In the 11 days since becoming a board member of the National Association of Women Business Owners’s Columbus Chapter, Amanda L. Sage has had plenty of work to do.
As vice president of communications, Sage oversees a committee of three that is responsible for the organization’s website, email marketing, social media, and all the branding and communications surrounding the Visionary Awards Gala, which is slated for July 12.
“It’s a lot of work, but I’ve already seen the dividends,” says Sage. “I’ve been active in NAWBO since 2009 and there is no question that my company has grown exponentially because of my involvement. At least two-thirds of our business comes from NAWBO members or their referrals.”
Sage is the owner of Gong Gong Communications LLC, a marketing and design firm focused on helping small businesses and micropreneurs get the marketing engagement they need on a budget and time frame they can manage.
Sage started the company in 2009 at the age of 25, and in November 2012 the company moved to an office in the Women’s Small Business Accelerator in Westerville.
“It’s not only the networking that has helped my business, it’s the support and mentorship I’ve received from my fellow NAWBO members that has helped me grow my business more than I would have done on my own,” she says.
Sage credits her predecessor, Karen Sullivan of Sullivan Solutions LLC, with playing a key role in her development.
“Learning from Karen as I served under her was an unexpected blessing,” Sage says. “It’s not often that young entrepreneurs find a seasoned contemporary ready to mentor them, and this organization is full of wonderfully supportive and successful business owners ready to help their peers succeed.”
And NAWBO is happy to have Sage step up from committee member to board member, says Caroline Worley, president of NAWBO Columbus and owner of Worley Law LLC.
“It’s great to have a young business owner leading by example, and we hope she helps inspire other young women to become entrepreneurs,” she adds.
At 29 years old, Sage is the youngest board member in the history of NAWBO Columbus.
“I’d love to see more young women become business owners,” says Sage. “We aren’t taught to dream of entrepreneurship, and I think there are so many could-be business owners out there who simply never considered it, let alone know where to start.”
Sage and the other NAWBO Columbus board members will be sworn in May 2 by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty during a program featuring Tanny Crane, president and CEO of Crane Group.
