2nd Annual Networking & Cosmetics Gala

You're invited to our second annual Networking & Cosmetics Gala hosted by Macy's! Join us for an evening of networking, shopping, beauty, and more.

Date: May 29, 2014
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Macy's Monroeville Mall, Monroeville, PA

All proceeds from the event will benefit programs and services for women business owners like you.

For your $15 registration you will receive: 

• $15 Macy's gift card to use the night of the event
• Opportunity to network in a social environment with fun entertainment
• Complimentary appetizers and refreshments courtesy of Amelia's Elegant Catering
• Complimentary beauty consultations from your favorite cosmetic vendor
• Informal modeling of this summer's hottest looks
• One-on-one demonstration of the romantic points of fragrances and help finding the perfect fragrance for you
• Personal shopping services
• Door prizes
• Complimentary swag bag

We look forward to you joining us for this exciting evening! 

Learn more and register here. 

Upcoming Events for You & Your Business

Don't miss these educational and networking events from E-Magnify and our partners. 

Secrets to Succession Planning

April 29, 2014 (7:30 - 9:30 a.m.)
Kovalchick Athletic & Convention Center, Indiana, PA
Registration: $20

Are you interested in passing your business on to your children? Have you thought about the future of your company? Is succession planning for you and your family-owned business? Attend this presentation and panel discussion to learn more. (Presented by Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the IUP Center for Family Business in cooperation with E-Magnify, the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, IUP SBDC, and SBA.)

Miss Representation (film & discussion)

May 1, 2014 (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
Cinemark, Robinson Township, PA
Tickets: $20

Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, this film exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. Following the presentation, Debra Mason, E-Magnify's Manager of Education & Training, will facilitate an audience discussion about how to take action that can help to make a difference in the community.

Affordable Care Act Webinar for Small Businesses with Seasonal & Variable-Hour Employees

May 2, 2014 (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)

Registration: FREE

If you own a restaurant, personal care home, landscaping company, or any business that employs people seasonally or with variable hours, do you know if your employees should be covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)? The time to find out is now. Join us for this no-cost webinar to learn about the following ACA issues: Employer Mandate, Pay or Play, and Employer Shared Responsibility. Featured Speakers: Carl Knoblock (District Director, Western Pennsylvania SBA Office) and Jacqueline Lampert (Founder, Lake Street Strategies, LLC). (Presented by E-Magnify.)

PowerLink Financial Boot Camp

May 2, 2014 (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Erie Technology Incubator, Erie, PA

Registration: $149 (includes materials, breakfast, & lunch)
As a CEO, you need to use your financial statements to make sound business decisions. You need to be able to quickly review, interpret, and analyze your company's financial information so you can use it to manage your business effectively and profitably. After one intense and fun day at PowerLink's Financial Boot Camp, you'll be able to do just that. (Presented by E-Magnify + PowerLink. Hosted by ATHENAPowerLink.)

Women First Mixer

May 6, 2014 (5:00 - 7:00 p.m.)
Brunzies, 458 Philadelphia St., Indiana, PA
Registration: FREE
Network with local women business owners and leaders. For more information about First Commonwealth Bank and women in business, visit www.fcbanking.com/womenfirst/. (Presented by First Commonwealth Bank in partnership with E-Magnify + PowerLink; IUP Center for Family Business; and Indiana County Chamber of Commerce.)

E-Magnify Networking & Cosmetics Gala
May 29, 2014 (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.) 
Macy's Monroeville Mall, Monroeville, PA

You're invited to an evening of networking, shopping, beauty and more. Come network with other women in business in a social environment with fun entertainment! For a $15 registration you will receive a $15 Macy's gift card to use the evening of the event, complimentary appetizers and refreshments courtesy of Amelia's Elegant Catering,  complimentary cosmetic consultations, personal shopping services, a "swag" bag, and door prize drawings. All proceeds of the registration fee benefit E-Magnify programs for women business owners. Register here.

Miss Representation (film screening & discussion)

Written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film "Miss Representation" exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. Following the presentation, Debra Mason, E-Magnify's Manager of Education & Training, will facilitate an audience discussion about how to take action that can help to make a difference in the community.

