Page 80 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2016

leading the way
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Michael Sunderman
Women Entrepreneurs (WE) is one
of the most successful programs of
the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber
of Commerce. WE was established in recognition of the gap in resources for female business owners. The chamber partnered with an established group
of female business owners who were meeting, sharing ideas, frustrations, best practices and how to survive and balance a business with a family.
“From its inception, WE sought input through an annual survey collecting feedback and developing programing according to women’s issues,” said Kimberly Nastasi, the Chamber’s former CEO. “Benefits of the lunch forums include networking, a share table to promote services or products, and a leads sheet which lists contact information of all pre-registered attendees. If that isn’t reason enough to attend, the one-minute introduction of each attendee creates a buzz as women put names with faces.”
Financial consultant Angela Wolfe has been involved with WE for approximately four years and looks forward to each meeting. “The forums bring together like-minded women who face the same challenges but at the same time these women share ideas and energy to overcome the challenges faced by women in business,” she said. “I have witnessed individuals leaving the meeting with their heads held high and looking like they can conquer the world.”
Wolfe also likes the leads list. “The
leads list has the contact information for everyone registered for the meeting,” Wolfe added. “The women who attend are interested in collaborating and learning from one another’s strengths.”
Several networking elements make
WE a success but equally important is the content. This year’s speakers have included the following:
• Natalie Guess from Magnolia Business
Alliance
• Allison Smith from Beau Rivage Resort
and Casino
• Angelyn Treutel Zeringue from
SouthGroup Insurance
• Dhiana Skrmetti (formerly with the
Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc., now with the Gulf Coast Symphony)
• Cindy Duvall and Nicole Faulk from Mississippi Power
• Shannon Wall from The Sun Herald On September 23, the speaker will be Hope Blankenship with To the Rescue
Bookkeeping, and on November 4 there will be an open panel.
228.604.0014 www.mscoastchamber.com
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS luncheon
CONNECT. ENRICH. SUCCEED.
80 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • September 2016
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