This past weekend, I met up with a Facebook friend of mine by the name of Tamera Hinton (Tamera Bulger). She recently held what would be the first Women Entrepreneurs of America meeting in Richmond, Virginia. This function was held at Mimi Café on West Broad Street, a restaurant I hear is good (however, we didn’t eat). A handful of women came to find out more about the organization, Women Entrepreneurs of America, Inc. and how they could possibly become apart of it.
Tamera explained her role in WEA and introduced us to the Yolanda Lamar-Wilder. She described her as, “Yolanda Lamar-Wilder, Founder and National President, founded WEA, Inc. in November 2002. Mrs. Lamar-Wilder extended an invitation to over 100 women in business and those who want to start their own businesses to come together and discuss social, economic and legislative issues in Greater Cleveland, Ohio and across the nation. After much evaluation and several months of thoughtful planning and documentation, Women Entrepreneurs Of America, Inc. was officially chartered in November 2002. Now a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, membership based women’s organization.”
They currently have several local chapters within the Midwest including, Detroit/Flint, Michigan, Indianapolis, Indiana, Miami/Tampa, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Philadelphia, PA., St. Louis, Mo., Chicago, IL., Houston, TX. and now the Founders hometown, Gary, Indiana. Yolanda was placed on speaker phone as we discussed the benefits of the organization and how women like us, all over Virginia, could utilize it to our advantage as well as be of assistance.
The conversation got in depth regarding the benefits of an organization like this, starting from the ground up. In order for it to be successful for Virginia, Tamera would have to enlist at least 10 women. Each of these women would have to agree to pay a membership fee of $65.00 annually, as well as contribute their skills and resources to assisting other women in the organization. The training and workshops would have to be conducted by the members themselves or outsourced from a professional of their choosing. WEA describes their mission as, “The mission of WEA, Inc. is to “empower and support” women, young girls and now men in business, expand and enhance the lives of its membership and the African-American community through quality programs, training, education, volunteerism, and leadership development. Our efforts are in providing resources to “women in transition” and a portion of our proceeds go to the WEA Women in Transitioning Fund for training, workshops and ex-offenders re-entry programs.”
After the luncheon, the huge questions were these:
Can Richmond and /or Virginia women collaborate in order to head start an organization of this caliber?
Were we prepared to forgo the initial benefits of being in the organization, in order to be one of the catalysts to help it grow?
Finally, are you willing to share your skills, knowledge, and resources with no immediate return, in order to see that this organization is successful?
In a time, where everyone with a degree or ambition wants to start their own dream career, people are literally scratching to get out there. We all discussed the rudeness, the frustration, and the negative experiences that come with being an entrepreneur and a woman. It’s not for the faint of heart and as one woman said during the meeting, “you have to have tough skin!” So with Tamera (a new resident of Virginia) trying to bring this organization to Richmond, courage is something to be applauded. Some women fear rejection and ridicule, failing to take their skills and business to the next level, but here is this mother and businesswoman attempting to unite us all, when she barely knows anyone here herself. A huge quality that will aid in the success of the organization is the ability to present connections and resources for those members needing it. If the members pay an annual fee, I’m almost certain they are going to want to see their business progress due in part to becoming a member in the first place. The first to join this project will have to be able to present substantial resources, connections, skills, and knowledge, so that those coming under them will benefit as well.
You could cut the skepticism in the room with a knife. I’m not sure if the resistance was from knowing there isn’t an immediate return on investment or perhaps the knowledge of other female-based organization in the area offering similar payback. Those organizations are already established and functioning in the state. It wasn’t the annually fee for sure, especially since Tamera and Yolanda were offering a special discounted membership fee of $50 (normally $65) and a gift bag to the ten founding members of the future Virginia Chapter of Women Entrepreneurs of America. By participating in the discount, you would officially become one of the founding members, dedicating your time and labors to ensuring that this chapter is of value to future members.
