- Written by Andrea Mejia
- Published in Better Living
Challenge yourself to grow!
Challenge yourself to grow!
By Andrea Mejía
Click para español - Retos que nos ayudan a crecer
I had the opportunity to participate in the Women in Business Challenge, presented by the Urban League of New Orleans during the month of March. It was such an enriching experience! Last year, I was sitting in the audience during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week watching the women present their companies during the challenge, and while listening to their stories I thought, “next year, I want to stand there and tell my own story.” And I did exactly that.
I applied to the program, participated, and was among the four finalists this year. My public-speaking fear was challenged. I would have never thought that I could stand in front of three hundred people who were gathered to listen to our stories.
The Women in Business Challenge is a great opportunity for women business owners to compete for a prize of ten thousand dollars. During the challenge entrepreneurs also receive a 9-week training session to learn how to make their business grow.
I knew what I wanted to accomplish when I started my own company Sensa Design, but I was clueless as to what approach to follow to make it there. After going through this learning experience, I feel ready to take the next step and aim my company in the right direction.
I learned about finance, social media, and human resources, among many other things.
I understood the importance of writing down a business plan and setting the mission and values of the company. Having these tools is essential to focus and keep the business in the right track.
I was proud to represent my community and to be the first Latina participating in the challenge.
All women business owners who are reading this note should take a moment and contact Klassi Duncan from the Urban League of Greater New Orleans to get into this program. Remember the words of Amelia Earhart: “The most difficult thing is the decision
to act, the rest is merely tenacity.”