Canvas & Connections: Celebrating Women Business Owners Event Recap

As a solo entrepreneur, one of the things I often hear from fellow business owners is that we lack a space to truly celebrate our accomplishments. After all, there are no corporate holiday parties waiting for us at the end of the year.

So last year, I envisioned creating an event that could fill this gap—a space where we could connect, reflect, and celebrate together. I imagined an event with networking, engaging panel discussions, and a shared activity that brought us closer as a community. I also wanted to spotlight and support local women-owned businesses.

When I discovered Moda Studio on Instagram, I knew it was the perfect venue for this vision. After meeting with the owner of Moda Studio, Al, for a tour, I shared my ideas, and he not only embraced them but also offered insightful suggestions on how to layout and transition the event seamlessly.

This was my second time hosting such an event, and in the morning, I found myself both jittery and excited. I couldn’t have done it without the help of Marcia Marino of ChoreVoyant, Steve Wagner of Wagner Photo-Grafx (our event photographer), Angela Acosta of Angela Atelier Photography, and Clara Wang of Clara Wang Photography, whose support before, during, and after the event was invaluable.

By 10 AM, attendees started arriving, greeted by the rich aroma of freshly brewed Colombian coffee, courtesy of Missy & Linny Coffee Company. Our food, catered by Toast, arrived ahead of schedule, so we dove straight into brunch before my welcome remarks. The spread was nothing short of delicious: fluffy scrambled eggs, homemade breakfast potatoes, savory turkey sausages, assorted wraps, and food from our in-kind sponsors—waffles on a stick with an array of toppings provided by Lisa Baumann of Waffles & Dreams, Ashley Ricart from A Tavola to the Table brought delicious crostinis and a refreshing quinoa salad, while Marliese Engel Traver from Marlie Bakes Cakes made mouthwatering cupcakes in three flavors—Caramel Apple Cider, Milk Chocolate Caramel, and Lemon Blueberry.

As everyone settled into their meals, I took a moment to welcome them and asked for a round of applause—not just for being there, but for all their hard work, late nights, and triumphs throughout the year. I also extended a heartfelt thank you to our incredible event sponsors, in-kind contributors, and those who helped make our swag bags extra special. Their support was key to making this event such a success.

Event Sponsors: Jenny King (Jenny King Photography), Ilene Greene (MarketShare Communications, Inc.), Susana Fonticoba (Clear Path Strategy – GROW), Kathleen Little (Kathleen Little | metalsmith), Dr. Helene Darmanin (Mama Bear PT), Toshamalla McCloud (She Exhaled), Marian Speid (Marian Speid Dream Vacations), Nancy Aronson (STuFF with IGGIE – A Curiosity Shoppe), Nancy Weiss Sergeant (Sergeant Marketing), Dr. Carol Chu-Peralta (Center for Resiliency, LLC)

Swag Contributors: ISU – Hanson & Ryan Inc., The Candle Corner, Betty Galván of MFBS Digital Marketing Studio and The Co-Co, Tiffany Joy Argonza (The Studio Ligaya)

As brunch continued, conversations blossomed across the room. Old friends reconnected, and new friendships were born, with discussions ranging from business challenges to personal wins.

Around noon, we transitioned into our panel discussion, “Systematizing Success: Organization, Automation, and System Strategies,” featuring three brilliant minds: Paula McConnell (Seva Digital), Tanesha Halstead (Virtually Centered Solutions LLC), and Deborah Gussoff (In Order, Inc.).

I kicked off the discussion by asking each panelist to share the one tool or software they absolutely couldn’t live without in their business. The conversation took off from there, covering a wide range of topics like AI, ChatGPT, Claude, CRMs, and organizational strategies. 

Paula shared how AI and technology can be game-changers for business owners, offering easy-to-implement tips that make complex ideas more approachable. Tanesha provided valuable insights into CRM and automation tools, highlighting the strengths of different platforms to help attendees find the right fit for their business needs. Deborah wrapped up with practical tips on organizing both physical and digital spaces, leaving everyone feeling empowered to streamline their workflows. The feedback from the audience was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees eager to start implementing these strategies in their own businesses.

After the panel, we opened the floor for attendees to share their upcoming events. Then, it was time to celebrate! We poured red wine (merlot and cabernet), served up colorful mocktails (including my own twist on Disney’s Jungle Juice—orange juice, passion fruit, and guava nectar), and set out a beautiful spread of charcuterie and popcorn for everyone to enjoy while painting Fall-themed canvases.

At one point, “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys came on, and I just couldn’t resist—so I grabbed Helene from Mama Bear PT and we belted it out together. It was such a fun, spontaneous moment! Even those who weren’t into karaoke enjoyed the music, trivia, and painting.

The event wrapped up at 4 PM, and as attendees collected their swag bags and said their goodbyes, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. So many kind words were exchanged, and a few tears were shed, as we celebrated not just the event but each other. This community of women business owners is truly something special—there’s so much love, support, and magic in this group.

Looking back, I’m incredibly proud that I pulled off an even bigger event than last year. Yes, it was stressful but it was all worth it. I’m already excited to start planning next year’s event, and I can’t wait to see what we create together next.

Thank you to everyone who attended Canvas & Connections: Celebrating Women Business Owners event at Moda Studio last Friday. I hope you left feeling inspired, connected, and ready to tackle the year ahead with renewed energy. Let’s keep celebrating each other’s successes, learning, and growing together!

Video: Created by me on Canva (Music credit: From Canva – A Day to Remember – River Run Dry)

Photo credit: Steve Wagner of Wagner Photo-Grafx