One woman at the luncheon was the apparent individual not awed, however I couldn’t determine which side of the fence the others stood on. I know for certain that Tamera is definitely persevering and motivated that she can spearhead a Virginia chapter of entrepreneurial woman, all seeking support in the evolution of their ventures. She stated that her idea was to bring women together, once attempting to start a Curly Girl meet-up group in the Richmond Area. However, like most people’s experiences, in Virginia you have to earn their trust, then you earn their support.
I look forward to hearing new developments about this organization, Women Entrepreneurs of America. I really hope to see something positive come from this, because it truly can be a benefit to female business owners in the state. I want to see more of us coming together and collaborating, without the cattiness, unnecessary miscommunications, and “diva” attitudes that seem to perpetuate the stereotype that we’re too much drama. It’s enough limelight and success for us all, and treating each other like the competition or enemy, isn’t going to get us anywhere closer to our goals. We’re all-special and come from unique and diverse backgrounds, instead of battling each other, we should learn from each other and produce better quality results. So many of us try to go against the grain in some fashion to be unique, when we should sometimes try to create an environment of things being smooth.
If you’re interested in joining Women Entrepreneurs of America or getting more information, connect with them at their website
http://www.weainc.webs.com/
Remember Tamera and Yolanda are offering a special discounted membership fee of $50 (normally $65) and a gift bag to the ten founding members of the future Virginia Chapter of Women Entrepreneurs of America, so time is of the essence. You can also contact the Member Committee Chair at (888-871-3566) for additional info. Payments online
http://www.weainc.webs.com
through www.PayPal.com (Account: womenentrepreneurs2002@gmail.com)
Follow me on twitter @Gaptoothdiva
Related articles
- NAWBO Richmond Announces Board of Directors for 2012-2013 (prweb.com)
- Here come the girls: The rise of women entrepreneurs (xlntelecom.co.uk)
- Benefits of Being a Woman Entrepreneur (encrypted2.wordpress.com)
- Women Entrepreneurs a Growing US Force (theepochtimes.com)
- Female Entrepreneurial Success Spotlighted By Dell (women2.com)
- Google Releases New Site Full of Resources for Entrepreneurs (smallbiztrends.com)
- Small Business Entreprenuership, The Jobs Engine And The Future Of The Economy (women2.com)
- The 10 Commandments of Growing a Business (openforum.com)
- Webinar: Business Growth Insights From 3 Women Entrepreneurs (businessforums.verizon.net)
- NFIB Celebrates Success of Women in Small Business, Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month (sacbee.com)
YES WE DO NEED IT! It is more than an organization, it is a sisterhood! The number one thing that I absolutely love about Women Entrepreneurs of America is that the founder is a very hands on leader. She has been very inspirational and helpful to me in making this approach to Richmond. I am also a very passionate individual who is in the business of helping others to achieve thier greatness. As I’esha stated, I have personally experienced not being accepted because nobody knows who I am! Which is fine with me, I am not trying to become famous or gain status. My passion and my purpose is to help others in any way that I can even if it means doing it for free! If you have any questions feel free to contact me, Tamera Hinton, at tamerabulger@yahoo.com or 804-614-6331. Thank you!
Posted by Tamera "CurlyGirl of Richmond" Hinton | October 3, 2012, 6:55 pmGreetings from the National and Global Chapters of Women Entrepreneurs of America and the Honorable Founder, Yolanda Lamar-Wilder. I just love this blog and appreciate how it captivated this awesome event that was hosted by such an inspired and dedicated woman entrepreneur, our own Virginia Sistah, Tamera Hinton whose very excited about launching this newest chapter of Women Entrepreneurs of America in Richmond. Amazing in reading your blog is that, WEA isn’t for every woman entrepreneur. Those thats not ever volunteered or served in a nonprofit organization wouldnt have a clue of how phenomenal it is to be apart of a community of loyal and humble women for a common cause. I appreciate those that did attend the WEA Luncheon there at Mim’s Cafe to get to hear and chat with me about WEA. I also commend those whose interested in supporting the cause of “empowering and supporting” one another in the business world. There’s no competition with other orgs. in Richmond like WEA. We just want to be another vessel in support of growth for women in business. With that being said, there are a few that have joined and we will officially be hosting the Official Launch so stay tuned and thank you again Sistah I’esha for this wonderful blog. Im a true advocate for women in business!! Proud Founder! Thank you Sistah Tamera Hinton!
