Women's Business Connection Network of MA - WBCN

11/17/2023

WBCN is thrilled to offer you a night of private shopping at the amazing Shiplap & Chandeliers.

This event is not just about shopping, it's a social gathering where women can bond over shared interests, the love of finding that perfect gift, businesses and fun. Last year's event was well attended and we would love to meet and connect with you. All are welcome to this event.

Shiplap & Chandeliers is an experience not to be missed. Well curated vendors offering many one of a kind treasures. It's an occasion to discover unique, hand picked items and enjoy the company of old friends and make new ones.

Please join us this Tuesday for drinks, appetizers and shopping before the holiday rush is on!

11/16/2023

Thank you to everyone who came out to show their overwhelming support for Avocados Mexican Restaurant last night, and who brought a nonperishable food item to support the Stoughton food pantries. We were overwhelmed at the turnout, and so grateful to have sponsored this cash mob! Congratulations also to the winner of a $50 gift card to Avocados, who will be contacted shortly!

11/13/2023

WBCN is bringing back the CASH MOB!!

What is a cash mob, you say?? Cash mob will support a locally-run business simply by talking it up in our circles, and encouraging our friends and associates to visit the business on a certain date.

This cash mob is for Avocados Mexican Restaurant in Stoughton, MA. Please visit any time from 11AM to 10PM on November 14th to show your support. While you are there, help restock Stoughton's food pantry by bringing an item for the collection box, and drop a business card in the bucket for a chance to win an Avocados gift card from WBCN!

We will be meeting there for dinner, and would love to have a taco with you in honor of Taco Tuesday! Stop by and say hi!

https://avocadosmexicanrestaurantma.com/

10/17/2023

This week's TIP TUESDAY is straight from our member, Lisa Andrews-Bowers!

DIVORCE – Financial Concerns and Planning
Going through a divorce can get quite ugly. It’s a time in one’s life when they must deal with their emotional as well as financial well-being. During this stressful time, couples find it difficult to make good financial decisions. For some, it may be the first time they are having to make these important decisions. Where should you start and what are the concerns when dividing assets?

- First, surround yourself with your own team of professionals – attorney, financial advisor, and accountant who can work together for your benefit.
- Primary residence – how it is going to be divided, or who is retaining ownership, will create tax consequences that could be less favorable for a single filer vs joint. What are the options? For one, selling the home while still married could be more favorable. You have options.
- Pension plans – for the owner of that plan who is required to divide the monthly payouts, it could be unfavorable to the owner. There are ways of distributing assets so that the pension plan owner does not end up with an unfair payout over the long term.
- Tax implications when dividing various asset classes.
- Planning for your financial future and stability.
- Including college planning in your settlement.

If you are going through a divorce and have questions, give me a call.

Lisa Andrews-Bowers
Sr. Investment Advisor
RBC Wealth Management
Wellesley, MA
781-263-1017
[email protected]

06/12/2023

For the 3rd straight year, the WBCN was able to provide a scholarship for a Stoughton High School senior who demonstrates a specific set of skills that align with business standards. Our very own Lisa Andrews-Bowers was able to attend “Scholarship Knight” to present Miss Stephanie Costeira her scholarship! It was a great night!
We are proud to be a small part of the almost 200 local scholarships provided that night, totaling over $300,000. Congratulations to Stephanie, as well as all of the other recipients of scholarships and various awards.

05/16/2023

Excited to network with you all! Who's coming??
https://facebook.com/events/s/better-living-real-estate-meet/1596237497521926/

