Founded three years ago by Lorrie Madden, executive vice president and sales manager of Arvest Bank in Rogers, InVESTing in Women has grown into a successful professional women's networking group in Northwest Arkansas. The light bulb came on for Madden in 2007 when she came across an article in the ABA Bank Marketing journal. The article revealed to Madden that women business owners are the fastest growing group of business owners in America. By forming a “meaningful relationship” between the bank and this powerful, growing market segment, the two groups could grow and succeed through each other.
With Northwest Arkansas being one of the fastest growing regions, Madden saw this as a perfect opportunity for Arvest to reach out to this expanding market. And so came InVESTing in Women as the result. The established purpose of this networking group is “women helping women find financial solutions.” The first meeting included only 15 women in December of 2007. Since then, it has grown into a huge success and has merged with a similar group in Bentonville to make it even larger. Bentonville’s original focus was also to educate women about financial topics, but also about topics ranging from retirement solutions, staging a home for sale, how to start a small business and even skin care! The merger of the two groups brings endless possibilities to the table for any woman in the area.
“It’s very exciting to see the value of this initiative in the community. We continue to receive exceptionally positive feedback from participants. One of our advocates from the very beginning almost 3 years ago said she has drawn over $35,000 in new business to her business from this group and the contacts that resulted,” said Madden.
Since the expansion, Madden has recruited a variety of women within the Arvest network to help lead the meetings. In Bentonville, you can expect to meet and speak with Client Advisor and Investment Specialist Amie Bland, Retirement Plan Specialist Kelly Majdan, Commercial Loan Officer Darlene Nicolau, and Bentonville Downtown Branch Manager Tara Greeley. In Rogers, Marketing Specialists Amy Tucker and Rogers Villages on the Creek Branch Manager Donna Howard lead the meetings each month. “We really enjoy doing it and have worked very hard to make sure we continue to have new guests coming to each meeting!” said Bland.
The meetings are held once a month, alternating between Rogers and Bentonville. Rogers holds the meeting on the second Tuesday of each even month at the Arvest at Village on the Creek. Bentonville holds the meeting on the last Wednesday of each odd month at the Arvest branch Downtown Bentonville.
You're invited! Seating is limited and request that you RSVP. To be added to the InVESTing in Women Email List, please contact Amie Bland at abland@arvest.com or Amy Tucker at atucker@arvest.com or call 479-621-1777.