Our Story
The Independent Business Women’s Circle helps women (and men) launch and/or build their businesses through seminars, panel discussions, guest blogging, networking, brainstorming, expos, speaker opportunities and member spotlight presentations. Founded in 1999 as a meeting ground for women who worked from home, the organization has grown in size and focus, while keeping abreast of current trends in communications, marketing and technology. The IBWC has a multicultural philosophy with no political agenda. Most members are self-employed, others work for established companies, often in an independent capacity. The group stresses camaraderie not competition, as we believe that it is truly through relationship-building and information/resource-sharing that women can grow, take risks, create successful businesses, cultivate new clients and careers, share trade secrets, and enrich their personal and professional lives. Monthly in-person meetings are held midday usually on the second Tuesday of every month in Plainview, NY with the exception of quarterly meetings held on the second Tuesday in various Suffolk County locations. Special events are held throughout the year at other Long Island locations. All are welcome.
Networking Events
Our networking meetings provide the opportunity for you to introduce yourself and your business, share ideas and resources, cultivate relationships with other enterprising women and exhange business cards. There is no formal speaker except for periodical member spotlights.
Seminars & Workshops
Expert speakers lead workshops and educate and encourage women to develop their entrepreneurial spirits, whether self-employed, working for others, or exploring a career change. At the end of these meetings we conduct a Q & A with the speaker.
Brainstorming
These sessions are interactive discussions to collectively come up with solutions to common problems business owners face, based on audience response. Brainstorming spurs creativity, which requires an open mind and intense desire to grow your business and share ideas with others.
Panel Discussions
A panel of experts will tackle a business topic and help put you on the right track to build your client base and increase your revenue. Subjects include building a referral based network, proven practices for promoting your business, creating a stree free work environment and much more.
Leadership Team
Karen Bomzer
Co-chair
Karen has been an IBWC member for over 10 years. In addition to overseeing operations of IBWC, she plans our monthly events, secures our speakers, leads the meetings, writes press releases and publicizes our IBWC upcoming meetings and notable events in the media. She acts as first contact person for questions on meetings, seminars and membership.
Sue Glenn
Co-chair
Sue is a founding member of IBWC. In addition to assisting Karen in overseeing the operations, she produces the IBWC monthly e-newsletter, maintains the email list, promotes the group through social media and shares the mission of IBWC to like-minded women at community events. She is also the point person for our Suffolk County meetings.