Source: Soda Inc.
More than 150 female entrepreneurs and business owners attended Soda’s Women in Business Expo last week with guest speakers – Hatch and Powrsuit founders, Kristen Lunman and Natalie Ferguson – sharing insights around fear, failure and the importance of mindset.
Sponsored by Deloitte, the expo was an opportunity for female business owners and founders to be inspired, network with like-minded women in business and learn more about business support options available in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Soda General Manager Anna Devcich says: “Soda connects business owners and entrepreneurs with government support and funding to help their businesses thrive. We’re also passionate about supporting women in business so our Women in Business Expo is an opportunity for female business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders to connect and learn in a welcoming and supportive environment.
“As a business owner or founder, it’s vital to access the right support and make connections that allow you to grow – as an individual and as a business. Soda’s Women in Business Expo creates a space where women can do just that.
“Nat and Kristen from Powrsuit shared some powerful messages with our audience about the importance of mindset and the value of learning through doing. As founders of a career accelerator (among other successful businesses), their advice really hit the mark.”
Held in The Atrium at Wintec House, organisations at the expo included Craigs Women’s Wealth, Deloitte, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Finance NZ, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, NZ Entrepreneur, New Zealand Growth Capital Partners, On Your Terms NZ, Osbaldiston Lane, Powrsuit, Rocketspark, RWA Lawyers, She by Shan, Soda, Takatini Waikato District Economic Development, Te Whatu Ora: National Public Health Service, Waikato Waahine Collective and Waipā District Council.
Soda’s Regional Business Partner contract has recently been extended for a further two years, so Soda looks forward to continuing to support Waikato businesses.
ABOUT SODA
Soda helps businesses achieve their goals and create success. We connect entrepreneurs, business owners and key decision makers with the right people, tools, resources and programmes to accelerate business growth. Based in Hamilton, Soda is the Waikato’s Regional Business Partner (RBP), connecting business owners with government funding and support.
ABOUT POWRSUIT
Kristen Lunman and Natalie Ferguson are the co-founders and directors of Powrsuit – a career accelerator for women at every stage (with a space for allies, too). Combining bite-sized learning and micro-networking, Powrsuit takes professional development out of to-do lists and into weekly routines. With over 700 members across NZ, Australia, North America and Europe (and a handful in Singapore!), Powrsuit’s research-backed approach delivers a tangible return on investment. After six months, 82% of members increase self-leadership skills and 28% take a tangible step forward in their careers.