THE CONFERENCE FOR HIGH IMPACT WOMEN
GET CHICAGO TICKETS
meet fellow women-owned businesses that can help you level up in your career
FOCU$ED IS FINALLY HERE
…and it is brought to you by real legit successful female founders
we’re not doing fluff. we’re not wasting time. we’re giving you tricks, tips & hacks.
Need more info? Here’s a taste…
2 Epic Fireside Chats
20 Inspiring Speakers
10 Mentor Tables
Business Marketplace
Complimentary Headshots
Coffee + Grab & Go Snacks + Boxed Lunch + Bevs
EPIC Networking and Happy Hour to Close the Day
Panels, Sessions, Q&As!
click to find out more about our Boost your Businss Giveaway in partnership with KNOW Cares
The best part of FOCU$ED was being surrounded by successful business owners who have been there and done it. They shared invaluable insights and nuggets of wisdom that I can use to become a successful business owner myself.
-Nicole Peternel, Former FOCU$ED Attendee
The FOCU$ED Conference, powered by KNOW is back for a 5th year! Join us for an explosive day on business building, growing and scaling.
Grab your business besties… bring your business cards… and get ready to make that money, honey!
and that’s not all…
BOOST YOUR BUSINESS GRANT IS BACK
KNOW Cares, in partnership with KNOW Women, is honored to announce a $50,000+ grant opportunity filled with cash and services for three female-founded businesses in fast growing early stages.
Friday, September 25th, 9am-2pm
**see you back at 6p for our After Party & KNOW Chicago Volume Two Launch Party
Foundry Rooms
700 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654
KNOW is committed to connecting high-achieving women and helping take their businesses to the next level. FOCU$ED is a catalyst for expansion, connection, and up-leveling. It’s THE PLACE for women in 0-5 years in business or $0-500k in revenue.
20 SPEAKERS | 10 MENTORS | $50,000 GRANT GIVEAWAY
Your Hosts
Sarah Benken Foushee
BRITTANY ACEVEDO
YOUR SPEAKERS
WENDY PAIGE STERLING
The NEW EI™ (ENERGETIC INTELLIGENCE)
.
RAVEN WATSON
SERIAL HEALTH CARE ENTREPRENEUR
.
CARI KENZIE
SCALING & EXIT EXPERT
.
KHALIAH MOODY
STEADY STRIDES BEHAVORIAL SOLUTIONS
.
KAITLYN LANEY
TREK WEALTH SOLUTIONS
.
DEBBIE VAN OOTEGHEM
THE ART OF TELLING YOUR STORY
Consultant with 25 years in advertising & marketing serving like H&R Block, Nestlé, Kraft, Hallmark, Sara Lee, Delta Airlines, and Disney
LEORA CONWAY
THE ART OF TELLING YOUR STORY
Vice President of Development at Union League Boys & Girls Clubs with 20+ years leading philanthropy, partnerships, and organizational growth
JENN BARRY
THE ART OF TELLING YOUR STORY
Chief Administrative Officer at Aaron Wealth Advisors, helping families preserve wealth and build lasting legacies.
MICHELLE MEKKY
GET SEEN, GET HEARD: MASTERING MEDIA & PITCHING
Founder & CEO of Mekky Media Relations and award-winning former FOX Chicago Senior Producer
LAUREN PAIGE WOULARD
GET SEEN, GET HEARD: MASTERING MEDIA & PITCHING
Founder of The CultuHER and communications executive behind brands like MTV, Paramount, Showtime, and OWN.
