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Helping Women Find Health And Wealth

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By MEGAN HUSSEY, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 19, 2008

Updated: 01/18/2008 09:44 pm

LUTZ - "Health and Wealth" is the theme of the third annual Women-N-Charge Expo. Aside from promoting the dual cause of improved personal well-being and financial success, this free event reflects the mission of its host organization.

"Our group and expo benefit women and support women in business," said Becky Wanamaker, president pro tem of Women-N-Charge and 2008 Expo co-chairwoman.

Net proceeds from the expo will fund grants for local businesswomen.

"We're hoping to offer two $1,500 grants this year," Wanamaker said. "We're looking for people to apply for these grants."

Those interested in applying for a grant can write info@women-n-charge.com or call (813) 220-8965.

All who attend the expo can learn about area businesses, which provide essential services to the community.

"Guests will get a lot of information about health issues and financial services," she said. "Our booths are run by everyone from bankers to chiropractors."

By learning about these businesses and nonprofit agencies, Wanamaker hopes guests then will patronize them on a regular basis.

"We like to keep business local," Wanamaker said.

Sweetbay Supermarket will be offering free health screenings at the expo. Guests also will have the opportunity to participate in drawings, and win $25,000 through a "Crack the Safe" contest.

The expo is a major annual activity for Women-N-Charge, a group that meets monthly at River of Life Church in Lutz for lunch, networking and informational programs.

"We started out as a small group of women and grew from there," Wanamaker said. "We're all about women supporting women in business."

Primarily from central and east Pasco but representing many different areas including Tampa, these business professionals include bankers; heating and cooling professionals; assisted living managers; mortgage brokers; insurance agents; marketing professionals; travel agents; accountants; debt collection specialists; event planners; financial services experts; home builders; landscapers; photographers; printers; Realtors; yoga instructors; and attorneys.

"You name it," Wanamaker said.

At monthly meetings, members gather to hear speakers who, Wanamaker said, "benefit women who own and manage businesses."

"We welcome guest speakers that relate to being in business or being a woman," she said.

Some of the topics addressed by these speakers include the importance of voting, marketing, women's health issues, setting and achieving professional goals, and reducing stress in the workplace.

In addition, members can have their businesses advertised on the Women-N-Charge Web site and in an organizational directory.

Networking is another major facet of Women-N-Charge.

"Members build connections in the community," Wanamaker said. "And with other business people.

"We want members to take something home with them they can use in their day-to-day business life."

WOMEN-N-CHARGE EXPO

SOME BACKGROUND: The Women-N-Charge Health and Wealth Expo, hosted by Sweetbay Supermarket with platinum sponsors The Tampa Tribune and The River of Life Church, will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 2, at the River of Life Church, 410 Chapman Road in Lutz.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: Net proceeds from the expo will fund mini-grants for a women in business.

A LITTLE HISTORY: This is the third expo hosted by Women-N-Charge, a 4-year-old organization dedicated to supporting local businesswomen.

"Our mission is to support and assist professional women in managing their businesses more effectively, furthering their professional goals, and promoting their health and financial independence," read a mission statement published at www.women-n-charge.com.

The group is overseen by president pro tem and 2008 Expo co-chairwoman Becky Wanamaker; president-elect pro tem and public relations chairwoman Elayne Bassinger; treasurer pro tem Sue Davis; secretary pro tem Stacie Dalton; board member at-large Vicki Hutto; and board member at-large Carol Roth.

WHAT'S NEXT?: Women-N-Charge meets 11 a.m. the first Friday of each month at the River of Life Church, 410 Chapman Road East in Lutz.

GET INVOLVED: Membership dues for Women-N-Charge are $100 a year for individuals, $150 a year for corporate memberships. Download an application at www.women -n-charge.com; for more information, e-mail member ship@women-n-charge.com or call 1-888-662-4944.

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