The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce is proud to introduce the Leading Ladies Collective, a first-of-its-kind initiative for the organization.
Made Possible By:
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About the Leading Ladies Collective
This unique program will select twelve Staten Island women business owners to engage in tailored activities aimed at enhancing leadership skills, financial and digital literacy, networking, and accessing invaluable resources.
The Leading Ladies Collective will meet once per month in-person for six months at the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce office, from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. Program administrators will offer continuous support and guidance to help participants make the most of their learning.
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Maria Sue Abiera
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Consulting, Inc.
A healthcare professional who worked in the clinical lab for three decades, occupying several positions including leadership and administration. In 2018, I took the first steps to become an independent lab consultant. In Dec of 2019, I registered my company and got my first contract two months later. The pandemic created opportunities for me where there was a rise for COVID testing and labs trying to get their permits. With the advent of AI, I see there is a great potential for coming up with ways of satisfying the needs of client labs in the face of time constraints.
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Phyllis Cangro
I am a full time professional Realtor who is very passionate about what I do. If you are selling, I will show you how I can market your home to sell in a timely manner & get the best market value for your property. As a buyer’s agent, I feel that a buyer should seek out a professional who will work in their best interest. By making the buying process go smoothly and bringing forth my negotiating skills to the table on the buyer's behalf. I would like to take part in helping you make one of the most important decisions of your life. I can help make the process of buying or selling your home in a warm, friendly & most professional manner.
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Joyce Chen
Joyce Chen is an accounting professional with over a decade of diversified experience. She moved to Staten Island in 2019 to build a better life for her newborn son. Since then, she has become an active participant in her community and has begun to fulfill her lifelong dreams of running her own business and running her New York City Marathon every year. Joyce brings this philosophy to her work for her clients, partnering with them strategically through their accounting journey. She is honored to be a part of the inaugural Leading Ladies Collective program and hopes to hone her leadership skills to better contribute to her community.
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Susan Fenley
Susan Fenley is executive director for Sundog Theatre, which she co-founded in 2002. The company produces original and contemporary theater, tours educational shows in the tristate area, holds acting classes for young people, and provides 80+ arts programs in over 40 schools and organizations. Previously, as a member of Actors Equity and Screen Actors Guild, she was a professional performer for over 2 decades. Seeing the power of the arts as a tool for education and transformation for young people, Susan became a teaching artist in NYC schools as well as a professor in Wagner College’s Theatre Department, where she was honored with Adjunct Faculty Award for Exceptional Performance.
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Brigitte Harris
My name is Brigitte Harris and I am an American born Liberian that was raised in both countries. I was born on Staten Island in NYC and I lived in Monrovia, Liberia, a country in West Africa, from the age of 12-18. I grew up cooking and eating Liberian cuisine as well as selling it through my Mother's catering service while in Liberia and my sister's pop up kitchens in the DMV area.
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Karen Lawrence
Karen Lawrence is a Professional Organizer and owner of Our Journey Moments LLC. She helps clients create a home that enables them to enjoy more of their life. She also teaches a Decluttering workshop at the JCC - CLLD.
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Sarahi Marquez
Sarahi Marquez is the co-owner of San Jeronimo Restaurant & Bakery, a beloved Tex-Mex establishment founded in 2020. Rooted in family tradition, San Jeronimo celebrates cherished recipes and flavors passed down from family. With over a decade of experience in the food industry, San Jeronimo Restaurant has garnered recognition from the New Yorker, NY1 Noticias, and the Staten Island Advance.
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Victoria Nieto
Victoria Rose Nieto is the Owner and Licensed Optician of Visions By Victoria Rose located in Rossville since 2015 and a Mom to five amazing children. She hopes to grow the business and reach more families in the community with their superior service.
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January Nuzzo
Sapphire Consulting Services LLC
January Nuzzo, owner of Sapphire Consulting Services LLC, is a financial wellness coach. We believe that financial wellness is a journey that starts young and flourishes over time. January 's passion is empowering individuals and families to thrive. She views financial security as a strong financial foundation built through knowledge and strategic planning. -
Anika Tarasiewicz
Whether it’s designing the inside of your dream home, decking it out with luxurious décor, or crafting one-of-a-kind pieces, CRAFT by Anika tackles every project with passion and dedication. Our expertise spans from consulting with business owners to providing in-person or virtual home and office design services and home organization. We offer our clients truly unique and transformative experiences. Every project is a canvas for creating something truly special. Let's create something extraordinary together!
