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          Massachusetts Apprentice Network Anniversary Celebration

          Join the Massachusetts Apprentice Network for the one-year anniversary of its launch.

          03/27/2023

          9:30am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

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          BIMA: Gaming’s Present & Future: Creativity, Attention, and Social Connection

          This event will explore why in-game advertising is becoming the next big advertising channel and how companies can tap into the gaming ad space.

          03/28/2023

          5:30pm - 7:30pm

          Mediahub

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          2023 Government Affairs Forum: Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House

          Thank you for joining us for our second Government Affairs forum of the year that featured Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

          03/30/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Colonnade Hotel

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          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

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          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

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          Women’s Leadership Program

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          How to Be an LGBTQIA+ Ally in the Workplace

          Expand your DEI professional development with a virtual workshop focused specifically on LGBTQIA+ identities and inclusion.

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          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

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          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/15/2023

          Greater Boston

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          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

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          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

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          Women’s Network

          For more than 25 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

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          MITX

          Through MITX (the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange), we’re building valuable connections between the people and ideas behind technology and its impact on the future of customer experiences, all to create a community that’s finding tomorrow’s solutions together.

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          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

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Bostonchamber
Boston Chamber
  • Events
        • Events

          • Overview
          • Events Calendar
          • Chamber Awards
        • ...
          Talent
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network Anniversary Celebration

          Join the Massachusetts Apprentice Network for the one-year anniversary of its launch.

          03/27/2023

          9:30am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          BIMA
          BIMA: Gaming’s Present & Future: Creativity, Attention, and Social Connection

          This event will explore why in-game advertising is becoming the next big advertising channel and how companies can tap into the gaming ad space.

          03/28/2023

          5:30pm - 7:30pm

          Mediahub

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Events
          2023 Government Affairs Forum: Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House

          Thank you for joining us for our second Government Affairs forum of the year that featured Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

          03/30/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Colonnade Hotel

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          How to Be an LGBTQIA+ Ally in the Workplace

          Expand your DEI professional development with a virtual workshop focused specifically on LGBTQIA+ identities and inclusion.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Economic Inclusion Committee
          • Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/15/2023

          Greater Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For more than 25 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          MITX

          Through MITX (the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange), we’re building valuable connections between the people and ideas behind technology and its impact on the future of customer experiences, all to create a community that’s finding tomorrow’s solutions together.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
          Small Business

          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

          Read More
  • Membership
        • Membership

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • Our Impact
        • About Us
          Our Impact

          Explore our mission and values to better understand how we are leading the business community forward.

        • Membership Directory
        • Membership Directory
          Not sure if you’re a member?

          Our member directory is your resource to discover, connect, and engage with Boston’s businesses from every industry and sector.

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Female Entrepreneurs Share their Journeys to Success

Sherline Heriveaux

On Tuesday, February 15, the Women’s Network held its first event of 2022. “The Journey to Success: Celebrating Female Entrepreneurs,” was a virtual panel made up of the Greater Boston community’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs from the hospitality, retail, and consulting industries: Anna Foster, Founder, CEO, and Partner of A Maven’s World Lifestyle Brand and Culture Solutions DEI Consulting and Recruiting, Hadley Douglas, Founder and President of The Urban Grape<span class=NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRest CommentHighlightRest SCXW51557634 BCX8 <the= urban= grape, Nia Grace, Restauranteur and Co-Founder of the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition, and moderator Donna Levin, CEO of Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Babson College.  

The event opened with Susan Penta, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at MIDIOR Consulting, and the new Chair of the Women’s Network Advisory Board. Susan echoed the importance of championing local women– and minority–owned businesses. Michelle Thompson Dolberry, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion of MFS Investment Management shared a few words on women’s strengths and the gift of fearlessness, then introduced each panelist and welcomed the moderator.  

Moderator Donna Levin, of Babson College kicked off the<span class=NormalTextRun SCXW187574524 BCX8 <the= panel discussion by sharing statistics that reflected the undeniable importance of small businesses: “[They] are the lifeblood of our country. According to the SBA, 99.9% of businesses are classified as small businesses, and 50% are women-owned.” The panelists then discussed their journeys of founding and building successful businesses, and addressed pandemic-related challenges, the importance of community engagement, critical investments in DEI, and what more can be done to continue uplifting the region’s female entrepreneurs and women-owned minority business enterprises. Here are the event’s biggest takeaways from the panelists:

Anna Foster of A Maven’s World on balance and mental health while navigating entrepreneurship: 

“Saying yes to everything is a detriment to yourself when you don’t have the capacity to do it all. I am now under committing and over delivering. That is the journey that I’m now on.” 

Anna emphasized that even though we’re trained to multi-task, you can’t only give 10% to 10 things. You need to prioritize the things that add value to your life.  

Nia Grace of Boston Black Hospitality Coalition offered best practices on team building through challenging times: 

“My first customer is my team. Team meetings allow us to encourage, teach, and learn from each other. I have to listen to my team and know when they need to breathe.” 

When you take the time to listen to your team, you will be able to better help them navigate trying times and take action before they reach a breaking point.  

Hadley Douglas of The Urban Grape emphasized funding discrepancies based on gender: 

There’s no way that a woman garners more investment money than a man. Talk to any female entrepreneur and you’ll hear the story of struggle, trying to grow a business. 

This is an important reminder that we have a long way to go, but by uplifting and supporting the women in our community, we can make an impact in closing the gap.

Thank you for joining us for a conversation and celebration of Boston’s entrepreneurial spirit featuring renowned women-owned businesses from the hospitality, retail, and consulting industries. If not already a member, consider joining the Women’s Network for more virtual and in-person events that are sure to leave you feeling empowered and inspired.  

Watch the full conversation now!

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