One Year of Connection, Growth & Community: LLN-SWFL Anniversary Recap

ladieslifestylenet49
Jul 10
4 min read

What. A. Night. ✨

The SWFL Chapter of Ladies Lifestyle Network just celebrated ONE YEAR of hosting heart-led events, forming real connections, and elevating local women—and our Anniversary Celebration was nothing short of unforgettable.

Held in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of The BHive Event Center, the evening was a true reflection of everything we’ve built this year: inspiration, authenticity, laughter, empowerment, and community that simply cannot be manufactured.

A Stage Graced by Wisdom & Wit: Dr. Erin Harrel

Dr. Erin Harrel, our featured speaker, commanded the stage with elegance, ease, and power. She is the co-owner of Old Florida Dream Team powered by The Harlan Group and co-founder of SWFL Boaters, to name just a few of her titles. You could feel her years of experience as an educator pouring through every word as she spoke. She didn’t just deliver a message—she connected. Her natural humor made the room laugh, her stories made us reflect, and her presence made everyone lean in just a little closer.

Erin has taught thousands, and yet she made every woman in the room feel like the only one. Her talk, From Doubt to Dominance, left us with real strategies we could take home and apply right away—tools to move forward with courage, clarity, and conviction.

And as if that wasn’t inspiring enough, she also shared her heart behind the OFDT Foundation (Old Florida Dream Team)—our featured non-profit of the night. As co-founder, repeat foster parent, and unstoppable force in our community, Erin gave us an inside look at the mission of supporting underserved middle and high school youth and the critical expansion this foundation is pursuing. Her impact, both professionally and personally, left us moved and motivated to do more.

Vendors That Shined Bright (and Sweet!)

No LLN event is complete without our incredible featured vendors, and this month was no exception.

🍪 Cottontail Bakery brought whimsy and warmth with their nostalgic cookies and high-quality ingredients. Not only were the treats delicious (yes, we’re still dreaming of those cookies!), but the love and magic in every bite reflected the heart behind the brand.

💉 Nai The Glow NP lit up the room with her brilliant smile and calm expertise, offering insight into luxury concierge aesthetic services and encouraging us to prioritize our self-care—inside and out.

🍉 Blooms and Bottles Mobile Bar made their mocktails with unforgettable style and flavor. They served two signature drinks in honor of the women in the room—“Golden Hour Glow” and “Blush & Bubbles,” a refreshing watermelon mocktail that sold out in the first 20 minutes!

Their creativity, attention to detail, and warm presence added the perfect celebratory touch to our anniversary event. From setup to final toast, they brought beauty, flavor, and hospitality in every glass. You need them at our next event! Just sayin'!

🌮 And speaking of sparkle... Tiny Bites Good Eatz absolutely saved the night with award-winning Cuban fusion food that had me lining up for seconds. When our original food option fell through at the last minute, Erika and Anibal stepped in without hesitation. Their dishes were not only delicious—they were made with passion and soul. The same passion that makes their food award-winning and their hearts unforgettable.

Always bring the sweet creativity to our swag bags, NikNaksSweetSnaks handmade her pink chocolate covered pretzels. I am still convinced they are the best out there. Try and prove me wrong! 🎈 Finally, our room wouldn’t have been the same without the gorgeous balloon backdrop provided by It's Party Time in Paradise. Diana brought the vision to life with elegance and ease. From setup to takedown, she created magic and made it all feel effortless. The sparkling backdrop wasn’t just decor—it was a statement piece, and our photos prove it!

Looking Back, Leaping Forward

As we reflect on one incredible year of Ladies Lifestyle Network SWFL, we’re in awe of what has been built—not by one, but by all of you.

That night, we took a moment to honor and recognize every woman who has played a role in our story this past year. Each business owner who showed up to support and pour into this community received a pink rose, symbolizing our heartfelt gratitude. We placed special emphasis on our repeat vendors and supporters, the women who’ve shown up again and again, reminding us that this space truly matters. They’ve impacted and supported us—and we hope we’ve impacted them right back.

📸 A Huge Thank You to Ainslie Images

We are so grateful to have had the talented Jennifer Clark, owner of Ainslie Images, capturing the heart and beauty of our anniversary event. Her ability to catch authentic moments and radiant smiles is a gift to all of us—and the stunning photos she took truly reflected the energy and elegance in the room.

Not only did she serve our community behind the lens, but she also generously gave away a free headshot session to one of our lucky attendees! Jennifer, thank you for sharing your time, talent, and heart with us. We’re so lucky to have you as part of the LLN family. 💛