An event designed to give women an opportunity to enrich their lives and broaden their experiences drew about 200 attendees Wednesday to Chateau de Pique Winery and Brewery in Seymour.
The Jackson County Women’s Conference, organized by the Jackson County Chamber, also serves as a way to empower women and provide them with opportunities to network with each other.
This year’s keynote speaker was intuitive life coach Melinda Miller, owner of Indianapolis professional organizing business Miller Organized.
After 10 years in the professional organizing industry, Miller shifted her direction into life coaching after listening to a podcast about accountability partners — people who support others to keep a commitment or maintain progress on a desired goal.
“I posted on the National Association of Organizing Professionals message board that I was looking for an accountability partner, but no one replied,” Miller said. “I checked back later, and over 40 people had responded, so I had to decide what I was looking for.”
She wanted someone who would be honest, respect her boundaries, maintain confidentiality and not judge her. Miller also wanted someone with whom she could have a friendship-type flow but not really be a friendship because it was all about her business and professional goal setting.
“When I went from my organizing business to my coaching business, I got together with another coach also launching her business,” she said. “So we became each other’s accountability partner and walked each other through all the steps.”
Miller also spoke about goals and how she allowed herself to fail, pivot and change directions.
“Looking at goals from a different perspective, think about what is possible,” she said. “Think about what you would do if you knew you couldn’t fail. It’s a way to trick my brain into trying things I wouldn’t normally try.”
She said the dream, the desire and the goal is not the journey. It’s the destination and the growth that we gather and put to use as we move along. It’s the feeling and the passion that you get that really helps you explore.
“I sort of see my life as going through a cafeteria line,” Miller said. “Imagine going into the seventh grade cafeteria for the first time and you don’t know where to sit and you don’t know anybody.”
She said there is the cool kids table, but you can’t sit there, and the smart kids have their table and there are many other tables along with many reasons why either they or you tell yourself that you can’t sit down at that table, but yes, you can.
“Nobody gets to tell you what table you can sit at, just like you have no right to tell anybody else what table they can sit at,” Miller said. “So really firmly, confidently take a seat at the table, and I encourage each and every one of you to think about what’s possible and go for it.”
Miller reminded attendees their kids, spouse and friends are watching them, and she encouraged them to “be that light” and that person who’s really showing up and stepping into her own power.
Other speakers were Kelly Trask, owner of Nash Icon and BK Media Solutions; Brenda Carter, an experienced wife and mother; and Jake Stice, owner of Amazing Graze.
Pewter Hall catered the event, providing morning brunch and an afternoon dessert bar. Throughout the day, attendees could browse and shop at 14 different vendor booths.
Cummins Seymour Engine Plant employee Sarah Helm said she attended the conference a couple of years ago and came back this year with a group of women from work.
“One thing I enjoy about this event is meeting everyone,” Helm said.
Jacque Greathouse and Vicki Moore with Edward Jones in Seymour were at the conference for the first time.
Greathouse said she came for the networking but was most excited for the speakers.
Moore said, “I’m the same and looking forward to hearing the speakers.”
Roberta West and Liz McCoy with RBSK Partners PC in Seymour also attended event.
McCoy said they opened their Seymour office in December, and the owner is from the Seymour area but couldn’t be at the event, so she and West attended in her place.
“This is my first time coming to this, and I love getting to come to a women’s conference,” McCoy said. “I feel like there’s so much knowledge and experience.”
West said it’s a good opportunity for networking, and she was enjoying the fact the event was being held outside on a beautiful day.