NAWBO Columbus upcoming events

September Member Orientation (Tue, September 15, 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Our Member Orientation is an opportunity for all members and those interested in membership to meet other NAWBO members as well as our board members and NAWBO Columbus Staff. During the meeting you will learn how to best utilize your membership and how to take advantage of all of the value and benefits that NAWBO Columbus provides.

Additionally, you will be introduced to the board of directors, learn how to navigate the website and sign up for programs and events, and discuss how you can get involved in a committee!

Once registered, the zoom link will be sent with your confirmation email.

WBE Training (Tue, September 15, 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WBE Training

Learn how to become a certified woman-owned business and gain access to government and corporate contracts and capital.

About this event:

Learn how contracts can significantly add to your company's sales volume and how to leverage diversity certifications to acquire contracts.

In this webinar, we will discuss:

Major certifications available to Ohio-based businesses (including MBE, WBE, EDGE, DGE and SBA certifications)
Certifying agencies
Basic eligibility requirements of each certification
How to use certifications as a competitive advantage

"There is opportunity with no limit for success for women business owners!" ~ Merry Korn, President & CEO, Pearl Interactive Network.

Watch Merry's video to learn more on certifications and contract opportunities and advice she has for WBOs.

"Share your certifications and credentials to let your client know that you have made an investment in your company and the market that you serve." ~ Theresa Harris, President & CEO, TMH Solutions

Watch Theresa's video for her tips on government and corporate contracts.

Seats are limited. Register for this event to reserve your spot. Feel free to email anna@aventienterprises.com with any questions. We look forward to meeting you!

Hosted by NAWBO Columbus & Presented by Aventi Enterprises

Member Chat (Thu, September 17, 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Our Member Chat is an opportunity for all members and those interested in membership to have a virtual meet and greet with the NAWBO Columbus board member Molly Kane and Alison Forche, past Membership VP.

Bring your questions, connect and learn more about NAWBO membership and roundtables.

Once registered, the zoom link will be sent with your confirmation email.

September Boost- Micro-podcasts: How to be the Go-To Voice in Your Industry (Fri, September 18, 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:30:00 GMT

How to be the Go-To Voice in Your Industry One 4 Minute Episode at a Time

CONNECT WITH NAWBO COLUMBUS & BOOST YOUR BUSINESS!

Discover how micro-podcasts are designed for today’s attention spans. Short, focused episodes designed to help you build trust, authority, and visibility fast. In this session, you’ll learn why constraint boosts clarity, how to curate what your audience needs right now, and how to leverage micro-episodes across your entire sales process. Perfect for experts, creators, and service-based entrepreneurs who want big impact without a big production schedule.

Join us To:

Understand what a micro-podcast is and why it works.
How to create content that supports your sales efforts.
Why constraint can make you a better communicator.

Meet our Facilitator: Phyllis Nichols, Founder CEO, SoundAdvice Strategies

Phyllis Nichols is the founder and CEO of SoundAdvice Services, a podcast production company that helps service-based businesses turn their expertise into client-generating content. With over 100 podcast launches and 16,000 episodes published, she knows exactly what it takes to transform listeners into loyal fans and paying clients.

Phyllis combines sharp strategy with a love for storytelling, a passion she’s had since her “talks too much” school days, to help business owners create podcasts that grow their influence and their bottom line. In 2026 that also means understanding the impact and opportunities AI brings to business owners.

Phyllis is passionate about leveraging technology for better outcomes, easier processes and a larger impact for her clients.

ABOUT BOOST:

Each month a NAWBO member or partner will facilitate and share an area of expertise. Attendees will have the opportunity to introduce themselves learn from our facilitator and bring business challenges to the group. Boost allows for a small-group setting, connection, discussion and the opportunity to work ON your business.

Join whenever you are able.

Non-members may attend up to two times before deciding if NAWBO is the right community for you.
Once registered the Zoom link will be sent in a registration confirmation email.
Are you a subject matter expert interested in facilitating a NAWBO Boost? Members and Partners complete the form HERE.

