Missouri Women in Business Conference: Focusing on '100 ways to make more money'

Nearly 130 businesswomen took advantage of a day full of networking and gleaning advice from local business leaders during the fourth annual Missouri Women in Business Conference.
The conference, held June 10 at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center in Columbia, focused on “100 ways to make more money” and featured guest speakers, large and small group discussions, a panel of successful Columbia women business owners and a brainstorming session.
Conference organizer Virginia Wilson, director of small-business development for the Missouri Small Business and Technology Development centers, said this was the first time the conference had a specific theme and small group discussions with local experts.
Beginning with breakfast, attendees had the chance to mingle and exchange contact information with a variety of exhibiting businesses.
Wilson said networking is one of the major draws for the conference and what people respond to most. “This is a great opportunity for women in business and women thinking about business to get together, network and sit in on some great training sessions,” she said.

Wilson stressed how the conference focused on all aspects of business success, not just finances. “Everybody seems to think that you sell something, and you look at your bottom line, and profit is how you make money,” she said. “Absolutely that is one way you make money. But there is so much more that goes on behind and during making that sale. That’s what a lot of the breakout sessions have been targeted toward.”
Tracy Eichorn, who attended one of the breakout sessions titled “10 Keys to a Level 10 Performance,” said she learned that success requires total commitment to any endeavor and “how important it is to allow people to do their specific job by not micromanaging.”
Smaller groups met for 30-minute question-and-answer sessions with local experts. Web designer Diana Ratliff fielded various questions regarding navigating website design and implementation. Some attendees asked Ratliff what to expect when working with a professional Web designer. Others requested tips and strategies on designing their own websites.
Another highlight of the conference was the panel discussion. The panel was composed of a moderator and four successful women business owners in Columbia: Heather Simms, Micki Marrero, Mara Burhard and Kat Cunningham. Panel members discussed various aspects of their businesses and individual success before a filled room.
Heather Simms, owner of Simms & Simms Insulation, talked about the people who supported and encouraged her to start her own business when she was in her early 20s. She said when it comes to selling, it’s all about “reaping what you sow.”
“Treat yourself good, treat others good, and it will come back to you,” Simms said, pointing out at the crowd.
When the panel discussion turned to how the speakers handle a sluggish economy, Kat Cunningham, president and founder of Moresource Inc., spoke about the conflict she had facing the decision to lay off a major part of her staff. “You do what you have to do in hard times,” she said, stressing how difficult it was for her to choose between her employees’ and her business’ well being. She added that most of the staff that was cut has come back to work.
Wilson said the conference has been growing each year, and this year attendees came from St. Louis and Kansas City. She said the goal for next year’s conference is to extend its outreach to the entire central Missouri region.
Sponsors for the conference include Commerce Bank, Boone Hospital Center, KOMU, KFRU, AARP, MU Entrepreneurship Alliance and the Columbia Business Times.