On October 20, 2014 the America’s Small Business Development Center New Jersey at Brookdale Community College will present the inaugural “Women Entrepreneurs Rock” female founders event at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ from 6pm and run through 9pm (with networking until 10pm). This free event is for business owners (and aspiring entrepreneurs) throughout New Jersey.
According to a 2014 report produced by American Express, “it is estimated that, as of 2014, there are nearly 9.1 million women-owned enterprises, employing nearly 7.9 million workers and generating over $1.4 trillion in revenues.” The report also states that “Between 1997 and 2014, the number of women-owned firms grew at 1½ times the national average.” – The State of Women Owned Businesses, 2014 from American Express OPEN. The goal of the Women Entrepreneurs Rock event (also known as WeRock) is to facilitate a real dialog about topics important to women in business.
The NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College will host introductory speakers on topics such as procurement and state business resources and provide an impactful panel discussion with successful female entrepreneurs across several industries. The panelists will discuss their background, successes and challenges along the way and advice to fellow business owners. There will also be live Q&A exchange as well as the ability to pre-submit questions for the panel to discuss at the event.
“WeRock” will be moderated by speaker, author, trainer and business navigator Stephanie D. Burroughs and the exciting panel of successful female entrepreneurs will include:
SARA SHIKHMAN – Co-Founder and CEO at Rent A Gent and Online Marketing Expert
Sara Shikhman and her family came to America in 1992 from Ukraine with only $5,000. Sara graduated from University of Pennsylvania Law School and got her Bachelors in Finance, Magna Cum Laude from Pace University. After practicing corporate law in New York at Cadwalader and working at Deutsche Asset Management, Sara started Bedroom Furniture Discounts with just $20,000. Sara built BFD into more than $10,000,000 in 2 years. In 2013, Sara and her team founded Rent A Gent, which in just one year has been featured on the top shows in America, reaching over 15 million people. Sara is an e-commerce expert. She specialize in the lifestyle, fashion and home industries and has launched and led several multi-million dollar online businesses and consult many others.
PATRICIA CLAYBROOK – President/CEO of Jidan Cleaning
Patricia Claybrook was Among Just 23 Entrepreneurs from the Philadelphia Area Selected For Goldman Sachs “10,000 Small Businesses” Program. Her company, Jidan Cleaning, has been fully operational since 2005 and has implemented a growth strategy that diversified its services in the Commercial marketplace. Utilizing a professional approach to the cleaning industry, Jidan Cleaning made a significant investment in establishing efficient systems and processes to hire the right people, utilize the best products and deliver exceptional cleaning services. Jidan Cleaning has demonstrated their expertise in servicing clients with multiple locations and has experience with clients that have over 30 locations throughout Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia and Harrisburg metropolitan areas.
MARILYN SCHLOSSBACH – Restaurateur and International Hospitality Business Consultant
Marilyn is now the proprietor of six food and beverage establishments along the New Jersey coast and is an avid community advocate, endeavoring to promote the culinary arts among the next generation of service industry professionals. Her community work includes a collaboration with Interfaith Neighbors on Asbury Park’s Kula Café, community gardening and surf lessons with the Boys and Girls Club of Asbury Park, and unwavering support of environmental organizations like Clean Ocean Action that work to protect coastlines and marine environments.
PAULINE POYNER – Real Estate Professional at Heritage House Sotheby’s International Realty
With career sales totaling over $311,000,000, Pauline has consistently ranked in the top 1% of real estate sales in Monmouth County and in the state of New Jersey; as well as in the top 1% nationwide during her tenure with her former firm, a national real estate brokerage. In 2012, she participated in over 82 transactions. For the last twelve consecutive years Pauline held the distinguished award as the Top Sales Associate with her former firm, Rumson Office. She has developed an extensive Sales Associate network of contacts throughout New Jersey and across the country, which enables her to quickly connect buyers for the properties she represents.
ASHLEY ROMBRO – Vice President of Business Development for Brand Launcher
Ashley Rombro brings years of experience, infectious energy, and a never-say-never attitude to her role as Brand Launcher’s Vice President of Business Development. She is a business pioneer who founded the largest specialty retail company in the US in her niche sector, installing over 50 retail cafes and kiosks in high profile universities and institutions.
A Baltimore native who completed her graduate work in the nation’s coffee capitol, Seattle, Ashley developed a serious obsession with coffee that led her to build a $5M company whose clients have included: Johns Hopkins University and Hospital System, Georgetown Medical and Law Schools, and University of Maryland. She is passionate about working with business owners to help them identify, clarify and actualize their visions.
STEPHANIE D. BURROUGHS – Speaker, Author, Trainer and Business Navigator (Event Moderator)
Stephanie D. Burroughs, President of StephanieSpeaking LLC is a results-focused speaker, author, trainer and business navigator. Stephanie has been a diversity champion in public and government procurement since 1981. Stephanie’s previous roles include: Director of Procurement Programs for the NJ Small Business Development Centers, Rutgers the State University; Project Director for the NJ Transit DBE Support Center on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail project; M/W/S/DBE business and program development, contract compliance and diversity certification auditing for The Port Authority of NY & NJ; and Contract Administration Specialist for Gannett Fleming Corrdry & Carpenter for the Rehabilitation & Re-electrification of the Erie Lackawanna and the North Jersey Coast Line where she ensured compliance with the MBE and federal Affirmative Action programs.
For over 30 years Stephanie has presented to, trained, navigated, coached and consulted thousands of minority, women, veteran and small business owners transitioning into or extending their reach in the government, public and corporate marketplace.
Although this is a free event, space is limited so attendees are required to pre-register. To register online for the Women Entrepreneurs Rock event, visit http://bit.ly/WERock or you can register by phone by calling 732.842.8685. We look forward to seeing you there!
To read more about the Women Entrepreneurs Rock, please visit http://womenentrepreneursrock.com/
For more information about America’s SBDC New Jersey at Brookdale Community College, please visit https://www.mosbdc.com/
Although there is NO COST to attend this event, Registration is Required!
REGISTER HERE
About America’s Small Business Development Center New Jersey
The America’s Small Business Development Center New Jersey network provides comprehensive services and programs for small businesses in New Jersey, helping businesses expand their operations, manage their growth, or start new ventures. Expert staff and practicing business consultants help small business owners and entrepreneurs to develop business plans, find financing, identify new markets, find procurement and international trade opportunities, commercialize technology and develop an E-commerce presence. This non-profit network is a federal-state-educational partnership, leveraging public and private funding sources to further maximize resources for the small business community. The network leverages funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA), New Jersey State Government, the educational institutions that host the 12 centers as well as other private sponsorships and grants. The ASBDC New Jersey Headquarters is located at the Rutgers Business School in Newark, NJ. The ASBDC New Jersey network is an accredited member of the National Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). More than 1,000 centers and satellite offices serve small businesses across the country. Visit www.njsbdc.com