Bebe Kinnett, Owner of Absolute Web Designs, won the International Femtor Award at the eWomen Network Conference in Dallas TX on Saturday, Aug. 8th 2015.? The category was Business Matchmaker of the Year which recognizes “one unique women who has constantly gone out of her way to help others succeed… She unselfishly looks out for the business needs of others.”? The Awards Ceremony was witnessed by thousands at the conference and live feed around the world.
The nomination letter:
Bebe Kinnett has been an enthusiastic member of the Cincinnati eWomen Network Chapter for over 5 years. During that time she has served on the Leadership Team and provides audio visual equipment and support for the monthly luncheons. She is involved in numerous networking activities and is a constant ambassador for eWomen Network.
Three years ago Bebe Kinnett and Amy Ostigny drove 34 hours round trip to attend the Dallas conference. For many this would have been torture and we knew that we would love or hate each other after spending that much time together. Fortunately the drive was filled with stories and thought provoking ideas. The conference and speakers were inspiring and on the way home Bebe decided that she wanted to become an author. The seed was planted, but seemed impossible at the time.
Bebe met one of our guest speakers, Beth Caldwell, Author, Speaker & Publisher, at an eWomen Network luncheon. They maintained contact and when Beth searched for authors to compile in a book then Bebe applied and became one of the featured authors. The process took a year to accomplish, but in the Summer of 2014 ?Inspire! Women?s Stories of Achievement, Encouragement & Influence.? appeared on Amazon. It took years, but the seed planted at the eWomen Network Conference became a reality. Although she is a speaker and has signed books at presentations and book parties, she also has a donated books to charities and individuals for Philanthropic reasons.
Bebe?s chapter, ?The Pill I wouldn?t Swallow?, describes leaving a fulfilling job to embark or a higher paying corporate career path only to find herself laid off and over 50 years old. The frustrations lead her to make choices that took courage and determination to overcome and the book is an inspiration to all women.
The book also describes her transition from employee to Entrepreneur. When Bebe moved to the Lawrenceburg Indiana area she was informed by the Chamber President that there was no need for a Business Women?s Networking group because there weren?t enough women business leaders in the area. Although she held a Masters Degree, she was also told that a clerical job would be the best she could do. That is when she became determined to enhance her business, Absolute Web Designs, and become a leader and inspiration for other women. Networking at eWomen Network has assisted in her business accomplishing a 350% increase in sales for the first quarter of 2015.
Bebe received the 2013 Woman in Business Champion Award from the Southeast Indiana Small Business Development Center. Requirements for this competitive award include:
Efforts to increase business and financial opportunities for women
Legal, financial or managerial assistance provided to enhance women?s business ownership
Voluntary efforts to strengthen the role of women business owners in the community
Advocacy of the women owned business community as a whole
The award ceremony included a short video about Bebe, her business and her involvement in eWomen Network. The video is available on her web site: http://absolutewebdesigns.com/women_in_business_award/ through YouTube and was prominently displayed on the ISBDC web site for a year. This helped to bring recognition to eWomen Network in the Southeastern Indiana region.
As President of the Bright Area Business Association for 4 years, she incorporated networking and cooperation in this one stoplight unincorporated area. She incorporated an educational component to the meetings along with networking. The organization grew to 60+ members and rivaled larger organizations in fund raising and participation. Political figures, businesses and other organizations began to notice the Bright Area and joined as members. Two fundraising events went from collecting $1500 to donating over $10,000 for local non-profits. This was accomplished with volunteers and all proceeds going to the under-funded Fire & EMT Department and food pantry.
Bebe is also involved in the nearby Northern KY Chamber of Commerce and the Women?s Initiative at the Chamber. A full page article appeared in the Chamber Business Journal and highlighted her book and business. The article can be seen at: http://absolutewebdesigns.com/chamber_interview/ or the full issue is available http://www.nkychamber.com/pdf/Business%20Journal%20September-October%202014%20for%20web.pdf. Her involvement in the Northern KY Chamber, BNI, Dearborn Chamber and Tri-State Business Network have given Bebe access to a variety of women in business in the Tri-State and many have been invited to eWomen Network meetings.
Her energy and commitment to Women in Business are boundless and she is dedicated to encouraging women to succeed.
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