Connecting Women Business Leaders

Led by Shawna Vercher, CEO of VTi Web, the Society of Successful Women has a goal to connect, mentor, raise awareness and support women.

The idea was born as Vercher was actively working on the campaign trail for Barack Obama. She connected with several dynamic, successful business women and recognized a common thread that bonded so many of them. Most of the successful women she came in contact with shared a common thread, which was their desire to mentor and assist others, however, when faced with their own challenges, they seldom reached out to others for assistance. Vercher wanted to create a place where successful women can nurture their desire to mentor and assist others, but also receive the support they needed for their own business goals.

In July 2008, Vercher started to assemble a small group of women for informal focus groups, to gauge interest and map out the direction for the organization. In January 2009, the Society of Successful Women held their inaugural Successful Women’s Super Bowl Luncheon. Special guests included keynote speaker, Sheila Johnson, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, along with Gayle Sierens, news anchor for Channel 8. Anticipating only 35 women, the event attracted more than 150 attendees and raised $20,000 for the NFL YET centers.

Vercher has since established an advisory board of business leaders from all over the country and headquartered the SSW organization here in Tampa. The organization will be set-up to address the various phases of business life, including survival as a new business and expansion and growth as a more established company. “We’re here to tell business women about all of the resources out there in a welcoming and warm environment,” Vercher says.

SSW currently employs five people and expects to hire 30-45 people over the next year and half. Within the next few months, SSW will launch its online publication as well as a show that will be broadcast across the country. The SSW show will highlight women-owned businesses and offer them an outlet and support. Vercher expects that much of the filming will be shot in Tampa Bay with a live studio audience.

Labeling themselves as a “for profit company with a soul,” approximately 40 percent of all SSW efforts will go toward philanthropic organizations and endeavors, and the first tier of membership for SSW.

SSW will be hosting the Sapphire Mixer this evening, Tuesday, Nov. 17th from 6-8pm at Peak10 Tampa, 9411 Corporate Lake Dr., Tampa, FL 33634. Cost is $20 with proceeds to benefit the Society of Successful Women, and attendees will have an opportunity to learn how to get involved, showcase their businesses and be featured in the upcoming magazine and show.