Empowerment Event
Inspiring Moments at the Passing the Baton 'Derby Style' Retreat
This past weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Passing the Baton "Derby Style" Retreat as a vendor with a booth. Hosted by the Women of Wisdom (WOW) retreat group and spearheaded by Toya and Arzella, the event was a remarkable gathering of women empowering each other and sharing inspirational stories.
Held at the recently renovated Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, the venue was truly outstanding, adding an extra touch of elegance to the event. Toya and Arzella did an amazing job bringing together a group of women to listen to four phenomenal speakers, each sharing powerful messages about how they've blossomed in their personal and professional lives, including the businesses they have or work for. The decorations, gift boxes, food, and overall atmosphere were simply outstanding. You could clearly see the amount of preparation and effort these ladies put into making the event a memorable experience.
Despite the incredible setup, I was saddened to see that more women didn't take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the event and meet women from all walks of life. This was Toya's second year organizing this event, and I truly hope that more people will attend and take advantage of such an enriching experience next year.
After the speakers, we had the chance to visit the vendor tables and learn about the unique gifts and talents each of us brought to the event. The highlight of this experience for me was having my daughter by my side to help with my table. Watching and listening to her explain the Beexceptional DTC business and encouraging others to use my services to help individuals and businesses with technology was inspiring. At just nine years old, she confidently answered questions and showcased her understanding of our work.
I am immensely grateful to the WOW retreat group for providing me with the opportunity to expose my daughter to such a supportive and empowering environment. As we left the event, I looked back at my daughter, beaming with joy and proudly carrying all her swag from the booths. She looked at me and said, "This was the best day, Mom, and I'm so proud of you!"
Honored to share this moment with Toya N. McCracken, the visionary host of the Passing the Baton "Derby Style" Retreat, and owner of Balanced Boutique. Her dedication to empowering women truly shines through.
Waiting in the beautiful lobby of the venue, eagerly anticipating the event after we set up our vendor table.
