President Janet with her new BFF, WCVB-TV anchor Susan Wornick who got a standing ovation at the gala for her wisdom and wit

Spanx you very much!

If I had to write a press release for the Gala, that would be my headline.  This was a fancy event and our members and guests came dressed to the nines.  I made an attempt to dress to the nines myself and wore (yes, you guessed it) another dress.  Hence the reference to spanx.  At 51 years of age, I had no idea
there was such a thing as spanx.  Judging by the reaction of the women in the room, everyone BUT me knows what spanx is.

Here’s what I learned from my experience:  1)  If you are a “Medium”, buy your spanx in “Extra Large” so as to not lose circulation to your feet.  2)  If you enjoy having a cocktail while in spanx, make sure you do not buy the type marked “Unitard” as this will require you to completely undress in the ladies
room.  3)  Make sure none of your friends have a camera phone and access to facebook when you come out of the bathroom stall in your unitard spanx, flexing muscles and saying, “I pick things up and put them down.”

Thank you very much!  We thanked our team chairs, our sponsors, our board members, our staff, our founders, our twenty year members, our partners, our charities and our volunteers.  My thanks go out to Lisa Marie Williams of Lisa Marie’s Boutique, who made beautiful earrings for everyone who attended.
I also want to recognize the talents of Christina Burke, owner of Geminess Photography, who has been our photographer this entire year.  We are truly blessed to have so many talented and generous members.

Congratulations to the winner of our first “Business Achievement Award,” Dr. Corlis McGee, President of
Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy.  Dr. McGee noted that the goals of the Adult Studies program at Eastern Nazarene are similar to the goals of the SSWBN.  Both aim to support women who are juggling multiple roles while trying to advance in their education and profession.

Thanks to our guest speaker, WCVB-TV anchor Susan Wornick, who proved that being funny never goes out of style.  Susan was the perfect person to address our group.  She is successful in a male dominated industry and noted that you have to make personal connections.  She has succeeded by being who she is:  kind, genuine, funny and smart.  She is a good example for all of us to follow:  do what you love, be yourself, and share your gifts to help others.  I’m proud to say that we have so many folks like this in our network, which is what makes the SSWBN so wonderful.

Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com
Pay It Forward Tip for

December:  Want to make this holiday special for someone less fortunate?  How about adopting a family through DOVE?  Gifts must be received by 12/17/11.
E-mail dove.elfteam@gmail.comor 617-770-4065 ext. 10 to be matched up with a family. 

Janet LaBerge

By the time you read this, we will have had our Gala 20^th Anniversary celebration, commemorating the 20^th year of SSWBN.  If I forget to mention it in next month’s column, I’ll say it now:  “I had a great time at the Gala.”  I can say that truthfully
without having yet attended the event because I enjoy myself at every SSWBN event.

OK, I never have met a microphone that I didn’t like and I do get to tell a joke or two:  but that’s just an added bonus for me.  What I really enjoy most is the energy in the room.  I leave every SSWBN meeting feeling like I could take on the world and win.  I feel like I have a group of people who will give me advice, hugs or a kick in the pants, depending on what is needed.

I had a large group of friends before I started my business, but none of them owned their own business.  I feel that I get much better support from other business owners who like me have experienced start-up issues, growth spurts, human resource concerns, etc.  It has been extremely helpful for my business and my mental health that I can fall back on the friends I have made through the Network to help me weather any storm on my journey.

I think of these things at this time of year because with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it is a perfect time of year to give thanks.  I am thankful for all the good people I have met through the Network and for all the help they have given me.  There are dozens of people who have helped me, but the following few I’d just like to mention by name:

