CA South’s Post

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Growing Together Women in Business Breakfast. It was a great experience and I got the chance to speak with other female leaders in the #nashville business community. The real treat was the keynote - Gina Schaefer. She shared her incredible story of #smallbusiness success, starting with owning one Ace Hardware location in the early 2000s in Logan Circle (Washington D.C.) and building her hardware empire to 13 stores and an 8-figure revenue operation with ~300 employees. She witnessed the transformation of a neighborhood and the power that community and small business played in that transformation. She also beat the odds by being a very successful female entrepreneur in the hardware store industry (shockingly, a male-dominated space.). There was so much to take away from her talk (I may have to write a full Empower LLC newsletter post about it), but three lessons she shared really stuck in mind: 💡 Know what your strengths are in your business and where you're best positioned to focus your efforts. For the things that don't fit those categories, bring in trusted experts who can augment and support you. 💡 Know when to change and understand that what people want from you and your business will evolve. 💡 The more you focus on the people side of your business (i.e., your team), the more successful you will be. Employees are integral to the customer experience, so hire people who embody your core values, and don't underestimate the importance of the fundamentals. I launched Empower this year because of my dedication to helping more emerging businesses and early-stage startups succeed. I hope to drive the type of impact that will empower our partners to reach similar heights to Gina's enterprise. Here's to building long-term success together! If you were at the breakfast and we didn't get to meet, say 👋 to connect. 🗨 If you have #businesslessons to share, add them to the comments!

🚀 Black Investors Changing the VC Landscape Series: Part 14 - Crystal and Jean Etienne, Caje 🌟 Say hello to Crystal and Jean Etienne, the visionary couple behind Caje, dedicated to empowering Black female entrepreneurs and fostering their success. Notable Investments: Undisclosed at this time. Investment Focus: Caje invests in Black women-led companies at what the firm terms "soil rounds" or before the friends and family funding stage. Why They're on This List: Crystal Etienne's entrepreneurial journey began with Ruby Love, a female apparel company specializing in underwear and swimwear for women during their menstrual cycle. Despite facing challenges along the way, Etienne transformed Ruby Love into a $50 million success story through bootstrap funding. Recognizing the hurdles Black female entrepreneurs encounter in accessing capital, Crystal and Jean launched Caje in 2021. Caje focuses on funding Black women entrepreneurs, offering them a platform to bring their ideas to fruition. In an innovative move, starting in April 2023, Caje introduced the concept of the "Black women roundtable." This unique event allows founders to pitch their ideas during a three-hour, seven-course dinner with the firm's founders in New York, with the potential to receive an investment of up to $25,000. Through Caje, Crystal and Jean Etienne are paving the way for Black women entrepreneurs to thrive, creating opportunities for their voices to be heard and their ventures to flourish. ✨Connect with them🚀 - Crystal Etienne - Jean Etienne Stay tuned for more inspiring profiles of Black investors leading the charge in our daily series! Share your thoughts and other impactful investors in the comments below. Tam Sul zewdeneh Demisse Tessema #BlackInvestors #VentureCapital #DiversityInTech #startup #investor #Entrepreneurship

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Such a lovely evening last night with the Female Founders Rise community, celebrating service-based founders at Kindred. Like many, I was so caught up in the amazing conversations and meeting so many brilliant women that I barely got my phone out except to connect on here. As a result, I'll be using words instead of photos to share three little things about what made last night so special. 👉 *For one, it's rare to be at a networking event that feels so warm and so generous.* I met some amazing and incredibly passionate founders - Imogen Ley-Clowes, Subha Sivaraman, Fiona Brownlee, Emma Wallace, Emily Koolen, Lorraine Issott, Michelle Mowbray FIDM and Pippa Goulden to shout out just a few. It was also lovely to see some familiar faces and hear Lucy Woolfenden discussing her insights on the panel. Thank you to Emmie Faust for creating such an amazing atmosphere and bringing everyone together. 👉 *At no point did last night feel like a sales event.* Unlike many a fintech event that I've been to of late, I never felt like I was being pitched yesterday or that I was pitching myself. The fact is this wasn't a group of women trying to find new clients, not directly anyway. It felt like most of us were seeking out community. We were all founders looking for others who relate to our ups, downs, challenges, and questions. Who have their own wisdom, and different skill sets that we could learn from or engage with. In this sense, it really wasn't about competition or comparisons or elevator pitches. It was simply an evening of good conversation and connection. What a breath of fresh air. 👉 *Collective models are in.* This is possibly the thing that stood out to me the most. From the people I met standing in the queue for name labels through to the post-panel speed networking, almost every woman I spoke to was candid about their interest in building a collective around their business - myself included. We talked about wanting to find others who we might one day partner with on projects or who could help our clients with different challenges to the ones we support, and vice versa. As someone who has often worked this way, partnering with other agencies and specialists (ie. to create the best work for a creative campaign or to add-in a missing element to a marketing plan), it was really interesting to hear how many women see this as the future of their business. In other words, rather than offering more than what we already do or pivoting our offering into areas that don't interest us, it would be about growing a trusted network around us that can address those other areas. I kind of love this and would love to speak about it more - so perhaps if you've got this far and want to chat further, drop a comment or give me shout. And that's enough for this morning, I think. Hope you're all having wonderful Wednesdays.

