She Started It: Women Founders As Role Models
Coming out later this year is a documentary about women founders around the world. She Started It aims to “empower the next generation of women founders.”
These women are rockstars in an area where men typically make the magazine covers. They prove that women can do this, that they are pursuing a difficult path and being the role models that girls need to see.
The film will tell a new story, one that needs to be told.
These women are rockstars in an area where men typically make the magazine covers. They prove that women can do this, that they are pursuing a difficult path and being the role models that girls need to see. “She started it” is now an empowering term.
Attendees at the Women Redefining Entrepreneurship & Leadership Conference held in Ithaca, NY. PC: Allison Usavage.
The Panel
Some of the films creators came to Cornell University to speak on a panel about their new film and women entrepreneurs.
When the film’s Director, Nora Poggi, was asked what stood out to her the most when following these five women, she replied, “That these women literally never gave up.”
Speaker at the Women Redefining Entrepreneurship & Leadership Conference held in Ithaca, NY. PC: Allison Usavage.
Co-Executive Producer and Founder of See Jane Invest (a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in women-owned startups), Kelly Keenan Trumpbour, added an important factor to becoming an entrepreneur: “Are you willing to own everything?” That includes the profits, the problems, investors, stakeholders, etc. Her comment reinforces that women entrepreneurs have decided to reposition their lives where every decision is made for the business. While every entrepreneur must struggle with this, we wonder if this is a pointed battle for women since they are coming from traditional roles, and entering a space with relatively low representation.
They are the role models for us all.
A woman may be inspired to pursue entrepreneurship because of this film, or she might not. But what’s most important is that the film showcases an array of women who have chosen to pursue a passion, and live for that passion. They are the role models for us all.
The film is scheduled to be released sometime this year and you can follow its progress here.
Join the Community of Women Founders in Ithaca, NY
PC: Allison Usavage
Our team at Rev was conscious and concerned about the support available to help women entrepreneurs, so we set out to change that. In 2015, the Passenger to Pilot program began. Led by Arianna Blossom, the program brings women founders together to coach, support, and inspire each other. Through structured workshops and mentorship from Entrepreneurs-In-Residence, the women are able to scale, hire, collaborate, and raise revenues at their companies. Whatever their goal, they have a support system.
The Passenger to Pilot program graduation and networking event is May 18th at Coltivare. Applications for the 2016-2017 class are due May 20th. Interested? Learn more!
Women are leading growth in the Southern Tier. Learn more about some of their stories: Ba-Li Cravings and Singlebrook Technology.
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Kristi Krulcik is a Marketing & Communications Associate for the Southern Tier Startup Alliance. To stay up-to-date on new resources from Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, join our email newsletter.