Successful business entrepreneur speaks about transitions

Times Reporter

 

Every woman can use a ladies night out, something Wheatland Business Women is trying to promote with the Wine, Women and Wisdom night on Sept. 28

Women can gather together to listen to an inspirational speaker, while enjoying good company and networking. 

“It’s going to be an engaging evening, and the topic is going to be transitions, because we find right now a lot of people we talk to are in the midst of transition. It seemed very appropriate, and we’re very excited about the speaker Phoebe Fung coming out,” said Marcy Field with Wheatland Business Women. 

A group of women from Wheatland Business Women attended the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs conference this past spring. Fung was on one of the panels and when the women heard her speak they knew she was perfect for this years event. 

“I think she has a message that really appeals to women whatever stage of life they’re in. We go through all kinds of transitions in our lives,” said Field.

Fung is the owner of the Vin Room in Calgary, which has won numerous awards including one of the top 50 fastest growing companies. 

Fung spent 15 years working in the oil and gas industry before taking a year off to travel and explore different interests. During that time she discovered how much she likes food and wine.

“So I chose to start a wine bar. Going from corporate to an entrepreneur is a big transition in itself,” said Fung.

“I’m going to be talking about the journey and women especially, actually people in general, they change their careers three to four times in a lifetime, so this is becoming more and more common.”

She said one of the thrills for her in doing this with her professional life, was because she entered into a business she had no background in, and into a completely different industry from her previous one 

“It’s turned out to be the best thing that’s happened to me in my life,” said Fung. 

“An ex-WestJet CEO came in and he asked me about this job and I said, ‘I’ve never made less money and had more fun’ and that’s really what it is. Coming from (an) oil and gas (industry), it was about money – this is definitely a different kind of experience.”

Wine, Women and Wisdom will be held at the Travelodge on Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $25 per person. To find out more information, or to reserve a ticket, go to www.businesswomen.ca or call 403-324-3147.