I’m still in awe of the experience I had at the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce 2024 Women Trailblazer Award Ceremony which provided inspiration on many levels. One of the first things I did when I opened my law firm in June 2023 was join the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce as a small business owner. At the outset, I pushed myself to go to coffee talks and socials and thoroughly enjoyed connecting with other local business owners and business leaders. The events also inspired me. Fast forward to 2024. I started out the year engaged, but then a combination of things ranging from managing a busy workload to an unexpected 2 month grand jury appointment to a personal setback led me to withdraw a bit from community engagement. The past several months I have focused on work while still allowing space and time to pursue personal writing projects and outlets such as dance classes. It has been very worthwhile and productive, and also personally fulfilling, especially with progress made in the writing projects. But there have been times when I missed going to Chamber events and knew I needed to reengage at some point.
Then out of the blue I got a message from a friend I met through the Chamber (another female law firm owner) to invite me as her firm’s guest to the Women Trailblazer Award Ceremony the following week. At one point I had planned to sign up for this event because (1) I knew it would be inspiring and (2) the keynote speaker was Dana Spinola, founder and leader of Fab’rik and Free Fab’rik, who I met more than 20 years ago when she was opening her first clothing boutique in Midtown Atlanta. But I never signed up. The timing of my friend’s invite seemed to come at the right moment, so I said yes with much appreciation for the invite and for her reaching out to touch base after not seeing me for a while.
I attended the event and still feel emotion when I recall all the incredible connections and synergies that collided into this one inspiring night for me. Upon walking into the event space, it felt warm and welcoming. I knew I made the right decision in going. Then within minutes I heard my name, and there was Seema, my Ragnar running team captain and friend! We had just run into each other a few weeks prior at the Mayor’s Challenge 5k, and it was crazy to run into each other again. She was also there as someone’s guest, but I didn’t get a chance to meet her friend at that point. I then went to my assigned table, which was directly in front of the stage, and warmly greeted my friend who invited me and enjoyed meeting the other guests at her table. Her firm was a sponsor, and it was inspiring to see her bringing a group of women from various fields together as her guests. I made several new connections. Then I noticed a painting I previously donated to the Chamber was part of the silent auction – wow, what a surprise!
Dana Spinola was a fantastic selection as keynote speaker. I have followed her journey and success over the past 20 plus years, and what she has accomplished as a business owner and leader is inspiring and nothing short of amazing. Her business, Fab’rik, has grown from one boutique in Midtown to a company with boutiques across the country and worldwide e-commerce. She also started Free Fab’rik, a non-profit organization with a mission to connect women in need around the world with donated clothing in a way that is dignified and meaningful, such as free boutiques in shelters and events with free stylists and clothing. Most recently, she set up a free boutique in an area hit by the hurricane to assist women who are working to recover from the damage and loss. It was a great reminder of the importance of finding ways to give back to the community and inspiring others.
Something else Dana shared really resonated with me – it’s all about the journey, not the destination, which can often change. That is something I also try to focus on as it’s through our journeys that we learn more about ourselves, including how to face and overcome challenges along the way, to allow for growth as individuals and leaders. Dana graciously shared copies of her book, “love what you do”, with each of the event’s guests, and I look forward to reading it.
I thought the night couldn’t get any better. But then another thing happened. My friend Seema approached me again and said it turned out the friend who invited her knew my name. In fact, she was someone Seema had referred to me several months earlier. There was no engagement, just a call where I shared some insight as a fellow business owner to empower someone starting a new business to take initial steps on her own. Among other things, I encouraged her to join the Chamber. At the event, she thanked me for inspiring her and said within days of our call she joined the Chamber and had just finished a leadership program through the Chamber! Now here she was inviting Seema as her guest to a Chamber event! It was rewarding to learn I inspired someone and a reminder we always have opportunities to help others, even in ways that may seem small but are impactful to others.
I approached my friend who had invited me and again thanked her for reaching out to check in on me and inviting me as her guest. I told her she was instrumental in facilitating what turned out to be a night of all kinds of intermingled connections and inspirations. I also thanked her for inspiring me with her invitation of myself and other women and sponsorship of the event. It is wonderful to see women supporting and encouraging other women. I look forward to adding more community engagement back to my activities, as I was reminded how enriching it is to interact with other inspiring and motivated people.
Thank you again to The Balams Firm for the invitation and sponsorship of the event!
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