GBC hosts the Maryland Hispanic Chamber Women’s Entrepreneur Luncheon
By Ron Kipling Williams
The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) hosted the Maryland Hispanic Chamber (MHC) Women’s Entrepreneur Luncheon on Friday, May 16th at their downtown location.
A sold out group listened to a distinguished panel of women entrepreneurs and business professionals who discussed a range of issues pertaining to women in the workplace and in business.
“I think this was a great opportunity for the Hispanic community to work with other communities and give us a feel for how they’re growing,” said Etolia Biggs, Founder of Beetrained, a software systems training company.
Y. Maria Welch, President of Respira Medical, moderated the panel. It was comprised of Veronica Cool of Wachovia Bank Small Business Banking; Monyka Berrocosa, CEO of MyCity4Her; Theresa Alfaro Daynter, President of Daynter Construction Group; Sharon Pinder, President of the Pinder Group, and Nancy Lily of JEM Engineering.
“[The challenge] in our culture is understanding how powerful women are, how truly strong we are. I think the main reason we are very successful is because we are relationship builders,” said Welch, who also serves on the MHC Legislative Affairs and GBC’s Bridging the Gap committees.
“For more it was an honor being considered an honorary Latina,” said Pinder, who is African American. “What was more impactful is that when you listen to the stories, the challenges and issues as women of color, there’s a common thread,” she added.
“The reality is that many of us are mothers [and that] is a challenge, because we tend to be the main caregivers, but then have to go to work and have to perform at the same level as men,” said Berrocasa.
Although this has served as a huge challenge for women entrepreneurs, who make up half of American businesses today, it does not have to be according to Cool.
“We don’t have to struggle as we’ve done. I’m the resource to make sure that things are doing easier,” said Cool, who through Wachovia ‘anchors’ small and minority businesses.
Daytner spoke on enlisting other resources, such as large corporations who have created supplier diversity programs, which are attempting to bridge the minority business gap, as well as getting assistance from other professionals. “It helps to get mentors,” said Daytner.
Many of the attendees and panelists engaged in conversations well after the program ended.
“I love being in a room of women who are high performing people, so you can always take something really valuable away from the energy and the interaction among them,” said Smart Performance Strategies, LLC Partner Carol J. Vellucci.
“I’m glad they addressed the issues of single women because I am a single mother,” said Administrative Assistant Krystie Lundmark, 24, of Enhancement Corporation (PEC). I think it was empowering,” said PEC Executive Assistant Christiana Krasbat, 31, who is also a single mother.
“What we heard today was a panel of women who have overcome a tremendous amount, who’ve been able to show that you can be a mom, and you can be successful in business by education and giving back. It’s about sharing the wealth, and that’s what this program is about,” said Ricardo Martinez of the MHC.
Federal government worker Olga Duran is contemplating going into business with her daughter, Yesenia Burgos, who invited her to the luncheon.
“It was amazing. I’ve had difficult experiences, and this just motivates me, puts it in another perspective. I was telling one of the speakers I’m a late bloomer, but she’s saying it’s better late than never.” Panelist Lilly emphasized, “You and I as women can do anything,”
For more information on the GBC, contact them at 410-727-2820, or visit their Web site at www.gbc.org.
This article was provided compliments of The Baltimore Times and was originally published in the May 23-29, 2008 issue.
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