Local eWomenNetwork chapter reports record growth
'Fastest growing' in national organization's history
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A local chapter of eWomenNetwork that formed at the beginning of the year has taken off for women who want to broaden their networking and strengthen their skills.
eWomenNetwork (eWN) SWFL Managing Director Lainie Sevante Wulkan said the chapter is part of one of North America's largest business networking groups in the world and across the country. It began 26 years ago by entrepreneur and author Sandra Yancey.
"This seems to hit all the right cords with not only bringing women together, but supporting them and lifting them wherever they are in their profession," she said.
The group, which is not just made up of entrepreneurial women, has a phrase - "one million women generating one million dollars in revenue."
"She honors these people who have made their millions," Sevante Wulkan said of Yancey. "Every Monday the CEO is on Monday calls unveiling all the secrets to success in thriving in this marketplace."
She said there was a big need and a strong desire to bring an eWN chapter to Southwest Florida.
"My name got thrown into the mix and after some serious vetting," Sevante Wulkan said, adding that she was asked if she could make something happen in Southwest Florida. "That was only in January, and we have now set records - the fastest-growing chapter in the history of 26 years."
There are 500,000 women in eWN with 60 members in the Southwest Florida chapter which stretches from Marco Island and Naples to Punta Gorda, the entire Gulf City region.
Members primarily reside in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Naples.
The chapter is designed to help support women at every stage - from building to growing to scaling - through connections with a national network and leadership development resources.
The chapter's programs include CEO-level strategy and mentoring - weekly mentoring calls, professional introductions and relationship infrastructures that strengthens referrals and partnerships, local and national expansion opportunities through eWN's broader chapter network and ongoing business development support, including success coaching and community-based accountability.
"Women get involved by coming to a meeting, or coming to the website," Sevante Wulkan said of www.ewomennetwork.com/swfl.
The chapter's flagship kickoff is set for Thursday, May 28, with the 2026 Women's Success Summit - SHIFT: The CEO Advantage, at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club.
"This is a moment where women business owners can't afford to stay still," Yancey said in a prepared statement. "The marketplace is shifting fast, and SHIFT is designed to help women cut through the chaos, simplify their path, and walk away with strategies they can implement immediately."
The submit will feature Yancey, who will deliver "deep training, laser coaching and question and answers" to help women business owners navigate an economy defined by rapid change, emergency technology and evolving buyer behavior.
"We sold out six weeks early. They have either been wanting, or needing this, or both. She is here in support of what we are doing," Sevante Wulkan said of Yancey. "We booked a venue that has about 90 seats and thought that would be plenty. It's been pretty amazing."
Because of the success, she is holding a waitlist.
To get on the waitlist, email lainiewulkan@ewomennetwork.com
In addition to the summit, the chapter has monthly accelerated networking events, which are little strategic business introductions. When women leave, Sevante Wulkan said people are elevated and deeply seen.
"They learn how to really accelerate their business," she said.
Membership is $997 a year, or about $3 a day.
Anyone interested in joining can reach out to Sevante Wulkan, who is happy to invite a complimentary guest, so they can experience what it is like to join the monthly event.
"They can feel the energy of the room and see why it has been around for 26 years - how we foster these new relationships," Sevante Wulkan said.