The event kicked off with a networking and social media lounge where attendees mingled and enjoyed light refreshments. Shortly thereafter, moderator Kim Davis, the host and executive producer of the KPRC television show “Beyond the Headlines,” welcomed the assembled guests. Davis exhorted the participants to “find your niche.”
Following the welcome, a diverse, august panel of professionals extolled the virtues of networking, having a vision and being true to that vision. “There’s nothing better in the world than to spend your day doing what you love. Take some time to think [about] what you want the rest of your life to be like,” shared Faith Morris, CEO and chief strategist of OwensMorris Comunications.
Mia K. Wright, co-minister of the Fountain of Praise and executive director of Metamorphosis Women’s Conference, offered a blueprint for attendees to follow as they build their success stories. “[The] five steps to success are to know yourself, look for creative outlets, work hard, leverage your network and pray,” said Wright.
Holly Uverity, the founder of Office Organizers and the Houston president-elect of NAWBO, encouraged the women to not only follow their dreams, but to follow the money as well. “We are in the fourth largest city in the nation, I don’t care what industry you’re in, there is money to be made,” she said.
McDonald’s owner-operator Hazel Smith issued marching orders to the audience to: “Improve everything you touch.”
A lively Q-and-A following the panel discussion allowed attendees to get on-the-spot mentoring and answers to pressing business concerns. The session was so informative that one woman was overheard vowing to not miss the next Female Success Factor seminar.
Sponsors of this year’s Female Success Factor were: The Steed Society, Texas Business Alliance, McDonald’s, University of Houston’s Association for Women in Communication, African Pride and NewswireHouston.com
–callye peyrovi contributed reporting to this story
Photography by Derrick Vanison
