Host Sponsors

College of Lake County Foundation

National City

Media Release - Date August 8, 2008
 
Lake County ATHENA Seeks Applicants for ATHENAPowerLink® Program
 
Grayslake, IL, Lake County ATHENAPowerLink® is seeking applications for a woman-owned business to participate in a year-long program designed to increase the growth and profitability of her business.
 
The ATHENAPowerLink® Program (APL) has been successfully implemented in more than twenty cities across the United States resulting in significant economic impact for the woman business owners who have participated. APL is a trademarked program of ATHENA International and is locally administered by Illinois Small Business Development Center. The business will be selected based on its need and potential for growth. Lake County ATHENAPowerLink® will then convene a team of experts in such fields as banking, human resources, entrepreneurship, sales, public accounting, law and others to advise the woman business owner on how she can access capital, implement best practices and reach her operational and strategic goals. Information is available on the Lake County ATHENAPowerLink® Web site - www.LakeCountyATHENA.org.
 
Lake County ATHENAPowerLink® Governing Body includes: Roneida Martin (College of Lake County, Illinois SBDC), Arlene Martin (National City), Carrie Espinosa (American Family Insurance), Lenny Dam (Dam, Snell & Taveirne, Ltd.), Frank Brisbois (Lake County Partners), Anne Meisner (Midwestern Regional Medical Center), Gail Vitols (Rockenbach Chevrolet), Sharon Castillo (SB Services, Inc.), and Joanne Osmond (Market Drafters, Inc.).
 
Business Application Criteria

Businesses must be at least 51% owned and actively managed by a woman.

• Minimum of two years in operation
• Minimum of two full-time employees (including the owner)

• Annual revenues of at least

  • $250,000 for retail or manufacturing businesses
  • $100,000 for service businesses
• Clearly-defined company objectives and goals with explicit reasons for seeking assistance from ATHENAPowerLink® in meeting those objectives and goals

 
“According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, nearly half (48%) of all privately-held U.S. firms are 50% or more women-owned. We recognize the influence and potential of women-owned businesses and are pleased to offer APL as an opportunity for women to excel; strengthening the economic viability of their businesses and their communities.”   Dorothy Huisman, Executive Director of ATHENA International
 
The application is available at www.LakeCountyATHENA.org. For additional information, contact Joanne Osmond at 847.356.7550 or jo@MarketDrafters.com. Deadline for submission is September 26, 2008.

“According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, nearly half (48%) of all privately-held U.S. firms are 50% or more women-owned. We recognize the influence and potential of women-owned businesses and are pleased to offer APL as an opportunity for women to excel; strengthening the economic viability of their businesses and their communities.”   Dorothy Huisman, Executive Director of ATHENA International
 
The application is available at www.LakeCountyATHENA.org. For additional information, contact Joanne Osmond at 847.356.7550 or jo@MarketDrafters.com. Deadline for submission is September 26, 2008.