Women CAN! Conference: ‘Show Up, Be Bold, Play Big’

The key to success in business and life can be boiled down to three things: Show up. Be bold. Play big. That’s what Kim Hodous, author of a book by that name told nearly 600 women at the second annual Women Can! leadership conference at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock hosted by Leadership Arkansas and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.

Hodous was the morning keynote speaker at the event, and encouraged women not to limit themselves or their dreams. The mother of five took her kitchen-table hobby of making beaded bracelets into a jewelry line with more than $1 million in revenue. The former high school teacher in Northwest Arkansas said she had no business experience and nothing around her to indicate she could be successful when she began. But in her first year, she began telling people she was the President and CEO of a million-dollar business because she believed she would be, “Sometimes it just takes the revenue a little while to show up.

“We make the mistake of spending all our time wondering how. How is this going to work? How am I going to make this happen?” she said. “It’s none of our business how. Our job is to dream big and the how will take care of itself.”

After her jewelry business took off, Hodous began to share all she’s learned through books and speaking engagements. She believes her philosophy of outrageous success and lasting happiness can be achieved by all people.

“You have to set goals. You cannot hit what you can’t see,” she encouraged the group during her presentation, heavy on audience participation and demonstrations. She preached the gospel of positive thoughts and energy, laughter and fun, while giving practical advice, such as writing down specific goals. “What gets monitored gets managed. What gets managed gets done.”

She advocated celebrating personal success as well as the success of others. “It is your dream. It is your life. You’ve got to set those goals to go forward.”

Echoing similar themes of setting goals to achieve their positions, Lt. Col. Erica Ingram, Commander of the 871st Troop Command, Dr. Robin Bowen, President of Arkansas Tech University and Marcy Doderer, President and CEO of Arkansas Children’s Hospital talked about women in leadership during a panel discussion during lunch.

The day finished up with Anna Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Judith and James, a high-end fashion line produced for a sophisticated audience dedicated to alleviating to poverty in Kenya.

The 24-year-old holds a degree from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Apparel Studies. She now leads a faith-based organization, which provides sewing training, support and jobs for Kenyan women. Dillard’s department stores will be carrying jewelry, handbags and clothing from the Judith and James line in the coming months.

“With love we can overcome all our challenges,” she said. “With hope and love, we change lives all over the world.”