Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1516312
From an attendee in 2023 to a keynote speaker in 2024 at this year's Winnipeg Women's Conference, Mielke will share her journey of growing Hillberg & Berk while being a mom of three. She plans to discuss how she found passion and purpose in developing her brand and focusing on women's issues. "I was at this event last year and incredibly inspired by the group of dynamic and passionate women from all over Winnipeg and very impressed with the content and the keynote, so I was thrilled to be invited to participate," she says. "It's always exciting and invigorating to participate in events that bring together groups of incredible women. I find that it really fills me up to be able to meet new women, hear their stories, and be able to be in community." Surrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeed and help you level up is vital for growth. Mielke says that participating in an event like the WWC can be powerful and inspiring for people starting in business or solopreneurs. She has made a point of taking time out from the daily demands of her business to participate in events that bring women together. "Being in rooms like this, being around so many different inspiring and compelling stories has been a critical part of my overall personal and professional development. When I was first getting started, the ability to see other women who had done something exceptional showed me that it was possible. Seeing women who had done it and hearing their stories was critically important for setting a foundational stone for me to say, I can do this too," she explains. Now, at a point in her career where she can reflect on successes and missteps, Mielke shares her experiences to encourage others. Not only does Hillberg & Berk actively support organizations that further women's advancement she is personally devoted to seeing others succeed by supporting female entrepreneurs on social media, attending speaking engagements and making financial investments – she recently made a foray into venture capital investing. "I find a lot of joy and fulfillment in being a part of cheering on other people's successes," she says. Mielke is highly optimistic and says she has a lot to look forward to, including watching her kids grow up and trying new things in business. She recognizes that motivation can be hard to come by whether you are starting out or well into your career and emphasizes that part of the journey is never feeling quite settled in. "As an entrepreneur in today's day and age, you have to be nimble and keep challenging yourself to stay relevant and stay in business. So I'm always excited about the next thing to come. We've worked really hard at H&B to bring forward an exciting vision in our design, and we have incredible products that I'm so excited about launching this year. And so many people still don't know about our brand. So I'm always very passionate about continuing to tell the brand story of Hillberg & Berk and continue to get our products on new people across Canada." In Winnipeg, a new retail experience at Hillberg & Berk's long-time location at CF Polo Park is in the works. Moving from their current location upstairs to the main floor, a fun, bright and modern shopping concept called a "sparkle bar" is set to open this spring. To learn more about Hillberg & Berk's purpose-driven approach and see their jewelry, visit hillbergandberk.com. KEYNOTE SPEAKER CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 17 Celebrating International Women's Day Niki Ashton, MP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski Niki.Ashton@parl.gc.ca 1-866-785-0522 Leah Gazan, MP Winnipeg Centre Leah.Gazan@parl.gc.ca 204-984-1675 Daniel Blaikie, MP Elmwood—Transcona Daniel.Blaikie@parl.gc.ca 204-984-2499