to exchange business resources, or to discuss participation in local events. Over time, more and more women were invited to attend these dinners and events, and as the network grew, it was clear that there was a need to give this group a name.
Distinguishing themselves from other women’s groups as serious women business owners who don’t take themselves too seriously, Chix in Business was born. Today, Chix in Business is a diverse group of more than 120 members. Our membership is comprised of artists, healthcare professionals, attorneys, coaches and consultants, accountants, real estate agents, technology specialists and many others.
Milestones
1998 Small group of women business owners led by Elizabeth Galecke start meeting at local restaurants to share business tips and support each other personally and in business.
2000 Coordinated monthly meetings begin and the group starts to grow by word of mouth.
2001 Evening gatherings of women have grown too large to hold at restaurants-meetings become pot-luck dinner gatherings in Elizabeth Galecke’s home. Gatherings include speakers, business discussions, community outreach, and social networking.
2003 A Yahoo group is begun to aid quickly growing group in communication efforts. A monthly Chix Lunch group begins. A monthly morning coffee group begins as well.
2005 A September feature story on NBC 17 nightly local news about the silent auction fundraiser organized by Chix in Business to support Hurricane Katrina victims, proceeds of over $5,000 were donated to the American Red Cross. A Chix in Business article runs in Triangle Business Journal: http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2005/07/25/newscolumn1.html. Chix grows to over 300 free members in the Yahoo group. Monthly meetings during lunch and evening formats have grown to the point of needing formal organizational structure due to media attention. The charter flagship Board is established, website launches, and organization incorporates. Chix launches lunch and evening gatherings in Chapel Hill.
2006 18 member Board nominated. Organization’s structure formalized. Bylaws written and Chix in Business, Inc. launched. New website launched. In March Chix in Business boasts 168 paid members in first year as a non-profit dues based membership. Continued success with Raleigh and Chapel Hill lunch and evening programs grows. In December 2006, the Holiday party is held and collects canned goods and cash donations from members that are donated to Interfaith Food Shuttle Backpack Program.
2007 February - Chix in Business holds First Annual Board Weekend Retreat to focus on strategic planning. In April, Chix in Business holds 1st Anniversary party. Chix gets featured in the Business Leader magazine "Women in the Triangle" . In June the Raleigh Luncheon meeting ‘Build Your Business Alliances’ met with great success. In November the Chix In Business Holiday Party was held with donations of books and pajamas. The ongoing success of programs in both Raleigh and Chapel Hill continues. Chix in Business membership grows to 240 active members. In November the New Board is voted in and second formal board takes charge in January.
2008 In January the new Chix in Business board met to officially begin the New Year. Chix In Business established as the largest membership of strictly female business owners in the Triangle Area. Committees in 8 areas take effect and begin work. The first Raleigh Luncheon held with nearly 50 attendees, which is the largest attendance of a Chix luncheon program meeting.
2009 In January, the new Board meets to make plans for the year, acknowledging the difficulties inherent in a recession year. The Board goes back to basics, emphasizing smaller groups, luncheons alternating between Raleigh and Chapel Hill with superb speakers, and fiscal responsibility. Our luncheons and special events remain popular, and Chix is able to sponsor the YWCA's program Camp Net Worth.
Talking Points
Who We Are
Chix in Business, Inc. is a Triangle-area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, North Carolina) non-profit organization of passionate women business owners who support and educate each other through building personal and business relationships, information sharing, seminars, mentoring and community outreach.Chix freely share ideas and information and form strong relationships through an e-mail list serve, as well as through monthly programs, social events and volunteer work.
We warmly welcome new members regularly by referral from a current member. Quarterly, we also invite women to join who have submitted an application, but who have not been directly referred.
Our requirements for membership are as follows:
- Women who already own or are ready to start a small business
- Women who are interested in sharing resources, ideas and information to enhance each others' lives and businesses
- Women who are committed to patronizing the businesses of fellow members and who will refer business to fellow members when possible
- Women who are committed to contributing their talents and skills to give back to their community through philanthropic activities
This is a community where women do business our way--building relationships, integrating all of our roles as women, and sharing values. If this is the type of business environment you've been seeking, we hope you'll apply to join us.
What Makes Us Unique
Our grassroots, non-profit organization not only takes a different approach to networking and creating relationships, but also positively impacts women and the way they do business in our community. We believe in patronizing each other's independent businesses, and look for ways to form alliances with our peers and competitors to create something bigger and better.
Our membership represents a wide range of businesses, including a large number of artists and creatives. There is an emphasis on fun--not just business. We laugh, socialize and support each other.