MICKEY COFFINO
MAKE THAT MONEY HONEY: DIVERSIFY YOUR REVENUE
30+ year serial entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of Generational Health
CHIARA FIGEROA
MAKE THAT MONEY HONEY: DIVERSIFY YOUR REVENUE
10+ years driving growth in cosmetics and retail, Owner of The Skin & Make Up Institute
TRACY FTACEK
MAKE THAT MONEY HONEY: DIVERSIFY YOUR REVENUE
Serial entrepreneur who built, scaled, and exited multiple seven-figure businesses
CONSTANCE JONES
MONEY MOVES: FUNDING YOUR BUSINESS & MAKING THE ASK
President & CEO of HJ Staffing connecting government, healthcare, and institutional clients with top talent
LESLEE COHEN
MONEY MOVES: FUNDING YOUR BUSINESS & MAKING THE ASK
Managing Partner of AllRise Legal Counsel, helping startups raise capital, scale, and achieve successful exits
LISA MARCEAU
MONEY MOVES: FUNDING YOUR BUSINESS & MAKING THE ASK
Helping organizations navigate growth, transformation, and innovation at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business
DEBBIE RABISHAW
HR: SOLVING YOUR PEOPLE PROBLEMS
Founder and Principal of Next Step Advisory, a fractional HR consulting firm
CARI KENZIE
ALL THINGS SCALING
Strategic advisor to high capacity founders scaling towards exit
MICHELLE MEKKY
GET PRESS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Award-winning former broadcast journalist and founder of Mekky Media Relations
CRYSTAL HADNOTT
PERFORMANCE HABITS, AVOIDING BURNOUT & RESILIENCE
1B Captial Leader, 200+ Marathon Finisher, Olympian
DEB PURVIN
BUILDING A PROFITABLE FOUNDATION
Grew & exited 2 businesses to $100M, former banker lending $2B, teaching women how to build successfully
ARI KRZYZEK
MEET CHYKALOPHIA IN THE BUSINESS MARKETPLACE FOR BRAND & WEB STRATEGY
WENDY PAIGE STERLING
MEET THE SACRED FEMININE CEO IN THE BUSINESS MARKETPLACE
ALLISON CUMMINGS
MEET BLUE OUTCOMES IN THE BUSINESS MARKETPLACE FOR STRATEGY & OPERATIONAL CHANGE
LESLEE COHEN
MEET LESLEE IN THE BUSINESS MARKETPLACE FOR YOUR LEGAL CHECK UP
STEPHANIE LONG
MEET STEPHANIE MARIE MARKETING IN THE BUSINESS MARKETPLACE FOR ALL THINGS SEO
RAVEN WATSON
MEET RAVEN WATSON IN THE BUSINESS MARKETPLACE TO LEARN ABOUT DIVERSIFYING REVENUE
THE AGENDA
Morning Session:
Doors Open | Mingle | Coffee & Bites | Visit the Marketplace + Headshots
Conference Opening with Sarah Benken Foushee, KNOW Founder
Panel: Strut Your Stuff: The Art of Telling Your Story
Panel: Get Seen, Get Heard: Mastering Media and Pitching
Fireside Chat – TBA
—Mentor Power Hour | Visit Marketplace + Headshots—
—lunch break —
Afternoon Session:
Afternoon Welcome Back
Fireside Chat – TBA
Panel: Money Moves: Funding your Business & Making the Ask
Panel: Make that Money Honey: Diversify your Revenue
Announce the Winner of the Boost Business Grant
2:30p – Main Programming Ends
see you back at 6p for our After Party & KNOW Chicago Volume Two Launch
SAVE YOUR SPOT
Maybe… you’re struggling to hit your goals, you’re new to the business game and still trying to figure it out, you’re in high-growth mode and need to hire quick, you’re dying to expand but not quite sure of the right steps to take – or – you’re lonely and want meet fellow ambitious women that get the growth mindset…
It’s NOW your chance to get in the room!
VIP Tickets are limited! Don’t miss out on up-front seating, speaker meet & greets, and an exclusive happy hour!
Access to all programming, including the panels, fireside chats, and mentor power hour
Complimentary headshot to elevate your personal brand
Coffee, bites, boxed lunch, snacks & bevs to keep you fueled throughout the day
Access to the curated business marketplace for the business services you need right now!
A happy hour wrap party to finish the day with your new business besties
A journal to jot down all of your ideas
Everything included in the General Admission Ticket PLUS:
An high vibe happy hour the night before, with special guest speakers
Reserved upfront main stage seating
An EPIC swag bag filled with women-owned products & goodies
not an INSIDER? Subscribe for $6.99/mo & get 20% off your ticket
Want to see if this is the right room for you? Here are some more details so you know what to expect!
Ready to level up your business? Here’s what’s waiting for you:
1.1 / Instant takeaways: from dynamic workshops, panels, and breakout sessions.
1.2 / Straight talk, no fluff: Learn foundational strategies from women who built it, sharing how you can get there faster.
1.3 / Powerhouse panels: covering essential topics like finance, branding, scaling, tech, and more.
1.4 / Connections that count: Curated networking to expand your circle and propel your goals.
1.5 / A closing happy hour to mix and mingle with future collaborators and industry titans.
1.6 / Plus, a Mentor Power Hour for personalized group insights on the topics you care about most!
THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU, IF YOU’RE:
1.1 / A business owner, founder, or freelancer at any phase of your journey seeking education and community
1.2 / Ready to get FOCU$ED on your foundation to ensure growth at your next level of business
1.3 / Looking to connect and network with likeminded ambitious women
1.4 / Wanting to find a mentor to take your business to the next-level
1.5 / Ready to find everything you need for your business in one place
1.6 / Excited to gain the tools to help you crush your goals and end the year strong
1.7 / Dying to be with women from across the city and the US who have built BIG businesses
BUSINESS MARKETPLACE
The FOCU$ED Conference has all of the services you need for your business NOW! Think branding experts, business coaches, financial experts, web designers, and more!
click the button or email to hello@theknowwomen.com
SEE WHAT THE FORMER ATTENDEES ARE SAYING...
brought to you by our partners…
LOOKING TO PARTNER?
we are currently only searching for grant funders, mentors, business owners with proven success, event vendors, & businesses for the marketplaces.
if that’s not you, grab your ticket, apply for the grant, & get in the room!
sometimes is good to be the student
speaker applications for KNOW Members can be found HERE
