The RWBN has been in existence since 1994, when Lynn Mann, the owner of a small business living in the country, near Kemptville, Ontario and Marg Newsome, in a similar situation on Pana Road at the very eastern edge of the~then Township of Osgoode, started a support network of businesswomen living in rural areas.Self-employed rural women face many challenges.

Their very first dinner had room for 45 women, and far more showed up. Since then ,dinners are always filled to capacity with 50 to 60 participants. They are held in various locations of the RWBN coverage areas in Russell, Metcalfe, Greely, Edwards, North Gower, Kemptville, Merrickville, Oxford Mills and Burritts Rapids. Women come from an even larger geographic area, stretching from Embrun to Brockville.

The events are held on the last Tuesday of each quarter and advance reservations are necessary. The cost is $25 for the meal, an amount which has only increased by $5 since RWBN's inception. An email newsletter is sent out by Newsome, Mann and fellow coordinator Cindy Jackson of Apple Laine Farms in Russell. Other than the volunteer work done by these three ladies, there are no fees, no board of directors, and no other time commitments expected of members, who are already very busy women.

The dinners are designed with networking in mind and attendees take full advantage. Linda Newson, a real estate agent, has been a member for three years. When asked what she got out of the dinners, she enthusiastically answered, "Referrals, a good time, and the chance to network with other women."That theme was common, as every businesswoman interviewed included the support of other women who were struggling with similar issues as a principal reason for belonging to the RWBN.

Many of the women wear half a dozen hats, including wife, mother and farmer. Several have "day jobs" as well. Many have businesses which have grown and/or changed over the years.

Louise Arsenault started by making candy in her kitchen. She now sells a wide variety of products in several venues, including The Village Bin in Winchester.

Gillian Trojan is a certified financial planner but she also manages rental properties, sells beautv and household products, and paints pet portraits. Her goal is to retire but never stop working, only shifting emphasis so that when she reaches retirement age, the pet portraits, which are her labour of love, will be an extra source of income.

Heather MacLeod started with a hobby she loved and turned it into a profitable venture. At Wild Orchid, she produces floral designs created from wedding or memorial bouquets, as well as memory boxes, and she is busy all the time. As she says, "This way I can make money from something I want to do anyway."

Newsome has also worn many hats, first as a partner in Pana Publications, then providing a dog~sitting service, and now as an event planner in her new home near Trenton. Seemingly filled with inexhaustible energy, or else unable to stop herself, Newsome has started a businesswomen's network there as well. Mann is now employed at Curves, although still very active in the network. She says, "We don't quit. We just carry on."

Jackson owns Apple Laine Farm of Russell, which started out as a mohair goat operation inspired by another RWBN member, Teresa Bergeron. Jackson no longer keeps goats other than a couple of pets, and sells designer yarns, which she dyes by hand. Her beautiful and unique product is sold all over the world.

The RWBN is there to benefit its members. Most dinners consist of a speaker or entertainment in some form, as well as eight one-minute talks by door-prize doners. Keynote speakers are successful members who describe their roads to self employment, including roadblocks, mistakes and achievements. lt is very helpful for new business owners to be given access to established businesswomen, many of whom are mentors. Women considering starting a business, including farming, are invited to attend. Most come away inspired, motivated, and-armed with a good deal of practical knowledge, as well as links to new friends.

The network also supports causes important to women, including Naomi's Family Resources shelter in Winchester, which has benefited from the network's annual Christmas dinner for many vears. Another beneficiary has been Angels in Action, started by member Linda Laframboise in support of ovarian cancer research and education. The most recent network dinner netted that cause approximately $230.

The fall dinner will be held at the Goose & Gridiron in Merrickville September 29.