By: Anna Nelson, Williston Area Chamber of Commerce President
When you walk into a room, what is the first thing you think? If it is related to your appearance or how you may be perceived by others, welcome to the majority - unfortunately. According to Psychology Today, 85% of people globally have low self-esteem. Among women and girls, 70% believe they are not good enough, according to Heart of Leadership.
Ladies, why do we do this to ourselves? Let’s work together to break that cycle and to build each other up through the Women in Leadership (WiL) Expo. The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the theme of this year’s expo, set for Oct. 26-27 at The Grand Williston Hotel, as “Brand Yourself with Confidence.”
Professional headshots. Image consulting. Inspiring speakers. Quality connections. Giving back to our childcare workers and to the Family Crisis Shelter. Shopping. A leveled-up personal brand. These are what 2023 WiL Expo participants can expect to experience.
Keynote speaker, Lauren Messiah, is a coach, stylist and author coming from Los Angeles to help women be their best selves, inside and out. Having worked with her myself as an intern when I lived in L.A., I can tell you firsthand that the clients that she helped define their personal style, carried themselves differently, smiled more, had a pep in their step and excelled in their work. Renewed confidence in their look naturally spread to every aspect of their lives. Testimonials of Lauren’s work are saturated with references to how they saw themselves differently - or perhaps for the first time - in ways that are truly inspiring.
Along with her keynote address on Friday, Oct. 27, Lauren will host a workshop on Thursday evening along with the Hair Society Institute and Chelsey Wald with Limelife for “speed image consulting” with the emphasis on enhancing, not changing.
Additional speakers and topics include North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller (Electrifying Your Brand), State Director of USDA Rural Development Erin Oban (Cracking the Confidence Code), Dirty Dough Owner Summer Wilda (Marketing 1 “Dough” 1 for Yourself and Your Business), Farm Girl/Makeup Expert Chelsey Wald (The Foundation of Passion: Finding Joy in Your Work). As well “Strong Women, Strong Connections,” an entrepreneurship panel moderated by Laiken Aune with the N.D. Women’s Business Center and featuring local female entrepreneurs: Megan Wold, Meg-A-Latte; Angela Skogen, Cooks on Main; Bre Staal, Lilac Lane; Susie Elsbernd, Susie Q’s Ice Cream; Kari Hauge, Exhale Yoga and Wellness.
For tickets and the entire schedule, visit willistonchamber.com/wil23. If you want to set up your boutique or be a sponsor, contact [email protected], we would love to include you.
Thank you to our sponsors, vendors, speakers and attendees. This would not be possible with such strong support from this community.