Conference aims to be 'Catalyst' in women's lives

SANDPOINT — A new partnership is resulting in a new women's conference next month that aims to cover everything from financial and legal issues to practical business systems and brand marketing.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and WaFd Bank are partnering with Alisha Kowalski of 7B Happy and Dr. Jennifer Steinbachs of Syringa Wellness to host "Catalyst: Women Entrepreneurs Driving Change," an educational all-day women’s conference on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center. 

“This conference has been a dream of mine for three years as a result of listening to the experiences of many local women," sid Alisha Kowalski, assistant branch manager at WaFd Bank, certified happiness and life coach with 7B Happy, and founder of the Sandpoint Women’s Group. "I envisioned Catalyst as a place where women could move beyond inspiration and leave with something tangible ― a clearer business direction, a 90-day action plan, the beginnings of a business plan, and a better understanding of what it takes to become financially and funding-ready."

The conference is for women at work in the greater Sandpoint area and beyond ― business owners and employees alike. It is built around a single practical question: Why do capable women consistently undercharge, underbuild, and underprotect in their business ― and what actually changes that? The conference will comprise meaningful panel discussions and deep-dive breakout sessions covering financial, legal, brand marketing, practical business systems, and more.

The chamber believes that supporting women in business is about more than professional success, Greater Sandpoint Chamber executive director Joan Urbaniak said of why the organizing got involved. 

"It is about building relationships and creating a community where people cheer each other on. It is about celebrating the woman who finally opens the doors to her first storefront, the professional who takes on a leadership role, the entrepreneur who turns an idea into a successful company, and the mentor who takes time to help someone coming up behind her.

Sandpoint is fortunate to have so many talented and resolute women contributing to our community. 

"The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to help create opportunities for even more women to connect, collaborate, and succeed," Urbaniak said.

To register, visit sandpointchamber.org.