• Thanks to Pauline Alighieri of Friends of Mel for embracing all of the SSWBN volunteers at the Cancer Conference and on the Cruise.  You always make us feel special.
• Thanks to Lynne Feingold for two things.  1)  For giving me a reason to say I have a friend who is a Tavern Wench, and 2) for being the kind of Tavern Wench who volunteers to sing at a vigil for DOVE to help fight domestic violence.
• Thanks to Elizabeth Pineault for taking care of my tax returns every year and for keeping her promise that “what happens in St. Thomas, stays in St. Thomas.”
• Thanks to Ewa Deveney of Studio 123 for helping me feel a little less Dirty Deed-ish by keeping my face clean and my eyebrows manageable.
• Thanks to Jean Donohue for taking photographs that make me look professional in one shot and like an Amazon woman in another.  I don’t know
  which I like better.
• Thanks to Rosemarie Lanchester for being my Number One Fan and proclaiming it to everyone she meets.  If you don’t have a Number One Fan, I  highly recommend it.  It’s good for  the ego.

Finally, thanks to my girlfriends who have become the family I wished I had growing up.  You have been good for my heart and my spirit.  I am blessed to have you in my corner.

Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

Pay It Forward Tip for November:  When you go to a Veteran’s Day parade this year, walk up to one or two of the men or women in uniform and thank them for their service.  They don’t hear it often enough, considering that they risked their lives for each of us.

Janet LaBerge

The kids are back in school and networking is back in full swing.  I hope that all of our members had a great summer and enjoyed some well deserved time off.  The weather is already getting cooler and the sun setting earlier every evening.

Fall seems a natural time to reflect on how the first three quarters of the year
have gone, and to make a final push for the last part of the year.  It’s a tough thing to do for Dirty Deeds, as fall is our busiest time of year.  I think it’s because so many people start trying to put their patio furniture back in the basement or garage and find that somehow, their stuff has multiplied over the summer:  Dirty Deeds is on their speed-dial.

So while I don’t have much time to think about my business, I do take time to  think about our Network.  How have we done this year in member satisfaction or in recruitment and retention?  Are we meeting our budget numbers?

I listened to our breakfast speaker, Sandy Martini (no relation to Terri), talk  about providing exceptional client care and keeping your business “top of mind.”  I know that I can trace much of my success to the relationships I have forged at the SSWBN.  That realization has helped me to feel loyal to our Network and wanting to give back so that others can have that same experience.

But I also know that our Network is one of the many out there from which our members can choose.  As your President, how can I help to keep SSWBN “top of mind” for members and potential members?  I know I attend many events to represent Dirty Deeds, but I also go to represent the SSWBN and spread the word  about our organization.  I believe that there are still so many businesses out there that we could be helping, but they have yet to hear of us.

As you are out and about representing your business, do you also help to spread the word about SSWBN?

As your President, I have been determined to make the running of this organization a little more transparently, so more members are aware of how much it costs to run it.  Every year at this time, we set our budget numbers for next year.  We project how many events we will run and how many attendees we plan to draw in, as well as the cost for running the event.  SSWBN is a business just like yours and we succeed in business only if people buy our “product.”  Our product is the value we offer to members through our events and networking opportunities.  If not enough people purchase our product, then we don’t make our budget numbers.

A large source of our revenue comes not from the cost of yearly membership, but from the attendance at events and the sponsorship of events.  If you have gotten a good return on your investment of your membership, then I urge you to continue to support us by showing up at all of our events and by telling other businesses about us.  As with any other organization, you will get out of it what you put into it.  The more that you participate, the more you (and the Network) will benefit.  Thank you for your support.

Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

Pay It Forward Tip for October:  If you are at an
event and see a new person in the crowd, go up and introduce yourself; and then
help that person to meet other seasoned members.  We were all the new kid on the block at one
point and can remember the kindness of that person who stepped forward to make
us feel welcome.

Janet LaBerge

Networking usually slows down a little during the dog days of August.  Lots of folks are on vacation with their families and trying to catch the last of the good summer weather before the  kids head back to school.

This year was a bit of an exception to that for the SSWBN.  Our first ever Harbor Cruise out of Hingham  Shipyard was a big success and attracted lots of non-SSWBN members.  The feedback that we got from people who had  never been to any of our events reinforced the idea that people are looking to  network in new and innovative ways.   There was dancing, there was drinking, there was eating and yes, there was networking.  There was also a  beautiful sunset on the way out and a full moon over the water on the way back in.

