Lauren Hendry, president and Julie Ross, vice-president
Mamas Move, Norwell
APL Program WBO Participants (2011)

“The ATHENAPowerLink® (APL) program has helped us to focus on our business as a whole instead of looking at it day-to-day. Our panel provided us with an essential outside perspec¬tive and we benefited from the unique skill sets of each APL panel member. From finances to lease negotiation to marketing, everyone was generous about sharing their expertise with us. The APL experience helped us to realize the overall impact of each business element; we can now look at the long-term with a clearer eye…thanks to this excellent program.”

Diane Sawyer, Principal
Sawyer Design Associates, Inc.
APL Program WBO Participant (2009)
Speaker at Hi Connections and WBC Outreach events.
“Participating in the ATHENAPowerLink® (APL) program through a recession was both a challenge and an opportunity. But, having the Panel to back me up; acting as a sounding board, giving me encouragement and advice as I navigated the challenges of this past year was a great blessing. I took a significant step towards directing my business, rather than working in it. I gained confidence and skills, learned the value of networking, and increased my profit margin from 53.9% to 65.4%.”

Valerie & Victoria King, co-owners
King Jewelers
APL Program WBO Participants (2008)
Speakers at Hi Connections and WBC Outreach events.
“On their own time and at absolutely no cost to us, these business experts worked with us to address specific business issues and goals of our business. The ATHENAPowerlink® advisory panel has underscored something we always knew about King Jewelers: Customer and community service is the key to success. And with because of the assistance of this incredible panel, we have every confidence our success will grow.”

Wendy Simmons, President
Prism Consulting
APL Program WBO Participant (2004)
Member, SSCC Board of Directors; APL Governing Body Member; former WBC Steering Committee Member/Advisor.
“I was lucky enough to have ten advisors who were the captains of industry, spanning a number of business disciplines. Their selfless advice and guidance helped me streamline systems; improve productivity and double revenues in just over three years’ time. The end result was like earning a Master’s Degree in managing the specific growth challenges within my company. I graduated from being a successful but reactive Business Owner to a proactive CEO. I’ve gone on to participate as a member and advisor of the WBC for several years and am currently on the board of directors for the South Shore Chamber of Commerce.”