“I wanted to rub elbows with local professionals, make friends outside of my once-narrow social circle, and do good for my community,” said Kat Calhoun, independent sales representative for Park Printing. “I found all that and more in the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Women's Committee.”
“I fell in love with the group’s vision and energy almost as soon as I joined it,” said Erica Roelike, owner of Elevate Results Consulting. “I’d started to feel disengaged from the world during my first busy year as a business owner, and quickly appreciated how many convenient opportunities to socialize the Women’s Committee provides.”
Networking breakfasts. Business luncheons. Golf clinics. Annual celebrations, like the fascinator-packed Kentucky Derby happy hour. If it brings women closer together so they can form friendships, forge alliances, and inspire one another – whilst simultaneously advancing some philanthropic mission, such as raising money for PROP Food Shelf or Eden Prairie Schools – then the Women’s Committee is already all over it.
Of course, one particular quarterly event reigns supreme.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anyone when you first show up,” said Kat. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t give a fig about commerce. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t like purses. Purse Bingo always fills up Fat Pants Brewing Co. before the first ball is called, because it is always a blast!”
“This probably comes as no surprise, but the Women’s Committee mainly focuses on women-centric programming,” added Erica. “With that being said, we’re always happy to welcome any man to our events – especially to Purse Bingo, where he may just discover his newest favorite fashion accessory.”
I have been to Purse Bingo and confirm it is an absolute hoot: an evening steeped in premium suds and fraught with good-spirited competitiveness, where there are multiple examples of what I have been given to understand are highly desired purses up for grabs. And although my own body glows white hot with it at all times, I did note a distinct lack of male energy in the room.
“Speaking strictly from my own experience – and as someone who works in a traditionally male-dominated industry – I’ve found that I come out of my shell a little more easily at women-focused events,” said Kat. “It’s like … everyone’s actually listening instead of just waiting for their turns to speak, you know?”
“Surface-level connections are easy to make,” said Erica. “The Women’s Committee specializes in creating those much rarer and more valuable deep connections. Show up as a stranger, and it won’t be long until you count a lot of new people as friends. You’ll root for each other. You’ll celebrate big achievements. You’ll start ‘lifing’ together!”
“I encourage anyone to come check out any of our events,” added Kat. “You’ll surround yourself with people who want you to succeed and are eager to help you do it. The entrepreneurial energy we radiate is just so inspiring. It’s the perfect cure for the alienating times we all live in.”
Reach out to Kirsten Barott at kirsten.barott@epchamber.org or (952) 944-2830 for information about the Women’s Committee or to join the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce. Visit EPChamber.org to learn more!
"You’ll root for each other. You’ll celebrate big achievements. You’ll start ‘lifing’ together!”