Black Dress Circle^® FAQs

1. What do I need to know about working with Erin?

Specializing in the intersection of business and psychology, Erin detects individual and organizational strengths and weaknesses from a unique perspective, and delivers observations that can transform businesses.

2. How is Black Dress Circle^® different from other local roundtables and peer groups?

Black Dress Circle^® is different in several ways: We’ve created a safe, supportive space for women business owners to connect with other female leaders—hosted by Erin, who is not only an experienced and trained group facilitator, but a business owner herself. Moreover, unlike other peer groups, members also benefit from either their private session with Erin once a month (Evolve members only) or the monthly group coaching call (Emerge members only).

3. How many people are in Black Dress Circle^®? Who are they?

Each Circle has a maximum capacity of 10 female participants, comprised of a growing roster of business leaders from right here in St. Louis. During orientation, we review the membership list together to ensure that there are no competing or conflicting interests. If there are, you’ll become a Founding Member of an additional St. Louis chapter of Black Dress Circle^®.

4. What are the other women like? Will I work closely with them?

Black Dress Circle^® Emerge members are female entrepreneurs steering organizations with less than $1 million in annual revenue; Black Dress Circle^® Evolve members are second-stage women business owners leading complex businesses with $1-$50 million in annual revenue. All members are hand-selected by Erin based in part on their commitment to personal growth and professional accomplishment. You’ll work closely with fellow Circle members during each roundtable session, and will also have the option of partnering with another member for support.

5. What happens at each Black Dress Circle^® meeting?

Each session revolves around a planned agenda, with specific topics for conversation. Along with the “workshop” segment Erin delivers, members also present business issues for discussion.

6. What are some commonly addressed subjects?

Discussions usually revolve around business associates, employees, and family members, with topics ranging from company culture, employee issues, and marketing, to the direction of the organization, succession planning, and finances. In addition, work-life balance and mindset are often explored.

7. What kind of time commitment can I expect?

For BDC Evolve members, the primary commitment is for the monthly half-day facilitated Circle roundtable, a single monthly 1:1 session with Erin, and an annual retreat. For BDC Emerge members, the primary commitment is for the monthly half-day facilitated Circle roundtable and the monthly group coaching call.

8. When and where do the Circle roundtables take place?

BDC Emerge and BDC Evolve occur on a variety of dates. Please email Erin for more information. These roundtables take place in the Black Dress Circle office.

9. How often will I see Erin?

Black Dress Circle^® Evolve members see Erin twice per month: once at the half-day roundtable session, and once at a private one-hour session. Black Dress Circle^® Emerge members see Erin once a month at the roundtable session and then join Erin and peers for monthly group video coaching call. In addition, members with pressing business issues can always reach Erin by phone, text, or email.

10. Where do we meet for our monthly 1:1 session (BDC Evolve only)?

Monthly 1:1 sessions are for BDC Evolve members only and are held at the Black Dress Circle office. Some sessions may occur over the phone, per member needs.

11. Tell me more about the annual Black Dress Circle^® retreat exclusively for Evolve members.

Each year, Erin selects a venue within driving distance of St. Louis for a retreat. The venue always has private sleeping rooms, delicious meals (members pay their own lodging and meals), and beautiful grounds. The fine balance of classroom work and unstructured alone time allows you to get the most from the experience.

12. Why can’t I do business with the other Circle members?

Doing business with fellow Circle members dramatically changes the tone of roundtable sessions. When the focus shifts from sharing experiences to promoting one’s enterprise, productive roundtable dynamics are disrupted.

13. What about confidentiality?

Competitors are never placed in the same circle, ensuring roundtable discussions and topics take place in a safe setting and that all topics discussed remain confidential. Black Dress Circle^® members also annually sign a strict confidentiality agreement.

14. What’s the cost of Black Dress Circle^®?

For Evolve members, it’s a predictable monthly fee of $795. For Emerge members, it’s a predictable monthly fee of $395. Black Dress Circle® is a 13-month commitment, with the option to renew.

15. How do I get started with Black Dress Circle^®?

For both Emerge and Evolve members, your first month’s investment provides a business assessment to examine the current state of your organization, which is then discussed in an in-depth session with Erin. This debriefing discussion includes assistance with defining goals and strategies for the upcoming year. You’ll also complete a brief survey to show where you are today, and you’ll be surveyed again in one year so you can look back at your progress.

Still have questions or want to know more? Email Erin at erin.joy@erinjoy.com or schedule a call here.