Coupe Scott has one major mission: To enhance the presence of women business owners, professionals, rainmakers, activists and leaders, through creating opportunities that teach, inspire, empower and motivate the growth process of the ever-evolving business landscape. It sounds like a mouthful, but Scott is on her way to accomplishing this mission with the first annual STRONG Conference 2013: What is Your Next Big Idea?, which takes place March 29-30, 2013, in Atlanta.
(STRONG is an acronym for Simple Transitions Render Opportunity Necessary for Growth.)
Here, Scott shares what attendees can expect. –yvette caslin
What is the mission of the organization?
The vision is to identify the needs of women in business and execute the much-needed resources for them to not only start or grow their business, but maintain a positive presence in their community. We desire to uplift and have a profound impact on future young female entrepreneurs by sharing our stories, time and when able our resources to pay it forward with purpose. STRONG is founded on the principles of identifying vision, purpose and passion, which are key elements to accomplishing any endeavor in life.
Provide some background information on the conference?
This is the first annual STRONG Conference; the conference was created to fill the void experienced by women in traditional conferences or events. A platform designed to inspire, motivate, equip and empower women to walk in what not only belongs to them, but what they understand to be that “it” they can’t seem to shake no matter how hard they try. STRONG is young enough to be hip and fresh, but old enough to provided wisdom and insight into issues that matter to women. “Letters To My Young Self” is a component of the conference where women are asked to write a letter to their young self-stating what they know now that they wish they would have known then, in hopes of giving insight to younger generations that are coming into their journey.
The 2013 STRONG Conference also has a young entrepreneurs component where we have eight slots for young female entrepreneurs between the ages of 7 and 17 to show them that there are women changing the world in an effort to open doors for them and to let them know they do not have to wait to act on their dreams.
Who is your target audience?
Our target market consists:
- Women who have been sitting on their dreams.
- Women who feel stuck in your current career, but the fear and uncertainty of entrepreneurship keep you from taking action to move forward into your destiny.
- Women who have hit the glass ceiling and want to know how to breakthrough.
- Women looking for real answers to the questions they have about business and life.
- Women in search of true stories of inspiration, not just the current positioning/status, but also the process.
- Women who want to connect with other like-minded women, who really understand what it takes to be fearless.
What were the considerations when selecting the keynote speaker and the panelists?
STRONG is about the journey, all of our speakers have a story to tell or something they had to overcome in order to achieve the things in which they have done in life. More importantly, they are not ashamed or in fear of their testimony. The women that are speaking at the 2013 STRONG Conference understand that this event is not about them it is about the betterment of a gender class, a place where women can come to not just co-exist, but to thrive. We selected these women based on the experiences of their personal journeys and their ultimate success in business and in life. Our featured young entrepreneur was chosen because of the accomplishments she has achieved at such an early age, which is a great beginning to a successful blueprint.
What do you hope attendees take away from the event?
The understanding that it takes strength to forge ahead and you must be uncomfortable at times to realize your path and walk in your vision, purpose and passion. The ability to embrace their story in hopes of inspiring and empowering other women to identify that each phase of our life defines a different transition we are experiencing at that time. Attendees should also know that they have something to offer the world and staying on the sidelines it not an option. Lastly, that STRONG is a movement and it does not dissipate after the conference. It is theirs to embrace, nurture and support and know that STRONG is here for them to come to throughout the year and receive tangible tools such as support, mentorship programs and connections to enhance their growth and success.