October Monthly Meeting: Candidate Forum (Thu, October 01, 2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

October Monthly Meeting: Candidate Forum

Amplify your voice, connect with policymakers, and ensure your business has a seat at the table!

Join NAWBO Columbus and our community partners to connect with your 2026 candidates from across the ballot! Our October Monthly Meeting is a non-partisan Candidate Forum designed to connect you with policymakers and give you insight into how this year's election could shape and affect your business.

NAWBO members and Ohio businesses are diverse in many ways, including the size of their business, the sectors and communities they serve, the stage of business development, race, ethnicity, geographic business areas, and political leanings that determine policy views. We recognize the ever-present need to represent all members while creating the avenue and environment to build sustainable women-owned and diverse businesses. Join us to connect with and hear from this election's candidates.

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):

MEET THE CANDIDATES:

The 2026 U.S. Senate & House candidates as well as the 2026 Ohio Gubernatorial and Ohio House & Ohio Senate candidates representing Central Ohio in Congress and at the Statehouse have been invited to attend. Participation will be confirmed when received.

CONNECT WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:

Network with several community organizations that represent and elevate businesses throughout Ohio and beyond.

GET INVOLVED:

Find out how your non-partisan Public Policy Committee is working to level the playing field for your business, how to hold policymakers accountable, and how you can get involved.

The following candidates have confirmed their participation: (subject to change):

Cleophus Dulaney U.S. House District 3
Don Leonard - U.S. House District 15
Stacie Baker- Ohio Senate District 3
Sen. Michele Reynolds - Ohio Senate District 3
Rep. Latyna Humphrey- Ohio Senate District 15
Sen. Bill DeMora- Ohio Senate District 25
Rep. Dontavius Jarrells – Ohio House District 1
Charity Martin King- Ohio House District 2
Rep.Beryl Brown Piccolantonio- Ohio House District 4
Matthew Jackson- Ohio House District 6
Rep. Christine Cockley- Ohio House District 6
Bill Mercier- Ohio House District 7
Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis -Ohio House District 8
Rep. Mark Sigrist -Ohio House District 10
Rep. Crystal Lett- Ohio House District 11

Registration closes Friday, September 25th at 5pm.

To view boxed lunch choices click HERE

Meet our Moderator: TONISHA C. JOHNSON, L.E.A.P.S. DREAM HOUSE, LLC

Tonisha C. Johnson is an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist and dynamic speaker with nearly two decades of experience engaging audiences through powerful storytelling and strategic communication. Known for her warmth, credibility, and commanding presence, Tonisha brings clarity, connection, and energy to every stage she steps on.

Throughout her career, she has covered stories spanning crime, education, politics, community leadership, and human-interest features that inspire action and understanding. She is the founder of L.E.A.P.S. Dream House, LLC, where she helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations cultivate awareness, refine their message, and communicate with confidence and purpose.

Tonisha is also the visionary behind Just Leap Production House, where she is set to write, produce, and direct documentary projects centered on the experiences of women over 40, using storytelling as a tool for community-building, reconciliation, and healing.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with a minor in Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary. Currently, Tonisha serves as Vice President of Broadcast for the Columbus Association of Black Journalists and has been recognized in Who’s Who in Black Columbus for her leadership and impact.

Whether moderating panels, hosting conferences, or delivering keynote messages, Tonisha brings authenticity, insight, and a deep commitment to helping audiences feel seen, heard, and inspired to act.

Sip & Stroll (Mon, October 05, 2026)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

NAWBO Cbus Sip & Stroll Events

NAWBO members, guests and partners join us for a monthly Sip & Stroll to connect with the NAWBO Columbus community.

There is no cost to attend, we do ask for an RSVP. Feel free to bring your own beverage.

Parking:

Park & meet at the Everett H. Kruger Nature Center. The group plans to depart for a walk at 9:10am. Click HERE for a map of the park.

