Northumberland women in business invited to ‘connect, learn and grow’
By West Northumberland Independent staff
Northumberland County women in business can join other female entrepreneurs this fall in Cobourg for an event targeting professional growth and success.
Women entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals are invited to connect, learn and grow together at the fourth annual “She Owns It Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference” hosted by the Business and Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN).
This year’s event runs from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn and Convention Centre. She Owns It will offer a full day of learning, networking and hands-on skill development opportunities designed to help women in business build connections, find inspiration and challenge themselves to strengthen and expand their professional skills, said the county, in a recent release.
“We’re excited to bring She Owns It back for another year with even more opportunities for women entrepreneurs to learn, connect and grow,” said Kailyn Coupland, business development co-ordinator with BECN. “This year’s conference is designed to be both inspiring and hands-on.
“We want attendees to leave with new connections, fresh ideas and practical takeaways they can apply to their business or profession.”
The conference has become a popular annual gathering for women in business, welcoming more than 150 attendees each year from Northumberland and communities across the region, including Durham, Toronto, Kawartha Lakes and Prince Edward County.
This year, keynote speaker Emily O’Brien, founder of Comeback Snacks, will kick-off the day with a session about transforming hardship into prosperity.
She will explore how to navigate uncertainty, practise kindness and resilience and own your story – moving past embarrassment and leveraging personal accountability for lasting success, noted organizers.
Following the keynote presentation, speaker and author Leisse Wilcox will lead a session focused on “becoming who you want to be.” A panel discussion will follow the keynote presentation and feature local women in business who will share their stories, strategies and lessons learned.
Panellists include Sherry Heenan, founder of Sherry Heenan Physiotherapy and Women’s Health in Cobourg, Chantelle Watt, lifestyle photographer and creative entrepreneur, Hannah MacDonald, owner and founder of Frosted Flour Co. in Port Hope, and Tracy Ioannidis, co-owner of K Okay Café and Roasters in Warkworth.
Attendees can then take part in interactive workshops in the afternoon.
One workshop is called “Playing it safe is expensive: Building confidence and connections in a changing world with Theresa Bailey of Starfish Synergies.” This hands-on workshop explores how confidence is built through action, why taking smart risks matters and how the people around us can open unexpected doors, reads the county’s release.
A second workshop will be “Faster, not fake: Using AI on social media without losing your voice with Katie Dempsey of Brand Ambition.” This practical workshop will show participants how to use AI effectively in their social media content without sacrificing their voice or human brand, according to the release.
“With everything from posting strategies to AI prompts, this discussion will give you confidence to enhance your social media using new tools and technology.”
BDC is sponsoring the event.
There are a limited numbers of tickets available and registration is required to attend. Tickets are available to purchase for $58 +HST by visiting BECN.ca/SheOwnsIt.
The BECN is described as a leading source for business information, strategy, resources and education for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Northumberland. A service delivered by Northumberland County in partnership with the Province of Ontario, the BECN offers micro-grants, free consultations, training, information and resources, and workshops and seminars for residents thinking of starting or expanding a small business in the county.
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