It was based on a model Karen had experienced in Albuquerque. While the initial group began with five women, they held a membership tea at the Luna Mansion and the group began to grow. They have met at various restaurants around the county and have had as many as 35 members. We now average between 12 and 14 members. Currently they meet at IHOP every Tuesday from 8-9 a.m. Some of the early members,
still with the group today, are: Rachel Pugh, and Roberta Scott. The name changed their name around 2001 as the result of an experience of one of the group’s early members, Laura Boyett. She had made a successful bid on a pig at the county fair. When asked for whom she was bidding, she said the N.E.W. women and the officials thought she said she was bidding for “nude” women. Hence, Business Women of Valencia County, B.W.V.C., was born. Though the name has changed the mission remains the same, to “empower women through networking, fostering mutual success in the area of profitability, leadership and personal and professional growth in a non-competitive arena.”
So every Tuesday morning, women from all parts of the county meet to network, share ideas and professional leads, hone their business skills and to help each other’s businesses grow. Each member represents a exclusive business category (or a non-profit organization), with only one member per category. Individual members have the opportunity to showcase their business at least once a year and they all share information about what’s going on in Valencia County. It’s also an opportunity to build lasting friendships. Many of the members have home based businesses, and the weekly meetings give them the opportunity to socialize and encourage each other as they build their businesses. Each December, the group also recognizes a member as Woman of the Year, based on her commitment to the organization as well as to the community. Recognizing that a vibrant county creates a healthy business environment, the group has also dedicated its efforts to helping others in need and the non-profit organizations that serve them. BWVC’s commitment to community service began with their participation in the Adopt-A-Road program and has grown from there. Over the years they have contributed to a wide variety of local needs and events such as Amity Treatment Community, the Belen and Los Lunas Food Pantries, Blue Star Mothers, C.A.S.A., Habitat for Humanity of Valencia County, Matanza, Miss Valencia County, many parades, Relay for Life, Rio Abajo Days, a kennel as well as adoption advertising for the VC animal shelter, Summerfest, the Valencia Animal Shelter. the Valencia County Fair, Valencia Shelter Services for Domestic Violence, Valencia County Literacy Council, gift baskets for needy seniors and supplies and coats for needy students at Ann Parish Elementary School. Other donations have included sponsoring an elephant at the Rio Grande Zoo, $1,000 toward the county’s abatement program to clean up dilapidated properties and another $1000 toward a local teen’s liver cancer treatment. After using a variety of fundraisers to fund their community service activities, from 2009-2012 had the group their Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Shopping Spree! fundraiser. It not only allows local and other businesses an opportunity to showcase their products in a fun atmosphere, but also raises money for local causes. Building their businesses while building up their community, it’s all in a day’s work for the Business Women of Valencia County.
