IEC helps launch Women in Business peer group

story submitted by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

Fourteen women in business met March 24 at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to form a peer group that is expected to address issues pertinent only to women.

Pat Williams of First National Bank volunteered to facilitate future meetings of the group. Williams said she feels "passionate" about the value of a peer group for women and knew it could be a success. Nick Remy of Greenwood, director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at UAFS, will provide support and assist with speakers and other arrangements for future meetings, but he will not participate in the meetings themselves.

Remy said the Women in Business Peer Group, sponsored by the IEC and First National Bank, is not an entrepreneurship peer group, per se, although female entrepreneurs were invited.

"There are issues facing female entrepreneurs and employees that men simply do not face," Remy said. "This group will be designed more along discussing those issues peculiar to women and will give participants a confidential place to discuss issues affecting them but which they might feel uncomfortable sharing with those within their family or business."

Other participants included Barbara Bethell, First National Bank; Deana Infield and Barbara Hambrick, Beall Barclay and Company; Jody Weiche, SPADCO Inc., Lorie Robertson, Right Minds Advertising; Lisa Smith, United Federal Credit Union; Pat Eller, Center for Business and Professional Development at UA Fort Smith; Diane Fagan, Webster University; Vonelle Vanzant, Benefit Bank; Tabitha Embree, BancorpSouth; Lynne Barr, Harry G. Barr Co.; Arline Coatney, Asset Management Co.; and Sarah Martin, advertising consultant from Poteau.

Remy said he expects the group to grow since some were unable to attend due to spring break activities with schools. Membership criteria includes owning a business, working closely with a business owner or holding a professional position. There is also a possibility that the group will be split into two groups to better accommodate discussion.

Remy, who led the first meeting and gave an overview of the IEC prior to conducting a brainstorming session about future meetings and their content, said a similar group had been meeting at First National but the IEC had been asked to absorb the group and expand its reach.

Future meetings are expected to cover health issues, new technologies, volunteering opportunities and civic issues, communication issues and personal coping strategies.

The IEC, which opened in 2007, is a joint effort of UAFS, the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce and the city of Fort Smith. The IEC is a business community center that serves the Greater Fort Smith Region to foster innovative ideas, inspire new production development, assist entrepreneurs, build and strengthen businesses, and encourage youth to think entrepreneurially.