An event this week focusing on women in entrepreneurship demonstrated how much power lies in creating spaces where women can gather, spaces filled with the infectious energy of women in their element, sharing what inspires and drives them.
Students, alumni, and staff shared stories over a hot breakfast, networked at the vendor and information booths, and connected while waiting for a LinkedIn headshot at the Women in Entrepreneurship: Pathways and Possibilities event.
Organized by Student Success Centre, Student Affairs in partnership with the Office of Alumni Engagement, the event at the MSU Hub also featured an empowering panel discussion.
Arlene Fajutrao Dosen, assistant dean and executive director, student success, opened the panel discussion inviting those in attendance to “hear inspiring stories from individuals who truly embody what it means to live boldly and lead with confidence and purpose.”
Moderated by Mac grad Stephanie McLarty, head of sustainability at Quantum Lifecycle Partners, the discussion featured McMaster student and entrepreneur Olivia Billeci, and McMaster grads, Hamilton councillor and entrepreneur Tammy Hwang and local entrepreneur Ashleigh Montague.
The power of community and collaboration
One of this year’s themes for International Women’s Day was Give to Gain, which emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support.
“Women tend to create impactful organizations,” said McLarty, remarking that the stories of the panelists remind her of the values behind B Corp organizations— those that are for-profit, but also for good.
Olivia Billeci, MBA student and founder of Thirds Roasting Collective.
McMaster student Olivia Billeci, founder of Thirds Roasting Collective, agreed. “Success isn’t just revenue; it’s how many people we helped start something of their own,” she said.
She touched on the importance of community, something every panelist brought up.
“It all comes down to community,” said Billeci, “I was born and raised in Hamilton, I love this city so much and I wanted to be part of the small businesses here. I wanted to give back.”
Her business, started by asking the question, “Why can’t coffee be roasting be more community-driven?” The name Thirds Roasting Collective is a play on the third space between home and work, where community happens, she explained.
Hamilton Ward 4 Councillor Tammy Hwang, co-founder of CoMotion Group Inc. and CoBuild Hamilton.
Ashleigh Montague, executive director and co-founder of BLK OWNED, spoke of having the importance of community involvement instilled in her by her parents at a young age.
Fittingly, Montague’s entrepreneurial ventures have been collaborations with family, as she co-founded BLK OWNED with her two sisters.
Hamilton Ward 4 Councillor Tammy Hwang, co-founder of CoMotion Group Inc. and CoBuild Hamilton, also has a history of creating businesses with several co-founders. One of the biggest lessons she’s learned as an entrepreneur is the importance of surround yourself with the right people.
Asked how she balances multiple demanding roles, Hwang simply said, “I have good people.”
The value of failure and authenticity
Hwang spoke of a business she co-founded with McLarty that, in their words, “failed.”
She does not regret the time and effort they put into that business, Hwang said, because she learned valuable lessons. “We tend to think failure is a bad thing… but it is normal in business. We fail on some small level pretty much every day.”
“Do you wish you did anything differently while you were a student?” McLarty asked the group. Together, the panel reflected on the amount of resources available to McMaster students, compared to when they were students.
“Our goal for the day was to encourage students to view entrepreneurship as a real and exciting option for their future, but also as a mindset that empowers them to identify opportunities, take initiative, and create meaningful impact in any field,” says Gisela Oliveira, associate director, career development, global mobility and international student success.
“Regardless of which career path students choose to pursue, entrepreneurial skills such as adaptability and resourcefulness are beneficial in any career.”
The courage to believe in yourself
For many entrepreneurs, being a founder is not something they set out to do, but rather, the result of a non-linear path led by passion, purpose and a healthy dose of trial and error.
Ashleigh Montague, executive director and co-founder of BLK OWNED.
“Confidence doesn’t come before doing something scary, it usually comes after,” Billeci said. “Stop waiting to feel qualified.”
Asked what advice she would give her student self, Montague said, “Step with more confidence.” Nowadays, when the doubt creeps in, she has people around her who remind her she is “that girl.”
“It’s good to have community around you saying, ‘No, this is a big deal.’”
When McLarty first printed business cards with the title of “President” on them, she was afraid to hand them out. Afraid of what people would think of her. Until one day, she handed one to a big client who responded, “Wow, that’s so cool.”
“What occurred to me is how many times I didn’t hand out my business card because I was afraid of the reaction, how many missed opportunities, how much missed revenue,” says McLarty. “And from that point forward, I was like, ‘I’m going to call myself CEO and president.’”
