Mary Gooden, eWomenNetwork Tampa\/St. Petersburg chapter managing director, is embracing her new role. She is currently transitioning from a leadership position in the New Orleans chapter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Founded in 2000 by entrepreneur Sandra Yancey, the Dallas-based eWomenNetwork connects entrepreneurs and holds more than 2,000 in-person and online networking events annually.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Tampa\/St. Petersburg chapter is hosting the \u201cThe Power of the Room: Where Relationships Become Opportunities\u201d Accelerated Networking Experience Friday at COhatch St. Pete<\/a>, at 15 8th Street N., from 2 to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n Gooden explained that attendees will be able to meet other leaders from the Tampa Bay region. As a result, they can establish rapport and explore potential collaborations.\u00a0<\/p>\n For the managing director, the event is a way to kick off her tenure. It is also an effort to revitalize eWomenNetwork\u2019s presence in the bay area. The timing is fitting. October is National Women\u2019s Small Business Month.\u00a0<\/p>\n The effort is personal for Gooden. She is an entrepreneur herself, as well as a professional speaker and publisher.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhat made me say yes to bringing this network to the Tampa\/St. Petersburg area is the relationships I\u2019ve built,\u201d Gooden explained. \u201cWe had a Tampa\/Sarasota chapter for eWomen about a year ago and that kind of fell by the wayside.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n She initially joined the New Orleans chapter last year after hearing Yancey speak at an event. The experience had a profound impact on Gooden and ultimately led her to pursue leadership roles within the organization.\u00a0<\/p>\n Attendees will hear Gooden speak about the eWomenNetwork at the Friday event. She will also discuss the \u201cpower of the room\u201d concept.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt means heart-to-heart, knee-to-knee,\u201d Gooden explained. \u201cIt means really taking time to get present with other women and business owners locally in our community and finding ways to share and create opportunities.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Additionally, participants will attend two networking breakout sessions. Individuals will get to share more about themselves, what they\u2019re excited about and what type of business growth they\u2019re looking for.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMy vision is really about bringing women entrepreneurs and a few good men who are a part of the eWomen Network to a place that feels safe and supported,\u201d she added. \u201cWe\u2019re not here to do this alone. We never have been.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI built my six figure business basically on referrals and relationships alone,\u201d Gooden continued. \u201cAll around, when we work together and lift each other as we climb, we just find a more harmonious outcome for ourselves, our community and humanity.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Entrepreneurship is a way for people to pursue their passions, she added. More so, by starting a business, men and women can focus on their gifts and talents. These ventures can create change and have an invaluable impact on the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gooden explained that Yancey\u2019s mission is to help one million women entrepreneurs from around the world each achieve $1 million in annual revenue. The organization also supports individuals through the eWomenFoundation.<\/a> According to the nonprofit\u2019s website, 177 cash grants have been awarded to small nonprofits and 240 scholarships have been given to \u201cemerging female leaders of tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Gooden hopes to host two in-person events for the Tampa\/St. Petersburg chapter per month. Additionally, the organization will oversee virtual gatherings.\u00a0<\/p>\n To register for the Friday event, visit this link.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n