This fall, NAWBO National Board Member Deborah Stallings represented NAWBO at the 58th Les Femmes Chefs d’Enterprises Mondiales (FCEM) World Congress in Florence, Italy. Former President of NAWBO National and former FCEM Commissioner Lisa Hickey and former NAWBO National President Virginia Littlejohn were also in attendance.
This annual event provides the opportunity for FCEM members and business owners around the world to form valuable connections, assess business plans and strategize for future success. For more than 60 years, FCEM—or “World Association of Women Entrepreneurs”—has provided a well-renowned forum for women business owners, particularly those interested in international affairs, to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs.
During the Congress, Deborah and Lisa had an opportunity to speak on NAWBO’s behalf and share the state of affairs for women entrepreneurs in the United States. “We reported that in spite of the challenging economic climate, NAWBO is working diligently to help women business owners sustain and grow their businesses—and promote job growth,” notes Deborah. “This is being accomplished through the association’s advocacy initiatives and visibility at the federal and state government levels, capacity building for women entrepreneurs through advanced educational programming, linkage to resources and business opportunities through members and corporate partners and business growth opportunities—both in the domestic and international arena.”
