The SSW held its inaugural "Successful Women's Super Bowl Luncheon" luncheon on January 29th, celebrating successful women in both sports and business. Guests included women working with the National Football League, celebrities, public officials, wives of NFL players and female business leaders from the Tampa Bay area and across the country.
Our fabulous keynote speaker was Ms. Sheila Johnson, successful entrepreneur and impassioned philanthropist. Our wonderful emcee was Gayle Sierens, Florida Emmy Award co-anchor of News Channel 8's Live at 5, 6 and 11PM newscasts. Our successful women panelists were Miray Holmes; Director of Community Relations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tammy Levent; President/CEO of Elite Travel and Veronica Sullivan; Principal and Founder of Exclusive Properties & Investments, and Exclusive Events, LLC.
The luncheon menu, created especially for us by award winning Executive Chef Rusty Evers, began with a wonderful Key West Shrimp Salad with Baby Greens, Toasted Almonds and Herbed Goat Cheese accompanied by Key Lime Vinaigrette while our Publisher and host, Shawna Vercher, welcomed the successful women in attendance, and introduced the event emcee, Ms Sierens.
Over an entree of Panko Crusted Organic Breast of Chicken, Jasmine Rice and Sugar Snap Peas with Ginger Citrus Sauce, Ms. Johnson updated us on her current projects, her burgeoning resort empire and her work with CARE. She told us about her early struggles and frustrations in starting her business, she explained how she became the owner of multiple professional sports teams and she shared some personal stories about meeting her husband and her pride in her children's achievements. Magnanimously, Ms. Johnson also imparted some invaluable advice on hiring, firing and who to listen to....and of course, who not to listen to!
Over a decadent desert of Florida Strawberry Shortcake with Amaretto Whipped Cream we heard our distinguised panelists discuss doing business with the NFL, athletes and celebrities - and how to reach them; the importance of philanthropy and giving back; the necessity of having a mentor (and the best one to have - a point on which they all agreed!) and the overall best way to make sales.
Important business advice was willingly dispensed and lessons were gratefully learned.
....all while raising over $20,000 for the NFL-YET centers.
