I was inspired to start this after attending Oxygen Network's Mentor Walk yesterday. They matched successful women in a variety of fields (Meryl Streep was mentor to aspiring actresses) to 4 mentees in each of those fields. We walked around Central Park, chatted, exchanged info and ideas and had a power breakfast at Tavern on the Green afterward. It was great. I'm personally involved in a women's network at work (a Wall St. investment bank) and at my school, a master's program at NYU. I think all of these diverse women's networks would benefit by interconnectedness. It's great to prop women in your field, but we also need to prop up women in other fields. Use a woman accountant. Go to a woman doctor. Hire a woman-led appraisal firm. Strong community support is a huge factor in the success of a commuity, whatever your identifying factor is.
I've started companies, none hugely successful yet, other than in terms of amount of press generated, but I'd like a forum where women help women be successful and thought this would be a good step to start one here!
I've started companies, none hugely successful yet, other than in terms of amount of press generated, but I'd like a forum where women help women be successful and thought this would be a good step to start one here!
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New York City
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Re: Hi and Welcome
Thu, May 5, 2005 - 10:00 AMHi everyone! And thannk you Jo for starting this discussion going.
I'm a serial entrepreneur, and simply love starting up comapnies. My past comapnies include a security services company, a security software company, an Internet company specialising in large-scale corporate sites, a commercial real estate investment and property management company. And currently I'm running a company which handles complicance and governance in security and privacy. We're also researching launching an Internet development company focusing on standards compliant projects - which I think I'll absolutely love.
At this point, I'm semi-retired and unwilling to fully retire. Business is in the blood. And I have time now to volunteer for a few key organizations - including at my women's club, Verity, where I'm chairing the Business Forum. I strongly support women owned and operated businesses by employing women and hiring or sub-contracting to women. And in technology areas, this is not always easy!
I have a question about women's groups. Once I started getting involved with them, it's been tough remaining involved in the co-ed groups. What am I missing?
Carolyn -
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Re: Hi and Welcome
Mon, May 30, 2005 - 7:22 AMHi Carolyn,
I don't think you're crazy in not wanting to participate in co-ed groups. If it's not benefitting you or you can get away with just being a part of the groups that are women-focused, go for it. I find it easier to be more actively engaged in women only groups. There are no men there to talk over you just to hear the sound of their voice. My experience has been that women work more collaboratively and get more done.
I work in an industry (commercial real estate/finance in Manhattan) where I can't ignore the co-ed groups, but admire that you can choose which to participate in.
Wow and your Verity club looks wonderful!!
www.verity.ca/ I know where I'm going the next time I'm in Toronto :)
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