Events

Event Recap: Erica’s Table of 20!

Samantha Denäe

Event Recap: Erica’s Table of 20!

by Samantha Denäe

If you missed Erica’s Table of 20 event this past weekend then you missed inspirational stories, priceless visions coming into fruition, and just an all-around great time!

Erica’s Table of 20, hosted by Erica Dias of The B Firm PR, showed 20 ladies a good time while eating healthy and delicious food choices from the Neiman Marcus Café, partaking in a host of deserts from Treats by Jessica & Candy’s Sweets n Treats, and listening to the inspirational journeys of Janee Bolden, Deputy Editor of Bossip.com, and MiMi J, celebrity makeup artist!

Erica Dias of The B Firm PR

The afternoon began with guests networking amongst each other and engaging in small conversations until the hostess, Erica, introduced herself, the purpose of Erica’s Table of 20, which was started to create a platform for individuals to understand their purpose, and the guest speakers of the event. To sit in a room with women who are doing what it takes to fulfill their destiny and taking the necessary steps to obtain their dreams was powerful to say the least.

Janee Bolden, the event’s first guest speaker and Deputy Editor of Bossip.com, journey to success was a humbling one. Bolden, who is from Iowa, attended NYU and decided the career path she wanted to take was that of being an author. After beginning a writing career with SOHH in New York she decided to move to Atlanta and began to also write for XXL magazine. She then moved to L.A. and started a writing job with The Source. After spending some time in L.A. she decided to move back to Atlanta stating that she “knew that it was more” for her in the growing media town. The move back to Atlanta was a “humbling experience” as she had to stay with a cousin and once the recession hit in 2008 she lost her job at SOHH and went from being paid to as low as 25 cents a word for her work. In the beginning, Bolden did not see herself as being a blogger but after having the chance to work with a dynamic boss that all changed. After starting her job with Bossip things took off for her and the site. Since she’s been at Bossip she’s been moving up in the company with promotions and part of that is due to her chemistry with her boss, “When you have the opportunity to work with a dynamic woman who wants to teach you something and you guys click, embrace that.” She also says that anytime you can get ahead and find your niche, do so.

Erica, Janee Bolden, & MiMi J

MiMi J, who is a celebrity makeup artist is from Kansas City, Missouri, attended college at Clark Atlanta University graduating with a degree in business and marketing. After discovering that she was talented in makeup she decided that would be her career path and began networking and blogging to brand herself. MiMi states that if you want to do something do it, “go for it, have faith, but also devise a plan and stick to your plan. Consistency is the key”. MiMi J’s resume includes beating faces on the Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) and Love and Hip Hop Atlanta. MiMi has a glam bar opening soon entitled “The Glamatory” so make sure you guys check her out!

To witness and hear the journey that it took for these ladies to get to a successful status was not only inspiring but it also showed (for me especially) dreams can really come true if you believe and put in the right amount of work and time to your craft. Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed and although it can seem like there will never be a breakthrough if you continue to push yourself everything will fall in place the way it’s supposed to and what I learned is that consistency is everything and a reiteration of the old saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.”

I encourage you to attend the next Erica’s Table of 20 event as it can help give you the boost of motivation you may need when finding your career path and purpose!

I would like to thank Erica for having me and inspiring me, as well as Janee and MiMi for sharing their stories with myself and the other ladies who attended the event.

A big thanks to all the sponsors involved in making Erica’s Table of 20 a success! Make sure you check them and their products out!

Deserts: @Csweetsntreats, www.Csweetsntreats.com & @treatsbyjessica