Empowering and networking event supports women in business – Salisbury Post

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Pictured from left are Tramika Taylor, Tomeka Purcell, Kevyi Newbold, Lexus Wilson, organizer Monifah Engle and Christina Febles. — Photo sent

Delia Hilley (right) visits LaShawn Sellers’ book table. — Karen Kistler

Christina Turner (left) examines various items on Miriam Keller’s Shopp Talk Boutique table. The boutique is located at the local Focal Marketplace in Salisbury. — Karen Kistler

Women gather for the third annual women’s conference. — Karen Kistler

Tomeka Purcell and Tionna McCoy, CEO of the nonprofit Build up & Believe, take time to pose for a photo. — Photo sent

Women listen during one session of a women’s empowerment event in China Grove. —Photo sent

CHINA GROVE — Making connections, networking with like-minded people and learning to support each other were some of the important lessons conveyed at the She-EO convention.

This third annual women’s empowerment event, organized by Monifa Engle, marketing and branding specialist, was held at 320 North Main in China Grove on October 25 and 26 and, Engle said, allows women from all over the world to come together to receive a chance to “come and take advantage of your business.”

The two-day conference, which has grown in number of vendors and participants over the years, attracted women in business both locally and in the surrounding area, as well as in Rocky Mount, Durham, South Carolina, Tennessee and the District of Columbia.

Desiree Wright served as the event’s emcee, while Delia Hilley and Cynthia Neely graced the room.

Seminar speakers included Tomeka Purcell, financial expert; Christina Febles, owner of Prayer Box; Lexus Wilson, TV presenter; Tramika Taylor, talent acquisition specialist; Kevyi Newbold, operations consultant; Trina Boyd, who helps with grants and has opened two group homes; and Angle.

Some of the lessons shared included “overcoming failure and preparing for real life and financing a business,” Engle said.

As people attended the event, Engle said what she hopes they take away from these days is that their “business is functioning properly and I want them to reach their heights and levels in their business.”

Kevyi Newbold, owner and CEO of Lexington-based consulting agency BOLD, said it was her first year attending and speaking and was “really excited.”

During her seminar, she talked about business structure and the importance of understanding the fundamentals of operations, including customer relationships, team management, and leadership development.

Newbold said she wanted people to know that “protecting your operations protects your business, and that a strong structural foundation helps with strategy, growth, performance and leadership development.”

Taylor said she was really there from a human resources perspective and shared the theme of “always putting your best foot forward.”

And while some of those attending the event may not be business owners but still aspire to become one, she said, “you have to have a mindset long before you take it into your own hands” and talk about yourself and your skills.

As for one message Taylor wanted the ladies to take away from her, it was to not take opportunities for granted, but to be prepared for the moment.

“We do our best to prepare on the outside, but there’s a lot we can do to mature and become better on the inside,” she said, “so we want to make sure that when the opportunity comes, we’ll be in the trenches we learned.” we grew and did things in which we could compete among others.”

Taylor wanted to attend this networking conference because she feels it is important to take part in “any opportunity that I can provide to only the best people.”

Therapist and certified master coach Lafevanda Robbins said she always wanted to help people, even before she became a therapist.

She said she came to spread positivity and “help others understand that you can talk to someone when you’re going through life’s challenges.”

The message she wanted to convey to the people who came to her table was that mental health is real and that “if you’re not in balance mentally, it affects everything, every part of your life.”

LaShawn Sellers, an author and activity director at a D.C. recreation center that trains seniors, said she saw the event posted on Facebook and definitely wanted to attend to connect with women with skills and like-minded people.

“I want to advance. “I want to be an entrepreneur,” she said, “but I needed to find someone who was driven and had the same mindset.

Believe in yourself and have hope – that’s the message Sellers wanted to convey to people.

She also wanted to share the message of being authentic as she said, “If you are your authentic self, then you can be whoever you want to be.”

Wanting people to become winners and conquerors and take responsibility for what you have, for your God-given talent, she said, “You can achieve it, you can win, if you believe in it.”

Copies of her book Believe, Say, See lay on her desk, and Sellers said that “if you believe, speak, you will see whatever you want, it is your faith that should make you whole. But it is your faith and hope that will take you where you are going.”

Some vendors at the conference, Engle said, provided information about their businesses, while others had products to sell.

Victoria Connor, Engle’s mother, said she was grateful for those who came to attend the conference, grateful that they shared their experiences to help others, and “grateful for these women who believed in Mo.”

Connor said she helped behind the scenes and acted as extra assistants, and hoped to see “many women thrive who believe in themselves” and learn, network and make connections” because one person can come here with one business . and someone else might need what they have and they can make new connections and then just grow from there,” she said.

Using her marketing skills and connecting business owners, Engle created a platform for them to connect, learn and support each other.

As one entered the venue, booths were placed throughout the venue and music could be heard, courtesy of Pastor Bradley Taylor of Reach Church in Salisbury.

He said Engle is a member of the church and is on his media team and helps him a lot. So this was a chance to return the favor and provide music for the event.

But he also felt it was important to be there to empower, encourage and support women.

“Love isn’t love until it’s given,” he said, “so I want them to see my face and see that we support their efforts.”

In addition to serving as a pastor, he also has a side business, the audio and media company Master’s Touch, and could learn from this networking opportunity as well as from listening to stories.

“I think stories are amazing because they are inspiring,” Pastor Taylor said, “to hear where someone started, where they came from, how they overcame obstacles and challenges. Stories have great power, so inspiration is a word that really means to breathe life into something or someone.”