FIND HOW ONE GROUP OF ENTREPRENEURS TURNED THEIR FRIENDSHIP INTO AN UPCOMING BUSINESS..Brittany lewis (left), Brittany houser ( middle) and Porsha Oliver are welcoming guests to their networking mixer. Photo By: Faith Callens

Article by: Faith Callens

On Saturday, three local entrepreneurs held their second annual “Girl, Level Up “Empowered By Her” networking mixer with a live panel at the Organpi Farms Goddess Hookah Bar in Selma. The mixer was for all women to come together, network with each other and to have an open conversation about topics to “level up” their lives. The host of the event was Candice Pettway, an educator and public speaker.

About 12 women were on the live panel. Each woman on the panel had specific areas of expertise from natural hair care, mental health, social media outreach and more. Several residents of the historic city came out to support the young women’s brand and their business. The guests were welcomed by various colors of cupcakes, cookies, beverages and a menu full of food that they could order from. They were also given door tickets to win prizes later in the evening.

“It was my first time ever attending an event such as this and I was really inspired, said Jasmine Ferguson, a South Alabama college student and a native of Selma. Brittany Houser, the founder of “Girl Level Up” and Co-founders Brittany Lewis and Porsha Oliver said at first it was just a great friendship that evolved into a business plan. “My people need to be aware and someone needs to talk about topics like suicide, entrepreneurship, finance, and mental health. It’s about leveling up and since we are mostly a black community , it needed to be held”, said Houser.

The event ended with the crowd, panelists and the founders shouting in unison “Girl, level up!”