New business group offers networking opportunities

The Greater Women's Chamber of Commerce is establishing itself as one of Houston's more dynamic marketing and networking venues for women in business. The organization was introduced to the Houston area by founder Lynda Hart, who aims to provide women with the opportunity to promote their business and develop strategic alliances.

Ms. Hart was raised in California. Her father immigrated there from the Philippines and her mother came from Oklahoma. "My parents were eager for me to succeed in life," she says. "My father was so proud to become an American citizen. I remember seeing my dad at the Hollywood Bowl becoming a citizen. I was just a little girl playing on the steps there at the ceremony and I looked up and noticed big tears rolling down my dad's cheeks. I know the pride he must have felt at that moment." Ms. Hart says that the Filipinos have a strong allegiance to the U.S. "It is mandatory to learn English there," she says, "and even though they speak many languages, everyone understands English." After her parents passed away, she made her first visit to the Philippines and found it an interesting country.

Ms. Hart started her own successful business in San Diego and became involved with the Filipino Chamber of Commerce. As president of the organization she began a vigorous marketing program, not only to the Filipino community but to "mainstream" businesses in the city as well. She also helped form a coalition of Filipino chambers throughout the state of California. Eventually, the coalition started a nationwide organization called the Federation of Filipino Chambers of Commerce, with members in 46 states.

From her experience with the chambers of commerce, Ms. Hart recognized the value of networking and building coalitions. During her stay in Hawaii she decided to form the Greater Women's Chamber of Commerce. "I decided that instead of dividing into so many cultural groups for networking, why not form one large group encompassing all. I decided on one very large group, women." Ms. Hart lost no time in creating partnerships with her group to promote Hawaiian businesses. She linked with the Filipino and San Diego chambers in an event called "Hands Over Hawaii" and was named an honorary ambassador of Hawaii by the governor.

She eventually moved back to California and formed a GWCC chapter in San Diego. As in Hawaii, the group partnered with other groups to promote the business and commerce of the area.

Now Lynda Hart brings her knowledge and experience to Houston, hoping to build coalitions to promote business and commerce in our area. She wants to offer leadership training, networking, and mentoring to women business owners as well as to women in the workforce. She does not want to exclude men, however. "People ask me if men are welcome and I say, absolutely. We do not want to exclude anyone's support," she says.

Ms. Hart believes that in these difficult economic times a support group for women is important. "When you go through the transition of losing a job, it is devastating - not only financially, but your self-esteem goes down with it. That is the transition that women are going through now and they need mentors, leaders, and support systems."

The Greater Women's Chamber of Commerce in Houston has frequent social networking events and seminars. Ms. Hart also plans to promote "Coast to Coast" networking, linking Pacific coast GWCC groups with the Gulf Coast. For more information on the GWCC visit their website at www.gwccmission.com

(The Banner, August 7, 2009)