I’m Kurly de Guzman, a certified transformative coach and this is my #ConnectedWomen #Meetup story.

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It was November last year when Connected Women Parañaque, Philippines had it’s first meet up. I was one of the organizers back then, along with Lea Fernando who opened the doors of The Shared Spaces Coworking Pad (which she owns) to us. I volunteered to host the session and also do a mini workshop called “Discovering the Career or Business that’s Best for You.” This is one topic I am truly passionate about having gone through a career shift myself. There wasn’t really much time to prepare as we first-time organizers also had our own businesses to run. To be totally honest, I had my hesitations about (co-organizing) the meet-up, and a part of me was tempted to join a friend who was joining the Connected Women meet-up in another city. I’m glad I resisted and resolved to make this meet-up work and contribute to building this community in Parañaque. After all, this is MY city.

We were an intimate group of about 10 diverse women that evening, from millenials to baby boomers. Everyone openly participated in the mini-workshop and we parted ways agreeing to hold a Christmas party early in December (which we did, by the way). Before leaving that night, I was approached by one of the attendees, Gem Arnibal. She was interested in getting me as her Life Coach, so we talked a bit and exchanged our business cards.

As we journeyed together in coaching, we met regularly, where else, but also in the The Shared Spaces Coworking Pad. I remember back then, Gem was confused on what direction to take in her career. She felt that she was doing so many things for various reasons.

Fast forward to present day, Gem has already taken the leap out of her comfort zone and is taking her Beauty & Wardrobe Consultancy business to the next level. We still meet in the same place, but this time not for coaching sessions. We’re collaborating on a workshop for women which we will also hold in the same place where we all met.  We thought that gaining clarity and direction in one’s career or life in general through coaching, would be a great combo with personal styling to make a woman feel confidently beautiful both inside and out.

It’s truly amazing what networking and connecting can bring about. Who would ever think that a simple gathering of women would lead to bigger and greater things? Well, now I have proof that anything is possible with Connected Women.

Kurly de Guzman is just one of the many amazing volunteer organizers of  #ConnectedWomen #Meetup where women entrepreneurs, professionals and freelancers get to share, connect, work and learn from one another in a fun and relaxed networking evening. Our next simultaneous global meetup is on July 3rd 2019, visit a meetup close to you or volunteer to be a host.