Where female entrepreneurs join together
Founding Females | Central Illinois
Founding Females | Central Illinois
Event Details
Founding Females | Central Illinois is an annual 1-day women’s conference focused on productive dialogue about how to build a better business. We invite speakers full of wisdom and facilitate action-oriented roundtables.
In collaboration with SCORE Peoria, mini mentoring sessions are available for attendees to meet 1:1 with a seasoned business owner who can pour out wisdom and provide guidance for where to go next.
This event means momentum for female entrepreneurs. It means helping women grow businesses of impact. It means community, and the trickle up that comes with it. The crashing sound of glass ceilings breaking. Unbridled ambition. Female businesses changing the world, starting with a dream, an idea, a simple 'yes'.
This event means showing up for yourself. For your customers who need your idea. For changing your family tree. If you're ready to revamp the trajectory of your life, come with us.
What to expect
Each ticket includes:
1 Admission ticket into the Founding Females | Central Illinois event on October 1st
Party bag filled with coupons and resources inside
1 Lunch ticket
Entry into giveaways announced all day long
Inclusion in networking opportunities with other Founding Females in a variety of industries, backgrounds, and geographic locations
Inclusion in Expert Speaker presentations carefully curated for women all along their entrepreneurial journey
Optional inclusion in breakout Mini Mastermind brainstorming sessions with the problem solving premise, “What challenge are you currently facing in your business and how can this community help you through it?”
Start Your Business 101 mentoring with actionable resources and encouraging guidance for women interested in launching the business dream on their heart
Event Timeline
Wondering how much time to schedule for the conference?
Doors open at 9:30a with an optional networking hour from 9:30-10:30. Opening remarks begin at 10:30 and the event will run until 4:30p.
2022 Event Photos
Thank you to the incredible Jess Buhs for capturing our day!
Praise from Attendees, Sponsors, and Vendors
“As a group of us were saying our goodbyes, one mentioned that when you do this again next year that you will already need to find a larger venue, as it will grow like wildfire. Just know that we all feel your support.”
— Bethany Fosdyk, Bushbaby
“Great job with the Founding Females event today. I really enjoyed meeting so many phenomenal women. My only regret was that I had to leave a bit early.”
— Angela Fritch, Owner of Fritch Heating and Cooling and 2022 Event Sponsor
“Great prices. Lots of value.”
— Anonymous event survey response
“Change nothing. It was great”
— Anonymous event survey response
“Nice and open- loved the selfie room and the area set up for purchases”
— Anonymous event survey response
“I thought the price was very much worth it!!”
— Anonymous event survey response
“Overall AMAZING experience! So uplifting and inspiring!”
— Anonymous event survey response
“I will eagerly walk beside you on your mission!”
— Diane Russell, PNC Manager & Event Panelist
“Wonderful event Francie! So proud of you…and happy for you! You Go Girl!”
— Kathryn Spitznagle
“I just love what you are doing and I love the community you are growing. I was blessed to attend a few lipsticks and lattes and to see where this community has grown to is incredible!! I’d like to be a part to see how I can help support.”
— Michelle White, Owner of Captivation Dance Studio
“It was amazing! Loved it. Thank you!”
— Anonymous event survey response
“It was a great event. I truly learned a lot and look forward to making connections in the future.”
— Anonymous event survey response
“A beautiful space and wonderful location to inspire women!”
— Anonymous event survey response
“Really good! I took advantage of early bird pricing and it is worth every penny for sure. So well done!”
— Anonymous event survey response
Join us on October 1, 2023!
She believed she could, so she did.
Learn. Connect. Inspire. Founding Females | Central Illinois means empowerment for entrepreneurial females of all ages, backgrounds, and industries.
This 1-day monumental women’s event hosted:
Actionable entrepreneurship empowerment presentations presented by industry experts
Local area female-run business booths so you can engage in dialogue about their business
Breakout Mini Mastermind brainstorming sessions with savvy peers led by influential entrepreneurs
A chicly curated staged office space inside The Cannery to capture your next headshot
A Start Your Business 101 sessions with actionable resources and encouraging guidance for women interested in launching the business dream on their heart
Party bag for every attendee with coupons and resources inside
1 Ticket for a drink
1 Ticket for lunch
Entry into several female entrepreneur giveaways
Sponsorship support carefully selected for their ability to help female entrepreneurs thrive
A ‘choose your own’ donation for young females 15 and under accompanied by a ticketed adult so we can all be the village helping raise the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
Become empowered with Founding Females | Central Illinois as an event attendee or as an event sponsor.
2022 Founding Females Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
“When one of us makes a breakthrough, we kick down the door and let others in.”
— Jo Saxton on Women Supporting Women
Event Goals
CONNECT - Create a network of female business connections who uplift, empower, and inspire one another toward business success.
EDUCATE - Provide space and opportunity for engagement for a free flow of knowledge to circulate generously and organically.
EMPOWER - Meet attendees where they are in their own business journey. Provide resources in the form of presentations, connections, problem solving, and guidance that transform their businesses and propel their tangible processes and profitability.
Event Components
Empowerment Speakers
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Take Your Next Headshot
Every female entrepreneur needs a headshot she can brand her online presence and marketing material with. That’s why we’re offering chicly curated staged office space inside LOFTIE’s Selfie Room to capture your next headshot. Fun or serious, bright colored or minimalist, you’ll have what you need to put your best face forward.
Party Bag for Every Attendee
What’s inside the black bag? Only the most empowering resources, coupons, and surprises for every attendee with a General Admission ticket!
Female-run Business Booths
We have lots to feel proud of when it comes to female entrepreneurship in Central IL. Over 25 female-run small businesses will be available to talk with you about their business experience, insight, and product or service offering.
Mocktails and Lunch
Each guest will receive one ticket for a drink and one ticket for lunch. Please be sure to share food allergies in the short from at checkout.
Mini Mastermind Brainstorming
We’re offering two mini mastermind brainstorming breakout sessions. Gather to learn from peers, ask questions, and push one another through business challenges, all facilitated by a female entrepreneur with a proven track record for success.
‘Start Your Business 101’
If you’re just getting started, you’re in the right place. Girl, we’ve got you covered with a booth dedicated to offering resources, guidance for all your questions, and encouraging support to take the leap into starting your own business.
*Giveaways*
What would an empowerment event be without the excitement of surprise giveaways!? Each guest with a General Admission ticket will be entered upon arrival into giveaways announced throughout the event. The longer you stay, the better chance you have of winning one of our amazing prizes!
Founding Females® Central Illinois
Next Event: October 1, 2023