Power Lunching with Women Entrepreneurs

Posted by at 12 June, 2011, 9:16 am

It’s not often that I get the chance to trade in my boring yogurt-at-my-desk lunch for a 3-course meal at Abigail Kirsh’s Tappan Hill Restaurant in Tarrytown, New York. But last Friday, I shared amazing food with some amazing women at WEDC’s annual spring luncheon and microenterprise fair. For those of you unfamiliar with WEDC (which stands for Women’s Enterprise Development Center), its mission is to encourage entrepreneurship in and around Westchester County, New York, through training programs, support services and microenterprise funding opportunities. I am lucky enough to be a WEDC trainer, and I teach their 15-week Entrepreneurial Training Program in the spring and fall.

The luncheon is always the highlight of the season, offering an opportunity to network with other business women, hear inspirational advice from the featured speakers, and catch up with former students (like Tsahai Martin-Wright of Shima & Sahai and Kim Jones of Urban Tranquility, who both exhibited their products at the microenterprise fair beforehand.

But this year’s WEDC event was extra-special because it included the inaugural presentation of the LEAP Awards, micro grants made possible by local philanthropist Patricia Lanza. They were awarded to qualifying women entrepreneurs who have completed WEDC training; and I was thrilled to learn that two of the LEAP award winners were from my current class! I was a proud mama as I gathered with other students to cheer on these inspirational ladies.

Margie Nugent, of Making Faces Parties, had to rebuild her life after arriving in a domestic violence shelter with 2 little boys and just $20 in her pocket. She always dreamed of owning a business that tapped into her artistic abilities and degrees from FIT. In 2009, she launched Making Faces Parties, an entertainment company offering a variety of body art services. The business—run on nights and weekends—supplements her fulltime job working in a school, and was profitable in its first year. Margie will use her grant money to purchase more equipment, get additional training, and exhibit at body painting competitions to broaden her exposure.

Jenifer Ross, of W@tercooler, spotted the emerging trend of co-working, and is capitalizing on it. W@tercooler is a collaborative office space in historic Tarrytown, New York, available for part-time or fulltime rental to entrepreneurs, freelancers, and other mobile workers. But this is no ordinary office suite rental place. Jenifer’s space is unique because members work side by side in a shared loft-like setting, gaining a sense of community and a place to exchange ideas. The open floor plan has a variety of options—private desks, shared desks or tables, and a lounge area—with access to a shared kitchen, a private phone booth, and a state of the art conference room. All members enjoy complimentary WiFi, faxing, printing, and coffee. And (in a move that I think is sheer genius), clerical help is available through the intern program Jenifer has established with her local high school. If you’re in the Westchester area and need an alternative to working in your lonely home office, come check it out. You may just see me there! (Look for me with my laptop on that cool settee)! Jenifer is using her grant money to build a deck overlooking the Hudson River, providing members with yet another scenic and collaborative place to work.

Other LEAP award winners included:

Cary and Meryl Gabeler, a mom-daughter team who run Anjolie Ayurveda, organic soaps imported from India.

Beatriz Messina, of BM Consulting of New York, a proposal writing and project management firm

Juana Pinyol, who launched Details Custom Cleaning Services, a residential cleaning service which uses green products.

Beverly Turner, of Casaco, Inc., which provides financial literacy and home ownership counseling.

Maria Valente, of Chocolations, a chocolate shop and café (and the only chocolate factory in Westchester County, NY!)

Congratulations all!

If you’re in the Westchester, NY area, check WEDC out. If you’re not, research the women’s business development groups or other SBA-funded organizations in your community. Organizations like these are a great resource for support, networking, and training. And sometimes they even provide a nice alternative to eating lunch at your desk!

Category : Growing Your Biz | Networking | Running Your Business | Starting A Business | Working From Home

4 Responses to “Power Lunching with Women Entrepreneurs”


Lili azizian June 12, 2011

It was encouraging to read your website. Thank you. I have been working as a hairdresser for over 30 years and now at this time in my life, I want to start a home based business. I like cooking and making jams. where should I start? I would appreciate your input. Lili

MPFounder-Ellen June 14, 2011

Hi Lili and welcome!

I suggest you visit our message board community and share your ideas there. It is filled with supportive women who will weigh in with advice. What I always tell my entrepreneurial students on the first day of class is to figure out what’s special about your business and how you will set it apart from the competition. Then research that biz inside and out and go forth to be the best you can in your industry! You can find lots of start up articles on our site..and we look forward to conversing more on the message boards! Welcome aboard!

Ellen

Joey June 14, 2011

Margie’s story sounds so inspirational!

Other than hearing the speeches of other successful women entrepreneurs, were you able to learn anything from their non-verbal actions like the way they held themselves or how they interacted when others approached them?

MPFounder-Ellen June 15, 2011

Events like these are always much more than speeches! It’s all about networking with like-minded women! And as part of WEDC’s training program, I am fortunate enough to get to work with entrepreneurs for 15 weeks straight. And with their ideas, poise, confidence, and marketing smarts, they amaze me every single day. Just like the mompreneurs in this very community!