My heartfelt thanks go to Jay Spence of Massachusetts Bay Lines for providing such
a wonderful venue.  Thanks also to his wife, Bonnie (from Raffael’s at South Shore Country Club) who had the brilliant  idea to have this event.  Our Network counts on our members to volunteer their time, talent and resources to make it strong.  I hope that you will show your appreciation and support to Bonnie and Jay by booking your own cruise with  them.

This summer ended with a bang, as Hurricane Irene blew away our golf outing;  but thankfully the Rockland Golf Course was  able to reschedule our tournament for September 19^th.  The delay will allow us a little more time to sign on more golfers, so please sign up to play or just come for dinner that night.  Every year it is an experience not to be missed.

I hope that everyone in our SSWBN family made it safely through the storm.  There were many people without power for  several days and in my hometown of Pembroke, the start of school was delayed for a week.  It was at that time that I noticed so many f-bombs being launched on Face Book pages.  Seems as if many parents don’t like having  their routines and plans disrupted.  Most small business owners have learned to roll with the punches, whether it be from  the weather, the economy, or other unforeseen hazards.  Resilience is one of the keys to success.

The biggest key to our Network’s success is Katie Howard.  The Board of Directors has voted to change Katie’s title from Director  of Operations to Executive Director.  We believe the change in title more accurately reflects the scope of her  duties.  I wish I could say it came with a pay raise, but it’s not in the budget for this year.  While we aren’t in a position to offer more  money, it’s always appropriate to thank Katie for her efforts to grow and strengthen our Network to benefit our members.   Please thank her for all that she does the next time you see her.

Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet

Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

Pay It Forward Tip for September:  More hurricanes are in the forecast.  Be the
person in your neighborhood who shows up with a chainsaw or a rake and who helps
your neighbors get their yards back in order.

Janet LaBerge

I attended the breakfast this month to hear Robert Siciliano speak.  I’m always grateful to the Network for providing me with the opportunity to find out how little I know about certain things. 

Mr. Siciliano spoke about identity and document theft, explaining how to protect oneself.  I was amazed by how little I knew about the subject.  I like to think that I’m a pretty responsible person because I protect myself and my family with life, home and disability insurance.  While I was listening to the speaker, I realized that I hadn’t protected my business, my bank accounts or my identity from this type of risk. 

 The good news is that it takes very little time and effort to protect yourself from these threats; so now I feel like I have all my bases covered.

 I hope that you will join me out on the water on August 11^th for our Harbor Cruise from the Hingham Shipyard.  I plan to invite people I know who have never been to an SSWBN event, because at $20, it is an incredibly affordable and fun night of networking.  Special thanks to Bonnie and Jay Spence of Massachusetts Bay Lines for providing the boat to the Network as their Pay It Forward act for us this year.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

 I am also looking forward to our golf tournament on August 29^th at the Rockland Country Club.  This is a big fundraiser for the Network and allows us to continue providing great service to our members because the funds mean that we can retain our wonderful staff. 

 I am not a golfer, and have not gotten any better by playing in these tournaments, but I have learned how to sound like I know what I’m doing.  And we always have FUN!  Hope to see you on the links and at the dinner with live auction afterwards.

 Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

 Pay It Forward Tip for August:  It’s been HOT!  Make sure you check on your elderly neighbors or relatives to make sure they are doing OK in the heat.  Many older folks don’t like to turn their air conditioning on because of the associated increase in their electric bill. 

Janet LaBerge

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!
There’s a party going on right here…

I always think of that song by Kool and the Gang during our Celebration! event because it’s such an upbeat, fun song and we have so much FUN at this event.  If you missed it, I’m going to summarize some of the highlights — but it’s not like being there.  Make sure you register for the Gala, coming up on November 3^rd, because that will be a night to remember as well.  Now for the highlights:

I wore a dress.  That’s right, a dress with all the fixin’s:  hair styled, pedicure, manicure, facial, eyebrows waxed.  There are pictures to prove it on the website.  I wondered how I could top last year’s entrance, with the ripping off of the prom gown.  Tough to do since I was the emcee for the whole night this year, so a grand entrance was not possible.  What better way to surprise a group that is used to seeing me in muscle shirts and shorts, than to actually dress like a girl?  I don’t think it will happen again though, as it was a lot of work.  For those of you who dress like that on a regular basis, my ball cap is off to you because it’s a time consuming process.  Was it worth it?  Check out the pictures and you be the judge.  For me?  Anything for a laugh.   

