About the Mobile Chamber
The Mobile Chamber is a private business organization with more than 1,700 members and the economic developer for the City of Mobile and Mobile County. The Mobile Chamber’s focus is to provide members with networking, marketing and professional development opportunities, expand jobs in the area, develop the local workforce, advocate legislative priorities and offer resources to help small businesses grow. Additional information is on the Chamber’s website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
Celebrating Woman’s History Month: Dr. Valerie D. W. James
The Mobile Chamber is proud to spotlight members of our community that provide a significant impact during Women’s History Month.
Dr. Valerie D. W. James is making her impact on female entrepreneurs and businesses statewide. She is the first president of NAWBO-AL, The Alabama chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.
She knows first-hand the highs and lows of being a female entrepreneur. Dr. James is the founder and president of VisionSpot Enterprises. This company stands at the forefront as one of the fastest growing, nationally recognized operational and management efficiency firms in Mobile. VisionSpot is an Eagle Award recipient and was recognized in 2021 as one of the top ten innovative leadership development consulting services impacting the industry by Manage HR magazine.
The Alabama chapter of NAWBO was founded when many businesses were struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. NAWBO-AL currently has more than 50 members statewide in three active cities: Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham. They are currently looking to expand to Huntsville and Tuscaloosa.
In the three years since NAWBO-AL launched, the chapter has created a platform for elevating resources, visibility, opportunities and growth for women-owned businesses across the state through advocacy locally and at the nation’s capital. This creates both the avenue and environment to build sustainable women-owned businesses.
Under Dr. James’ leadership, NAWBO-AL has successfully built an infrastructure to broaden a community of successful women committed to success and economic sustainability in Alabama.
NAWBO was founded in 1975 and has more than 12 million women business owners across all industries in chapters across America.
NAWBO provides women with:
- Local networking opportunities
- Education programs
- Inspiration
- Advocacy efforts
- Partner resources
The organization helps female entrepreneurs navigate various stages of their business growth and propel them into greater economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide.