Mission Statement
womENT Empowers female entrepreneurs through discussion of the challenges they face. We encourage women to strike out on their own by fostering an open and honest dialogue. Women from all walks of life are taking advantage of social media platforms to create a Network while building their businesses. We believe women entrepreneurs will Thrive individually by coming together as a community.
Why We Were Founded
“There are many powerful women in my life who are part of the tech community and all face similar problems. I saw a need to bring these women together to help build each other up,” explains founder Damien Basile. “As an outsider there was only so much I could advise them on. I felt they would be a greater force if brought together in a Women’s Leadership Council.”
Damien Basile, a brand strategist, found himself surrounded by influential women in his online community and personal life. He wanted to bring these social media savvy female entrepreneurs together to share their stories of overcoming the obstacles they face. So in April 2009 he tweeted about his desire to create a women’s leadership council. All he needed was a woman’s insight. Biana Bakman, a young PR professional, joined Damien to bring a woman’s perspective to his vision. The role of women in business has come a long way, but still has far to go. womENT was born out of a need to discuss the ongoing challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Challenges
In the new millennium the number of women entrepreneurs and business leaders is increasing exponentially. Women have been working at this for decades, but with this victory comes new obstacles and challenges. Today women are tackling issues previous generations could only dream about.
What happens when a woman becomes the primary breadwinner for her family, or even yet, if a woman decides to remain single and not have children? Where is the line drawn between bitch & pushover and how do you strike a balance? When creating a company focused on women do you encourage men to join your staff? How does a woman enter the “good ol’ boy” network of venture capitalism to gain funding for her company? Why are women often each other’s biggest foes?
What happens when a woman becomes the primary breadwinner for her family, or even yet, if a woman decides to remain single and not have children? Where is the line drawn between bitch & pushover and how do you strike a balance? When creating a company focused on women do you encourage men to join your staff? How does a woman enter the “good ol’ boy” network of venture capitalism to gain funding for her company? Why are women often each other’s biggest foes?
Opportunities
Technology and social media have created countless opportunities for women to build a business and create a community while doing so. The internet abounds with information and resources available for women starting their own businesses. Mothers are better able to balance work and home life with telecommuting and work from home positions. Mommy bloggers are in high demand to review consumer products, receiving free products and even advertising opportunities.
Regardless of social or economic situation, a woman can access these resources from the comfort of her home or local library. It has become easier than ever for a woman to rise above her current situation by educating herself and creating a community of supporters. Women have come together online to build businesses, raise their children and even fight cancer. A woman can be empowered by the network she creates to thrive in ways she never thought possible.
Regardless of social or economic situation, a woman can access these resources from the comfort of her home or local library. It has become easier than ever for a woman to rise above her current situation by educating herself and creating a community of supporters. Women have come together online to build businesses, raise their children and even fight cancer. A woman can be empowered by the network she creates to thrive in ways she never thought possible.
Solutions
By bringing together successful women to share their stories we can help others overcome these challenges and exploit the opportunities. womENT is working on gathering these women together to discuss the issues they faced as they built and continue to grow their businesses.
We want to follow their journey from day job to dream job and inspire more women to pursue their dreams. We are currently putting together a group of panelists for the following series of panels:
We want to follow their journey from day job to dream job and inspire more women to pursue their dreams. We are currently putting together a group of panelists for the following series of panels:
- Prioritize Your Dreams: Start Up Your Business While Managing Your Day Job
- Life Transitions: Leverage Consultation Work to Start Your Business
- Balance Your Brand: Integrating Your Personal and Professional Image
- Build Your Brand: Crafting an Image with Messaging and Design
- Developing Partnerships: Leverage Your Online and Offline Relationships
- Creating a Corporate Culture: Inspire Passion in Your Employees
- Women In Tech: Working In A Male Dominated Field
Contact Us
