SE Women on the Move Affinity Group

Tap into your inner entrepreneur to jumpstart your career! NOTE: NEW LOCATION IN TROY

Join InForum's Women on the Move group on Tues., June 12 at 6 p.m. at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Building, Room 2A, 2600 W. Big Beaver Rd. Learn how two women exited corporate America to start their own businesses, gaining work/life balance and a sense of purpose along the way. This program is for you if:

1. You've ever wanted to tap into your inner entrepreneur to apply that spirt to your current or future career
2. Start or own your own business
3. Consult/freelance while you search for a new job
4. Find a side hustle

Our featured speakers will be:

Karen Bonnici
Creator & Chief Superhero of the Super Blanky®
Storyteller, Musician & Teaching Artist
Karen Bonnici, built a business as a storyteller, musician & teaching artist in 1997 as her exit out of corporate America. As an artist she also created handmade products for years, selling them through craft shows and home decor stores. In 2011, she landed upon the idea of a lifetime when she made gifts for her nieces and nephews on her sewing machine. The Super Blanky®, part blanket, part cape, is available nationally at Target® in characters including Batman®, Paw Patrol®, My Little Pony® and more. The Super Blanky® licensing opportunity with Franco Manufacturing and deal with Target® came after years of testing, building, and learning about which approach to take with the brand. Karen is a Michigan Humanities Council Touring Artist and presents storytelling, and musical “edutainment” programs to teach, engage, encourage and tickle the funny bone.

Jill McDonnell

Owner

Tutor Doctor Troy

Jill McDonnell launched Tutor Doctor Troy in February of 2017. Having previously worked in advertising and human resources, Jill immediately identified with the Tutor Doctor franchise as a great fit for her passion – instilling and developing confidence in young people. Tutor Doctor gives her the opportunity to meet face-to-face with parents and children, identify opportunities and create a path to results. A former opera singer and community theatre actress, Jill still finds time to sing in her church choir. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, cooking, gardening and wondering what’s going on in the mind of her crazy Jack Russell, Georgia. Jill holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Oakland University.

Women on the Move Co-Chairs Dianne Freeman, CPA, Managing Director at Townsend Search Group, and Carol Ward, Franchise Consultant, FranNet of Michigan, both successful entrepreneurs, will be on hand to facilitate the meeting.

Women on the Move Co-Chairs Dianne Freeman, CPA, Managing Director at Townsend Search Group, and Carol Ward, Franchise Consultant, FranNet of Michigan, both successful entrepreneurs, will be on hand to facilitate the meeting.

NEW LOCATION IN TROY - Women on the Move Affinity Group will begin meeting June 12 in Room 2A at Bank of America Merrill Lynch's Troy office at 2600 W. Big Beaver Road (the office is on the same side of the street as Somerset Mall/adjacent to Macy's. Please plan to park in the lot in front of the building which can be accessed from Lakeview Drive (the road running between the Bank of America Building at 2600 W Big Beaver and Somerset Collection North). The entrance to the building is under the portico adjacent to the parking lot. FYI, the group previously had been meeting at the Brightwing office in Troy.

Group Leadership

Dianne Freeman, dfreeman@townsendsearch.com, 248.765.0215

Carol Ward, ccward@frannet.com, 248.590.7190 (feel free to text if needed)

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