October Boost- Beyond the Lead: Using AI to Turn Current Relationships into New Revenue (Fri, October 16, 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Beyond the Lead: Using AI to Turn Current Relationships into New Revenue

CONNECT WITH NAWBO COLUMBUS & BOOST YOUR BUSINESS!

Small-business owners often focus on finding new customers while overlooking the relationships and data they already have. This session will explore how to use both more strategically to uncover growth opportunities — and how AI can help you analyze, prioritize, and act on what you find.

We’ll look at practical ways to identify opportunities within past and current relationships, recognize patterns in your existing data, and determine where your attention may have the greatest impact. Whether you’re new to AI or already using it, you’ll see how it can support better business decisions, more intentional outreach, and a more focused approach to growth.

Participants will leave with a practical framework they can use to better understand the relationships and information they already have, identify promising opportunities, and take strategic next steps.

JOIN US TO:

Identify overlooked growth opportunities within existing relationships, past customers, prospects, partners, and other business connections.
Use existing business data more intentionally to spot patterns, prioritize opportunities, and make smarter growth decisions.
Understand where AI adds the most value in analyzing information, surfacing possibilities, and helping determine the right next action.
Create a more focused reengagement strategy instead of relying on broad, generic outreach.

Meet our Facilitator: Camara Randolph, AI Core Resources

Camara Randolph is the founder of AI Core Resources and an AI adoption strategist who helps small-business owners and organizations use AI to grow, increase capacity, improve operations, and create new opportunities.

With a background in strategy, growth, organizational leadership, education, and training, Camara has built her career helping people and organizations identify opportunities, strengthen relationships, and turn ideas into meaningful results.

Today, she helps nontechnical leaders move beyond experimenting with AI and put it to work strategically—saving time, improving decisions, strengthening operations, and supporting sustainable growth.

ABOUT BOOST:

Join whenever you are able.

Non-members may attend up to two times before deciding if NAWBO is the right community for you.
Once registered the Zoom link will be sent in a registration confirmation email.
Are you a subject matter expert interested in facilitating a NAWBO Boost? Members and Partners complete the form HERE.

WOMEN, WISDOM, WINE & WITCHES (Tue, October 27, 2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Join us for a casual evening of women, wine and connection!

Brew up some magic with NAWBO Columbus at our special Halloween-themed networking event: Women, Wisdom, Wine & Witches!

Join NAWBO Columbus for a spooktacular twist on our highly anticipated biannual signature membership recruitment and networking event Women, Wisdom, Wine & Witches. Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration, connection, and celebration—with a dash of Halloween enchantment! Whether you’re already part of our vibrant community or thinking about joining, this is the perfect chance to engage with one of the top women-in-business groups in Columbus.

At Women, Wisdom, Wine & Witches, you’ll hear firsthand from our members about the incredible value of NAWBO membership and discover how being part of one of the largest NAWBO chapters in the country can empower you and your business. No tricks here—just the treat of powerful networking!

‍Join Us To:

Connect with the Coven: Mingle and network with current members, partners, and fellow women business owners in a fun, welcoming, and festive environment.
Unlock the Wisdom: Learn how belonging to a powerful national and local network can help you scale your business and amplify your voice.
Manifest Your Success: Discover exclusive chapter benefits, from mastermind roundtables to corporate contracting education.

For every guest a member & partner brings they will be entered into a drawing for a complimentary event registration!

Registration includes: 2 glasses of wine and light bites.

Registration Closes Friday, October 23rd.

Interested in Membership? Join and Save!

NAWBO has been powering the dreams of women business owners since 1975 and new Basic and Premier members save $75 off September 1st- October 31st! Learn more and join at: https://nawbo.org/membership

Sponsorship & Exhibit Opportunities

Event Partners

Exhibitors

NAWBO Columbus is proud to support women owned businesses!

Sip & Stroll (Wed, November 11, 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT