WTA x Gillette Venus: The Power of Smooth, Confidence in Conversation Panel in NYC

The Women’s Tennis Association, in collaboration with Gillette Venus, hosted an exclusive WTA Café & Marketplace featuring specialty treats, limited-edition merchandise, and select Venus products, followed by a panel discussion highlighting the power of confidence in driving professional success.

Confidence takes a different form for every woman in her career. Whether in tennis, journalism, or fitness, we all find ways to play it smooth under pressure and navigate obstacles along the way. Confidence isn’t something you simply do; it’s something you grow into. As Tennis Season continues, the WTA celebrates this theme with an exclusive Café & Clubhouse experience, featuring a panel discussion with WTA No. 1 Doubles Player Taylor Townsend, multi-hyphenate creator Tefi Pessoa, New York Times Bestselling Author and Peloton Instructor Tunde Oyeneyin, and journalist and entrepreneur Nana Agyemang of EvertStylish Girl.

On arrival, guests were welcomed into the Café & Marketplace, complete with WTA-branded décor and a selection of coffees, matcha, smoothies, and baked treats.

WTA Café drinks | Photo retrieved from Carly Grafstein MMC PR

Gillette Shaving Sticks | Photo retrieved from Carly Grafstein MMC PR

Tunde Workout Class | Photo retrieved from Carly Grafstein MMC PR

At 10 a.m., Peloton Instructor Tunde Oyeneyin led an immersive fitness class that encouraged women to put their bodies to work. Known for her dynamic routines, she guided participants through the session with a focus on connection, collaboration, and one-on-one engagement.

Play it Smooth Panelists | Photo retrieved from Carly Grafstein MMC PR

At 11 a.m., the panel commenced, led and moderated by Tefi Pessoa.

“I think that I really obtained that power when I was 16,” Taylor Townsend shares when asked about moving through confidence. “I also I found my voice. I found that it was more powerful to talk about what I was going through, and it wasn’t easy. I had to go through that on my own and advocate for myself.” In those moments, she’s learned self-assuredness in who she is and proclaimed, “I’m me,” ultimately giving her power.

For women like Tunde Oyeneyin, smooth doesn’t always mean easy—especially when finding the courage to dive into a whole new life journey. “It takes courage,” she begins. Originally from Houston, Texas, and a daughter of immigrant parents from Nigeria, her story is one that most relate to. Parents immigrating to sacrifice and create a life for their children. “I worked in the cosmetic world for 16 years. I loved it until I hated it.” That honesty, where she sat with herself and asked, “Do I love this job, or do I love the title?” set the catalyst for her love for cycling and fitness, leading her into Peloton.

Lastly, taking risks and betting on yourself was a lesson for Nana Agyemang. Pursuing journalism was an unconventional path as a first-generation child to parents who were closed off to only careers as a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. While simultaneously working in journalism and building her company, Every Stylish Girl, she wasn’t happy with what she saw in traditional news. As a change agent, she got real with herself and realized her discontent in journalism and decided to pursue fashion. “I took that risk on myself because I knew that nobody else would for me.” From obtaining her master’s, to pulling professionals for coffee chats, and shooting her shot with Yara Shahidi to interview to feature on her platform. That one interview, with a repost from Yara, brought increased visibility and following to her platform. “From there, it was up and it was stuck,” she reminisced. “Bet on yourself.”