Ellevate Networking Brings Together Women Entrepreneurs

Local business moguls from across the Island came together at LaunchPad Huntington for dinner, wine and discussion at the local Ellevate chapter’s latest networking event, “Women Wine & Entrepreneurs.”

Female (and a few male) entrepreneurs networked, drank and discussed hot business topics at the three-hour-long event at LaunchPad’s Main Street office. Sponsored by Ellevate, a women’s global networking association made up of local chapters, and EisnerAmper, the room was packed with successful and soon-to-be-successful women of all different fields.

The event was originally meant to happen back in November, but due to a freak snowstorm, it was rescheduled for this month. That didn’t stop over 80 people from showing up, coming from over 32 different companies.

“Our chapter is dedicated to networking with a purpose,” Susan MacDonald, Long Island chapter co-president, said. “This is time to help each other.

With no official office based in one place, Ellevate embraces women leaders from all parts of the island, trying to get involvement from both shores, east and west. The group offers different networking opportunities locally and nationally and is completely volunteer-based.

Following a good hour of networking and browsing of the different vendors at the event, a panel of five female leaders including, Natalie Bowen (President of Bowen Media), Elizabeth Eiss (Founder, CEO of ResultsResourcing), Robyn Herman (ER Biometrics) and Danielle Michel (Founder of Eyetemp – a device she invented to help prevent home fires after a scary situation happened in her own home).

Natasha Roman, Assurance and Technology Control Services Senior Manager of EisnerAmper LLP moderated the panel that included topics like office bias, how to be heard as a woman leader in the workplace, how to network and what these women are currently reading that is inspiring to them.

“The panel is what we’re here for,” MacDonald said about the empowering hour-long discussion.

Set up were 12 vendors of woman-owned businesses who were showcasing their products during the event including, Indiana Hicks, Red Tale Moon, Nina Falk New York, Francine’s Outrageous Foods, Bixby, Eyetemp, EisnerAmper, St. Joseph’s College, WEDLI, Dream, Dance Fitness and Huntington-based locaLI bred.

“Our company lives predominantly on social media and online so it’s absolutely essential for us to take advantage of face-to-face events where the community can meet the people behind our small business,” Halie Geller and Theresa Pinelli, founders of the Long Island small business subscription box, said. “Networking events like this, where there is an opportunity to showcase your products, yourself and your company creates authentic connections to your business that are invaluable.”

 

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