WEST SPRINGFIELD – A marketing company focused on female empowerment joined forces with an online boutique to host a fashion show for women entrepreneurs around the region.

The purpose of the show, which was put on by Chikmedia Marketing and PR Firm and the Addy Elizabeth Boutique, was to showcase women businesses and female entrepreneurs in the community. On Mar. 15, more than 75 women filed into Latitude restaurant in West Springfield to watch the show, called “Chiks’ Night Out: The Addy Elizabeth Spring Launch.” The event had a total of 13 sponsors. Individuals who purchased the $20 “VIP Hour” tickets got to enter early and shop beforehand. General admission opened at 6 p.m., with the show scheduled to start half an hour later. The hosts also provided a networking opportunity for attendees from 7 to 8 p.m.  

“It was very female-focused,” said Chikmedia Founder and President Meghan Rothschild. “We did have some very supportive men show up, but this was definitely a women-centric event. The response was insane, almost as if women were waiting for something like this to come along.”

Rothschild conceptualized the plan for the fashion show with Crystal Vazquez, the owner of the boutique. She said it was the perfect timing to host a joint show because Vazquez had wanted to launch her spring line at the same time Rothschild wanted to re-launch Chikmedia, which she created five years ago. The pair agreed the fashion show would be the perfect event to tackle both of those projects.

Chikmedia is a boutique firm that puts an emphasis on female-run organizations and women business owners. The company offers strategic marketing planning and creative public relations, with services ranging from marketing audits, brand development, event planning, graphic design and other benefits. With an all-female staff, Chikmedia’s mission is to empower women to find their voices through marketing and public relations. It features a lifestyle blog and offers educational workshops. The organization has an extensive list of awards and accolades, and has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire Magazine and The Huffington Post.

Rothschild was inspired to start the company after overcoming sexual harassment at her previous job, she explained.

“I worked for a company that was very much lead and run by men. I was blatantly sexually harassed in a variety of forms – either by being told I was having opportunities because of the way I looked, or comments being made about my body and what I was wearing,” she said. “I was also being paid less than my male subordinates. I had dealt with that for almost four years when I finally said, ‘that’s it. I’m starting my own company that focuses on women.’ I think with everything that is happening right now in the world, culturally and politically, this is an incredible time where there is so much opportunity for women - we have to support each other.”

On April 7, Chikmedia is handling the marketing and PR for the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The UMass Dining Services will be hosting the 9th annual UMass 5K Dash and Dine on campus. The run/walk will raise funds to benefit the Amherst Survival Center while promoting health and fitness at the university.

To learn more about the event, or Chikmedia and the services they offer, head over to their website at www.chikmedia.us.