As a final ode to Women’s History Month, 100 women business owners from in and around Hope Mills gathered at the Gates Four Golf and Country Club to network, empower and eat with each other for the second annual Women Mean Business Brunch.
The event began with Life Coach Camy Kennedy who helped break the ice with attendees.
Afterwards Gold Medal Olympic winner, Mother of the Year and local business owner Demetira Davis took to the stage as the event's primary Keynote Speaker. In her address to guests, Davis discussed what it means to be a woman in business, her experiences with networking in the catering business and the power of working together instead of working against other women.
“I was thinking about this the other day; when you love what you do, and when it's a passion for you and it meets your purpose, there's no competition. I'm sure there may be some caterers in here and some caterers in here or private chefs, this is my sister. We don't compete with each other. We collaborate. Yes, collaboration,” shared Davis. “I want to encourage you that when your passion meets your purpose, it's not competition. I can honestly say that I have so many different friends that are caterers who are private chefs. I don't even feel like I'm competing because I love what I do. I stay in my lane, and I know what I can do. And if I can't do it, I call them and say ‘Can you help me, cuz I don't know what I'm doing.’”
Following Davis was a brief self defense demonstration led by Family Martial Arts Academy Business owner Tracy Huff and her staff who highlighted the importance of situational awareness before showcasing basic ways women can defend themselves in public.
Overall, President of the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce was pleased with the success of the event and the turnout.
“We had 100 Women who showed up at our brunch event at Gates Four, which was intended to promote and highlight and encourage women in business in the Cumberland County area. We had some fantastic speakers with Demetria Davis,” said Ferris. "We got to watch Tracy beat up on Big John, and it was fantastic because we had a mimosa bar. This is just another way that the Hope Mills Chamber likes to give back to the businesses and all of the members of our community. We have lots of women on our board, and so we really wanted to recognize all of the hard work that all of the women in business do.”
This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off th
Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle
Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.
