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The Women’s Business Connection
MEET our MEMBER
Where Business and Life Meet: Women’s Business Connection of Chester County
By Nina Malone, Arbonne and WBC Board Member
Throughout 2020, the pandemic-related quarantines strained connections, but not for the Women’s Business Connection (WBC) of Chester County. That organization leveraged technology to make sure its members continued to benefit from “meeting” two to three times each month.
“We’re really proud that we didn’t miss a beat with our events, which we held virtually from April 2020 through June 2021” said Diana Mattingly of First Resource Bank. Mattingly serves as the WBC’s board president.
The WBC’s mission is to connect women in business — corporate executives and entrepreneurs alike. Its signature events offer women the opportunity to network, socialize, laugh and grow, both personally and professionally. Members are professional women dedicated to building relationships based on their commitment to each other’s success.
“We focus on creating connections that women can build into relationships — and, hopefully do some business together and make referrals,” said Mattingly.
Expect to find the WBC back to business as usual now that the pandemic appears to be waning. Monthly networking opportunities include: • A luncheon workshop on the second Tuesday, usually at the
Downingtown Country Club. The event kicks off at 11:15 a.m. with networking; the program, lunch and speaker start at noon.
Expert speakers cover a wide range of topics in the areas of goals and visioning, health and wellness, marketing and social media, personal branding and body image, home and office design tips, teamwork and more, encompassing both professional and personal life to capture the essence of its tagline:
Where Business and Life Meet. • A Cocktail Connection at a fun area venue such as a restaurant, bar, brewery or winery. These events run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and are more casual to spur conversation and connection.
The WBC also hosts special events: • An Annual Awards luncheon to honor its Community Partner’s
Volunteer of the Year and the WBC’s Business Woman of the
Year. • An every-other-month free Hot Topics Coffee
Connection, at different venues, to discuss select pod-casts over coffee and conversation. • Leadercast, in partnership with the Exton
Region Chamber of Commerce, a day-long series of women speakers covering key issues of the day simulcast into The Movie Tavern in
Exton and bookended by breakfast and happy hour. • A social event in the fall. These have included Meet Me At The Mansion at Oakbourne
Mansion in West Chester and during 2020 a virtual Designer Bag Bingo — plans for an in-person event are un-folding for 2021 at this writing. The goals is not only fun but to raise funds for its Community Partner. In 2021 that’s
Exton’s Home of the Sparrow.
“Our group continues to grow. We gained members, even in the pandemic,” Mattingly added. “I believe that’s because we pivoted to continue our events without interruption. Connecting has never been more important. We’re here to facilitate those connections for area business women.”
