WEKAN! EMPOWERS
EVENTS
2019 EVENTS INCLUDE:
1ST QUARTER
EmpowerHer Conference
Registration is now open
Learn more about this inspiring conference.
2ND QUARTER
Lunch and Learn
3RD QUARTER
Mixer
4TH QUARTER
Global Entrepreneurship Week Event
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Sponsorships available!
Contact us for details.
EMPOWERHER
Wichita's premier conference for women entrepreneurs
Special thanks to platinum sponsor:
Conference Agenda
8-8:25 AM
Registration & Check-in. Continental breakfast served.
8:30-8:45AM
Welcome/Call to Purpose
Marquetta Atkins
Founder, WeKan! and Camp Destination Innovation
Dr. Monica Stewart
Executive Director of Strategic Innovations
WSU Tech
Icebreaker Exercise: The Art of Escape
8:45-9 AM
Brandy Willett
WeKan! Committee Member
9-9:20 AM
Keynote Speaker
Christina M. Long
Owner/Principal Consultant
CML Collective, LLC,
President/CEO
Create Campaign, Inc.
9:20-9:55 AM
Inspire (Going from Idea to Action)
9:55-10 AM
Empowered Woman Award Presentation
Ms. Helen Galloway
The First Place
Women of Wichita
10-10:10 AM
Peer-to-Peer Mingling Break
10:10-10:40 AM
In Charge (How to Effectively Brand Yourself & Your Business)
10:40-10:55 AM
Peer-to-Peer Mingling Break
10:55-11:30 AM
Workshops. Choose from:
More Joy, Less Stress
Presented by:
Connie Porazka
Retreat to Joy
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The Appointments Project
Presented by:
Favel Jens
The Women's Foundation
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Ceiling Breakers LIVE
Presented by:
Renee Duxler
Ceiling Breakers
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Presented by:
Stacy Ward Lattin
Ceiling Breakers
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11:30 AM-12:30 PM
LUNCH by The Kitchen
12:35-1:10 PM
Workshop sessions repeat except The Appointments Project
Afternoon-only session:
Sales is Not a 4-Letter Word
Presented by:
Marc Colcord
Speakeasy ICT
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Presented by:
Brandy Willett
WeKan! Board Member
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1:30-2:05 PM
Invested (Venture Capital & Angel Investing)
2:05-2:30 PM
Collaborative Conversation & Survey
2:30-2:45 PM
Closing Remarks
2:50-3:50 PM
Michelle Vann
Founder/CEO
Sistahs Can We Talk
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Cocktail Hour hosted by Jenny Dawn Cellars
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ABOUT WEKAN!
WEKAN! (Women Entrepreneurs of Kansas) was founded by Marquetta Atkins who assembled a diverse group of women leaders to fill a gap in the local entrepreneurship community.
Powered by a spirit of collaboration and unity, WEKAN! continues to bring positive events and networking opportunities to help advance women entrepreneurs in Kansas.
WEKAN! FOUNDER
MARQUETTA ATKINS,
FOUNDER, WEKAN!
Marquetta Atkins is a community educator who brings her passion for working with youth and women's initiatives to the table as a facilitator. Born and raised in Wichita, KS, Marquetta and graduated with a degree in Communications from Wichita State University.
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Marquetta’s passion for youth development is rooted in her conviction that youth are the change-makers we need for the transformation of our communities, both today and in the future.
In 2015, she founded Camp Destination Innovation to expose young people to a variety of career options; encouraging them to create their own future. The camp also helps youth explore strategies for entrepreneurship and civic engagement, grounding their professional development in a larger vision for whole and healthy communities.
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Striving to eliminate the barriers facing young people and women as entrepreneurs, Marquetta created Women Entrepreneurs of Kansas (WeKan!), an initiative to support the growth and power of women entrepreneurs. Marquetta’s talented facilitation challenges people to question their own assumptions and dig deeper into critical awareness. Marquetta is a member of the Entrepreneurship Task Force and Evergreen Curriculum Committee. She is also the Community Resources Director for the non-profit organization, The Seed House. Inspired by Maya Angelou, Marquetta seeks to challenge dominant narratives and create the kind of world she wants to live in.
WeKan! Champions
Board Members
Brandy Willett
WeKan! Board member
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Michelle Vann
Sistahs Can We Talk
WeKan! Board Member
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Connie Porazka
Retreat to Joy
WeKan! Board member
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Jennifer McDonald
Jenny Dawn Cellars
WeKan! Board member
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Jordan Colcord
Lawn Buddy/CML Collective, LLC
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Committee Members
Angie Elliott
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
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Ashley Thill
Zernco
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Portia Portugal
Dress for Success
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Trish Brasted
Wichita Technology Corporation
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Claudia Amaro
AB&C Bilingual Resources, LLC
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Lindsay Zimmerman
Youth Entrepreneurs
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Marcia Stevens
Kansas SBDC
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Jocelyn Galicia
2U Auto
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Plus
Michelle Pfanenstiel - Great Western Bank
Natalie Reed- WeKan! Committee
Evy Andra- Bespoke Salon
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SUPPORT WEKAN!
WEKAN! relies on the generosity of sponsors and donors.
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Donations are kindly accepted. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, contact Marquetta Atkins.
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Want to offer your talent, skills and/or services to uplift women entrepreneurs. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate and partner, as well.
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LET'S CONNECT
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RESOURCES
WEKAN! recognizes there are many resources that exist to help women in entrepreneurship.
Select an organizational name to visit their websites.​
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Basic Resources
Membership Organizations
Specialty Resources
Connections
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