Start small. Think B.I.G.
That was the message for women entrepreneurs at Thursday’s launch of Morristown B.I.G., short for “Believe Inspire Grow.”
“We want to inspire and educate women. I believe in building relationships, and sales will come,” said Jennifer Padawer, an executive coach and chairperson of the Morristown “pod.”
Hatched six years ago in the Bernardsville living room of Tara Gilvar, B.I.G. now has 1,200 members in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachussets, Padawer said.
The aim is to provide a sounding board and nurturing environment, where women can share advice and best practices for business success and personal growth, said Liz Rossilli, who now leads the Bernardsville chapter.
“It’s an empowerment group, not a networking group,” said Rossilli, who was joined Thursday by pod leaders from Basking Ridge, Montville and Millburn/ Short Hills at The Market restaurant in Harding.
The new Morristown group intends to meet monthly on third Thursdays.
Please click icon below for captions.
Morristown Vice Chair Irene Leavy said B.I.G. complements another organization where she is a member, the year-old Morristown Women In Business. One group looks outward, the other, inward, she said.
“The Morristown Women In Business is a great group of professional women geared towards professional women doing business specifically in Morristown. Their goal is to assist business leaders to grow their business through networking, education, and leads.
“B.I.G. focuses more on personal development and what a woman’s true life-purpose is,” said Leavy, who plans to open an organic spa, B. Jones (her young son’s nickname), in Morristown this spring.
Morristown realtor Debbie Bruen said she likes the idea of intimate gatherings where Morristown women “can share ideas.”
“I joined because I’m looking for the support of an integrated professional community,” said Laurel Santiago, a nutrition counselor based in Morristown. “This group is very pro-active and goal-specific to addressing our needs.”
B.I.G. membership is $29.95 a month or $239 for a year, and entitles members to attend events at any pod. Drop a line here for more details.