Posted by Founder, Yolanda Lamar-Wilder | October 14, 2012, 12:59 pmThank you so much for checking out this article. Your feedback is deeply appreciated. I wish so much success with the new chapter of WEA.
Posted by I'esha GaptoothDiva | October 18, 2012, 4:46 amI think
Posted by Joyce | March 22, 2013, 11:26 amYolanda Lamar-Wilder says she wants her organization, Women Entrepreneurs
of America Inc. to support and empower women in business.
Her critics however become red in the face when they hear her name and
laugh hysterically when they learn that Lamar-Wilder says she is “truly
honored and blessed” to have implemented an organization “of this magnitude
to assist women in the business arena.”
Robb Lee who owns a Web site design company in Alabama says Wilder ripped
off his slogan.
After paying for an advertisement that was never printed, he followed up
with a few associates in Cleveland where Lamar-Wilder’s business was based.
“It turned out that they were saying some pretty shady things about her,”
he said. “Then they mentioned a document that I wrote and had used in my
organization called Dollar a Day. It turned out that she copied my document
word for word and all she did was replace my organization’s name with her
company’s name.”
Lee says that after several individuals and business owners complained
about Lamar-Wilder’s business ethics, she skipped town to set up shop in
another city — Indianapolis.
In an article printed in Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer, Wilder describes
herself as an “entrepreneur extraordinaire” who started her organization to
provide things she needed early in her career.
Lamar-Wilder recently opened her doors on the city’s Eastside at 8189 E.
21st St. and brought along with her a few legal troubles.
According to a plea agreement from the Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court, she was
on probation and paying restitution until last month for 2002 felony
convictions for theft, forgery and passing bad checks. Among those charges,
The Plain Dealer says Beachwood, Ohio, police accused her of taking nearly
$20,000 from a payroll-advance company for “ghost employees.”
Lamar-Wilder has also had to pay more than $10,000 in civil suits and
small-claims court decisions during the past several years.
It doesn’t surprise Lee that Lamar-Wilder is now trying to lay claim in
Indy.
“That’s usually how con-artists work,” he says. “They move on after they’ve
burned bridges and she’s burned a lot of bridges in Cleveland.”
Stephanie Howse, who is running for City-County Council in Cleveland’s 7th
Ward, can attest to that.
Howse runs an organization called Footprints, a mentoring group for young
girls. Still trying to seek nonprofit status for the group, Howse used
Women Entrepreneurs to raise and keep its money.
According to Howse, it wasn’t until she confronted Lamar-Wilder at a
downtown Holiday Inn in Cleveland that she wrote a check totaling $2,800
that she had previously delayed repaying.
“The mission of the organization is great but some of their business moves
are questionable,” Howse says. “If people don’t really know whom they’re
dealing with they can be taken advantage of.”
The Recorder initially attempted to set up a meeting with Lamar-Wilder to
discuss her organization and the allegations but was unsuccessful after
three cancellations that included car trouble, overwhelmed with obligations
and memory loss of the time and date of a meeting.
Lee says the failed attempts are mirror images of how Lamar-Wilder runs her
business.
“When someone is moving into your city in the name of business and has a
track record of owing people left and right, and screwing people over left
and right they’re just as dangerous to society as sexual predators,” he
says. “Warning residents in Indianapolis about Yolanda is what I call a
public service.”
Article copyright The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper.
V.11
Posted by Joyce | March 22, 2013, 11:27 am