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RECOGNITION FOR ATHENA POWERLINK PARTICIPANT AND
2009 APPLICATIONS NOW ONLINE

(FLINT, MICHIGAN, APRIL 24, 2009) This morning at the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce a news conference announced that 2009 ATHENA PowerLink applications are now available online. Also recognized during the news conference was Elaine Cussans, proprietor of The French Confection, who received an ATHENA International recognition piece for her participation in last year’s program. ATHENA PowerLink is a program that helps established women-owned businesses expand profitably through the use of a professional advisory panel. Read the article from ABC 12.

The news conference was hosted by the Women’s Business Council (WBC) of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, the governing body of the ATHENA program. The recognition art piece was sponsored and presented by 2006 ATHENA Award recipient Jan Caon Barlow of Jan’s Professional Dry Cleaners. Cussans’ ATHENA PowerLink participation fee was funded by the Regional Chamber.

“Growth in Genesee County during this economy is vital and necessary,” said Tim Herman, Regional Chamber CEO. “The ATHENA PowerLink program not only provides opportunity for small business growth, it creates opportunities for women-owned businesses to achieve great success.”

ATHENA PowerLink, an ATHENA International program, was created to assist women-owned business to achieve economic growth. The WBC of the Regional Chamber has been involved with ATHENA PowerLink since 1999. In fact, the WBC is the first organization outside the state of Pennsylvania, where ATHENA PowerLink originated, to offer the program. During the 10 years the WBC has been involved, nine businesses have participated and each has shown a range of improvement. 

A mentoring process links the applicant with a volunteer panel of advisors from the local community. The panel and business owner work together for one year to meet the business owner’s objectives. The advisory panel commits to 10 hours over the course of the year, and through this process they advise the business owner on how to network, implement best practices, and other courses of action to better improve the business.

 “If I had not been involved in this program I am sure I would be out of business now” noted Elaine Cussans. “But the advisory panel convinced me that I was in an industrial location that didn’t allow for much retail traffic and they pushed me to move from Fenton to Grand Blanc. I resisted at first, but I did it, and it saved me. We also changed my overall image with the new location and a new tag line –It’s Not a Celebration Unless There is Cake! The only thing we didn’t change is the product. We didn’t touch the product.”

Cussans’ advisory panel consisted of:

• Pam Fernsler—ATHENA PowerLink Director, and Zonta Club of Flint 1 Chamber Representative
• Dale Ellery—Dale Ellery Accounting
• Debby Harris—Michigan Fence, Owner
• Kristen Molsen—Advanced Physical Therapy, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations
• Robin Riddell—INNERmedia Coaching and Consulting Associates, LLC, Principal    
• Mitch Treuminer—Crossroads Marketing and Consultants
• Mike Sonego—Citizens Bank, Senior Vice President Owner Banking

“ATHENA PowerLink is a great opportunity for women-owned businesses to learn and grow—but this is not a program for startups,” explained Pam Fernsler, ATHENA PowerLink Director, and Zonta Club of Flint 1 Chamber Representative. “There are criteria that must be met, and, just as important, a significant desire by the participant to want to take her business to the next level. There is a lot of work involved, but if the participant listens to the panel of experts and does what needs to be done, the sky is the limit.”