E-Magnify Symposium Recap

A big thank you to everyone who made this year's E-Magnify Women's Entrepreneurial Symposium a success! If you weren't able to join us on March 9 for “Building Strategies for Sustainable Growth,” here's a quick recap of what you missed.

Keynote speaker Mary Cantando, President of The Woman's Advantage, gave a two-part presentation. She brought her insight and energy to the symposium stage with  Make This Your Best Year Ever...in Business! Make This Your Best Year Ever...in Life! Mary's sessions were based on her widely acclaimed Woman's Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar. She drew on the work she does with women entrepreneurs around the world to inspire and motivate audience members.  

Jayne Huston, E-Magnify Director; Mary Cantando, Symposium Keynote Speaker; Dr. Mary Ann Gawelek, Seton Hill University Provost & Dean of Faculty

In addition to the keynote presentation, symposium attendees heard from local women business owners during the panel discussion “Solutions That Work.” Attendees were eager to learn tried-and-true business tips from their peers. The panel was a great success, with glowing reviews coming in from attendees. 

Betsy Benson, panel moderator; Panel members: Wendy Staso, Danielle D'Alessandro, Sandy Burkett

Here are a few highlights from the panel.

Danielle D’Alesandro, Owner of My Posh Baby & Kids, discussed how to use social media to grow your business. She offered sound advice on time management and ways to streamline your social networking initiatives. And Danielle should know, since 70% of her sales take place online.

Sandy Burkett, President of Vital Signs, shared examples of her guerrilla marketing techniques. She emphasized the need to do your research before embarking on anything new and the importance of staying open to new strategies. As one attendee put it, Sandy “offered practical advice that can be used right away.”

Wendy Staso, President and CEO of Huckestein Mechanical Services, Inc., discussed the difficult decisions business owners must make to ensure their success. When Wendy needed to save the company from going out of business, she employed a strategy of restructuring and downsizing.  As painful as that was, she said, the company is now back on track and profitable.

Debra Mason, E-Magnify Education and Training Manager; Karan Waigand, Economic Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration; Jayne Huston, E-Magnify Director; Lyz Marshall, E-Magnify Business Counselor

Again, thank you to all who attended, spoke, and volunteered!