04/11/2023

One last TIP TUESDAY post from our fabulous member, Mary Ellen of An Organized Approach: I am talking today about textile recycling folks! This has been the paramount of AOA! Every client I’ve ever had, regardless of whether they have owned a home or a business, has had at least one textile to contribute... although typically, it’s much much more! Sometimes the textiles could be a pair of pants that didn’t fit, a mismatched sock, an old pillow that was stained, a pair of tattered work boots, or an eyeglass cleaner cloth. Textiles are really everywhere, it’s just about being more mindful of unwanted items!👍🏼
I have had so many textiles on more than one occasion that I’ve had to drive around Stoughton, Massachusetts and put them in 5 of the receptacles at the schools because I had 15 contractor bags full of fabric or clothes from a client! WOW!⭐️
Textile recycling really is such an incredible way to eliminate items from around your home while still contributing locally to your community! All of the textile bins that I use generate funds for enrichment programs for our children at the preschool, elementary and the middle school levels!
Please consider collecting a small bag and dropping it off at any of the large white receptacles. It’s like anything else in life, once you become aware of the textile recycling bins, you’ll start seeing them pop up everywhere!
Oh… And did I mention that they take stuffed animals! Score!!! 🧸

04/05/2023

Scholarship committee meeting tonight! Ready to award a very deserving senior!

04/05/2023

A post from our member, Mary Ellen Lundy of An Organized Approach:
*Helping Others Especially If It’s Free*
An Organized Approach is all about…well, organizing, but also recycling! At this point AOA has helped hundreds, if not thousands of people with items of food, clothing, and physical items for their homes.
I could not have done this without all of YOU helping to spread the word about this business!
So today, I want to encourage all of you to get out there and help someone…whether it’s telling a friend about a business, sharing a post or even buying a gift certificate for a local business. (This graphic shows some great ways to specifically support my organizing business, but don’t let it limit you.)
Trust me, when someone recommends my business it warms my heart, truly it does. My small business, along with several others are the small entities supporting local memorial fundraisers, craft fairs, and vendor fairs!
So I encourage all of you to spread the word about a friend’s, or acquaintance's, small business. ❤️

03/28/2023

This TIP TUESDAY is straight from the mouth of our organization guru, Mary Ellen Lundy of An Organized Approach!

“They“ say that by making your bed every day, you have completed the first of many tasks. I’ve never been one to do what people tell me, however MOST days my bed gets made first thing. (This is my real bed and I just think it looks beautiful made, which is another incentive😉)
As silly as it may sounds...making the bed daily gives you some momentum to accomplish other, more arduous, tasks throughout the day!
*If nothing else, making your bed every day is a gentle reminder that even little things in life matter!❤️

03/20/2023

Please welcome our spotlight member, Mary Ellen of An Organized Approach!

Do you love the concept of recycling? Do you have too much stuff and you just don’t want it simply tossed into a landfill?! That’s where I come in! My name is Mary Ellen Lundy and I am more than just an organizer… I am an organizer that takes most of your unwanted items and shares them with group homes, sober living houses, shelters, 4-H programs, schools, nursing homes...& many many more!
Not only do I recycle your items to various charities, but I have a yearly “free sale“ as well. What’s that you ask?! Well, I made it up… So I have to tell you what it is... I set everything up like a regular yard sale except I don’t ask for cash, rather, instead, I ask that people bring non-perishable food items for the food pantry. To date, An Organized Approach has raised over 4,000 items for the food pantries in both Sharon & Stoughton!

We will work together to make smart decisions and help your vision for your home or business come to fruition! I am able to travel within 30 minutes of Stoughton!
I love being an organizer! I really feel like I have the best job in the world!
Please feel free to private message me if you have any questions!

Thank you!!

03/14/2023

TIP TUESDAY from Susie Gross at Better Living RE.... Often, when thinking about homeownership costs, buyers think of their main expense – their mortgage, and fail to go beyond that. It's important not to forget things like property taxes, HOA fees, insurance, etc. If you have questions about what costs to expect and prepare for, we can help! Just send us a message.

Katie Fogarty RE or myself are here to help your come true!

📞781 858 0317
📧[email protected]

02/28/2023

TIP TUESDAY!!! From our spotlight member Susie Gross Real Estate

There are exceptions; if something needs to be repaired/updated to make a home liveable, don't wait. But when it comes to making a house your ideal home, it is a good idea to wait and be confident of significant changes.

"Live in your space 12-18 months before tackling big renovations such as additions or knocking down walls. What you initially think you want to do may change after you’ve lived there for a while." — Fran Carpentier

Contact us to begin your journey.
Katie Fogarty RE or myself are here to help your come true!

