Dana: I love everything about collaboration over competition. I am very passionate about people supporting each other through networking & building relationships. As a business owner & hard-working woman, I feel that I am constantly trying to do my best to deliver what my client/guest is wanting/needing. I am always striving to do my best to grow and evolve, so for me, surrounding myself with like-minded women (& men), sharing ideas, (SOS) just makes sense & gives an added layer of confidence & next level thinking. It provides a sense of community that is important for our overall wellbeing.

Kassidi: I am so grateful to have had the most amazing mentor in Omaha who constantly built me up, and continues to do so from states away! WEW is doing this on a larger scale. It’s a platform for women to connect, create both business and personal relationships, and thrive in that support.

Dana: I have had so many over the course of the last 20+ years. I have lived in several cities throughout the Midwest, while recruiting & building relationships to help introduce & grow a corporate retail/salon business. At the time, I had no idea how impactful some of those relationships would be nor the spread of the network I was building. I continue to keep in contact with many of the friends, colleagues, and business partners to this day. We’ve shared many successes & struggles over the years. I’ve been extremely blessed & am forever grateful!

Kassidi: At WEW in Edwardsville I met a woman named Tara Hurst. I’d asked for realtor introductions, and while she wasn’t a realtor or in my line of business at all she asked me to coffee where she said she felt called to help me. We instantly connected on a deeper level at this coffee date, as she’s one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met. She introduced me to roughly 10 realtors she happened to know, and became a dear friend.

Dana: I am a licensed cosmetologist, licensed 500 hour yoga instructor, as well as a licensed Realtor in the state of Illinois. I am actively involved in networking events & continuing education in each of these professional areas. I have been invited to speak at multiple Cosmetology schools, as well as help teach 200 hour yoga instructors in the area. I am also an active member of Christ Church in Fairview Heights currently volunteering as a weekly greeter.

Kassidi: Edwardsville Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce