Women in Business Network Host Network Event for Womenpreneurs

• Women entrepreneurs from Imperial County held on December 13
• The activity was sponsored by the Women in Business Network
• This event had the purpose of contributing to Personal Growth and Sustainable Success

Women entrepreneurs gathered at the Women in Business Network meeting, held at El Centro, Imperial County, on December 13, to learn and connect with other local entrepreneurs. It was the most recent event hosted by the Women in Business Network.

This morning session was a platform where participants of varying levels of experience, from young entrepreneurs to already established businessmen, gathered together. Issues discussed included business strategies and self-management of participants as well as developing networks.

The creation of the Women in Business Network was as a result of the demand from the local group of women entrepreneurs who needed assistance beyond the conventional business support, according to Viridiana Rosales, center manager at the Small Business Development Center.

However, Viridiana realized that the challenge cuts across the wide majority of the women she has been working with in terms of balancing life as well as managing their mental wellbeing.

“The program aimed to offer a forum for participants to share their experiences and learn from each other and build each other's understanding and awareness,” Viridiana added.

The network has discussed different matters during the previous-year sessions, including balancing work and life, imposter syndrome and branding.

The above example is representative of this general approach and its emphasis on the relationship of individual well-being and business sustainability. The example offered by the Saturday meeting illustrated the incorporation of individual well-being in its discussion.

This event has guest speakers that come from different parts of the region, allowing the attendee to learn from their experiences.

Past guest speakers include members of the Women’s Business Center in San Diego, as well as entrepreneurs, non-profit professionals, and brand specialists, among whom are those that work for the SBDC.

Attendees pointed out that the “collaborative ambience” was one of the ways the event was different from other more traditional forms of networking.

The program design is intended to be cooperative, not competitive, and is seen by the organizers as having particular relevance in the Imperial Valley business environment.

The Women in Business Network welcomes participants with varying levels of business experience, such as entrepreneurs, experienced businessmen and professionals interested in promoting women-led businesses. This makes it possible for participants to engage in effective discussions and create business partnerships.

Looking ahead, the plan for the coming year in 2026 is to hold networking meetings at woman-owned businesses in Imperial County.

This will help to provide the individuals with hands-on learning experiences as well as aid in the development of the local community.