 (Okay, so if enough of you come to the Gala, I’ll promise to keep the dress and wear it again.  But no more stinkin’ pedicures!)

 I told a joke.  Well, I told a few of them.  If you missed the Queen and Dolly joke or heard it and would like to re-create it for your friends and family, ask me and I’ll e-mail it to you.  Did you know that SSWBN can also stand for:  Southie Surrenders Whitey Bulger Now?  I’m pleased to say I thought of that one in the car ride on the way there.  If you’re ever looking for the room an SSWBN event is in, just listen for the laughter.  There is always lots of laughter at our events and laughter does the soul good.

 The Massachusetts Education Foundation (great new name) gave out four scholarships to four women who are improving their lives through education.  It is always interesting to get feedback from people who have never been to one of our events.  Each one came up to me afterwards to say how much they had enjoyed themselves and how impressed they were with our group.  Music to my ears.

 We thanked those who have helped us grow:  our partners, our team chairs, our staff and our outgoing Board of Directors.  Loraine Fields of the Flower Mill put her creative talents to work in crafting container gardens for each with a personal touch.  As President, I understand that we have a small budget and a small staff.  We would not be where we are today without the financial support of our partners or the hard work of our volunteers.  My thanks to all of you.

 We welcomed six new members to our Board of Directors:  Loraine Fields, Christy Kendrick, Stacey Mafera, Marguerite Salvucci, Alison Schirone and Terri Martini.  They join current board members George Boerger, Adam Cupples, Jackie Hurstak and Judy Walsh Rodriguez.  This group, selected by the members, commits their time and talents to help this Network thrive.

 We thanked you, our members.  Katie and I are always so proud of our members.  We have seen your businesses grow.  We have seen you help the Network.  We have seen you volunteer at our charity events.  I am proud to be the President of this organization.  I promise to always give you my best effort and to always leave you laughing.  

Happy to lead with fun and humility,

 Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

 Pay It Forward Tip for July:  I see lots of people out walking now that the sun seems to be coming out on a fairly regular basis.  When you go on your usual walk, take along a plastic grocery bag to pick up the trash that you see along your route.  Your neighborhood will look better and you might encourage others to do the same by your example.

Janet LaBerge

What a wonderful breakfast speaker we had this month!  Cape Cod Baseball League President, Judy Walden Scarafile, shared her insights about working in a man’s field.  (No pun intended.)  I’m sure there are many of us that can relate to that. 

 I am always impressed when I listen to someone speak about some of the obstacles that they faced and how they were able to overcome them.  Judy’s story about being kicked out of the New York Yankees press box at age 21 was especially poignant.  She was the official scorer for the Cape Cod Baseball League’s All Star game that was being held at Yankee Stadium.  Of the 43 seats in the press box, only one other was taken — so it wasn’t for a lack of seats.  Unbelievably, only men were allowed in the press box, even though the game wasn’t an official Yankee game. 

 As a long-time Red Sox fan, I’d say it is just one more reason to hate the Yankees; but I would guess that the same rules applied in Fenway Park some forty years ago.  Judy dug in her heels and waited until she was escorted out by security.  As she stated in her speech, this was at the time when Gloria Steinhem and the Women’s movement was really taking off. 

Judy knew that she could make a phone call and set off a firestorm of outrage that a woman was not allowed in the press box at Yankee Stadium.  Yet she also knew that she would be signing a death warrant for her own career in baseball and decided not to make the call.  Forty years later, as she re-tells the story, Judy still felt the need to apologize to the women in our audience for, as she says, “sucking it up” and not blowing the whistle, in order to save her career in baseball.

