On April 19, business-minded women of all backgrounds and passions will gather in Salt Lake City to hear these words:
“You can’t do it on your own. And you shouldn’t do it on your own.”
It’s sage advice from the women who have learned by experience that a diverse network is stronger than a one-woman-show.
The Utah Women’s Networking Group, an organization of hundreds of working professionals dedicated to educating and empowering women in business and giving back to the community, is hosting the 2nd Annual Women’s Entrepreneurial Conference. HER Magazine is proud to sponsor this powerful group of women, because together they do some pretty incredible things.
Karin Palle, a founding member and current president of WNG, says her participation has led to the job titles that make her the proudest.
“I was at a point in life when I had to figure out who I wanted to be when I grow up,” Palle says.
The former event director began meeting with a small group of five to ten women in restaurants to offer each other advice and support through their business decisions.
That was five years ago, as Facebook groups were taking off, their humble meet-ups quickly evolved into an online team of hundreds of women building each other up and even changing each other’s lives.
“I was trying to turn those connections into true relationships,” Palle says. “They eventually led to my dream job.”
Palle became Lead Faculty at Salt Lake Community College’s Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and the Director at Westminster College’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
Recognizing a lack of grants offered exclusively to women in business, she set a goal for WNG to raise $5,000 so they could supply their own grants. Not only did WNG meet that goal, they doubled it.
At the Women’s Entrepreneurial Conference, WNG will grant $10,000 to six outstanding women. (The plan had been to only choose five finalists, but Palle said the competition was just too steep.)
“This grant process has brought me to tears so many times,” Palle says about reviewing the inspiring applications of women in her state who are committed to building their businesses.
A Thai immigrant, a meth lab decontamination expert, a japanese day care provider and a farmer are among the accomplished women to be recognized at finalists.
Palle says these women are as diverse as WNG’s member roster. By sharing these opportunities for their businesses to grow and expand, they’re putting their mission statement into practice.
“We teach our members that giving back needs to be part of their business model and strategy,” she says.
The goodwill won’t stop on Wednesday. Throughout the rest of the year, WNG will continue impacting communities in Utah.
On May 17, their annual golf tournament will raise money for the Easter Seals to bring educational opportunities to those living with disabilities. Monthly meet-ups and expert panel sessions will keep members informed and connected. It’s all inspired by the belief that we can achieve more together than we can alone.
If you’d like to attend the annual WNG entrepreneurial conference, go here
Like what you’re reading? Access HER magazine’s monthly publication in iTunes or Google Play – it’s where we feature powerhouse women you can learn from and share exclusive content you won’t find here.
