By Dan Adkins

"(The Women Mean Business Conference) gives women an opportunity to meet and talk with other women about common business issues, problems and solutions,"

-- Cynthia Beasley, owner of Change Masters Inc. in Lexington

Aug. 15, 2002 (Lexington, Ky.) -- The University of Kentucky will hold its 10th annual "Women Mean Business" Conference on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Lexington's Holiday Inn North. Among the presenters will be a woman who launched successful businesses after attending an earlier conference. UK employees can attend the conference at a reduced registration fee.

"It was a wonderful group of women who were forward-thinking and very encouraging," said Cynthia Beasley, owner of Change Masters Inc. in Lexington. She will present a session on "Growing Your Business Through Strategic Management.
Beasley attended a luncheon at the 2000 conference, and later launched her diversity-training business.

She still sings the conference's praises.

"It gives women an opportunity to meet and talk with other women about common business issues, problems and solutions," Beasley said.

The conference will feature keynote speeches by Elaine Berkowitz, Ruth Robles and Kelley Warner, founders of Go Goddess! Inc., and Debbie Allen, author of "Confessions of Shameless Self-Promoters."

Sessions will be conducted on obtaining business certifications, promoting workplace diversity, using emotional intelligence to make wise business decisions, organizing your life and business, designing displays that sell, negotiating skillfully and creating unique businesses.

The conference is organized by UK's Small Business Development Center. Registration is $99. UK employees receive a discounted registration fee of $69. To register or obtain more information, call (859) 257-7668 or toll-free 1-888-475-7232, or log on to the Web site at www.ksbdc.org.