📞781 858 0317
📧[email protected]

02/22/2023

https://fb.watch/iS71etDA2y/

02/17/2023

Great WBCN meeting tonight The Chateau Restaurant of Stoughton. Any women owned or operated businesses that want to connect and network with like-minded professional women to support and grow your business....

Check us out!
https://wbcn.info/

01/23/2023

Our member, Tina Anderson, Mortgage Professional has this tidbit to share... As the market changes it puts more power in the hands of the buyer. If you’d like to offer less than the asking price, I can let you know how much your monthly payments might be. Buying a house is work, but thankfully I can do some of it for you.

http://lstrep.co/ct6MQSNeI

Tina Anderson
Sr. Mortgage Advisor
Province Mortgage Associates, Inc.

01/14/2023

Shaking into 2023! Hope all of your holidays and the New Year were wonderful!

01/10/2023

Update time!

The Wrap n’ Chat, our annual community event, brought in $1,000 that will be donated to the Stoughton Giving Tree to help families in need receive gifts at the holidays!

A little rain was not going to delay us from hosting this 2nd annual event! Everyone that attended this year’s Wrap N’ Chat had a great night, won some fun raffles, wrapped lots of gifts and is already anxiously anticipating the next event!
Thank you to everyone who came and made this event possible!

Giving back to the community is just one of the things that we do here at the WBCN! For more information about this event, or any of our other community events throughout the year, reach out to any of our members!

12/12/2022

Just a few more days until the 2nd annual Wrap n’ Chat! Come join us on Thursday night from 6 to 9 PM for this adult only event! All you need to do is purchase your ticket at stoughtoncatholic.org and then bring the gifts that you’re going to wrap, We’ll have volunteers to help you bring the gifts in and out of the building, and we supply the rest… All the wrapping paper, scissors, tape, bows, tags, tissue paper, embellishments, boxes… don’t forget those reusable & sustainable gift bags will be provided again for you this year! (They were a big hit last year!)
Last year with ticket sales & raffles, we donated just over $1000 to the Stoughton Giving Tree.
Come, join us and be a part of something really special… getting to help others in need at the holidays! You get to wrap and chat! See you all THIS THURSDAY NIGHT!

12/06/2022

TIP TUESDAY from our own Chrissy Purnell McGowan 🕯 Candle lovers beware: December is the peak month for candle fires! Never leave burning candles unattended or sleep in a room with a lit candle. Make sure your candles are on stable surfaces and don’t burn candles near any flammable holiday decor!

11/29/2022

We're so excited about hosting the second annual Wrap N’ Chat!!!

For the new followers, this event raised over $1000 last year for the Stoughton giving tree to buy gifts for those in need! All you need to do is bring the gifts that you want to wrap (we will have volunteers to help you carry the gifts in and out of the church) and all of the supplies are given to you. We have reusable & sustainable gift bags, gift wrap, ribbons, boxes, bows, tissue paper, gift card holders, gift tags and so much more! Please keep in mind that this is a child free event!
With your $20 donation…you get to hang out with your friends, wrap up some gifts, have light refreshments, drink hot chocolate...all while helping others in need!!!!
It is sure to be another successful event. See the flyer for more details on how to order tickets through stoughtoncatholic.org!

🎀🎁Hope to see you all there! 🎁🎀

11/18/2022

Fantastic meeting last night where our own Tina Anderson, Mortgage Professional led us through how to use her app, helped us calculate a mortgage, and taught us some other interesting mortgage trivia. Huge thanks to The Chateau Stoughton for hosting us crazy ladies!!

11/15/2022

The 3rd annual WBCN coat drive starts TODAY!!! Let's help to keep people warm this winter! 🥶😶‍🌫️💙❄️ Please see the flyer for drop off information, including 3 convenient Stoughton locations.

10/28/2022

What an amazing night last night! We had an amazing turnout at the incredibly beautiful Shiplap & Chandeliers !!! We are so grateful to Shiplap for hosting our networking and shopping night. It was wonderful to meet so many powerful and creative businesswomen, and we are looking forward to many more evenings like this one!