 No apology needed, Judy.  How many of us have had to make those same decisions when faced with obviously ridiculous rules, policies or people?  I have always admired the women who have been able to forgo the loss of one battle in order to win the war, because that has never been me.  I’m much more of a guns-blazing-take-no-prisoners sort of gal, and it hasn’t always served me well. 

 As women, we need examples of all different kinds of leaders so we can decide what sort of leader each of us will be in our business and in our community.  If you want to model diplomacy, long term goals over short term gains and cooperation over confrontation, look to our leader, Katie Howard.  If you need someone who has your back in a big black van, well, you know who to call.

 Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

Pay It Forward Tip for June:  Now is the perfect time to transplant lilacs before the hot weather hits.  If you have some of this most fragrant shrub, share it with someone who doesn’t.  If you would like some, please let me know.  I have more than enough to share.  They are easy to grow, need a sunny spot and will provide a heavenly scent.

Janet LaBerge

It was wonderful to hear from Ja-Nae Duane at the April breakfast.  Her message of how to make positive changes in your life and those of the people around you is a powerful one.  I was pleased that she chose to share the details of her challenges growing up with an addicted mother and her abusive boyfriend. 

While it may be hard to hear stories like that, it is important for people to realize that a successful person isn’t usually successful because of luck or fortunate heritage.  Oftentimes, as in Ja-Nae’s case, the person is successful because of a great deal of determination and because she or he made difficult decisions.  Luck certainly plays a part in everyone’s lives, but hard work, honesty, determination and talent play a far greater role in determining success. 

My favorite piece of advice that came from Ja-Nae’s speech was that you need to reach out to those around you for their support if you are to achieve your goals.  She acknowledged the teachers, friends and members of the community who helped her to survive her family of origin and to set out on her own path.  As small business owners, we all can find ourselves in the same boat.  We might be trying to just make payroll, or just pay our own bills, or be waiting for the economy to turn around.  We have a far greater chance of success if we reach out to those around us for their advice, support and help.  I have seen examples of this in our Network over and over again.  Members reach out to help each other with referrals, with drop-off meals if someone is sick, or to share their resources.

Ja-Nae also encouraged people to appreciate the help that the community around you has given to you by giving back.  I firmly believe that much of the success of my business is from giving to my community.  The Network is also having success as a result of our commitment to community charities this year.  We have been featured in more newspaper articles and increased our brand recognition as a networking group that does far more than referrals.  I have also been hearing from members who have taken the Pay It Forward message to heart and have been doing more charitable work. 

I am preparing my speech for Celebration! in June and would like to hear from you so I can incorporate your experiences in my speech.  If you have done more Pay It Forward this year, what did you do and what were the results?  Have you seen an increase in business or enjoyed your work more?  Send me an e-mail and let me know.

Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

Pay It Forward Tip for May:  Celebrate Mother’s Day by surprising someone who acted as a surrogate mother to you by giving her a card or flowers.

Janet LaBerge

What a great month March was for the SSWBN!  We launched a new lunch venue at the Hingham Beer Works with a sold-out crowd.  As your President, I found it difficult to turn away some people at the door:  we usually can accommodate walk-ins.  My hope is that more people will begin to register early for events.  It makes the planning process much easier for our staff and the restaurant’s staff.

I love the vibe at the Hingham Beer Works and had eaten there prior to securing it as a luncheon venue.  I highly recommend that you visit them to check out the rest of their menu and their beer made on site.  The fried pickles are a treat!  I’m looking forward to the lunch in May there as it will hopefully be warm enough to sit on the outside patio afterwards.  I’m going to plan my 1:1 meetings for after the lunch so I can sit on the patio and watch the ships in the harbor.  It’s what living here on the ocean is all about.

 This month we are back to Granite Grill, which also has a room limit, so register early.  If you haven’t had the chance to eat there at times other than the luncheon, ask John for a menu.  Their thin crust pizza is excellent.  Had I known that networking involved so much eating out, I would have started my business long ago!

