The excitement mounts at Lake and Sumter Style’s annual Businesswomen of Style annual reverse drawing. 

Most competitors have been eliminated; we’re down to the final two. It’s the moment everyone has been waiting for. The winner will be pictured on Style’s cover and be featured in a four-page spread inside. 

Two anxious ladies cross their fingers and breathe deeply as emcee Doug Akers makes the exciting announcement. “And our 2023 Businesswoman of the Year is . . .”

The winner clutches her chest in disbelief. Her eyes grow wide as she lets out a victory scream and then enthusiastically embraces co-workers who accompanied her. 

This exciting scene plays out every year during our Businesswomen of Style event. 

We’ve been doing this for 11 years, but I never grow tired of witnessing the winner’s joyous reaction. Of course, the winner isn’t the only one having a good time. Everyone has a blast socializing and networking while enjoying free food and drinks. 

The event is a fantastic way to celebrate the area’s talented businesswomen. 

You’ll meet many of these incredible ladies in this month’s issue, which I hope inspires females in high school and college to earn that degree, chase your dream job, and come to work each day with a positive attitude and passionate heart. Settle for nothing but the very best. Surround yourself with like-minded women who are supportive of all your ambitions. One day you’ll be a role model for many other young girls and ladies.  

I’d like to close this letter with two eye-opening statistics. In 2020, there were 109,000 more women working than men, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2022, women accounted for more than half (50.7 percent) of the college-educated labor force in the U.S., according to the Pew Research Center. 

You go, girls!

Sincerely,

Kendra