Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Of course. I’ll give you a steal of a deal, and I’ll even take them back to the shop tonight and put them in the cooler so they’re fresh for tomorrow.”
“Now you’re going to make me cry.” Charlie grins at me and nudges my shoulder with hers as we gaze around the full room. More women than we expected came out for our first party, and I’m relieved that so many people are excited. “I love this whole idea, by the way. The lifting up women in business idea. It’s not easy being a business owner, and I can’t wait to trade ideas with everyone.”
“Networking is highly underrated,” I reply with a nod. “There’s room for everyone to do well.”
“I’ll drink to that.” She lifts her flute of bubbly champagne and clinks it to mine just as Billie Blackwell joins us, a huge grin on her pretty face. “Hey, Billie.”
“Hi.” Billie shuffles self-consciously as Millie also walks over to join us. “I appreciate you including me tonight. I don’t own my own business. Yet.”
“Are you thinking of starting one?” Millie asks.
“Well, yeah. I was telling Brooks about it the other day, and he suggested I come to this tonight. I hadn’t even heard about it because I hate social media, and I’m so glad my brother mentioned it because you have London Ambrose speaking.”
“I can’t wait to hear her,” Millie agrees.
“What kind of business are you planning to start?” I ask Billie.
“Oh, a bookstore.” She smiles and shrugs a shoulder. “I’ll call it Billie’s Books, I think. Maybe Blackwell Books.”
“You could go for Double B Books, after your family’s ranch,” Millie suggests, but then shakes her head. “No. Call it Billie’s Books. Make it about you. It’s your vision.”
“I agree,” I add. “Also, I’ll be your first customer.”
“You know,” Millie says, tapping her chin in thought. “I have it on good authority that the business next to the coffee shop might be going out of business soon. What’s more perfect than a coffee shop and a bookstore, right next to each other?”
Billie’s eyes light up in excitement, and I see Erin gesturing for me to join her from across the room.
“Excuse me, ladies. You keep talking about this because it’s brilliant. I have to run over this way.” I cross to where Erin’s standing with London. “Hey, London, thank you for coming.”
“Oh, it’s completely my pleasure. Thanks for inviting me. I didn’t really prepare a speech, because I thought I would just give a little background on myself and then take questions. Is that okay?”
“Works great for me,” I assure her as Polly rushes over to join us.
“We’re ready when you are,” Polly announces.
“I’m ready,” London says and straightens her gray Chanel jacket. “Let’s inspire some women, friends.”
“May I have your attention?” Polly calls out, and the room immediately quiets. “Please, take your seats, and we will get started.”
There’s shuffling and some chatter as the women grab their seats. I see that Marion, the former owner of the coffee shop, is here. We have massage therapists and real estate agents and attorneys in attendance.
Abbi is almost vibrating with excitement as we join Polly.
“Thank you all for coming to our first Iconic Women’s Collective event,” Polly says, and we all smile as everyone erupts in applause. “I’m Polly Allen, the owner of Pocket Full of Polly, and I’m one of the five creators of this amazing collective.”
“I’m Summer Quinn,” I continue. “I own Paula’s Posey’s.”
“You may not have heard,” Millie picks up the introduction torch, “but I recently bought Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co from Marion. Oh, and I’m Millie Wild.”
“Hi, everyone,” Abbi says with a wave. “I’m Abbi Kastella. I own Bitterroot Valley Housekeeping Services.”
“And she’s an angel,” Charlie calls out. “My house has never been cleaner.”
“I need your number,” someone else calls, making Abbi grin.
“I happen to have business cards with me,” she says. “Hit me up later.”
“You should,” Erin says with a nod. “And last but not least, I’m Erin Wild. I’m a bookkeeper, and I’m in the process of getting our event space up and running out at Wild River Ranch. The five of us were having drinks together not too long ago, and with the courage of a little tequila, we decided that there is a need in our community to work together to build up other women entrepreneurs.”
“Agreed,” I put in as the others around the room nod. “I’m so tired of society telling us that we should be in competition with each other. Since when? There’s room at the table for all of us.”
“We all have strengths and weaknesses,” Polly continues. “And this is a wonderful way for us to network and help each other. The five of us are open books, and we’re happy to discuss just about everything.”
“Our goal is to bring in amazing guest speakers to talk to us as a group about what has worked for them or what hasn’t. To tell us their stories.” I smile over at London and gesture for her to join us. “At this inaugural meeting, I’m so delighted to introduce a powerhouse of a woman to all of you, London Ambrose-Montgomery. In case any of you have been living under a rock, London is the co-owner of Seattle’s professional football team, she owns a podcast, an amazing clothing boutique in New York, and does so much more than I can run down for you here. So, without further ado, please welcome London Ambrose-Montgomery.”