Embody Change.
Expand the Impact of Women Changemakers in Our Community
Sponsoring the 2024 cycle of Beset’s Women’s Business Council supports women leaders to grow their organization and expand the impact of their work in our community of the Columbia Gorge. At Beset, nothing brings us more joy than collaborating with those who want to direct their resources (of all kinds) toward creating an equitable society with safety and agency for all.
In 2022, we launched our inaugural BWBC cohort with 18 women business and non-profit leaders throughout the Columbia Gorge. We’re wrapping up our second program year, and based on the impact already felt by the women we support, we are investing more of Beset’s resources into growing it further. It’s been an exceptional journey of growing financial skills and resources, practicing embodied leadership, embracing peer-learning, and strengthening our community.
We are thrilled to be gathering our next cohort. In 2024 sponsors will be honored in all of our program materials and at each meeting with our members. We are welcoming sponsors who align with our mission at these levels:
Buttercup- $500
Your contribution as a Buttercup Sponsor goes directly towards the cost of a speaker’s honorarium fee. Although some speakers can afford to visit our group without compensation, many are working professionals who need an honorarium to cover their expenses (e.g. cost of missing work).Lupine- $1,980
As a Lupine Sponsor you will provide a 50% scholarship for a Women’s Business Council member who needs financial assistance to participate. For the 2024 program we are aiming for six (6) Lupine Sponsors and the corresponding scholarships.
Once we hit our target of scholarships and speaker honorariums we will apply any additional sponsorship contributions towards childcare stipends for our members with children.
Why Women’s Business Council?
The racial and gender discrimination women experience inside of corporate America also exists in entrepreneurship. The number of women-owned businesses continues to increase at a higher rate than the national average, as women leap into entrepreneurship to find more financial security and flexibility to manage caregiving responsibilities, as well as to flee the harmful environments found in U.S. corporate culture. And, although this is great news, the benefits of owning businesses with higher revenues and a larger staff (more financial security and a lower failure rate, to name a few) continue to be inequitably distributed to entrepreneurs with the most privilege- men and white women.
You can help, as a sponsor to the Women’s Business Council.
“There is one thing of which we are more certain than ever: the qualities that women display when they do rise- wisdom, caution, consensus building, practicality, less partisanship- are more essential than ever.”
Join us in elevating women changemakers in our beautiful Columbia Gorge region.
We support Gorge changemakers who are seasoned entrepreneurs, executive directors, and career executives who self-identify as women and are on the path of becoming embodied leaders.
The heart of the program is a monthly expert-facilitated peer-advisory council where members address business challenges and opportunities in a roundtable format and function as an informal board of directors for each others businesses. This peer-learning model of sharing experiences and expertise with the support of expert facilitators, also entrepreneurs, is a tried-and-true way to accelerate growth, enhance strategy, and hone leadership.
Consulting & Coaching
Beset is a boutique consulting agency nurturing our own social purpose through running not-for-profit programs in our community, such as Women’s Business Council and Negotiate for Equity. We also offer consulting, coaching, and advisory services to organizations who align with our mission.
Our Wonderful Sponsors for the
2024 Women’s Business Council
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Tomie T Schmidt, CFP, Morgan Stanley, Lupine Sponsor
Deep market knowledge, comprehensive planning and a commitment to finding the best solutions to match your needs.
Tomie T Schmidt is offering a critical support to our program through her sponsorship. In partnership with Dragonfly Play School they are providing some resources and financial support to GWBC members with children.
About Tomie & Her Team
We draw on our more than four decades of financial planning experience1, as well as Tomie Schmidt’s Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) credentials and strong commitment to building comprehensive, custom plans, to provide you with an unusually strong and deep set of planning strategies and knowledge. We pay attention to what drives you, both in terms of your immediate financial concerns and challenges, as well as your non-financial longer-term goals and passions. Because, at the end of the day, money is just a means to an end; it is useful because of what it can provide for you. And that is your ultimate destination.
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Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business Development Center, Lupine Sponsor
Small Business is big business here in the Columbia Gorge. We are available to help you achieve your goals in operating a successful business. Whatever your needs may be, we will provide assistance that is relevant and responsive.
Each of our advisers has experience running a small business and understands the challenges you may be facing. Our center is part of a statewide network and has access to resources that will help you overcome each hardship and achieve your dreams as a small business owner.
At the Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business Development Center, we offer support with:
-Business plan development
-Loan application packaging
-Marketing plan strategies
-Hiring and managing your team
-Navigating the business regulatory process
-Managing cash flow challenges
No matter what stage your business may be in, we will listen to your needs and help you find solutions to achieve your goals for success.
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Cave Creek Farm, Buttercup+ Sponsor
Thanks to Cave Creek Farm’s sponsorship our members have an opportunity to do one longer learning session and then enjoy some relaxation and rejuvenation at one of the most beautiful farms in the Gorge. Cave Creek Farm has a little something for everyone. This farmstead getaway nestled at the base of Mount Adams in Trout Lake, Washington. The perfect place to gather with friends, connect with nature, or just reset in a wood-fired hot tub under the stars. At Cave Creek Farm you can choose your own adventure. The farm is home to a number of luxury rentals ranging from canvas glamping tents along the creek to our craftsman-style Farmhouse.
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Key Bank, Lupine Sponsor
Our program is being generously sponsored by the local Hood River Key Bank and the Regional Business Banking team, who contributed directly to our scholarship program. KeyBank provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and 1,300 ATMs. Providing personal banking, small business banking, commercial banking and wealth management services to meet all of your financial needs.
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Mushroom Color Atlas, Buttercup Sponsor+
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COR Cellars, Buttercup Sponsors
Good wine pleases the human heart.
COR is the next generation of Washington Wine and we are fortunate to have their tasting room right in our community- Lyle, Washington.