June Event: Building Your Brand on Instagram
For the month of June we were joined by fellow IPWA committee member, Lauran Brown, as she gave a workshop about understanding the importance of personal and company branding and by capitalizing the social platform Instagram in order to help build that brand.
We also learned some interesting facts about Instagram:
• 1 billion monthly active Instagram users.
• 500 million Instagram accounts use ‘stories’ every day.
• Instagram is the best place to be marketing your personal brand and business.
• Instagram can generate over 4 x more interactions compared to Facebook.
• Instagram helps 80% of its users decide to buy a product or service.
In addition to the ins and outs of using Instagram to promote your brand, we learned about what is a brand? Why is your brand important? Plus, how to bring your values, style, messaging, and experience into your business brand, personal project or personal brand.
To continue learning more about how to improve or create your brand, storytelling and how to use Instagram to your advantage, contact Lauran or follow her on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/bylaurenbrown/
May Event: My Journey to the Astronomy Capital of the World
On June 4, 2020 IPWA hosted another virtual event this time with guest speaker Violetta Impellizzeri to speak about her experience as an astronomer at ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array) here in Chile. This was a very exciting event for IPWA as it was the first time we have hosted a science related event. It was a truly eye opening and really interesting presentation. Violetta shared her journey to her position at ALMA, what type of work is done at ALMA, as well as other observatories in Chile. Violetta’s passion is telescopes, especially the massive radio telescopes at ALMA in the Atacama Desert of Chile. We also learned about Violetta’s fascination with blackholes and ALMA’s recent imagining of a black hole. A spirited question and answer session completed the event answering everyone’s questions about astronomy and space. A huge thanks to everyone who attended, the IPWA Committee, and especially Violetta for a wonderful event. Be on the lookout for our next virtual event at the end of June!
April Event: Cultivating Resilience in Uncertain Times
On April 29, 2020, 25 women gathered virtually for the IPWA April Event: Cultivating Resilience in Uncertain Times. The speaker for this event was Carla Fleharty, a career member of the Foreign Service, currently working at the US Embassy in Santiago. She shared with the group many tips for cultivating resilience in three main areas: 1. resilience within ourselves 2. resilience in small teams (friends/family/coworkers) 3. resilience in large teams (coworkers and the larger community). Carla brought up many great points including the importance of mindfulness, maintaining a routine, staying active, and staying connected. Many IPWA members shared their own experiences and advice during three discussion sessions. This was a wonderful way to connect and bring the amazing women of IPWA together. Thanks to all who attended and shared their wise words. A huge thanks to Carla for being such a great presenter and to the IPWA Committee for putting together a wonderful virtual event. Keep an eye out for what’s to come in May!
Holiday Party at Da Radda Restaurant
On December 7, IPWA warmly invited all members and IPWA mentorship program participants to a free Holiday Meet and Greet at Da Radda Restaurant. Around 25 women attended and enjoyed good food, drink, and conversation. After about an hour of mingling and enjoying the holiday spirit, everyone selected a gift from under the tree and shared with the group their greatest accomplishment for the year. Members shared many proud personal and professional moments. We at the IPWA committee are proud of all our members and look forward to the events of 2020. Happy Holidays!
Leveraging LinkedIn
A great group of women turned out for IPWA’s Leveraging LinkedIn: Modernizing the Santiago Job Hunt hosted on October 29 at Mason de France. It was an excellent event and most attendees were surprised at how many features LinkedIn has for its users, especially the ability to have an account in multiple languages. Montserrat Lorente, a Head Hunter and Career Coach gave the presentation and really opened everyone’s eyes to the many features of LinkedIn. She covered search terms, and how to really use LinkedIn to promote your own personal brand. Also, the event covered how to tailor a resume for the specific job application as well as the importance of soft skills, which many attendees already have a very important soft skill: knowing English. This was an wonderful event and we thank everyone who attended!
Beer & Baile
On August 23rd, IPWA hosted Baile & Beer, an evening of Zumba and beer hosted at the brand-new Cardio Pilates (Apoquindo 4700) with beer provided by Tamango Brebajes (https://tamango.cl/). It was a great event, with excellent turn out. Everyone had a wonderful time sweating it out to great music, but also really enjoyed the post-work out snacks, beer, and conversation. Attendees were able to wrap up their week with a fun workout session and make new connections through IPWA. For those of you who enjoy a more active event such as this one, keep an eye out for a yoga and wine themed event in 2020!
Winter Social at De Radda Restaurant
On July 24th, IPWA along with the IPWA Mentorship Program hosted a Winter Social at De Radda Restaurant in Las Condes. 29 women attended the networking and mentorship event enjoying good food and drink while making connections and sharing professional experiences. The networking was paused throughout the evening for facilitators Caitlin Wheat and Suvi Lemetyinen to ask questions of the mentors currently involved in IPWA’s Mentorship Program. They shared short insights and tips about when to seek a mentor and how to activate your inner mentor. They also provided examples of the power of female mentorship in the workplace. It was a great mid-winter event and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. We hope to see you at our next event!
~ Clare B.
Success or Struggle? Starting Your Santiago Business
On June 26, IPWA hosted three amazing and successful entrepreneurs who shared their experiences with IPWA members as part of “Success or Struggle? Starting your Santiago Business.” Our own Michelle Clarke moderated the event and facilitated a short interactive activity as well to conclude the event.
The event was the perfect atmosphere to ask deep questions about the highs and lows of starting a business in Santiago. Questions answered by the panel included:
- Did you ever consider the possibility of giving up and starting over?
- How do you cope with your fears?
- Why do you think Chile is considered a country for start-ups, entrepreneurs, and business owners?
- How did you get your first client?
- When did you decide to formalize your project? (from a legal perspective)
The entrepreneurs also shared with IPWA members that it can be very difficult at the beginning when starting a business. The panelists shared some tips of the trade including:
- Find your niche and provide them a unique product/service
- If you are working, try to keep your actual job while developing your own business. This will provide you a “safety net” that will allow you to pay your bills until your business is profitable.
- Make a business plan! You may find some tips to develop one on the web, or you may look for professional advise (one of the IPWA members who was at the event is a professional consultant who may provide you this type of service).
Meet the Panelists
Maria Soledad Torres: Maria Soledad is a forward-thinking lawyer and negotiator with progressive expertise in international business law and inmigration law. She provides legal advice and counseling. Her business web page is:www.legalglobal.cl
Leah Southwell: Leah arrived in Chile 6 years ago without a plan for work. After a few years of experimenting she found a formula that worked and a market that she was perfect to service. Leah now has four people working with her and is doing well by Chilean standards. Her business web page is: executiveenglishnow.com
Gaby Jachuf: Gaby is an attorney majored in Business Law, who has an entrepreneurial spirit. When she moved to Chile, she decided to set up her own business by doing what she is most passionate about: setting up events & celebrations. Gaby is in a sabbatical period due to her pregnancy and will join us to share her local experience.
In closing this was a really wonderful event that provided IPWA members with a secure space to share their experiences and ask the real questions about the unknown of starting a business in Santiago. We look forward to seeing you all at our next event on July 24.
Sustainable Santiago
Many IPWA members have asked for Barbara Alcayaga’s Powerpoint presentation. We have shared it below for your reference.
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