Flagler County, FL – It’s been just over a year since the inception of The Boss Ladies, and founder Ana Reyes-Outzs stood back on Wednesday afternoon to take in all that has been achieved.
Celebrating with a luau party at Beach Front Grille in June, the party marked an official year for the group which has grown from 11 women meeting in her living room to hundreds of like-minded, business savvy entrepreneurs and career professionals engaging monthly in support, collaboration and relationship building.
“We went from 11 women to 379 women,” shared Reyes-Outzs. “I think there was a total need for connection, a total need for community and there’s a total need to bridge these relationships.”
The organization’s only requirements?
“Just make a connection, have a coffee with a woman you never met, and give back to the community,” she says.
Ready to embark on the year ahead, ladies from every walk of life and profession gathered at Clean Eats Kitchen in Palm Coast, where Boss Lady and entrepreneur Jodee Soltes and her son Joey Soltes operate a popular meal prep service. Being part of the group has brought not only extra exposure for her local business, but a myriad of new friends and colleagues.
“Clean Eats Kitchen which is a woman-owned business and we want to give back to people like this who make a difference in our community,” said Reyes-Outzs.
Staging a ‘Chair EXPO’, the unique concept allows every Boss Lady to pitch their business or sell their wares, bringing the business to the customers.
“At our Chair EXPO we have a chair to promote our business, to promote an event and to be able to share with the other ladies. Anything that fits in a chair, you get to (use to) promote your business. You get to put all your merchandise there, only the chair, and then you have one minute to sell yourself. Afterwards, we’ll be able to buy from each other or promote each other or just help each other out,” explained Reyes-Outzs.
Started on a smaller scale in January, Reyes-Outzs said it was a win-win during a month when people are often traveling and turnout can be lighter for meetings.
Giving Back to the Community
Each meeting of the Boss Ladies features a charity component, and Christmas Come True has found a special place in the hearts of the professional women, as it has in so many others, a compliment founder Nadine King doesn’t take lightly.
Receiving proclamations from the municipalities and county recognizing July as Christmas Come True month, it’s a full court press to kick off the holiday’s fundraising.
“It is amazing. We started this in 2009 in my guest bedroom, and this month has just been amazing for us. So many people are doing things to help us raise money for Christmas Come True,” said King, looking forward to the month’s final fundraiser presented by Ron Harlow at Adams, Cameron & Co. Realty on July 29th at the Palm Coast Community Center.
“This is Ron’s second time helping us to raise money and this year he’s putting it in the community center so we’re nice and air conditioned, and he’s got entertainment, food … it’s $20 to get in and that includes your food and two beverages, and there’s silent auction items,” said King. “Lots of people are donating to the silent auction items so I’m hoping people will be generous and give.”
It’s been slow, a trend King said is in line with last year, and with a goal of $150,000 in fundraising annually to meet the needs of Flagler County residents not only during the holidays, but throughout the year, she’s grateful for every dollar donated.
On Wednesday night, the Boss Ladies presented King with more than $700 in donations.
“I love Christmas Come True because we have over 500 families that need our help. It’s July, Christmas in July, so we thought this would be the perfect month to help Nadine King who is just rocking this business and helping the community, which is so necessary for us,” said Reyes-Outsz.
The Boss Ladies will host their next big event on September 18th at the Florida Agricultural Museum “Boss Ladies Vendor Fair” with food trucks, vendors, and more. Donations and dollars raised are slated for the Florida Agricultural Museum and two other select charities.
Featured Photo: The Boss Ladies founder Ana Reyes-Outzs (left) is joined by members Vanessa Cole and spotlight charity founder Nadine King, representing Christmas Come True, during the July meeting held at Clean Eats Kitchen in Palm Coast on Wednesday, July 20, 2021.