For more information about WBCN or Shiplap, go to
www.wbcn.info
www.shiplap-chandeliers.com

10/27/2022

We are very excited to announce our Fall networking event at Shiplap & Chandeliers in Norwood, on Oct 27th! Join us for refreshments, networking and a private two hours of shopping at Shiplap!!

RSVP to [email protected]

06/28/2022

WBCN welcomes our spotlight member, Shauna Ek of Shango creations at Porter salon !

Here's another TIP TUESDAY from Shauna!

Healthy Summertime Hair ☀️

If you’re looking to grow your hair or just looking for overall healthier locks this summer, here are a few tips I would like to share with you!

• Keeping up with trimming - trimming every six to eight weeks will help maintain healthy length. Go with your growth- crunchy ends are not trending! ✂️

•Ditch heat styling - Air drying paired with a clean beauty routine is essential to maintaining healthy hair at home this summer. Leave your curling irons and straighteners and give your hair a rest!

•Home Hair Care - Clean beauty Is the best beauty. Ask me about vegan hair care to get your summer looking glamorous!

http://www.portersalon.com/
(781) 886-6891

04/22/2022

04/19/2022

Another from Attorney Davina Owens of Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins, PC!

A few weeks ago, I spoke about the importance of estate planning for young people. Today I will highlight one of the major considerations for my older clients: LONG TERM CARE PLANNING.

While nursing homes are not in the "plan" for many individuals, it's important to recognize that nursing homes are full of individuals who never planned on being there. Nursing home care is a form of heightened medical care, that requires the patient be in a nursing facility due to several limitations on their activities of daily living (ADLs). Nursing home care is advanced care, (it is not assisted living), and it is EXPENSIVE.

If you are healthy, and you have the resources, long term care insurance is one way to pay for at least a portion of your long term care, and it can help you stay in your home longer by covering the cost of at-home nursing. If you are older, have medical needs already, or simply don't have the financial resources, you likely won't be able to obtain a long term care policy of insurance that makes sense for you. This is when Medicaid/MassHealth benefits come into play.

Many of my older clients have concerns about using these government benefits, because the government is very good at finding ways of recovering the money they paid for your care. For example, quite often the state will seek recovery out of your probate estate by forcing the sale of your house after your death. A carefully crafted estate plan can anticipate this type of recovery, protecting your assets, so that as much of your estate is inherited by your children as possible.

There are many other cautions and traps for the unwary that should be considered prior transferring any of your assets, which I can walk you through, based on your individual situation. Please call my office to set up a consultation.

781-344-2886
[email protected]
https://www.brc-law.com/practice-areas/

04/12/2022

Happy ! Here is yet another great tip from Attorney Davina Owens of Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins, PC:

Many people believe that estate planning is just about Wills and Trusts, but when they meet with me I often advise that they consider incapacity documents as well. These documents, which can be used during times of incapacity, include a Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, and even an Emergency Guardianship Proxy, depending on your situation.

For example: A Power of Attorney document can allow trusted family members to access and manage funds when needed, without needing to be an owner on the account. Becoming a joint account owner with an older relative is not something I recommend, because your name and social security number are also associated with the account, so check their bank statements! Changing ownership late in life could also trigger a Medicaid or MassHealth disqualifying transfer. Becoming their Power of Attorney is often a safer alternative.

Many people also believe that their spouse would be able to access their funds if needed, but depending on how they hold title to their assets, it could involve a great amount of time and money and Court intervention to be able to access those funds. A Power of Attorney providing that authority to your spouse gives immediate access, when needed.

Finally, if you have a child over the age of eighteen, a Power of Attorney can grant you access to their college records. Amazingly, just because you pay the bill, doesn't necessarily give you access to their information!

If you or a loved one have questions about incapacity documents, or any other estate planning needs, I would be happy to help! Please contact my office to schedule an estate planning consultation.

[email protected]
www.brc-law.com
781-344-2886