Hundreds of Women attend Women’s Leadership Conference in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN,Ky.-More than 100 local businesswomen came together today to be inspired and empowered at the first Women’s Leadership Conference in Bowling Green.

The We to the Power of Three Women’s Leadership Conference took place at the Charleston. Special guest speakers talked about empowerment in the workplace, and women’s engagement.

Attendees heard from four business leaders, including Gigi Butler who is the founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes. Butler was the event’s keynote speaker.

“I think women are the queen of multitasking. We’re great at lists, we’re great at being able to see different things and looking outside the box. However, being a woman and being in a business is challenging, because there’s a lot of things you have to fight with that,” said Butler.

Christy Smallwood, with Eagle Eye Strategies, shared her story of how she got started in business. She also talked about the need for women to get ahead.

“It’s not different than men, we don’t know what we don’t know is the biggest challenge. The more educated that we can be as women, we put ourselves forward faster,” said Smallwood, chief strategic guide at Eagle Eye Strategies in Louisville.

Some of the local female business owners at the conference believe that women are forging a new path.

“I wanted to be able to create a different kind of legacy. I never really felt called to be a mom per se, but I wanted to do a greater good, and leave something for a future generation. So, for me it was about creating jobs, and pushing myself,” said Erin Woodward, co-founder at Platinum Sculpt in Bowling Green.

More than 11.6 million business are owned by women in the United States today. That accounts for more 51 percent  of total firms across the country, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners.

“Go with your gut and do something that you love, because when you do it’s not work. Seek wise advice, but also listen to your gut. If I listened to everyone that told me I was crazy for owning a cup cake shop, there wouldn’t be a Gigi’s Cupcakes,” said Butler.

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce sold out today’s event. Attendees went home with gifts from local business and a lot to be inspired about.