The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce hosted its second Women in Business, Lunch & Learn event on June 12 at its downtown Eatonton office, where more than 20 women showed up, ready to build a network and educate themselves.
“Two or three years ago, when we started to come to the data of our industries, we realized that at least 50% of our businesses, especially here in town, are female-owned, operated, or managed. And that was not being recognized,” Chamber President and CEO Maggie Milner declared in her introduction to the event. “So, we're trying to find ways to be able to honor all of you wonderful women today.”
Guest speaker Amy Maguire, owner and founder of The Well at Lake Oconee, was introduced by Rachael Bradley, E-P Chamber's public relations director. Maguire’s talk, “You Can Have It All … Maybe Not at the Same Time,” focused on self-reflection through numerous exercises. She also brought her book, with a copy given to each attendee.
First, Maguire discussed walking with purpose. She tied her four pillars for happiness: family, friends, faith, and work to one’s purpose.
“The first two are just about relationships. For you to walk with purpose, you have to have that relationship, not only with yourself, but with the right people,” Maguire explained.
“The third is faith. Not necessarily faith in God, but faith in a greater being,” she continued.
She added that “work” does not necessarily mean vocational; it just gives extra purpose and meaning to life. “Work can be volunteering, raising a child, or starting a new job,” Maguire said. “Work is a category that is defined by you.”
Then, she asked everyone to consider what values were personally important.
“Values are those guiding principles that determine your actions. Values are those words or phrases that help you decide who you’re going to be,” she said.
For herself, Maguire said she chose respect, love, and service for herself. Everyone was asked to write down their top values in life. Later, they were asked to volunteer and share what they had written. Some values mentioned were perseverance, fairness, and honesty. Those who shared were also encouraged to discuss how these values connect with their purpose in life.
Next, Maguire discussed seasons in life.
“There are dark, cold, snowy days; there are valleys; there are mountains; there are beautiful spring days; there are summers full of walking; and what is that season of life?” she asked.
“There's a season of life where maybe you’re having a child, a season where you’re somewhat sick. There are those days when you feel great about what you’re doing and when you’re not so sure. Those are all seasons of life,” she continued.
“How do you define what those seasons are? How do you live through them when they're really bad, or really good? How do you surround yourself with people that help you reach the goals, or help you get in and out of those seasons?”
Maguire later invited everyone to introduce themselves and say what season of life they feel they are currently living in, along with anything else they wanted to share.
“I moved here a little less than two years ago,” one attendee said. “Everything here is a little more slowed down, which has been nice, and it also was very challenging for me to kind of slow things down when I first got here. But it’s been very welcoming to become part of this community.”
The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce hopes to continue this series so that local women can foster a supportive community where they can thrive professionally.