This video includes highlights from the Veteran Women Inspiring the Spirit (V-WISE) of Entrepreneurship Event in New York City, NY from June 13-15. I’d like to share my personal journey in this blog post and video.
What an inspiration to be surrounded by over 200 very passionate veteran women and spouses who are starting and building their businesses!
I arrived early on Friday morning and met Jacqueline Bimbaum who showed me the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University Steinhardt. Nordoff-Robbins was founded in 1989 and founded by Dr. Clive Robbins and Carol Robbins; the mission is multifaceted, comprising clinical, professional, and public through treatment, training, and research programs. The Nordoff-Robbins approach to music therapy is based on the belief that everyone possesses sensitivity to music; through the interaction with a music therapist, clients take an active role in creating music together with their therapist. I was surprised on the small size of the center since a tremendous amount of research conducted and videos taken on the two treatment room site.
Opening Ceremony:
Honorees Recognized: Ms. Bonnie Amos (1st Lady of the Marine Corps) and Ms. Maria Contreras Sweet (Administrator, US Small Business Administration).
Wonderful performance by Michael Peterson, a country music singer who performed for service members and conducted nine tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, six since December 2010. Michael Peterson is the 2008 recipient of the distinguished Bob Hope “Spirit Of Hope” award for his service to the nation and the servicemen and women of the Armed Forces.
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Early start for Veteran Women Inspiring Spirit if Entrepreneurship Conference in New York City.
Keynote: Ms. Neil Merlino, Founder and President, Count Me In for Women Economic Independence. . Wonderful presentation by Nell Merlino! My take aways 1. Importance of building a strong team and 2. To think BIG as if there is no roof…the sky is the limit.
1st Breakout Lecture: Opportunity Recognition 201: Mr. Thomas Kruczek gave a presentation on how to get a Bigger Slice of the Pie.
2nd Breakout Lecture: Financing 201, Mr. Neil Tarallo discussed Money, Money, Money and the importance of knowing/identifying your customer and building a business lifestyle that supports our desires and goals.
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Heard an amazing “vetreprenuer” Larry Broughton … learned the importance of having and articulating your vision, building a strong team to build your business, and “success leaves clues.”
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Economics 201: Dr. John Torrens discussed costs, revenues, margins and pricing and learning to love it. He also discussed the importance of knowing the one thing that we are absolutely GREAT at (bets ONE) thing, forming VALUE propositions, and the importance forming strategic alliances.
I also made great connections, posing with Dr Tammy Penhollow…both of us have a mutual friend that connected us via Facebook.
During Business Planning 201, Neil Tarallo discussed Behind every Woman is a Good Business Plan and the importance of updating your business plan to reflect your VISION and MISSION and to ensure the financial projections remain current.
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Heard the hilarious Neale Godfrey President and CEO of Greenstreet…learned the importance of knowing your market, stop doing the things that don’t matter, and don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself to figure it out.
Early Sunday morning start with a key note presentation from Jessica Eaves Matthews, co-author of the book Wonder Women: How Western Women Will Save the World. She emphasized being authentic and making business personal.
“What Color Is Your Brain?®” I took the “What Color Is Your Brain?®” quiz, a book by Sheila Glazov: www.whatcolorisyourbrain.com. This book is a fun and fascinating approach to understanding ourselves and others that helps us quickly discover the solutions to problems. I took the quiz and found out that I’m a “BLUE” which indicates brains that are: Creative, Communicative, Helpful and Compassionate. Does this surprise anyone???
What are my top 4 take away’s from V-WISE?
- Build a strong TEAM around you
- Have a VISION and articulate it to your customers
- KNOW your market, find their pain points and solve their problems
- Build CONNECTIONS and RELATIONSHIPS
What an awesome experience of sharing the Veteran Women Igniting The Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) ENERGY with over 200 veteran women who have served our nation! Look out San Antonio, TX…over 300 V-WISE women will be arriving for V-WISE National Conference `1-3 November 2014
