This week is Global Entrepreneurship week and I have had the pleasure of attending 2 fabulous events – She Thrives Here!! and WE Inspire TX Women Entrepreneurs’ Summit. Both of these events were inspiring, connecting and educational.
She Thrives Here was hosted by Ensemble Coworking at WED Spaces in Near Southside Fort Worth as the 5th Annual Power of WE event organized by Tamara Payne with Payne Free Consulting and owner of Ensemble. “She Thrives Here” was built around a storyteller model where 4 fabulous women: Samantha Renz with Evolving Texas, Erika Ramos with Game Theory, Jill Darden with Fort Worth Black News, and Melissa Ice with The Net FW and Worthy Co. shared their stories around key topics (like Defying Stereotypes, Defining Success, Turning Passion into Profit, and Redefining Success). After each storyteller the table groups shared with each other about their stories in these same areas. This was the first time I had attended an event in this format, and I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike typical networking, you didn’t have to “make conversation”. This format offered an opportunity to be authentic and vulnerable and allowed for true connections to be made. Way to go Tamara on a brilliantly planned and orchestrated event. I know you had your team and sponsors, so here’s a shout out to them, too 😉 I hope I’ve mentioned everyone…Meghan Jarrell with Moxie Concepts, Leslie Shields with The Shields Agency, Tiffany Carlen Hurd with JoCo Community Radio, EO Fort Worth, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and your team at Ensemble Coworking!
I’m proud to call Tamara a friend, and any event that she is a part of is sure to be a success. She is a master connector with a heart for small businesses in Fort Worth and an even bigger heart for women owned small businesses. If you don’t know her, go to one of the events at Ensemble and meet her. If you are looking for coworking space, there is none better than Ensemble.
The WE Inspire TX Women Entrepreneurs’ Summit was held at the Accasia Event Center in Fairview and was hosted by “Super” Dave Quinn with the Fairview Texas Economic Development Corporation and the Allen Fairview Chamber of Commerce. The event was Emceed by Angie Burns with Allen/Plano City Lifestyle Luxury Publications and boasted two incredible keynotes from Sabari Raja, managing partner of JFF Ventures and Co-Founder of Nepris (now rebranded to Pathful, post acquisition), who spoke on overcoming internal barriers and Pamela Goodwin, CEO of Goodwin Commercial Real Estate, who spoke on top revenue lessons (Unlocking Your Business Potential). Both of these ladies brought incredible stories of experience, tenacity, fortitude and motivation. Great keynote selections, Super Dave!
There was also a fantastic panel of three powerful women: Erin Gregor – CEO of Erin Gregor (Formerly The Starters Club), Carrie Nuckolls – Owner of Everything Unique and Realtor with Century 21 First Group, Sasha Crabtrey – President and Founder of Remote COO , and moderated by Lorie Vincent – President of ACCELERATION by Design. This panel touched on a variety of topics from tech tools to finances and credit to experiences with Goldman Sachs’ 10KSB program. I loved hearing their insights from their journeys and their tips for success.
Following lunch there were two fantastic breakout sessions with Ashley Ford – CEO of Pretty Penny about Profit Focused Goals and Andrea Patrick – about Putting The “B-U” In Your Business To Attract, Engage, & Convert The Right Audience. I personally attended Ashley’s session and loved the mindset approach she discussed in working backwards toward the revenue you need to support the profit you desire.
WE Inspire and Power of WE are already on the books again for next year, so if you missed this year’s events be sure to put them on your calendar for next year and seek them out!
