Highlights from the Inaugural SheBiz Circle Breakfast
June 06, 2024 |
| Inaugural SheBiz Circle by Assets Lancaster and Score Lancaster-Lebanon (Source Score Facebook Page) |
Good afternoon beautiful people,
Hope your June got to a lovely start.
I have to confess that I have not gone to any of the events on my Summer list, and I have a good reason - I have been toying around with product design, doing market research, getting a couple of samples and mock-ups done, as I try to figure out my MVP (minimal viable product) and target audience - thanking God for a Social Innovation Management program I did back in the day, those skills are coming in handy.
I have also been signing up for events to get a feel of the entrepreneurial side of things. One of the events I signed up for was this morning's SheBiz Circle Breakfast by Score.
 |
| SheBiz Circle Promotional Poster (Source Score Facebook Page) |
Score is a US based organization that works with small businesses from idea phase all the way to wherever you want to go by providing mentorship and educational programs. It has branches across the US and the local branch here is the Lancaster-Lebanon one.
For this event, Score teamed up with Assets Lancaster, a local non profit that offers tools for those thinking of starting a business - their services range from a 30 minute discovery call to a 10 week idea incubator program that sometimes culminates with an annual business pitch event (think shark tank). They also have women specific programs and offer start up/scale up loans.
 |
| SheBiz Circle Panel: Rep from Assets Lancaster in white pants, Lancaster based Artist Keisha Finnie (middle), and Laurie Myers, Lancaster Based Chef and Owner of Cafe 301 (with head wrap) - Lancaster, June 2024 |
My intention as I went for the event this morning was to learn from the women on the panel - and in the room - about their business start up journeys, the challenges faced along the way, and the resources and support that have kept them going.
The two guest speakers were Keisha Finnie, whose art work is all over Lancaster - here is an interactive map of her murals around the city (she is a BIG DEAL), and Laurie Myers, a chef and owner of Cafe301, which currently runs a food truck (she also catered for the event).
 |
| Some of the Breakfast Treats by Laurie Myer's Cafe 301 - Lancaster, June 2024 |
The event started with an introduction by a representative from Score (Beverley), who then introduced the session's moderator - a rep from Assets (I am sorry I forgot her name) and the two panelists. Though the two ladies are in somewhat different fields - painting and food service - there were loads of convergence points, some of which I will list here.
- There was an initial fear as you venture into self-employment
- Have side jobs lined up or some savings before transitioning from full-time employment to self-employment
- Do not be afraid to ask questions
- Build/Have a community around you and make use of mentors and local resources
- Once you start, know that you do not have to take every job i.e. set boundaries and learn to say no
- There is no shame in scaling down or getting a side job after starting the venture, if the numbers do not make sense do what has to be done to keep you afloat - in short, be open to the pivots.
It was amazing to be in a room full of entrepreneurs. I not only got motivated by the two ladies but also loved the after session interactions.
 |
| Attendees listening to a comment from the back of the room - Lancaster, June 2024 |
If you are in Lancaster and have been thinking of getting into business, but are not sure where to start - start by checking out Score Lancaster and Assets Lancaster...borrow a leaf or two from the ladies who spoke today - ask questions, build a community (events like this a good place to start). And if you are a person of faith, before all else, ask God to order your steps...and take time to listen to His direction.
Until the next business update...sending love and light.
Sitawa
.png)
0 Comments