The panel and community conversation will be emceed by Karen Gross, a celebrated entertainer, creative entrepreneur, and founder/host of She Rocked It – a podcast and community dedicated to raising the volume on women’s voices.
Featured panelists for Women Mean Business are as follows:
- Cara Stipa – CEO and Creative Director of The Utopia Collective and acclaimed wedding and events planner
- Elissa Kara – Philadelphia native and artist/owner of Nice Things Handmade
- Jennifer Zavala – Owner of Juana Tamale and Top Chef alumna
- Shana Heidorn – Owner of Society Hill Dance Academy and professional ballroom, Latin, and wedding dance instructor
East Passyunk Avenue is home to more than 160 independently owned businesses, about 45% of which are owned by women. Women Mean Business gives women business owners an opportunity to candidly share their stories with an audience interested in launching a business or getting an inside glimpse into the careers of some of their favorite local entrepreneurs. Held at Society Hill Dance Academy (1919 E Passyunk Ave), the panel discussion and Q&A are sure to be unprecedented learning and networking opportunity for locals and visitors alike.
“As a longtime fan and former resident of East Passyunk, I’m thrilled to collaborate with the Business Improvement District to host an evening of women supporting women in telling their stories to the neighborhood and beyond,” said Karen Gross, who prior to launching She Rocked It served as Editor-In-Chief of Where Magazine Philadelphia and a contributing writer for Philadelphia magazine. “The She Rocked It podcast pulls back the curtain on the lives of creative, courageous women entrepreneurs, and this is our first in-person event. We couldn’t be more excited to hear and learn from women business owners who are rocking it on the Avenue.”
Some of the conversations will highlight how women have persevered in running and sustaining their businesses during the pandemic, as well as the importance of creating a supportive business community including a network of women business owners. Immediately following the moderated panel discussion will be a community Q&A session for attendees to ask questions regarding entrepreneurship, owning a small business in this neighborhood of Philadelphia, and beyond. Throughout the evening, complimentary light bites and libations courtesy of Manatawny Still Works, among others, will be available.
