~On Friday September 13th, 2019 I was invited to attend the Austin Woman Magazine's Seventeenth Anniversary luncheon alongside The Kindness Campaign. TKC is a non-profit organization that helps spread and encourage the message of kindness. Several weeks ago, I was asked to be an official ambassador for TKC and help encourage the message of kindness in my community and with those around me.
I immediately said “YES!!” without hesitation, I knew standing alongside these powerful and driven women was EXACTLY where I wanted to be.
Austin Woman Magazine was created to help empower and celebrate women. Whether you’re a business women who is kicking butt in the work place or a stay at home mom who keeps the household running, you are celebrated. Every month Austin Woman Magazine celebrates a new woman. They help inform others about her message and how she is impacting the world. Every woman is so different and unique in their own way, that’s what makes this magazine so inspiring. The latest issue of Austin Woman Magazine featured Kelly Wynne Ferguson, CEO and Designer of Kelly Wynne.
“Kelly Wynne empowers women to dream, dare and wynne with bold and purposeful designs. We strive to inspire joy and celebration in everyday moments.”
~Kelly also sat on the panel for the luncheon and spoke about her passions for empowering women of all kinds. She was asked what the definition of success meant to her, she quickly said “success looks different at all ages.” Getting quick praises and nods of agreement from the women of the room, she continued.
“We are not built for the mountain tops, we are built for the journey,”
this being a quote that Kelly lives by… she explains how we need to appreciate the journey towards our success rather than only reaching for what’s at the top. Being someone who has had my own journey towards bettering my health and reaching for the stars, I can easily relate to this statement. It is so easy to get wrapped up in only being successful if you finish the race, but we need to be proud and appreciate the trials and tribulations we go through in order to get there.
~Next on the panel was Mica May, CEO and Founder of May Designs. “May Designs is a lifestyle brand specializing in customized notebooks, stationery, and more! At our core, we are a team wanting to bring joy to the everyday moments in life.”
~Mica was Austin Woman Magazine’s May 2016 cover story. In the magazine she talks about knowing she wanted to create and design since a young age. She speaks about graduating Texas A&M University and going straight to NYC to live out her dreams. What I found so interesting about Mica was her unwavering love for her family. When asked a question, she never answered about herself. She always spoke about her family, most importantly… her children. When asked two words that describe herself, she said
“delight others, I want to leave my excellence with others and impact each and every person I come in contact with.”
Being able to think solely about others and their well being is such a kind and generous trait. Sometimes we forget that we are put on this earth to serve others, but not Mica. She works every day at impacting someone and that’s exactly what she built her business around.
~After Mica, we heard from Gigi Edwards Bryant. Gigi is an advocate for children, education, family and community. She was Austin Woman Magazine’s August 2011 cover story. Gigi is the epitome of a strong woman. During the luncheon, Gigi was not scared to open up about her childhood and struggles through the foster care system. She made it very clear that it made her strong and who she is. In the magazine she speaks about the rage she once had for the system. Now, it motivates her to reach for the stars. At the luncheon she was never ashamed nor sad about her circumstance but happy and overjoyed about how far she has come. When asked what her definition of success was, she stated
“success changes and its personal. Somedays it was about getting two feet on the floor and getting out of bed. Other days, it was about making change and moving mountains.”
While listening to Gigi talk, I couldn’t help but be in awe. Here was this woman who had every reason to feel as though she should give up, yet she never did. She pushed and persevered. She made it known that the circumstances she grew up in does not define her, I believe that’s important for everyone to know. Where you come from, what others say and think DOES NOT MATTER.
You are worthy, you can and you will.
~Lastly, we heard from Mellie Price, also known as Austin’s Accidental Entrepreneur. Mellie was Austin Woman Magazine’s March 2016 cover story. At a young age, Mellie taught herself about the world of computers, knowing one day the world of technology would take off. CEO and CO- Founder of Soft Match
“a revolutionary collective of diverse businesses and advisers representing more than 20,000 startups worldwide, for the purpose of strategic investment, merger and acquisition opportunities, and forging new and innovative partnerships.”
~Mellie had no problem keeping it real and speaking about love, life, and heartbreak. When asked what her definition of success was, Mellie said
“in my 20’s it was about proving myself to others. In my 30’s it was about finding myself. In my 40’s its been about having that greater sense of who I am deciding what I can do now. My 50’s, I am excited for what’s to come. Success is about the relationships I’ve built and how I have grown as a person.”
~When thinking about the answers all the woman gave, I realized what they all had in common.
Success is about growth.
About finding who you are. This question means so much to me, being able to hear different women who come from different backgrounds answer similarly to the way I did, brings me comfort in knowing that I am on the right path for me. Being able to attend and experience firsthand women supporting other women, left an impact and impression on my heart that will never go away. When I started Glam by Sam in 2017, my main goal was to let others know that YOU ARE BEAUTFUL AND UNIQUE in your own way. YOU ARE WORTHY AND CAPABLE. I took away the understanding and validation that
we women need to support one another. We are the future; we determine how future females will treat one another.
~Thank you to The Kindness Campaign for thinking about me and inviting me to such a powerful event. I am so honored to be apart of your kind tribe. Love you all, always.
XOXO,
Sam
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