This September, the inaugural Kootenay Women in Business Summit promises to be a landmark event for female business leaders in the region.
Event organizer Lynn Hiscoe, psychotherapist at Creston’s emPoweredlives, has long been attuned to the struggles faced by women in business, from chronic stress to financial difficulties to juggling family responsibilities.
“One of the things that I found in individual therapy, in these intimate conversations with women, is how everything has impacted them,” said Hiscoe. “I'm noticing is a lot of younger women coming into business who have families, so they're dealing not only with all of the trials and tribulations of business but also with motherhood. It's taking its toll on the emotional well-being of women.”
Scheduled for Sept. 19 to 20, at the Creston and District Community Complex, the summit aims to tackle these issues head-on by fostering a supportive community where women can share their experiences and strategies.
The two-day event will feature an array of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. A few of the speakers include Ona Stanton, co-host of the event and marketing expert, Andrea Warkentin, a leading real estate developer, and Dr. Kim Hine, a naturopathic practitioner. Creston business owners Alanna Wilson, Amanda Goodman Lee, Jordana Champagne, Candi Huscroft, and Meagan Knoop will also make appearances.
Chef Maria Aryan, a well-known local chef, will provide gourmet lunches for attendees, showcasing the region’s vibrant culinary scene.
“The women who are coming to speak are doing it because they also see the benefit of being part of a bigger community,” said Hiscoe. “They're excited to be able to share their knowledge and their gifts.”
Hiscoe brings her own experiences to the table too, drawing on 25 years in her field while also a mother of three. She understands the complexity of balancing career goals with raising a family.
“(As women), we give more of ourselves to our communities, to our kids, to our families, and often don't have a lot left for ourselves,” she said. “I've been through burnout myself. I understand how to pick yourself back up and keep going. But I also understand the importance of a support network. What's kept me going is the relationships that I built along the way.”
She hopes the women who attend the summit will build a safe community among each other.
“We're all struggling, and we all have these similar issues that we're working on, whether it's finance or legal issues or the economy,” said Hiscoe. “I want an opportunity to bring people together to have these conversations, without feeling judged, in a supportive environment.”
Hiscoe plans to expand the Kootenay Women in Business Summit year after year, rotating between different communities.
For more information on the event or to register, visit courses.empoweredlives.ca/women-in-business. The base cost for the two-day summit is $397 per person.