Did you know? Less than 1% of venture capital funding goes to Black women founders. In the PR industry, the numbers are even more stark. But sometimes, opportunity knocks when you least expect it. Last month, what was meant to be a self-care day at #EnvsnFest founded by Laura Stylez and Sharifa Murdock in NYC turned into an unexpected win for J.McKee & Co I walked into the festival seeking rejuvenation and walked out with renewed purpose and validation for our mission. In an impromptu pitch competition, I shared our vision for amplifying diverse voices in PR. The result? A $1000 prize and a powerful reminder that our passion and purpose resonate. This experience fills me with immense gratitude. Grateful for the platform that #EnvsnFest provides. Thankful for visionaries like Anisa Pennie Kadidja Dosso of Dosso Beauty and Foot Locker who create spaces where diverse entrepreneurs can shine. To my fellow business leaders, especially women of color: Your voice matters. Your ideas have value. Stay ready, because you never know when your moment will come. Let's continue to show up, speak up, and lift each other up. Together, we can change the statistics and create a more inclusive business landscape. #GratefulEntrepreneur #WomenInPR #DiversityInBusiness #UnexpectedBlessings #PublicRelations #brandtransformation #crisismanagement #mediaoutreach #thoughtleadership #collaboration #authenticity #crisismanagement #mediaoutreach, #influencerpartnerships #contentcreation #brandpartnerships

Travelling back to #Anglesey after attending another fab Female Founders Rise event at Kindred in London—a summer celebration of FFR service founders, with discussion, bubbles, pizza and doughnuts. 2 amazings hosts Emmie Faust, and Sarah Ellis Davies, and 3 inspiring speakers Ozlem Tuskan, Susan Walbrook, Dr. Dupe Burgess, all sharing their own experiences of #impostersyndrome, on overcoming it, and the daily challenges of silencing the inner critic. I first heard the term imposter syndrome about 20 years ago, when confiding in a co-worker about crippling feelings of anxiety, lack of confidence; "That's imposter syndrome, everyone gets it" they said. At least I knew what it was, and it did help knowing that I wasn't alone. And I think that's what's so powerful about FFR events. Being able to hear such inspiring stories first hand, then share our own experiences with peers in a safe and welcoming space, is truly empowering. And the result? Stronger women leaders, who then build stronger, successful businesses. Lovely to see Fiona Brownlee FCMA, Chloe Davies again and wonderful to meet Tina Jennings 🌟 Change Expert, Celia Harding, Sarah Ellis Davies. Special thanks to Susan Walbrook for the impromptu 💪 pep-talk I needed for an important meeting coming up. #goteamsusans 😝 A gloriously sunny evening (chucking it down back at home), super-chic venue, and great company—thank you Emmie Faust for building this community. If I could bottle up and sell the positive feels I get from these meet-ups, I would make a killing. 🤑🤑🤑 #femalefoundersrise #femaleentrepreneurs

Did you know that Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs? At BEESEO, we celebrate the passion, resilience, and innovation that Black women bring to the business world. Whether you're looking for financial independence, personal fulfillment, or the chance to make a difference, your unique perspective is your superpower! #BlackWomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BlackExcellence #BEESEO

