The 2021 Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Mean Business Conference focused on the support needed to grow a business, even during trying times. Innovators and business owners came together to share their experiences, make connections, and pick up practical tips for their individual businesses.
More than 130 attendees and speakers mingled online through presentations, panels and interactive breakout sessions July 7-8. Opportunities for live Q&A sessions with business support service providers took place throughout the day.
“Despite this being an online event, it's amazing how accessible all of the speakers/presenters were,” said Jessica White-Cason, owner of Enchanted Earth Wellness. “I asked a question at one point and it wasn't answered live, but one of the panelists came back after the panel had closed and responded in the Q&A box. It was unexpected and so appreciated.”
The fifth annual conference is co-hosted by Arrowhead Center, New Mexico State University’s entrepreneurship hub, and WESST, a statewide small business development and training organization. Arrowhead Center is grateful for visionary sponsors Paul and Alejandra De La Vega Foster. Other sponsors included Peacock Law, Minority Business Development Agency and N2 Publishing.
“Our Borderplex region has strong women entrepreneurs at all levels of business who are striving to bring different types of products and services to not only southern New Mexico, but to the world,” said Kathryn Hansen, director and CEO of Arrowhead Center. “Even for those with extreme ambition, it’s good to see how others are tackling similar issues. Plenty of times, it’s important for like-minded entrepreneurs to gather and check in with how others are managing their paths, which ends up strengthening their own.”
Speaker Cece Meadows, owner of Prados Beauty, agreed and said, “Sometimes your dream requires help from someone else.”
Anita Maxwell Skipper, an NMSU alumna and founder of financial planning company Successful Living, reminded attendees that even a setback could be a moment to capture for its usefulness, “Failure is feedback,” she said.
To learn more about the WE Mean Business conference or program, visit: https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/wemeanbusiness/.