Date: May 1, 2014

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: 
Cinemark, Robinson Township, PA

Tickets: $20 (purchase in advance here)

Women make up 47% of the workforce, influence 83% of all consumer purchases, and 50% of them are primary breadwinners and caregivers for their families; yet only 18% of congressional seats are held by women, 14.3% of Fortune 500 executive officers are women, and only 6% of women earn a six-figure salary compared to 14% of men. What is wrong with this picture? This movie explores that and so much more.

This film premiered to great acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2011. In response to overwhelming public demand for ongoing education and social action in support of the message of the film, Newsom founded MissRepresentation.org in April 2011. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, MissRepresentation.org continued to highlight and challenge the limiting depictions of women in the media and our larger culture, engaging millions of people along the way. 

After two and a half years, MissRepresentation.org became The Representation Project, stepping into a new name and bolder agenda, one that requires all of us working together, girls and boys, women and men, to ensure equality and justice for all.

Learn more about The Representation Project, and then purchase your tickets for the Pittsburgh screening of "Miss Representation."

More Women Seize Opportunities to Start Businesses

The Tribune Review reported on women business owners in the Pittsburgh region: "More Women Seize Opportunities to Start Businesses." 

The article features E-Magnify director Jayne Huston and several women business owners with ties to E-Magnify, including PowerLink Advisory Board client Judy Masucci (owner, A Mother's Boutique), and Stephanie DiLeo (owner, Homer City Automation), who is a past PowerLink Advisory Board client and current member of the E-Magnify-hosted Greensburg chapter of the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO). 

 From the article:

“[Women] are starting lots and lots of companies,” said Huston. “But what's not happening is the growth of their companies.”

Even as the number and scope of businesses owned by women have grown, their influence in the larger economy has not kept pace. These companies remain relatively small, typically with only a few employees and pulling in less than $1 million in annual revenue.

That is especially true in Pittsburgh, which American Express ranked near the bottom for cities in which women-owned firms have the greatest “economic clout,” measured by the growth in number, revenue and employment of female-owned businesses.

Among the 25 most populous cities, Pittsburgh ranked 24th (41.3 percent) in the growth of number of female-owned firms and 23rd (18.4 percent) in revenue between 1997 and 2014, according to American Express.

One possible explanation for Pittsburgh lagging behind is that some of the major industries — high-tech, professional and business services, manufacturing — tend to be male dominated, said Julie Weeks, the report's author.

Huston doesn't believe that. She sees women entering a variety of industries, and where they need help most is in connecting with mentors and peer networks who can help them learn how to grow.

“That's what we need to do,” she said. “It's not enough to just start them.”

E-Magnify + PowerLink provide a variety of services to help women start and grow businesses.  
 

WPO is a national non-profit membership organization for women presidents of multimillion-dollar companies. The members of the WPO take part in professionally-facilitated peer advisory groups in order to bring the 'genius out of the group' and accelerate the growth of their businesses. Learn more about WPO. 

The PowerLink Advisory Board Program provides women business owners with a high-level advisory board for one year. These customized boards are comprised of volunteer business professionals who are carefully chosen to meet the specific needs of the company. Founded in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1991, PowerLink is a unique and proven resource for advancing women-owned businesses. In January 2013, PowerLink formed a strategic alliance with Seton Hill University's E-Magnify, bringing together two of the Pittsburgh region's strongest organizations dedicated to the growth of women entrepreneurs. Learn more about PowerLink Advisory Boards.

ACA Webinar for Small Biz w/ Seasonal & Variable-Hour Employees

Join us for this FREE webinar, May 2, 2014, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. 

If you own a restaurant, personal care home, landscaping company, or any business that employs people seasonally or with variable hours, do you know if your employees should be covered under the Affordable Care Act?

The time to find out is now.

Featured Speakers: Carl Knoblock (District Director, Western Pennsylvania SBA Office) and Jacqueline Lampert (Founder, Lake Street Strategies, LLC).

There is no charge to attend this webinar, but registration is required.

 Learn more and register for free here.

Crowdfunding Webinar (April 23)

What is crowdfunding? How does it work?

To get a clearer idea of this financial phenomenon, join us for this webinar, facilitated by Carl Knoblock, District Director, Western Pennsylvania SBA office. 


Hear first-hand from two business owners / entrepreneurs 
who have used crowdfunding: Tom Joseph 
(Epiphany Solar Water Systems) and Bobby Fry 
(Bar Marco).

The webinar will conclude with Q&A. Register online for just $10.