Meet Alysha Lockyer, she is the brains behind a new nonprofit that is dedicated to hosting events that aim to connect like-minded female entrepreneurs who share the unified vision: Together our strength and knowledge can make a difference. They are a network that encourages both business and personal growth with the goal of helping empower women currently in less fortunate situations.
She is Lioness’ Entrepreneur of the Day.
Your Name: Alysha Lockyer
Name of your company: Woman2Woman: Embody, Embrace, Empower
Title: Founder
City/State/Country: Toronto, Canada
Age: 31
What year was your company founded: 2014
Number of employees: Not For Profit – volunteers only.
What do you do? The organization hosts networking events which aim to bring like minded female entrepreneurs together in order to help promote each other while raising money for women in less fortunate situations. We have aligned ourselves with Nellie’s, a shelter for abused and homeless women and children.
Tell me a little about your background in working with women entrepreneurs? As a realtor and Lawrence Park community member with a background in Event Planning, I wanted to use my influence in the community and expertise to create an organization that gives back. Over the last year I have started to realize how many educated, hard working and talented women I have surrounding me. Many of which share an entrepreneurial mind set yet are still having difficulties growing their businesses to their true potential.
What makes your company unique? W2W is a unique organization that allows women of all different ages and backgrounds to come together with a shared vision: Together our strength and knowledge can make a difference. We are a network that encourages both business and personal growth with the goal of helping empower women currently in less fortunate situations.
Tell about some of your events and what women get out of it? Our first W2W Event was a three-hour-long event hosted at the Martha Hicks School of Ballet. I chose this venue since a studio allowed access to several different rooms. We had four active rooms running throughout the entire event, they included an educational seminar room, an interactive dance and fitness room, a beauty room with makeup consults and makeovers and a vendor room where local female business owners set up booths and sold inventory in hopes of promoting their individual businesses. The entrance fee was $25 plus a non-perishable food item, and all proceeds from the event went directly to Nellie’s a shelter for abused and homeless women and children.
As a woman, what would you say are some key things women need to be cognizant of when breaking into their respective markets? My personal thought on being a business owner is acknowledging that you are not alone. There are many women that experience the same challenges when starting a business. My philosophy on success is one that embraces our peers and colleagues. We should look to each other for support and acknowledge that we all have something unique to offer as opposed to competing with one another.
Do you think enough women are utilizing their network? Absolutely not. I created W2W to bring awareness to women about the strength we possess when we can put our egos aside and work together.
Why did you get into this type of work? In order to differentiate myself as a realtor (business owner) and because I thoroughly enjoy seeing hard working individuals succeed at their dreams. Not to mention, I feel we are very privileged individuals that have the ability to easily give back and show those in less fortunate situations that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.
If you could give some networking advice to our readers, what would it be? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and reach out. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share the positive outlook that we are working together not against one another.
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