MILLER Case Study: W.O.W. – Women Optimizing Women®

Starting a business is no small feat, and for woman entrepreneur Barbara E. Ringrose, it was a journey of discovery, learning, and relationship-building.

With an extensive career spanning mortgage lending, commercial banking, real estate, and retail operation, Barbara had a wealth of experience. However, launching her networking business, W.O.W. – Women Optimizing Women®, required new skills, strategies, and support. That’s where Miller stepped in.

From Vision to Reality

Barbara’s idea for W.O.W. was simple yet powerful: a virtual and in-person networking platform that connects, consults, and educates businesswomen to build strong relationships and improve their businesses. Passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs in their professional endeavors, she wanted to create a space where women could learn productive habits and gain information to enable them to do business together better.

However, she quickly realized having a vision wasn’t enough. While she had the entrepreneurial spirit and industry experience, she needed expert advice on how to create a sustainable business model.

“I did not realize building a website was just the beginning and not all-encompassing,” Barbara said. “I did not realize the extent of new concepts I would need to learn to give the business a strong base for success.”

More Than an Idea

In October 2021, Babara came to Carroll Community College for assistance with blogging. Through that she connected with Tom Mazerski, Director of Miller: Resources for Entrepreneurs. Their initial conversation led to an important realization—she had more than just an idea; she had a viable business for women entrepreneurs.

“Seven months later I formed an LLC,” Barbara said. “Soon after I retired from mortgage lending to focus on W.O.W.”

Tom became an integral part of Barbara’s path to success. He challenged her with thought-provoking suggestions to build her business and assisted her in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

She worked on developing strong relationships, learning effective marketing strategies, and understanding her target audience. She also found that staying engaged with evolving industry trends was essential to sustaining and growing her business.

The Value of Ongoing Mentorship

Our meetings have not only supported me but given me a knowledgeable and well-rounded business person to talk with.

Barbara continues to meet with Tom every quarter to review her progress and offer her guidance. His insights and experience have helped her refine her business strategies and stay on track.

“Our meetings have not only supported me but given me a knowledgeable and well-rounded business person to talk with,” Barbara said. “It is difficult to find someone in the community with the skills he and I both share.”

“Using Tom’s referral to attorney Jon Weetman at Weetman Law, as of December 10, 2024, the trademark application for Women Optimizing Women was approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office!” Barbara added. “This feat was due to the direction of Tom Mazerski’s foresight and support of W.O.W.”

With Tom’s tutelage and Miller’s resources, Barbara has built a strong foundation for her women entrepreneur networking business. Her journey exemplifies the impact of mentorship, perseverance, and strategic planning in turning a passionate vision into a thriving enterprise.