Hidden Gems: Meet Jean LaVallie of WESOS (Women Entrepreneurs’ Secrets of Success) Network

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean LaVallie.

Hi Jean, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My entrepreneurial journey began later in life than most. After spending 25 years as a stay-at-home mom raising four incredible children, I found myself standing at a crossroads when they grew up and no longer needed me in the same way. I stepped into my first “out of the house” job feeling both excited and terrified—and that vulnerability became the catalyst for everything that followed.

Like many women, I was intimidated by networking. I walked into rooms feeling unsure, wondering if I belonged, and wishing there was a more human, welcoming way to build relationships in business. Instead of shrinking, I got curious. I began focusing less on transactions and more on connection—listening, learning, and genuinely supporting others. That shift changed everything.

In 2012, I founded the WESOS Network (Women Entrepreneurs’ Secrets of Success) with a simple but powerful idea: collaboration over competition. What started as one small chapter in the suburbs of Chicago grew into a nationwide community of women entrepreneurs who believe that success is better—and stronger—when it’s shared.

Today, WESOS supports thousands of women through local chapters, leadership development, coaching, and community initiatives, all grounded in the belief that when women surround themselves with people who refuse to let them fail, extraordinary things happen. My work now centers on building spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to step fully into their potential—both in business and in life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. The road has been anything but smooth—and honestly, I wouldn’t trust it if it had been.

One of my biggest struggles was confidence. I didn’t start out seeing myself as a “business owner” or a “leader.” I was learning everything in real time—how to network, how to speak up, how to charge for my work, and how to trust my instincts in rooms where I once felt small. Imposter syndrome showed up often, especially in the early years.

There were also very real growing pains. Building a community-based business means navigating people’s expectations, personalities, and emotions—all while trying to scale responsibly and stay true to your values. I had to learn how to set boundaries, make difficult decisions, and sometimes disappoint people I genuinely cared about in order to protect the mission.

Financial uncertainty was another challenge. Choosing collaboration over competition isn’t always the fastest or easiest path to profitability, and there were moments where continuing forward required a lot of faith and persistence.

What carried me through was a deep belief in what I was building and a willingness to stay curious instead of quitting. Every challenge forced me to grow—personally and professionally—and shaped the leader I am today. The struggles didn’t slow the journey; they clarified it.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the heart of my work is the WESOS Network—Women Entrepreneurs’ Secrets of Success. WESOS is a nationwide community built for women who want to grow successful businesses without sacrificing authenticity, relationships, or themselves in the process.

What we do is simple in concept but powerful in execution: we create intentional spaces where women entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and support one another in real, meaningful ways. We specialize in relationship-based networking, leadership development, and community building—grounded in the belief that collaboration will always outperform competition.

What sets WESOS apart is our focus on Networking with Intention™. Our community is not about pitching, posturing, or performing. It’s about showing up as you are, building trust, and forming relationships that lead to genuine referrals, partnerships, and long-term success. We attract women who value depth over volume and connection over transactions.

Brand-wise, I am most proud of the culture we’ve built. WESOS is known as a place where women feel seen, welcomed, and supported—especially those who may feel intimidated by traditional networking environments. Our members often say, “This feels different,” and that’s by design. We intentionally lead with empathy, integrity, and shared success.

Beyond local chapters, WESOS offers leadership opportunities, coaching resources, community education, and philanthropic initiatives through the WESOS Foundation, all designed to lift women as they climb and expand access to opportunity.

What I want readers to know most is this: WESOS isn’t just a networking organization—it’s a movement. We are proof that when women refuse to let each other fail, businesses grow stronger, leaders rise faster, and communities thrive together.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that surprises a lot of people is that I didn’t start out confident or naturally comfortable being visible. Even though I now lead a national community and spend a lot of time speaking and connecting, I was once deeply intimidated by networking and public rooms. I was the woman quietly hoping not to be called on, wondering if I belonged there at all.

What most people don’t see is that the heart of my work was born from that discomfort. WESOS wasn’t created by someone who loved traditional networking—it was created by someone who struggled with it and decided to reimagine it. I built the kind of space I once desperately needed: welcoming, relational, and rooted in kindness rather than competition.

Another surprise is how intentional I am about protecting my energy. I’m an empath by nature, so I’ve learned that rest, reflection, and boundaries aren’t luxuries—they’re necessities. Leading from the heart requires space to refill it.

I think that’s what truly shapes my work: I don’t lead from theory or ego. I lead from lived experience, empathy, and a deep understanding of what it feels like to be both brave and scared at the same time.

Pricing:

• Membership to Our Online Directory is $390 per year
• That includes a directory listing and the ability to network at all our meetings, in person and online

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wesosnetwork.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesosnetwork/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Womensos/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-entrepreneurs-secrets-of-success/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChaiuGnAiI1tAW0vhGPsDLw

Image Credits
Photos by Goldie Matthew