The Women's Forum of Coastal Virginia - Start Small, Grow Big

Start Small, Grow Big

Featuring: Lakesha Brown-Renfro and Jeanne Fiocca with Welcoming Remarks by Erica Spencer Minority Business Coordinator City of Hampton Department of Economic Development

• WHEN: Wednesday, February 6, 2019, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
• WHERE: Ruppert L. Sargent Bldg., Veterans Conference Rm., 1 Franklin St., Hampton, VA 23669*
• COST: $30 per person (includes lunch); $10 student discount
• *Parking: Free garage parking at 555 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23669

It's a new year and you have a grand plan for your business and life in 2019. But how do you carry that plan out?

Hear from two local businesswomen who bootstrapped their businesses and are now highly successful entrepreneurs in Hampton Roads. Was it easy? Absolutely not. Are there lessons to be shared? Definitely yes.

Join WFCV, in conjunction with the Minority Business Division of Hampton's Economic Development Department, for its first lunch gathering of the year and meet Jeanne Fiocca, owner of CookieText, and Lakesha Brown-Renfro, one of the owners of Mango Mangeaux: A Simply Panache Bistro.

Register today to join us for a unique luncheon and learn how Jeanne and Lakesha started their businesses small and grew them big. Discover how they cast a big vision, what they did to make their plans a reality, and hear the steps you can take to get what you want in 2019.

Get your tickets Today!

Questions? Contact programs@womensforumnetwork.com

Lakesha Brown-Renfro: With a jar of juicy mangoes, sugar, vanilla and lime juice cooked to preserve perfection, hand-stirred, hand-poured and hand-bottled, Lakesha Brown-Renfro and her business partners, Tanecia Willis and Nzinga Teule-Hekima have built an entrepreneurial empire. They started about 15 years ago as event planners who used their mango preserves as a catering ingredient. About 5 years ago, the mango preserves was launched into the food space as a gourmet mango preserve named 'Mango Mango' Mango Preserves. It started off modestly; however, modest was not to be the descriptor for Mango Mango for long. Eventually, the Mango Ladies (as Lakesha and her partners were nicknamed) held the distinction of owning a million-dollar company.

Jeanne Fiocca: After several years of being a stay at home Mom to three sons, Fiocca founded CookieText. CookieText frosts your special message on their homemade cookie cake and hand-delivers it for any occasion. They launched in 2011 with one flavor and one size, since then they've grown to offer 6 flavors, 4 sizes, and customers can even add on a balloon or include birthday candles. Every item is made from scratch and baked to order. Someone will receive one and think the idea is clever, then they take a bite and they are completely hooked. Plus the ease of the online ordering is convenient and the hand-delivery is the clincher. Where else can you order a personalized gift by 9pm for next day delivery for no extra charge?