{"id":206431,"date":"2017-10-19T15:29:13","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T19:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/entrepreneur\/?p=206431"},"modified":"2017-12-15T12:28:35","modified_gmt":"2017-12-15T17:28:35","slug":"women-entrepreneurs-pack-wew-conference-hear-useful-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/entrepreneur\/2017\/10\/19\/women-entrepreneurs-pack-wew-conference-hear-useful-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"Women entrepreneurs pack WEW conference, hear useful advice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly 450 people, mostly women, heard inspiring tales and learned practical tips for launching and growing a business during the fourth annual Women Entrepreneurship Week (WEW) Conference<\/a> on Oct. 18 at Montclair State.<\/p>\n

WEW<\/a> started at Montclair State in 2014 when four north Jersey universities held events during the same week. In 2017, 76 universities and nonprofits<\/a> in 22 states in the U.S. and 15 countries all over the world were involved with events to celebrate women entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

The conference kicked off with welcome remarks from Montclair State President Susan A. Cole<\/a> and Vice Dean Kimberly Hollister<\/a>. Then Mimi Feliciano<\/a>, founder and CEO of FEM Real Estate, talked about the impact of two near-death experiences recently, and how they changed her thinking.<\/p>\n

\"Mimi
Mimi Feliciano tells the crowd about two near-death experiences.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The morning keynote at Montclair State was Evelyn McGee Colbert<\/a> who explained the start and growth of Montclair Film, which she co-founded. She was interviewed by longtime friend Emily Lazar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

McGee Colbert said she asked one of the male members of the Montclair Film board, why she was the secretary, and he replied that instead she would be the vice president and he would be the secretary.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was me leaning in,\u201d said McGee Colbert. \u201cI became president because I leaned in harder, and kept showing up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Evelyn
Evelyn McGee Colbert, right, was interviewed by Emily Lazar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

McGee Colbert discussed the growth of Montclair Film, which started as a festival and expanded into an organization with year-round programming and 10 full-time staff. In fact, when asked about her biggest mistake, McGee Colbert said sometimes the organization took on too much too quickly. But like any entrepreneur, McGee Colbert and her colleagues did this because they were seizing opportunities when they popped up, such as when Investors Bank offered a building on Bloomfield Avenue, and Montclair Film \u201chad to jump in,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

See photo gallery from the conference.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

View video recap of the conference<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

A panel of startup founders offered a slew of advice to attendees, as well as their compelling stories of how and why they started their businesses. The panel was moderated by Tracy Day<\/a>, co-founder and CEO of the World Science Festival.<\/p>\n

Panelist Logan Cohen<\/a> advocated the power of just getting started. \u201cPerfectionism leads to procrastination,\u201d said Cohen, co-founder and co-CEO of KUDZOO. When entrepreneurs ask for something from investors or other supporters, they need \u201cidentify your value add, as well as your value ask,\u201d Cohen said.<\/p>\n

Mindy Scheier<\/a>, founder and president of Runway of Dreams Foundation, discussed the importance of persistence, and putting your heart on your sleeve. Scheier, who was inspired by her son to create adaptable clothing for children with disabilities, said people initially told her she had only a niche market. But Scheier would answer with stats on the large number of people in the U.S. and beyond with disabilities, and also developed a following of fans. \u201cI was building up an army. \u2026 I had the consumers with me,\u201d said Scheier, whose clothing became a Tommy Hilfiger line.<\/p>\n

\"Six
Startup panel, from left, Tracy Day, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, KJ Miller, Mindy Scheier, Logan Cohen, Tracy Stern.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overcoming obstacles was a theme too for the startup panel. \u201cKnow you are going to fall,\u201d said Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin<\/a>, an artist, designer and entrepreneur. Tracy Stern<\/a>, owner of Salon Tea, added, \u201cIf someone tells you no, smile and keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n

KJ Miller<\/a>, co-founder of Mented Cosmetics, said she thought leaving her corporate job to start a business was a \u201cpie in the sky dream,\u201d and was concerned she\u2019d let down her parents if she failed. But then she realized, \u201cit wasn\u2019t just my dream; it was their dream.\u201d Miller, who was recently profiled in Forbes<\/a> with her co-founder Amanda Johnson as the 15th<\/sup> and 16th<\/sup> black women ever to raise $1 million in capital, also advised attendees to sell to investors on your passion and who you are. \u201cYou pitch to everyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Read Entrepreneur.com story about Women Entrepreneurship Week<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

A second panel, \u201cEntrepreneurship in the C-Suite,\u201d featured top execs at New Jersey companies and nonprofits. These women shared how to be an intrapreneur\u2014someone who is entrepreneurial within a large organization. The panel was moderated by Kimberly Weisul<\/a>, editor-at-large at Inc.<\/p>\n

Leecia Eve<\/a>, VP of Government Affairs for Tri-State Region at Verizon, recommended taking informed and calculated risks, as well as \u201cfail fast and move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the audience was 85 percent women, there was a higher attendance by men this year than past WEW conferences. \u201cI love that there are men in this room,\u201d said Michellene Davis<\/a>, executive VP and chief corporate affairs officer at RWJBarnabas, which drew applause from the audience. Davis added that the presence of men at a conference focused on women helps those men be more inclusive when they return to the workplace.<\/p>\n

\"Five
C-suite panel, from left: Kimberly Weisul, Michele Siekerka, Michellene Davis, Leecia Eve, Judith Spires<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Judith Spires<\/a>, CEO of Kings Supermarkets, said people have asked if she\u2019d ever go on \u201cUndercover Boss.\u201d Spires said she replies that she doesn\u2019t need to, because she rose from being a supermarket checkout clerk in high school, and knows the grocery business inside-out from working at every level of supermarket chains.<\/p>\n

There were knowing murmurs of assent from the crowd when Michele Siekerka<\/a> asked if anyone had ever been at a table, usually of all men, and offered an idea to little or no reaction, and then a while later someone else at the table suggested the same idea, to enthusiastic support from everyone in the room. Siekerka said women shouldn\u2019t be silent when that happens, and a way to handle it is to say something like, \u201cThanks for expanding upon my idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

The afternoon keynote was Sally Glick<\/a>, principal and chief growth strategist at Sobel & Co., who is known for her branding expertise. Glick was interviewed by Linda Bowden<\/a>, regional president of PNC Bank.<\/p>\n

\"Woman
Sally Glick, left, was interviewed by Linda Bowden.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Glick talked about her journey from overcoming a fear of swimming as a child and then doing marketing for her father\u2019s accounting firm in Chicago, to a move to Atlanta and eventually New Jersey. She advised attendees always to think that they are serving, not selling, and advocated how powerful it can be to be a \u201cgiver\u201d versus a taker. Glick\u2019s other tips to build a brand and a marketing program included be authentic: \u201cIf you\u2019re not real\u2026it will never work for you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Glick shared a story about how she asked at a Sobel staff meeting for people to raise their hand if they worked in marketing. When only one hand went up, Glick gave a lesson that everyone should think of themselves as being involved in marketing and branding. \u201cYou\u2019re always on duty\u201d for the brand, she said.<\/p>\n

\"Two
Networking is one of top benefits of the WEW Conference.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All photos courtesy of Keith Muccilli Photography, LLC<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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