SWAG - The Power of Your Story: How Your Experiences Can Change the Way You Lead and Influence Others

2027 SWAG
The Power of Your Story: How Your Experiences Can Change the Way You Lead and Influence Others.
Kelly Olson is a passionate leader, storyteller, and community builder who believes every person has a story worth knowing and the potential to make a meaningful impact on the people around them. Having experienced seasons of quiet desperation herself, Kelly understands that there is often much more to someone’s story than meets the eye. Her work centers on helping people find connection, discover their strengths, and turn their experiences into opportunities for growth and impact.
 
Kelly is the Founder and Executive Director of The Baton Pass, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women to overcome through the sharing of stories in safe, supportive spaces. Through events, storytelling workshops, and community connections, Kelly and her team create opportunities for people to share their experiences, build meaningful relationships, and discover that their stories can be a source of strength for themselves and others.
 
In addition to leading The Baton Pass, Kelly coaches individuals who are pursuing entrepreneurial and nonprofit ventures, helping them clarify their vision, navigate challenges, and turn ideas into action. She has also served as the Global Community Director for the Women Speakers Collective, partnering with the organization to amplify the voices and stories of women.
 
Kelly is especially excited about opening a new HOTWORX location with her husband right in Schaumburg, her hometown.
 
Kelly and her husband, Nate, live in the Chicago suburbs with their two daughters. Their family loves adventure, gathering with friends, and finding any excuse to get on the dance floor.



A space created exclusively for women!
To eliminate confusion between SBA Women in Business (WIB) events and the SBA Women’s Alliance Group, we are bringing all women-focused programming under one unified brand: SWAG SBA Women’s Advocacy & Gratitude initiative. Moving forward, the Alliance Group name will be retired, and all activities will be organized under the SWAG umbrella.

MISSION:
SWAG unites, empowers, and elevates women in the Schaumburg Business Association through connection, professional development, gratitude, and community engagement.

WHO WE ARE:
SBA Women’s Advocacy & Gratitude (SWAG) is the unified home for all SBA women-focused events. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where women professionals and allies can thrive through learning, networking, and shared experiences.

WHAT:
SWAG events will consist of monthly lunches, after-work socials, volunteer opportunities, and more.

2027 LUNCH DETAILS:
Dates: 3rd Wednesday of every month, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Sponsorships: Table Sponsors at $275 per event
For sponsorships, contact Kayleigh Endicott at kburnitz@schaumburgbusiness.com

This month's speaker is Mara Smith founder of Inspiro Tequila

Mara Smith is a mother of three and a former attorney and corporate strategist.   She practiced law at a large law firm in Chicago before transitioning  to the corporate strategy team at a Fortune 500 Company.  She was put on emergency bedrest while pregnant with her twins and when they were born prematurely, she made the difficult decision to leave the corporate world.
 
Mara never stopped thinking about what was next.  She always envisioned running her own company and in February of 2020 she set out on her  journey to create a new tequila brand.
 
Mara started drinking tequila when she was looking for a “better-for-you” adult beverage. She discovered though that all of the tequilas she was drinking contained undisclosed additives, like sweeteners, glycerin and coloring, so she searched for a brand that was additive-free with a look, taste and messaging that appealed to her and thoughtful female consumers like her. That perfect tequila did not exist, so she decided to create one. The goal was not just to craft impeccable tequilas, but it was also to bring more female perspectives to the spirits industry by having women involved in every aspect of the company.  Inspiro Tequila is proudly distilled, owned and led by women.  
 
As a female founder, Mara saw an opportunity to make an impact and to help elevate other women in business, so Inspiro Tequila became a Certified B Corp to formalize its commitment to social impact.