Boss Babes

by Brooke Ezzo | photos courtesy of Miranda Longoria

What was once a male dominated industry is quickly turning into a melting pot of women-run professions. The wedding industry is starting to see a larger variety of women entrepreneurs, and the need for a structured networking group in the area was a void two local business owners decided to fill.

After working a stressful wedding together a few years ago, wedding photographer Miranda Longoria and wedding planner Venetta Petties sat down with daiquiris and tacos and discussed how they could come together to create a space for women to interact, learn, and empower each other.

In 2018, Boss Babes of Denton was born with the mission to create friendships, not just relationships, and to interact on a deeper level than standard networking events.

“Our goal for this group is to be more of to get to know one another and share in the trials and tribulations of working in the wedding industry and being women entrepreneurs,” Miranda said. “We are not competitors. We can all sit at the same table. We strongly believe in community over competition.”

The group started out with 13 women at a fellowship of women, more of a place

their first happy hour event, and two years later, the group puts on events for over 300 women. Included are florists, deejays, wedding planners, photographers, caterers, videographers, and venue owners.

“The attraction to the group, and one thing I truly love about Boss Babes, is that new entrepreneurs feel very comfortable asking questions,” Venetta said. “There is no judgment. Our group is about rallying around each other and supporting one another.”

Boss Babes hosts many events, giving the women ample opportunities to market themselves, learn from other professionals, make new friends, and meet resources to help build their business in this industry. Between the monthly happy hours and venue tours, luncheons, a yearly retreat, and holiday and birthday parties, it is important to Miranda and Venetta that these get togethers are also educational.

“During our events, we try to have an educational angle,” Miranda said. “We have had lawyers come and talk about contracts. An accountant talked about managing our books. Someone spoke on organization, and we’ve had someone speak to us about social media.”

The group focuses on growing and supporting their businesses but also on having a good work-life balance. Women’s wellness is an important aspect of Boss Babes, and they want to help each other through the trials of balancing being a wife, having a career, having outside interests, and raising children.

“Having a good balance is a struggle for all women,” Miranda said. “Boss Babes is space for us to support each other and to know it’s okay to have ambition and a dream.”

Venetta believes the group has grown quickly because of her and Miranda’s complementary leadership styles.

“It starts at the top. What we exude is what is going to flow down to the Boss Babes community,” Venetta said. “It’s only going to get bigger and better.”