We introduced you to Erika Biddix, founder of Aught, LLC., in October 2021. Erika was passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs by providing a female-empowered co-working space opening an office in West Knoxville in 2019 and then in the Langley Building in 2021.
Aught has continued to thrive and has allowed Erika to step away from the event planning she did as well. Ironically, her new passion is taking her right back to event planning. However, it is for herself and not someone else’s business this time.
While attending a conference two years ago, Erika met speaker and speaking coach Sally Zimney. The two became fast friends and professional cheerleaders for each other. Sally is based in Minnesota, and Erika is here in Knoxville. Still, the two have continued to grow their friendship and encourage each other’s dreams.
When Sally told Erika earlier this year that she wanted to host a conference just for women to help them become the messengers of their own businesses, Erika said, “You’re doing it!” Sally quickly replied, “And you’re doing it with me!” From that conversation, The Permission Slip Conference: The Power of You was born.
The two didn’t take long to determine that Knoxville was the perfect location for this boutique conference. The support for entrepreneurs here is strong, and the community embraces and supports entrepreneurs in ways that other areas do not have access to.
Sally is the founder of Be Moved. She speaks nationally and teaches others how to leverage the power of speaking to increase revenue and growth. Sally tells me that she found her love for being on stage at quite an early age. She pursued acting professionally, and while she enjoyed that, she knew there was more. She wanted to harness the power of the stage to help others tell their own story and see the power of what happens when we step out and share our ideas.
Similarly, Erika, who describes herself as an “aggressive helper,” has a vision for inspiring women to take the next step, big or small, to achieve their dreams. You will likely not find a bigger encourager in Knoxville. She can draw people together in the community, help make those connections, and cheer them on. I walked out of my interview with Erika ready to conquer the world. I wasn’t sure for what, but I was pumped!
The combined minds of these women have mapped out a day-long conference for female entrepreneurs and those who are entrepreneur-minded to offer community, support, resources, and valuable information to grow their dreams. Erika described the conference title, Permission Slip, as allowing women to write their permission slip for the next step. They want women to stop looking at others to permit them to do the next thing.
If you are on the fence about attending, Erika reminds us that it is ok to choose you and to take the time to put yourself first without being a partner, parent, caregiver, chauffeur, lunch-maker, or the responsible one in the room. She encourages women at any walk in their career, whether well-established or in the baby dream stage, to attend. She promises that there is something for all to learn.
They have an impressive line-up of speakers.
There will be short presentations by each speaker followed by a time of Q&A so that attendees can ask questions in person and apply what they learn immediately. Lunch, a swag bag, and a post-conference drink are included in your ticket price. Early-Bird tickets are available through Oct. 1. There is also a limited number of VIP tickets that are available and give you access to:
-Exclusive VIP Reception with the speakers the night before – including drinks, appetizers
-Reserved seating up front at the event -VIP Swag Bag – with goodies from the speakers
-Hardcover, advanced signed copy of Sally’s new book, Speaking Story (out February 2024)
-Post-event group coaching session with Erika & Sally (date TBD)
The event will be held at the Mill and Mine on Dec. 4 from 8:30a-5:30p with a post-event reception until 6:45p. There are sponsorship spaces still available for this event, and attendees can expect to have the opportunity to shop from some successful local, female-owned businesses.
I’ve got my ticket! Who is going with me?
Follow them on Instagram for the latest updates and announcements.