November 2016 Vital Connections Daybreak

It was another inspirational morning for Marketplace Women as early morning guests of November's Vital Connections discussed the importance of growth in their professional, personal and spiritual lives. Attendees were encouraged to make growth goals for 2017 and to journal about specific marks that testify of how far they have grown. "On this our assurance falls, that He who began this good work will surely make it grow tall!"

Marketplace Women Service Project - October 2016

On Friday, October 14th, Marketplace Women spent the afternoon pouring into the lives of young women by helping them to select interview appropriate apparel and accessories and building their confidence.  Partnering with WHW and Taller San Jose Hope Builders, two local nonprofit agencies, the ladies empowered 19 disadvantaged teens with some of the skills and resources they need to move forward to a new place in their lives.  Services Projects are just one way that Marketplace Women inspires Christian women to integrate their professional, personal and spiritual lives and to change the Marketplace for Christ.

 

October 2016 Vital Connections Daybreak

It was a bright and early morning for the Marketplace Women who gathered for the October Vital Connects Daybreak. The attendees enjoyed breakfast and networking before breaking into small groups to discuss how to maintain a Christ-Centered attitude during a workplace crisis. Discussions were feathered with laughter, tears and prayers and everyone left with some practical ideas on dealing with the next crisis. It was an inspiring morning!

September 2016 Vital Connections Daybreak

It was a powerful way to start a new season of Marketplace Women with inspiring and touching stories of the purposefulness of our work.  Every lady left with a list of key tips for developing a meaning mindset.  At the top of the list was to read God's word: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for the Lord not for men." Colossians 3:23

 

A New Season of Marketplace Women

Greetings to our Marketplace Women!

This letter is two-fold: to warmly welcome you back to our new season beginning on Tuesday September 13th and to communicate some exciting strategic changes for the coming year.

The vision of Marketplace Women is to equip Christian women to be
authentic change agents in the marketplace by inspiring them to fully
integrate their professional, personal and spiritual lives.

You will see this vision lived out more than ever in our upcoming season as we navigate business challenges and inspire one another to have Kingdom impact in the Marketplace. 

Vital Connections each month will feature topic kick-offs with relevant issues in the workplace.  We hope to foster communication and collaboration around common challenges with the foundational teaching of business in God’s Word. 

To better support the Marketplace Women vision, we are moving from a Membership Platform to a Donor Circle.  We recognize we are all members of one body and each woman contributing her talent, time and treasure is equally important.  Whether you come one time or every month, we value you. 

There also are great benefits to contributing financially to Marketplace Women. Contributions will fund scholarships to women in need, provide seed money for service projects, and support resources to make your Marketplace Women experience more meaningful.  There is no minimum to be a part of our Donor Circle and all donations are tax deductible.  As a token of our appreciation, all levels above $50.00 will receive a complimentary invitation to our annual Marketplace Women Donor event. 

Thank you for your faithful commitment in joining together with Marketplace Women to be authentic change agents in the workplace.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, September 13th!

Warmly in Christ, Nicole, President, Marketplace Women

August Member Only Event

Marketplace Women gathered together for an evening of fellowship, food and fun at their annual Member Only Event, which included a creative succulent workshop. The event, which was held at Hunt Collective in Costa Mesa, gave the ladies the opportunity to reconnect after the summer hiatus and share some new things for the coming year. It was a wonderful evening for the group which exists to equip Christian women to be authentic change agents in the Marketplace by inspiring them to fully integrate their professional, personal and spiritual lives!

 

Leadership Team Retreat - 2016

Marketplace Women Leadership Team gathered held their Annual Leadership Retreat which included a time of reflection, strategic planning, fellowship and fun! At the end of their time together the group, who is committed to equipping Godly women to be authentic change agents in the marketplace, had a new vision and written strategic plan for the coming year.

June Vital Connection

It was a fun and energetic morning for Marketplace Women of Orange County and guests at the most recent Vital Connections Breakfast on June 7th. After a delicious morning meal and coffee, each attendee had the opportunity to showcase their business, make new connections and build deeper business relationships. It was the perfect ending to this year’s Vital Connection lineup, as the group goes on summer hiatus. 

