Women Come Together to Uplift, Support One Another at Women’s History Month Brunch and Business Showcase

Empowerment and business-to-business coaching highlighted the 2024 Women’s  History Month Brunch and Business Showcase sponsored by Small Business Development Center (SBDC) earlier this month in Waldorf.

“We are grateful our brunch and showcase has received such impactful feedback from empowering the core of the women in our business community,” said SBDC Director, Southern Region, Wynné Briscoe. The SBDC is housed at the College of Southern Maryland.

The theme of the brunch was “I Am Worthy!” -- an affirmation demonstrated to attendees through awareness exercises.

“We spoke to the core of the woman because you can't grow a business until you grow the business owner,” said Briscoe. “As business consultants and advisors, we take a holistic approach and understand that you cannot separate the person from the business, they are in tandem.”

Attendees at the brunch were also treated to a keynote address by Ambassador Dr. Margaret Dureke, (pictured above) founder and executive director of WETATi Academy, Inc. and Margaret Speaks, Inc.

Dureke shared how her own business began to thrive once she accepted her own worthiness. Dureke has been honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 and was recognized as the MLS 2023 All-Star Hometown Hero. She is also a bestselling author and uses Margaret Speaks to empower diverse audiences, sharing insights on self-belief, mindset and turning challenges into achievements.

Following the brunch, attendees and the public were invited to shop and support local women entrepreneurs at the Women’s Business Showcase. This event featured businesses from industries including skin care, jewelry, business coaching, professional services and apparel. Each business owner was given an opportunity to speak on stage to promote their business.

“It was inspiring to witness the organic business-to-business networking as the women assisted and supported each other,” said Briscoe.

The SBDC, Southern Region, provides training and counseling services to new and existing businesses. Designed for all stages of business development, themed workshops range from business planning, to how to comply with legal and tax issues. For more information about services available through the SBDC, visit https://www.csmd.edu/programs-courses/non-credit/businesses/sbdc.html.