Event Recap: Our last Network + Learn Event of 2019!
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Special shoutout to Nicole Figueiredo who took photos for this event. We appreciate her so much!
We were sold out for the last event of the year! On November 28th, 36 guests joined us at one of our favourite venues, Mum’s the Word. It was great to all get together again (and meet some new faces!) before the holidays. As well, there were opportunities for opening our hearts and growing professionally based on the advice of our guest speakers.
Here are some highlights from the evening;
As always, our Chapter President Sandra started the night off with her signature humour and charm!
Fabulous New Sponsor
Our team was delighted (and so were attendees!) to have Benefit Cosmetics sponsor for this event! Their super friendly representative, Rachel Dedinsky, brought with her four Benefit gift baskets for speakers and the raffle draw. She also kindly stuck around to share makeup tips with guests. Our lucky raffle winner was Khadija Waseem but everyone left with special eyebrow pencil gift!
Raffle draw winner Khadija Waseem with YWiB Event Coordinator, Alishka Cooper
Guest Speakers
The two speakers brought our focus back to the night’s theme of ‘Self-Advocacy’. Their presentations were highly anticipated leading up to the event, especially with teaser interviews on the YWiB blog throughout November.
Speaker and YWiB Toronto’s VP Marketing, Schekina Israel
YWiB Toronto’s own Schekina Israel shared real life examples and tips for self-advocacy which were such a perfect fit for our audience and their needs as young women in business. What stood out?;
“Embrace risk as it offers an opportunity. To grow, to be better, to get what you deserve.”
“If you have the facts to support your ask and you’re anticipating objections and responses, you’re a step ahead and are more likely to succeed.”
“ Negotiate what you can do against your capacity and comfort.”
Sunandini Verma also shared her thoughts and experiences with self-advocacy, especially from the perspective of a young woman entrepreneur. Her energy was so positive and we were grateful for the takeaways that can be applied to moments where self-advocacy is needed in our own lives.
Sunandini Verma, speaking about self-advocacy
Pitch yourself
The open mic session was a hit! Nine brave attendees pitched themselves or their business to our supportive community. Their 30-second pitches reflected a variety of sectors, careers and life stages, so there was someone everyone could relate to.
We were happy to observe how many great conversations these pitches sparked before the night drew to a close.
Final thoughts
What a great way to end off 2019… celebrating our team’s success and the success of each and every person in our community! We thank you all for joining us at this event and others over the past year. What an amazing experience it has been to get to know everyone! As we enter into a new year, and new decade, we hope you’ll continue your journey with the YWiB Toronto team, and share the love with others!
YWiB Superstar, Zenia Menezes