Luncheon Celebrating Women in Business – LCR

For Kalena James, the Heartland Women in Business Luncheon was an opportunity to network with other successful women, but it was also an opportunity to be recognized.

James was one of six women honored for their success in Indiana businesses Tuesday during the lunch, hosted by the Kokomo Tribune and Pharos-Tribune of Logansport. She is the founder and owner of the LCR Coaching Business Leadership Company in Kokomo.

The women were nominated for the award. Anyone can nominate a woman they think deserves the award. The women were chosen based on how they balance their career, family life and community involvement. Employees of both newspapers chose the six women who won the award this year.

Grace Ebikwo is a friend of James and attended the lunch to honor her. Ebikwo also brought her daughter, Favour, because she wanted to show her that women can be successful business owners.

Ebikwo said of her daughter. “The sky’s the limit.”

Favour Ebikwo is 19 and just about to start her freshman year at Indiana University Kokomo. Her mother said it was great to show Favour what her future can look like “It’s great to see everyday women who have taken great strides to come this far,” Grace Ebikwo said.

James’ husband, Vaughn James, also attended with their grandson, Jaden. “I think it’s very special that she’s being honored,” he said. “She works hard.”

Several local business owners attended the event and set up booths with merchandise and information about their businesses. Amber Noone attended and showcased her store, Bash Boutique, which carries women’s apparel, jewelry and candles. She opened the business two years ago because she wanted to do something meaningful. Kristy Church owns a toy store in Wabash. Her store sells several brands that support different causes or are environmentally friendly. For example, she sells Tegu toys, which are made in Honduras and support working families there, she said. The lunch was a good opportunity to meet other business owners and show off her store, she said.

Sharon Reed Corbett was the guest speaker for the event. She talked about the importance of finding mentors and being open to taking the next step in a career. “You did not get to this point in your life by yourself,” she said during her speech. She also talked about promoters and partners – people who either push people to be better, or people who hold others back. She encouraged everyone to think of the people who are for them, rather than against them. “I’m for you,” she said, wrapping up her speech.

Kokomo Tribune- Caele Pemberton