A few weeks ago I attended a networking event at the Blue Ball Barn in Wilmington which was sponsored by the Women’s Business Center. If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen several pics and a Flipgram of the highlights.
To my amazement I was chosen the winner of the Best Dressed Outfit and for that received a $25 Gift Certificate to Primo Hoagies. If you’ve ever had a Primo Hoagie then you know that they are delicious! My outfit was put together with new and old pieces which included an upcycled maxi skirt and it was ironic that the DeDivah – Fashion and Fun After Fifty won the award!
The skirt was actually a maxi dress that I cut the bodice off to refashion into a skirt which you can read about in this post. The necklace was thrifted a few years ago from Goodwill and I probably picked up the bracelet at Ross or Marshalls. The purse is a closet staple and I love it because it’s large enough to carry everything I need for networking events including my camera and selfie stick.
The cute booties and hat were purchased from TJ Maxx and I was lucky to find the hat on clearance for only ten bucks. I immediately feel in love with the fringed booties and for only $29.99, you know I had to snatch them up for the Fall.
The Peasant Blouse and Crochet Vest were both purchased from Walmart and since they are new arrivals there were several colors of each available. If you check your local Walmart store I am sure that you will probably find a nice selection of each.
I had a great time at the Saddle Up for Business Event and I want to congratulate all the women and men who have worked hard on achieving their goals of starting a small business in Delaware. These events are always morale boosters for me as I get ABlake Enterprises off the ground and where it should be in accordance to my goals and plans.
So what do you think, was this an award winning outfit?
Last Friday, the morning crew of Good Day Philadelphia were in Wilmington as part of the Good Day Drives You Mazda Campaign. The event was held at the H.B. Dupont Plaza on 11th and Delaware Avenues and it was a steamy 81 degrees by 8:00 a.m.
Before heading out I turned to Fox29 Philadelphia to watch a few of the early morning interviews including one with Mayor Dennis Williams and his reaction to the Dallas shootings at the #BlackLivesMatter peaceful protest.
Although it was a hot and humid morning, the smiles and positive vibes kept us all cool, at least until noon at which time I had to head out for work. I was there in support of The Women’s Business Center which was just one of the local businesses being featured on live TV.
Jessica Gibson, Program Director of The Women’s Business Center at First State Community Loan Fund was interviewed along with two of their small business success stories, Lolah Soul Jewelry and Evangelina’s Vegan Desserts.
I’ve been working with The Women’s Business Center for several months now and have received wonderful assistance, guidance and excellent business counseling as ABlake Enterprises has gotten off the ground.
I along with several other women business owners have forged a bond of strong support and sisterhood so it was only natural for us to come together in support of Jessica and have a few minutes of fame on live TV.
There were several other businesses along the perimeter of the park and a few of those who were also being featured included The Brunch Box and Kapow Food Trucks, The Delaware 87ers, Drop Squad Kitchen, Bright SpotUrban Garden and most appropriately My Cooling Store.com.
Please click on the following link to see each of the individual videos then check my Instagram page for more pics and a Flipgram video.
It was definitely a fun filled day of camaraderie and happiness if only for a few hours on what could have been a dismal start to a depressing weekend given the recent violence around the world.
Oftentimes I have client meetings after work, so I try to wear something comfortable and cool because I usually won’t get home before 8 at night. I love pencil skirts and sleeveless shirts, black being my favorite color because of its slimming affects.
With this outfit, I decided to break up the black with red accessories, and jazzed it up a bit with an animal print. Do you remember this Cascading Vest which was provided to me from Covered Perfectly to review? Well believe it or not it has been hanging in my closet unworn ever since.
These Jessica Simpson peep toe animal print shoes are one of my favorite consigned finds. I literally wear them all year round, well at least if there’s no snow on the ground.
The red tote is a Walmart purchase and the red bracelet and ring are both from Old Navy.
What do you like to wear when you have a long day and want to keep it business casual cute?
ABlake Enterprises presents @ 1 Million Cups Wilmington
1 Million Cups is a free, weekly national program designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs. Developed by the Kauffman Foundation, 1MC is based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and network over a million cups of coffee.
Every Wednesday morning, one or two early-stage startups present their companies to a diverse audience of their peers, mentors, educators, and advisors.
Each founder presents for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience.
Afterward, each startup receives feedback via audience comments and questions from local organizers and in our session were also students from DelTech Community College.
The culture surrounding 1 Million Cups is that of a supportive, neutral space welcoming entrepreneurs to be open and honest about their businesses and the challenges they face.
1 Million Cups is led by more than 300 volunteers in 35+ states, one U.S. territory, and six time zones. It attracts an estimated national weekly attendance of more than 2,500 people.
On Wednesday, May 4th, I presented ABlake Enterprises in front of a diverse audience which also included two of my “bestie” friends, Lisa Bryant of LBAFG Consulting, and Nicolle Surrett, NspiredbyNicolle .
I am not going to lie and say that I wasn’t initially nervous, because I was. As I sat there listening to Dillon, a young entrepreneur who presented prior to me I began to think, “what have I gotten myself into…I wonder if they think ABlake Enterprises is a pipe dream…or if they think I am too old to start a Social Media Management and Consulting Business but once I got started all of those question and anxieties disappeared.