May Vital Connection

Marketplace Women of Orange County May Vital Connections Breakfast at the Wayfare HQ in Costa Mesa dove into the subject of Social Media. Member Amanda Jaimez shared tips, strategies and ideas for successfully navigating the various platforms. Everyone left with some fresh outlook on how social media can be used to promote brand and engage audiences. Everyone also left with some fun toys as a reminder to be creative, take a moment to relax and don’t be afraid to have fun as you integrate your professional, personal and spiritual lives!

Handout Answer sheet from Amanda Jaimez Social Media Strategie talk

1.#The Golden Circle
Why do you do what you do? This would be your cause, belief, or purpose.
How do you do what you do? This is specific actions taken to realize your why.
What do you do? This is the result of why. The proof.
2. Choose the networks that best support your brand.
Facebook
is considered great on all terms and in its own category because it allows for the most diverse traffic. Instagram and Pinterest are both options for brands that rely heavily on images. Linkedin and google+ are stronger choices for promoting business-related content and connecting with other business influencers such as an enginerring firm or real estate investment company. Snapchat and Twitter are both great for a vusiness such as a dance studio, yoga class, or media production company.
3. understand where less is more.
This looks like adding hyperlinks, social media icons to your web site and including your #handle or web link to all platforms so your audience can have easy access to all of your social media outlets.
4. Leverage Influence
Be a #affiliate or open your brand up to partner with affiliates.  Collaborate by teaming with other brands in your same sector to create incentive for your audience.  Consider #loop giveaways or contests.
5. Engage with purpose
Request to follow others and follow back. Interact with your followers. Understand your Brands frame-work. Know who your audience is.  Know best times to post.  Build an electronic press kit.  Create content that represent your brand.  And, educate your audience.
Resources:
http:www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action

 

April Vital Connection

Marketplace Women of OC Members and Guests greeted the morning with a delicious breakfast, energetic networking and the purposeful topic of “decision making” lead by member Trina Fleming.  Small group discussions were kicked off by four questions you can ask yourself when you don’t know what to do, based on the book “Your Move” by Andy Stanley. The morning was fun, lively and inspiring. One attendee shared, “I love starting my morning with business women who love the Lord!”

Letting Go

In a move to downsize, my husband and I have put our home of 14 years on the market. As an interior designer, I knew what to do to de-clutter and attract the right clients, so when the realtor brought along a professional home stager, I figured, “No problem.  A couple of tweaks here and there and we're done, WRONG! 
We get so used to all the things around us that hold our fondest memories, that we look right past them. They had to go.  I admit it was a big deal to let go of those mementos so that strangers could walk through our home.  Letting go of family pictures, books, art, even food items was like saying goodbye to family members. I now realize that I've kept some things because they helped fill a void. As empty nesters (with an occasional boomerang adult child temporarily living with us), we've felt the comfort of having our children's "things" with us as substitutes for them being with us.
The home stager was kind, but ruthless in telling us what should be put in storage and what could stay while showing our house to potential buyers. She even offered to help me pack for a small fee. And though I turned her down, it might have been less painful.
Who knew that emptying a curio would bring tears to my eyes? For instance, packing my angel collection brought sentimental thoughts of the gift giver or the vacation when I made the purchase. Taking down art pieces to my "designer's gallery" wall was like painfully moving me out of my home before actually selling it.
As I sit in my home now, I can think about the future more clearly. The anticipation of what could be in my husband's and my future is exciting. I am being forced to let go. It is time for the next family to make memories here. 

Mary Etta McCurdy
Window Fashions Certified Professional
714 974-6571
714 309-2783 cell
www.maryettadesigns.com

We've Got Your Windows Covered!

March Vital Connection

Marketplace Women of Orange County members and guests started the morning bright and early with breakfast and a girlfriend chat about finances! Because money is mentioned in the Bible more than 800 times, it simply cannot be ignored. Attendees had the opportunity to share in small groups some of the things that work for them, don't work for them, things they want to change and ideas to help those who do. It was a fun morning, filled with laughter, new information and inspirational sharing.