The NAWBO Conference in Spokane Washington was fantastic. There were women from all over the nation and the world.
The National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO) brought the conference to Spokane, Washington on September 23 – 25, 2018. The event featured Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love and her new book Big Magic.
My take-away from her keynote was to relax. The other amazing keynote speaker was Shabnam Mogharab, CEO and Executive Producer at SoulPancake, an award-winning media and entertainment company that explores ‘Life’s Big Questions’ that celebrate the human experience.
The theme of the 2018 conference was “Work Well, Live Well.” NAWBO had nearly a thousand women business owners. We had breakout sessions, theme parties, and dancing. We were dressed in something purple and had a 1920 Gatsby party. We had inspirational tools that helped us scale our businesses. We had everyone from soloproneurs to multi-million dollar enterprises. Bank of America was one of our presenting sponsors. I received a pair of UPS slippers.
In the Exhibit Hall there were businesses of all kinds. For me, it was great to mingle and hug women from all sorts of places. I got the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with women who were with NAWBO from the beginning.
I was able to sit with them, listen, laugh and shed a tear or two about their stories. What I experienced was precious. The people I talked to were amazing. I was able to fulfill one of my most precious dreams.
Attending this conference, not only did I sit on a panel, but I also got to sit on the panel with Patty DeDominic, my now amazing mentor from California, who owned and ran a multi-million-dollar business which she grew with brains and bravery and saying yes to life even when she was afraid.
I had a mentor when I was young, and one of her dreams was to clean a house in the Hollywood Hills. What she accomplished throughout her life is remarkable. It was also awesome to mingle with women of all ages and races.
NAWBO NYC was well represented by Incoming President Elizabeth Foster, Sophie Wade, and myself, Noreen Sumpter, VP Member Engagement. I was invited to speak about my experience and what I have accomplished since joining NAWBO.
We had many amazing corporate sponsors from Bank of America to UPS, Go Daddy, car companies, FundBox, and a slew of other sponsors.
I heard from women who had started a business with one employee and are now hiring multiple people.
NAWBO women are known to work hard and play hard, and truthfully we did both. I hope you will get a sense of the fun that I had through my pictures. Enjoy!
– Noreen Sumpter
Founder of Live Life Your Way and VP, Member Engagement for NAWBO NYC