When Cate Luzio, a former Wall Street banker, was creating Luminary, she caught my attention because of the empowerment and interconnectedness Luminary provides for women entrepreneurs, professionals, and women of color. Cate has grown Luminary into a multimillion-dollar global B2C and B2B business with more than 15,000 members and over 100 enterprise members. She made her second acquisition late in 2023, buying The Cru Empowered by Luminary to add to Luminary’s robust product offering. Luminary hosts more than 250 programs, events, and activations annually with more than 70% Member-led. Cate actively promotes and elevates her members, inviting them to lead workshops, sit on panels, and contribute their expertise. 📌 Her success building a company and community is what I'm excited to talk about on this week's LinkedIn Live series, Dancing with Numbers (IRL). Join us THIS Thursday, November 7 at 9 AM ET. Here’s two easy steps to join. 1. Mark your calendar and set your alarm for November 7 at 9 AM ET. 2. Hit the notification bell on my LinkedIn profile to get a reminder when we go LIVE. #SmallBusinessFinance #ProfitabilityTips #ScalingYourBusiness #FinancialPlanning

Ever wondered how one event could transform a business? While setting up for Cool Girls Connect (speed networking event for creative women professionals), one of the business owners that we serve through Shop Black Fest approached me and said: "Hi, Mrs. Westbrook. I never got a chance to tell you this, but I want to say thank you. Thank y'all for putting on Shop Black Fest. I started at your event a few years ago at the Wedge Building. Before that event, I didn't have anything, but when I left, I got myself a tent, a table, and some business supplies." She shared that everything changed for her business since then and has picked up significantly. (This is true because when I saw her she had a bunch of inventory supplies in their hand, I was so proud.💜🙌🏾) She doesn't know this, but I believe she was God-sent. She told me exactly what I needed to hear as confirmation that what we do is essential. This journey is a blessing, but it's also challenging. There are days when I don't want to get out of bed because I'm not sure how I'll make it through. Days when I'm discouraged and unsure if I'm on the right path. Growing a business, keeping customers happy, and navigating entrepreneurship takes a ton of dedication. Most of the time it's confusing, lonely and thankless work. We have to constantly recommit to keep faith that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. When I tell people that I'm a co-founder of a company that promotes and uplifts underserved communities, especially Black women entrepreneurs and creators, I can see their eyes glaze over. 😩 Some people subconsciously downplay the support that Black-owned businesses need. They make jokes about pop-up events and don’t believe that this is a real business model. For years, I've had to fight negative stereotypes in this space, be the voice in different rooms to advocate for people who look like me, and stand on business to show that creatives are just as important to local economic development as everyone else. I'm sharing all of this to say: God is good. I'm living in my purpose. Remember it's never too late for you to start living in yours. #NELA #nashvilleemergingleader

The Audacity of Voice - Why Your Silence is Costing You Millions Pt 6 - Amplify and Multiply Ladies, it's time to turn up the volume on our success! When Black women entrepreneurs amplify each other's voices, we create a symphony of power that can't be ignored. Think about it. Every time you share another sister's win, promote her business, or invite her to speak at your event, you're not just helping her - you're building a network that lifts us all up. It's like creating a megaphone for Black girl magic! Here's how we can create vocal alliances that shake the industry: 1. Start a 'voice circle' in your business community. Meet regularly to brainstorm, share resources, and celebrate wins. 2. Use your platform to showcase other Black women entrepreneurs. Feature them on your podcast, blog, or social media. 3. Collaborate on projects that amplify your collective expertise. Two voices are louder than one, and ten? That's a movement! 4. Mentor and be mentored. Share your knowledge and be open to learning from others. Our experiences are gold. 5. Create opportunities for other Black women to shine. Invite them to speak at your events or contribute to your publications. Remember, when we speak up for each other, we're not just growing businesses - we're changing the game. Our voices, united, have the power to rewrite the rules of entrepreneurship. So I challenge you - Initiate a 'voice circle' in your community this week. Watch how it transforms not just your bank account, but your sense of purpose and power. Are you ready to amplify your voice and multiply your impact? It's time to step into your power and create the success you deserve. I've got the blueprint to help you turn your voice into a million-dollar asset. Let's make some noise together! Want to be part of a movement that's changing the game for Black women entrepreneurs? Here's your chance - comment 'Black Women Speak' to be considered for our upcoming Sis In The 7-Figure Shift Speaker Event. Your voice matters, and this could be your moment to shine! #BlackWomenEntrepreneurs #AmplifyHerVoice #SisInThe7FigureShift #BlackWomenSpeak