Reflections on Florence Women in Business: The Power of Teamwork and Community

As I lay awake in bed last night, I found my mind circling around a question: Why Florence Women in Business? Maybe it was because I had just spoken about it the day before, but it was at the forefront of my thoughts.

The Florence Women in Business (WIB) events are meant to be welcoming spaces. This isn’t by accident—it’s the result of intentional efforts by the incredible steering committee. At first, I was slow to accept that I didn’t have to carry the full burden of planning these events alone. But on the day of our very first meeting in September 2023, I realized that the committee had my back. I didn’t have to do everything myself, and that made all the difference.

WIB may be only one part of my job, but it has taught me the importance of delegating and collaborating. Working alongside Joniece, Sophie, Rita, and Danielle (who was a key member until recently), I’ve learned the true meaning of teamwork. And with Gina joining us as of September 2024, we’re continuing to grow as a team. As the 2024 series came to a close this past September, I felt immense gratitude for the support of these incredible women. Our next round of events will resume in January 2025, and I know we’ll continue to build on the success we've created together.

That said, WIB is just one piece of the puzzle. Over the last few months, I’ve worked hard on a range of other initiatives—from Casino Night to the Florence Farmers Market and Ernest Talks. I’m proud to have raised over $18K for these events this summer, followed by an additional $4K for the Memories on Main Custom Car and Bike Show shortly after. These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of organizations like Renewal by Andersen, EPCOR USA, Cox Communications, Florence Copper, Garrett Motors, SRP, Pinal County Federal Credit Union, We Fix It Home Services, Weichert Realtors, Future Forward Foundation, Big O Tires, and many others.

Reflecting on all of this, I can’t help but acknowledge a nagging thought that has kept me awake at night: Am I doing enough? Am I good enough? It’s easy to get caught up in feelings of self-doubt, but when I step back, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come and the impact I’ve made. I’m not working for commission—I’m working to promote Florence and build B2B connections through events, outreach, and social media. And I’m proud of that.

A phrase from a sermon at Central Church in Gilbert has stuck with me for years: “Made for More.” It resonates with me deeply, and I believe it to be true in my life. I’m so thankful for the support of my husband, children, family, soul sisters, friends, colleagues, and the business community, who constantly remind me that I’m not alone on this journey.

Florence Women in Business has shown me the power of community and collaboration. It’s a safe space where women can feel empowered, supported, and seen. To Joniece, Sophie, Rita, Danielle, Gina, and everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you.