‘Empower Her’ spotlights authenticity, cultural relevance in business branding
The Burbank Chamber of Commerce hosted Empower Her, a women-centered networking and professional development event, on Nov. 9, 2025, bringing together entrepreneurs, creatives and small-business owners for an evening focused on branding, marketing and influence.
Organized by Lusanet Collective, the event combined informal networking with two panel discussions exploring how authenticity and cultural relevance shape successful business identities in an increasingly digital marketplace. Attendees heard from professionals across marketing, content creation and entrepreneurship, who shared practical insights into building meaningful connections with audiences while remaining rooted in personal and cultural values.
The panels were moderated by Lucy Hacopian, co-founder of Lusanet Collective, who guided conversations on navigating social media platforms, developing brand voice and balancing visibility with integrity. Panelists included Nona Melkoni, Yulia Gonzalez, Ashley Erikson, Anet Abnous, Diana Mkryan and Kara Content, each offering perspectives drawn from their own professional paths.
Audience members were invited to engage directly with panelists, posing questions about content strategy, audience growth and the evolving role of digital platforms in small-business development.
The evening also marked the public unveiling of Lusanet Voices, the newly launched charitable arm of Lusanet Collective. The initiative aims to support creatives and entrepreneurs through educational and cultural programming, with an emphasis on community-building and access to resources. Lusanet Voices operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Empower Her underscored the growing demand for spaces that blend professional development with cultural awareness, offering a model for community-driven conversations around entrepreneurship, creativity and collaboration.