The breakfast with featured speaker Stephen Melanson was also very well attended.  I was happy to hear that he believes in creating curiosity in your target audience.  My big black van that says, “Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap” on it generates lots of curiosity … and maybe a little fear … but I think that’s a good combination.  Stephen also said that we spend too much time explaining what we do, rather than focusing on how we are different from our competition.  I couldn’t be more different from most people I know, so it was reassuring to hear it from “an expert.” 

 It also made me start thinking not only of my business, but of my second responsibility, this Network.  We are different.  While our tag line says, coaching, contacts, and collaboration, those things really are what most, if not all, networking groups are trying to do for their members.  I’m happy that we added community to that tagline for this year, because it does give a hint as to how we are different.  We are not simply in it for ourselves and our businesses, but to take part in bettering our community as a whole.

 We are also different I think, because we have more fun than any other network I have been involved in.  Keeping a sense of humor about you when you’re running a business in this economy is very important.  We are also a group of kind, caring people.  When I am out there promoting the SSWBN to new people, I don’t talk about how we will get you business — because that’s what all networking groups do.  I talk about how much fun I have at every event and how kind and loving our members are.  That’s what makes us different and better than our competition.  That is and always has been my verbal branding of SSWBN.  Thank you, Stephen Melanson, for re-affirming the importance of this message.

 Happy to lead with fun and humility,

 Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

 Pay It Forward Tip for April:  As you start digging in your gardens, if you need to separate out plants that have gotten too big, offer to exchange some with a neighbor.  You will be getting plants that are already happy in this New England soil and having a chance to connect with someone you may not yet know that well.

Janet LaBerge

A message from the President

What a great breakfast meeting we had in February!  The Founders Forum featured a panel discussion from our five remaining of the six founders:  Susan Hammond, Jeanne Yocum, Vicki Donlon, Nancy Boyle and Pat Mullalley.  The resumes of these women are impressive. 

What is even more impressive is that they took time away from their individual businesses to form a network that would benefit so many women.  They had the ability to look at what was missing 20 years ago and create something that would meet that need and continue to grow.  Creative, out-of-the-box thinking was an important element in establishing the SSWBN as a viable network.  Many businesses have great ideas, but still fail because all successful businesses require a couple of things even more important than great ideas:  hard work and resilience.

Most of us know all too well how difficult it can be to juggle the responsibilities of a business, a family, a life.  It takes hard work and persistence.  It takes a belief that you are on the right path in spite of all the obstacles.  Some of the obstacles that our founders faced include:

• Compiling a data base that captured member information and when they could meet; 
• Reaching out to members and potential members –without the use of E-mail, FaceBook or cell phones! 
• Dealing with criticism from male colleagues who thought that a woman’s networking group must just be about trading recipes and having coffee together, not doing REAL business; and   
• Understanding the importance of making it a legitimate network by writing a business plan with structure and by-laws.It was rewarding to hear from our founders that they feel the network continues to hold true to the core values and mission that they established 20 years ago.  They said that they felt the same positive energy in the room that they had felt in their meetings. 

 We are on the right path, but we still face obstacles.  Our challenge for the next 20 years was also stated clearly by our founders:  women make up 52 percent of the population, but they are still underrepresented in political positions and on the boards of corporations.  Susan Hammond challenged us to communicate with the leaders of corporations, to demand more seats on the boards of both profit and non-profit corporations. 

 We have been given a wonderful legacy by this powerful group of women.  If we want to honor the commitment they made to us 20 years ago, we should use our power by voting for representatives and leaders who demand equal pay for equal work.  We can support the campaigns of women who seek to be on boards of directors, in government and in other positions of power. 

 Rosie the Riveter said it best so many years ago:  

For more very interesting information on Rosie as a precursor to the Women’s Movement, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_the_Riveter.

 Happy to lead with fun and humility,

 Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

 Pay It Forward Tip for March:  If you are starting to change over your winter wardrobe to spring, take a good look at your closet.  If there are clothes that you haven’t worn in a year or no longer fit you, donate them.  There are drop boxes for clothing everywhere, so it’s easy to do and will make your closet less cluttered.