ATHENA PowerLink®  is a business mentoring program designed to increase the growth and profitablity of women-owned businesses. The program is simple -- the selected business woner is "linked" with a powerful volunteer Advisory Panel specifically selected to assist her in addressing her growth challenges. The program is also highly effective - in the 20+ other communities that have established programs, participants reported, on average, an 88% increase in sales. a 38% increase in net income and a 57% increase in personbal income. Ninety-three percent of participants reported that they made significant changes as a result of the program.

ATHENA PowerLink® is open to any woman whose business:

- Is at least 51% owned and actively managed by a woman.
- Has been in business for a minimum of two years.
- Has a minimum of two full-time employees (including the owner).
- Has annual revenues of at least $250,000 for retail or manufacturing buisnesses, or at    least $100,000 for service businesses.
- Has clearly defined company objectives/goals with explicit reasons for seeking ATHENA PowerLink®'s assistance in meeting those objectives/goals.

The Washtenaw ATHENA Power Link is administrated by Jan Davies McDermott, Owner of Davies House Inn Georgetown Bed & Breakfast and President of Echo Enterprises. Local supporting organizations of this program include Washtenaw Community College, the Ann Arbor Area/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce, and National City Bank. Several local professional business service companies also sponsor the program by providing pro bono services to the recipients. Applications are accepted in the Fall of each year and may be downloaded from the website: www.athenawashtenaw.org. For more information, please call Jan Davies McDermott at (734) 417-5745 or visit the website.

The 2009 recipient is Yodit Mesfin-Johnson, Non Profit Enterprise at Work.

Previous Participants

2010    Laura Spear                               Washtenaw Door & Trim

2010     Megan Torrance                     Torrance Learning

2010    Carol Kamm                               iSoldit on Ebay 

2009    Casey Stark                                1800 Got Junk

2008    Marisa Smith                             The Whole Brain Group

2007    Sharon McRill