Towards the end of my presentation which ran a bit longer than 6 minutes, my throat began to get dry. I was too nervous to drink a cup of coffee prior to my presentation so I was definitely parched by the end of it.
Fortunately, I had attended a previous presentation by Lisa and knew what to expect and since there weren’t many audience questions afterwards I was able to grab a cup of coffee, do a little networking before heading out to work.
I highly recommend that all new business startups present at a 1Million Cups program, not only for the feedback but to also gain a little more experience in presenting in front of an audience of potential clients.
This collaborative workshop was our first and I think it was definitely a success. We each had a chance to not only share our knowledge of digital and social media marketing but to also meet and network with some awesome small business owners.
Each of these business owners were eager to learn more about how to expand and brand their business both on and offline.
Attending the Tools for Business Workshop was a good place for them to share their knowledge of how branding and social media has worked for them; as well as gaining additional knowledge to connect and engage with their current clients and customers.
The Tools for Business Workshop was open and free to the public, and a Continental Breakfast was provided which was great way to start the day.
Mike and I covered a lot of useful information using PowerPoint Slides, videos and visuals during the 2-hour interactive workshop.
Individually, we presented our topics and based upon the questions asked as well as those answered, I am positive that the business owners walked away with a lot of valuable information.
The workshop was a great venue for them to learn how to make their businesses even more successful using online marketing and branding tools.
Small Businesses are the backbone of the community as well as the driving force behind today’s economic recovery.
Therefore, it was my pleasure to assist them in their endeavor of using Social Media Marketing to broaden their brand and expand their businesses online.
Having fun at Tools for Business Workshop
If you are interested in learning more about the Tools for Business Workshops please leave a comment below. Mike and I would be more than willing to present again at another local venue within the state of Delaware.
The Fire Hall was filled with tables of more than 95 business owners ranging from AHDTV Network to Uncle Mike’s Ice Cream and Water Ice. As a new member of the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce I was there representing ABlake Enterprises, Social Media Management & Consulting and was able to share a table with my partners, Mike, Trisha and Ari Fox of Splash DesignWorks.
It was a beautifully bright day which drew a huge crowd of more than 1000 attendees, young and old alike including some very adorable young entrepreneurs who were sharing the table with their parents.
Balloons, Banners, Chair Massages, and Giveaways added to the excitement of this fun and festive family event. I have lived in Middletown for over 23 years and had never attended an Expo which is now in it’s 8th year, I will however, never miss another one!
The 2016 MACCDE Spring Expo was not only a great place to network and connect with local businesses in the area, it was also a great venue to see old friends and meet new ones.
Sipping on freshly made lemonade from Bahama Breeze and noshing on a pasta and shrimp dish from Pat’s Select was the highlight of my day. However, for the winners of the many door prizes ranging from a Flat Screen TV to a month of FREE food, I’m sure it was probably an even better one for them.
The little ones who stood quietly by their parent’s side were also treated to food and fun. Goodies including slices of pizza, sweet treats of personalized cookies, cupcakes, and water ice. Giveaways and chatskis such as glow in the dark pacifier necklaces, Frisbees and free passes to the Dover Skating Center also delighted them.
And for the bigger kids adults who also stood quietly in line they too were treated to sweet treats – samples of wines from Kreston Wine & Liquors and Crow Farm & Vineyard.
Obviously, there were too many businesses to name them all in this post, but here are the names and slides of just a few. The full list can be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce’s website.
I had a great time taking pictures, recording a Periscope and collecting business cards. I can’t wait to attend next year’s 9th Annual MACCDE Spring Expo!
Rysheema Dixon, Wilmington City Council Member At-Large candidate, hosted her first campaign fundraiser on Friday, February 5th, 2016, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The campaign fundraiser was held at the Chris White Gallery located at 701 North Shipley Street in Wilmington, Delaware.
The fundraiser was a free event open to the public, but a suggested donation was requested. If you would like more information on making a donation please contact Porsha Hargrove, (973) 842-5864.
I was invited to attend this political fundraiser and be part of the media coverage by Porsha Hargrove PR and Consulting. It was a highly energized and fun filled evening attended by many of Rysheema’s constituents as well as several movers and shakers from in and around the Wilmington community.
“Strong from the Ground Up” Candidate, Rysheema Dixon is running for Wilmington City Council Member At-Large. As an At-Large member of city council, Dixon hopes to continue her dedication to serving Wilmington residents by empowering them through her community development and entrepreneurship platform.
You can see her complete speech on my YouTube Channel – click here.
Hosting the fundraiser at the Chris White Gallery was a perfect venue because on this crisp winter evening many people came in and out, mixing and mingling and reminding me a bit of being in SOHO, New York City.
An eclectic mix of music provided by a DJ; lively conversations and laughter; finger foods and drinks was enhanced even more so by the various art pieces hanging on the walls, including this one of Audrey Hepburn in the ladies room.
As you can see from the following photos and Flipagram, everyone had a great evening in downtown Wilmington in the Shipley Lofts on the 1st Friday of February in support of Rysheema Dixon!
For more information on Rysheema Dixon, please connect with the campaign via their website: www.rysheemadixon.com, you can also LIKE her on Facebook at Dixon for City Council At-large and be sure to follow on Twitter @rysheemadixon to keep up on other campaign events.
So what do you think, was this an award winning outfit?
