THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 27, 1996 TAG: 9609270551
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KIA MORGAN ALLEN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 53 lines
The women of color plan to tell their business. If you plan to start your own, then listen up.
The second annual Business Women of Color Conference, today and Saturday, will showcase exhibits and offer workshops for people interested in starting a business or those who want to add to their business knowledge.
``Some people are going to go to this conference and get energized,'' said Lana Pressley, planning consultant for the conference sponsored by her home-based business, EVENTMAKERS. ``We want women to come and see other women who made something with nothing.''
During a two-day conference at the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts today and the Clarion Hotel on Saturday, sessions will include creative marketing, networking and financing a business, all aimed at educating women looking for a recipe to business ownership.
``There will be workshops on how to grow and develop home-based businesses and small businesses. Educating these women, that's our overall goal,'' Pressley said.
Pressley said that because she was unsuccessful when she tried to find out information that would help enrich her business, she felt there was a need to create a place where minorities could get information on owning businesses and network with other women.
``I found it difficult to find all of the things I needed to develop and grow my business under one umbrella,'' she said.
On display throughout the conference will be an exhibit called the Heritage Connection, celebrating women of color like Mary McLeod Bethune and Ida B. Wells, who represent courage, vigor and dedication. This exhibit, she said, is a testimony to women who made things happen long before today's opportunities.
Attendees can peruse the displays of beauty products and weight-loss services, among others that will be available.
Organizers expect a crowd throughout the two-day conference. Pressley said the displays and exhibits at the hotel are free. A $55 charge is applied for the all-day workshops and a luncheon.
A ``Little Girls Only'' all-day session - designed to help young ladies ages 6 to 11 achieve poise and self-confidence - cost $45. Seating is limited.
Local radio talk show hostess Cheryl Wilkerson of 103 JAMZ will serve as the mistress of ceremonies during a noon luncheon. Virginia Beach councilwoman Louisa Strayhorn will be the luncheon speaker.
The conference is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Crestar Bank, Inches-Away and other groups. For more information, call 625-3909. ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC
TO ATTEND
For more information, call 625-3909. by CNB