You don't have to be a girl to be a nurse or a boy to be a firefighter. And, if you really want to, you might even find it's possible to pull off a career as a poet.

Those were a few of the messages at a Napa conference Tuesday morning intended to boost the self-esteem of teens and to encourage them to follow their dreams.

"Each of you has an inner voice," said Tracy Hayward, who owns The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley, which makes and sales fruit products. In her early 30s, she said, she took stock of her personal strengths, then spent the next decade building a small business that now does business with restaurants and chefs around the country. "You have the power to do whatever you want in life."

The Napa County Commission on the Status of Women planned the conference -- called "Good Enough!" and held at the Napa Valley Opera House -- for freshmen in high school. "We hope it becomes a signature event," said Carol Whichard, chairwoman of the commission. Formed in 1976, the commission's role is to "empower women and girls so they are positive contributors back to society," Whichard said. But boys were invited to the conference, too.

From poets to firefighters to the mayor of Napa, myriad professionals talked about how they got there, reminding the teens that they have many options ahead of them.

Teens walked away with their own inspiration.

For teenager Alec Jarvey, it was Jill Techel, the new mayor of Napa, who sparked a new interest. "She was very inspiring and full of life," said the New Technology High School freshman. Jarvey said she could see herself in the same position some day.

For Michaela Rhoads, another freshman, it was poet Charles Ellik who encouraged her. He talked about the transition from working in stocks, as his father had wanted, to becoming a full-time poet. "He was very brave to do something his parents didn't want him to do, and he got a lot out of it," she said. Rhoads said she's having a hard time convincing her parents that her dream of becoming a youth pastor is worth pursuing.

Ellik performs with the Berkeley Slam Poetry group, and his words proved compelling for many of the students. He spoke about finding one's own happiness, the beauty of a long-term relationship and the dangers of listening to the messages of the entertainment industry and media.

He recited one of his own haiku poems:

"Thirty years this tree

soaked up sunshine, now it burns

and the sun escapes."

Students also got a lesson in self-defense from Helen Grieco, heard tales from around the world by professional story teller Cathryn Fairlee and learned about the importance of making a positive first impression from Kim Northrup, who owns the local vintage clothing shop Betty's Girl.

Local businesses supported the event. First Squeeze provided lunch, St. Helena Hospital gave out goodie bags, and SBC donated money and sent several guest speakers. Students signed up through their schools to attend.