Sophia Franco
The Ladies Angel Network, part of the Angel Fund, loves to motivate and empower women. Recently,? some of the hottest new community businesswomen got together at Heidi and Stevie Russo’s home for a business “pow-wow.” We thought maybe 50 or 75 guests would show, but by 12 pm we had almost 200 women, and standing room only.
Kim Dabah, chairperson of the event explained, “There are so many women, young and old, experienced and inexperienced, all looking for a push to get out there and make things happen. Who better to inspire them than the women who are really making headway and changing their lives, today?”
“Stop saying I can’t, start saying I will”
For this meeting the Ladies Angel Network team decided to present four women who are doing fabulously. These women, Marlene Mamiye, of TheJewishHostess.com, a blog no cook or entertainer should miss; Millo Haddad, sparkled as she discussed her new jewelry line, “Designs by Millo,” Marlene Tawil, our “Jivehigh” dance specialist, and Jennifer Dayan spoke about “I Found a Secret,” her retail clothing store and website.
The slogan of the day and the feeling we wanted to share was simple, “Girls do it better.” We were greeted with wise words from Kim Dabah and long successful Event Planner, Norma Cohen. Kim began with a sweet story from her early days at Adjmi Apparel describing how she went from afraid to confident in two years.
We are all afraid. We all think we are no-talent-nobodies, and yet, we run homes, plan elaborate parties and holidays, keep schedules, avoid confrontations and raise children who can survive in this crazy world. If we can do that at home, running a company should be a breeze! Okay, not a breeze, but possibleand possibility is everything.
The mood of the day continued in that fashion. Norma Cohen told us how her children have grown into independent artistic adults who are not afraid. Without saying it, she and her husband set an example that taught them that they’re full of talent and there’s nothing they can’t do. What better gift can you give to your child?
She also stressed the importance of honesty, promptness, consistency and confidence in the business world. “You have to think positively. There will be obstacles in the road, but you will get passed them when you learn to make adjustments. “I really bumped into this business. If I had taken a minute to think about the risks and the fear, I might have stopped short, but thankfully there was no time for that.” Time management is a major element. “Keep your hours flexible. Nobody successful works 9-5.”
Millo Haddad, Norma’s sister-in-law, just went into business as a jewelry designer/retailer eight months ago. Although her company, Designs by Millo, is certainly in its infancy, the customers are lining up. “Whoever thought that being a fashionista, a social butterfly, and a neurotic homemaker would lead to becoming a successful businesswoman?” Millo said with a smile. “I was an addictive shopper. I shopped so much and when I decided to empty the contents of my closet onto eBay I came into a pile of money from the profits. Being from a family of go-getters, I enjoyed seeing that money coming in and decided to invest it in my passionjewelry and accessories. I don’t sell anything I wouldn’t wear myself.”
Marlene Tawil has also branded herself. Jivehigh, her “aerobics on steroids” class is full 3 to 4 days every week. At four years in, she has a long tale filled with ups and downs, curved roads and detours, yet, she stands strong. “Every time something went wrong there was always something better waiting around the corner,” Marlene explained.
“Personalizing what you’re selling, giving it a name, a slogan and a theme, (mine is “Dance Happy, Leave Drenched,”) is imperative. The short list of reasons why people come to Jivehigh is that it makes them feel good, and it’s fun.
In choosing the word Jewish rather than Kosher for her new website, TheJewishHostess.com, Marlene Mamiye has targeted a worldwide audience rather than just one here in Brooklyn. With her compilation of recipes and tabletop photos she is changing the way we serve and sharing it with Jewish women all the way from here to Europe. Marlene described her first foray into the business world: “My first stop was a visit to Career Services at Sephardic Bikur Holim, where I was told, ”You have no identifiable skills.’ My kids thought that I would be great at booking manicures at a salon, and best of all, my little daughter begged me to become the next Magen David Yeshivah crossing guard.”
It is never easy to try something new. Just putting yourself out there, even sending out a text and saying, “here I am,” takes confidence. Marlene went back to school and used the skills she learned doing volunteer work for both Magen David and The Sephardic Heritage Museum, then she started her own business. She admits it will take time to bring in the big bucks. She’d hoped to be the Jewish Martha Stewart or Oprah, “but neither of them had ever had to set a table 52 Friday nights a year, plus weeknights and holidays!” Still, she is creating a niche market valuable to vendors and advertisers.
Jennifer Dayan is also big on the web. She took her personal styling business and posted her wares both on line and in a new store on Monmouth Road. One year later she has opened a second store in Pier Village and is watching her website grow beyond her imagination. Her Instagram account, with 70,000 plus followers has not hurt her business either. Jen is a stylist at heart. Her philosophy is to sell a complete look. She interviews the client, understands where she is going and how she lives before she even begins to dress her. It is the only way that she knows her client will be happy when she gets home.
All the women who braved the podium for “Shop Talk” are wives and mothers. All have responsibilities and fears and insecurities, just like you and I. And yet, they shelved those fears for the more interesting prospect of making a name for themselves, making money, or following their dreams.
Marlene Tawil added, “I didn’t say it was easy, but it’s a business. If you don’t want to take on the responsibility that comes with doing what you love, you are not ready yet.”
Jennifer, too, had more words of advice, “Figure out what your husband’s priorities are, and make sure they are met first. Make sure your kids feel secure and be organized.
Marlene Mamiye chose a business that keeps her at home, something that was a requirement for her. Everyone has to do what is good for her, at a pace that is comfortable for her. The key word in that sentence is do.
Millo said it best when her jewels appeared on Sofia Vergara, complete with a “Designs By Millo” credit, “Who would have thought I’d make it to the cover of Forbes Magazine before my husbandanything is possible!”
We are all rooting for each other at the Ladies Angel Network. People love to help; they want to. It is clear that the women of this community are looking for that help as so many lingered long after the speakers were done to discuss their own projects with each of the hosts.
The next day, word on the street was that we needed a repeat performance; it was that good. Please, take advantage of the Angel Fund team and those around you. Contact (718) 787-1100 to find out about future events and take your businessor your dreamto the next level. Rise to the occasion when opportunity knocks. Whatever you decide, like Nike says, “Just do it!”
Best of luck to all of our women entrepreneurs!