Chix in Business, Inc. proudly endorses the Buy Local concept. We encourage the clients we do business with to think about the choices they make regarding what and where they buy. Buying locally enhances the livability of our community, the stability and diversity of the local economy, and the retention and expansion of independent, locally owned businesses through increasing awareness about the personal, community, and economic benefits of choosing local first. On our website, www.chixinbusiness.org, you can Find a Chix Business that fits your needs and read about more reasons to choose locally owned businesses.
About Our Members
Membership is open to women who are business owners, business proprietors, partners, independent contractors, agents and supporters of Chix in Business, Inc. Chix in Business maintains four (4) groups of membership:
- Must have controlling or equal interest in ownership in a business, or be an individual that exercises the power to make policy changes within entity, and must have been in business for a minimum of one year.
- Independent representative or agent of a larger business entity
- Must have a plan to become a business owner or obtain controlling or equal interest in ownership of a business.
- A woman looking to support the Organization
A membership category is determined by the level of professional experience. The Membership Committee reviews applications. Owning a business can be exciting and challenging. Chix in Business is comprised of independent women business owners, agents and individuals who support and educate one another through idea sharing and networking.
The organization provides the opportunity to make direct connections with other women in business in our community through meetings and our e-mail communication list (ChixEmail list serve). Our programming provides on going strategic business support from speakers and other members.
Additional visibility is provided to members and the general public through monthly meetings, a member e-mail communication list and through our Web site, www.ChixinBusiness.org. A key membership advantage is our online membership directory with a search capability, which is available to members and the public.
Members of Chix in Business are leaders in the community, enhancing the profile of women business owners across the Triangle. Be a part of an exciting organization for women entrepreneurs in the Triangle.
Our Member Benefits
Chix in Business network, support and educate women business owners through building personal and professional relationships, information sharing and participating in philanthropic activities. Visibility is provided to members and the general public through monthly meetings, a member email communication list and through our Web site, www.ChixinBusiness.org. The organization provides the opportunity to make direct connections with other women in business in our community and provides on-going strategic business support from other members. Our grassroots organization not only takes a different approach to networking and creating relationships, but also positively impacts women and the way they do business in our community.
About Our Founder
Chix In Business Founder: Elizabeth Galecke (President)
Elizabeth Galecke Photography
Founder and president of CIB and Elizabeth Galecke Photography, Elizabeth Galecke's passion for community service began about the time she first picked up a camera. While pursuing her collegiate studies in photography in Austin, Texas, she founded The Children's Vision in coordination with Austin Area Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Elizabeth moved to Raleigh in 1995 to start her photography studio, which specializes in candid black and white portraiture. Shortly thereafter, she teamed up with Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina as a creative force behind their Picture This fundraiser. In 2001 and 2003 Elizabeth hosted A Day with the Arts , which raised over $10,000 for Make A Wish North Carolina and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Eastern North Carolina. Elizabeth has received Triangle Business Journal's prestigious "40 Under 40" award, and she continues to share her acumen with her fellow women leaders through CIB. Her goal is to spread the sense of community that has helped her over the years.
Supporting Local Businesses
Here are several reasons why you should support locally owned businesses:
- Local Character and Prosperity
In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage.
- Community Well-Being
Localy owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes.
- Local Decision-Making
Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.
- Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy
Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community.
- Job and Wages
Localy owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do.
- Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship fuels America's economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.
- Public Benefits and Costs
Local stores in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services relative to big box stores and strip shopping malls.
- Environmental Sustainability
Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers-which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.
- Competition
A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.
- Product Diversity
A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers.
Attending a Chix in Business event as a guest before deciding whether to become a member?
We encourage guests to attend all of our events. Guests may attend a total of three Chix in Business meetings (two daytime and one evening) before applying for membership. Guests are given a guest pass at the first meeting they attend. There is NO guest fee to attend the first meeting. A guest fee will be collected at the two subsequent meetings. Guests will be asked to present their pass to the event coordinator at each meeting they attend. Once initialed three times, the pass becomes void.
About Our Meetings
CIB Lunch Programs
Our Raleigh luncheons are generally held on the third Wednesday of each month at alternating restaurants. Our Chapel Hill luncheons are generally held on the first Thursday of each month at alternating venues. Our luncheon format in both locations varies between featured speakers (both Chix and outside speakers), Chix member business showcases, and roundtable discussions or problem solving sessions.
CIB Evening Programs
Our evening programs alternate monthly between Raleigh and Chapel Hill, and feature a guest speaker or are purely social events.
Finding A Meeting
Our Event Calendar is posted in the news media monthly, notices are sent via email newsletters, and all are posted on our website.