Heels & Habits: A Nashville Networking Event for Women Who Want More Out of Their Time
Want to grow your professional network, learn from successful women, and walk away with ideas you can actually use? All without adding another full day to your calendar? Meet Heels & Habits. 🤝
Let's be honest: Your calendar is already full.
Between meetings, deadlines, client calls, managing a team, you calendar, and trying to have a life outside of work, finding time to invest in yourself can feel like another task on an already lengthy to-do list.
But what if one afternoon could help you build meaningful professional connections, discover new opportunities, and learn practical strategies from women who have built successful careers?
That's the idea behind Heels & Habits, a professional development luncheon by Heels & Handshakes.
Bringing together 130 ambitious professionals, this experience combines intentional networking, interactive brand activations, and insights from three thought leaders across different industries.
It's professional development designed for women who want to make the most of their time—and their connections.
(Looking for more ways to connect? Explore our Nashville networking events and monthly meetings to discover upcoming opportunities to learn, build relationships, and grow your professional network.)
Heels & Habits is a professional development and networking luncheon presented by Studio Bank designed to help women grow their careers, expand their networks, and learn from the experiences of successful leaders.
This event brings together women in business for an afternoon of connection, conversation, and career inspiration.
Unlike traditional networking events that leave you wondering who to approach or what to say, Heels & Habits incorporates interactive activations throughout the room to give attendees natural opportunities to connect.
Then, over lunch, three thought leaders from different industries share how they've developed the habits, strategies, and approaches that have contributed to their professional success.
You'll have opportunities to meet new people, exchange ideas, and learn something you can take back to your career or business.
And you can do it all in one afternoon.
1. Who Should Attend Heels & Habits?
If you're an ambitious professional who wants to expand your network, learn from other successful women, and invest in your professional growth, you're in the right place.
Heels & Habits is designed for women who are ready to make new connections, explore fresh perspectives, and be intentional about their careers.
You might be:
A business owner looking to meet potential clients, collaborators, or referral partners.
A corporate professional interested in growing your network beyond your current company.
A leader looking for fresh ideas and strategies to bring back to your team.
An entrepreneur who wants to learn from women with different experiences and perspectives.
A professional who knows the value of building relationships but doesn't always have time to attend multiple events.
You don't have to be a member of Heels & Handshakes to see the value in investing in yourself.
(Want to learn more about finding the right professional community? Read our guide on how to choose the right professional networking group for you.)
Come as you are, bring your business cards if you have them, and be ready to meet women who are just as interested in building meaningful professional relationships as you are.
2. What Makes Heels & Habits Different From Other Networking Events?
We believe networking should feel less like work and more like an opportunity.
You shouldn't have to spend hours making small talk to find the people you want to know. And you shouldn't have to choose between developing your skills and expanding your professional network.
Here's what makes the afternoon different:
130 ambitious professionals in one room. You're surrounded by women with different backgrounds, industries, experiences, and professional goals. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new or meet someone who could become a valuable connection.
Interactive brand activations. We strategically incorporate activations throughout the room to give you natural conversation starters and easier ways to engage with other attendees. Instead of wondering how to break the ice, you have something to experience and talk about together.
Learning from three thought leaders. Once lunch is served, you'll hear from three accomplished professionals representing different industries. Each brings a unique perspective on the habits and practices that have helped shape their careers.
Professional development without the full-day commitment. You can invest in your relationships and your growth in one afternoon, without committing to an entire conference or a lengthy series of workshops.
Our philosophy is simple: Make it easier for women to connect, learn, and discover what's possible when they get in the right room.
(Building strong professional relationships also starts with how you communicate. Explore our article on mastering powerful communication as a high-achieving woman for more insights.)
3. Is Heels & Habits Worth Attending if I'm Short on Time?
We think so!
If you're looking for a way to combine networking and professional development into one experience, Heels & Habits was designed with you in mind.
Rather than attending one event to meet new people and another to learn from industry leaders, you get to kill two birds with one stone.
You'll have the opportunity to connect with approximately 130 professionals, explore interactive activations, enjoy lunch, and hear from three thought leaders about the habits that have contributed to their success.
Of course, meaningful relationships don't happen automatically. The value you get from the event depends on how you engage, the conversations you have, and the connections you choose to nurture afterward.
But when you put yourself in a room full of ambitious professionals, you create more opportunities for those relationships to begin.
Consider it a low-effort entry point to high-value professional development.
You show up. You engage. You learn. And you leave with new people to know and new ideas to consider.
4. What Will I Learn at Heels & Habits?
Professional success rarely comes down to one big decision. Often, it's shaped by the habits we build, the people we surround ourselves with, and the choices we make consistently over time.
At Heels & Habits, three thought leaders from different industries will share insights into the habits that have influenced their professional journeys.
Rather than hearing from just one perspective, you'll have the opportunity to learn how successful professionals approach their careers in different environments.
You may discover a new way to approach your work, rethink a routine that no longer serves you, or identify a small change that could make a meaningful difference in your professional life.
(For more ideas on developing your leadership skills, explore our article on powerful communication for women in business.)
The goal isn't to leave with a notebook full of ideas you'll never revisit.
It's to leave with perspectives you can put into practice.
Because sometimes, the smallest shifts in how we work, lead, communicate, and build relationships can have the greatest impact over time.
5. How Do I Get the Most Out of Heels & Habits?
We're going to let you in on a little secret: You don't have to meet everyone in the room to make the afternoon worthwhile.
Instead, be intentional about how you spend your time.
Here are five ways to make the most of your experience:
1. Set a simple goal. Decide what you want from the afternoon. Maybe it's meeting three new professionals, finding a potential collaboration partner, or learning one strategy you can implement immediately.
2. Put your phone away. Give yourself permission to be present. The email can wait a little longer. The conversation happening in front of you might be worth your attention.
3. Use the activations as conversation starters. Visit the interactive experiences around the room and introduce yourself to someone new along the way.
4. Ask better questions. Move beyond “What do you do?” Try asking what they're working on, what they're excited about, or what kind of connections would be valuable to them right now.
5. Follow up. A new contact becomes a meaningful professional relationship when you continue the conversation. Send that LinkedIn invitation, make the introduction you promised, or schedule a coffee to keep the momentum going.
(Want to build your professional community beyond a single event? Explore our upcoming Nashville networking events and find your next opportunity to connect.)
Remember: The goal isn't to collect business cards. It's to build relationships.