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Victoria Tramontano
Victoria Isabella Home Designs
Victoria Isabella Home Designs is a premier luxury home design and renovation company, dedicated to transforming houses into exquisite works of art. As a woman-owned business, we bring a unique perspective and unwavering passion to every project we undertake. With our expertise in full design scopes, we offer comprehensive solutions that encompass every aspect of your home's transformation. We believe that true luxury lies in the art of customization. We pride ourselves on our ability to translate your dreams into reality, creating breathtaking living environments that reflect your individuality.
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Cindi Weiss
Staten Island's first Dental Medi-Spa is opening a new space in the Sola Salon in THE BOULEVARD shopping Center on Hylan Blvd. She is investing in the vibrant success of her life mate & partner, Dr. Greg Pedro, 30+ year Prosthodontist (think TMJ Treatment, Tooth Whitening, Veneers, Implants and other cosmetic dentistry) and a newly Board Certified Aesthetic Medicine provider (think Skin Tightening / Resurfacing, Botox, Acne Treatment, Body Contouring and more). Cindi is intimately involved in growing and supporting Dr. Pedro's Dental Medi-Spa practices, from social media, business administration and more.
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Michele Yacovello
After more than a decade’s experience on Wall Street, I launched my career as a photographer in the Metropolitan area. My interest burgeoned after joining the Staten Island Giving Circle (SIGC) about seven years ago. The Giving Circle, which was founded in 2008, assists the underserved children, seniors, military and homeless of our own community. After participating as a member for a few years, my leadership skills were recognized and I was tapped to become a member of the SIGC’s Executive Board and in 2017 was named Board President.
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Core Program Components
Building Financial Stability
Gain essential financial insights to guide cash flow management, enhance budgeting proficiency and debt handling, improve financial literacy, and gain access to funding sources.
Building Social Capital and Community Impact
Utilize networking opportunities to build partnerships and alliances and connect with key stakeholders, mentors, and industry professionals.
Strategic Planning
Formulate a more effective business plan, set clear goals and objectives, and implement strategies to grow.
Mentorship
Access to local experts available to provide support, guidance, and resources for business plan development.
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Selection Criteria
Applicants must be women that currently own and operate a business in Staten Island, New York.
The applicant’s business goals should align with the program's main focus areas of financial literacy, leadership development, marketing and digital literacy, and networking.
Strong candidates will show enthusiasm for connecting with the local business community and a genuine commitment to seeking collaboration opportunities.
Selection Process
Interested candidates are required to submit their application on or before May 3rd, 2024. Applications that pass the initial screening will be evaluated based on selection criteria.
Selected participants will be notified on or before May 10th, 2024.
Participant Expectations
Attendance and active participation during group discussions and activities.
Absence from more than one session will result in disqualification from the program.
Following each session, an evaluation form will be sent to each participant to help us track activity and ensure a quality program experience.
Participants will sign a photo release form allowing the use of images or videos of them in promotional materials, such as social media posts, website content, printed materials, or presentations related to the program.
Event Schedule
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Kickoff: Realize your value, and find inspiration to expand your business.
Budgeting Techniques: Iearn budgeting strategies to help track income and expenses, allocate funds appropriately, and identify areas for cost savings.
Cash Flow Management: tips for managing your money and developing accurate cash flow projections to aid in decision-making.
Debt Management: evaluate existing debts, explore consolidation options, and learn about resources available and repayment plans to minimize interest costs.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Content Marketing: tips for creating blog posts, videos, and infographics to attract and educate your target audience.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): optimize your website to rank higher in search engine results, increasing visibility and driving more traffic to your site.
Social Media Marketing: learn best practices for using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to interact with your audience, share content, and promote your products or services.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
E-commerce Platforms: learn how you can customize a website to include a store, handle payments, and manage inventory.
Graphic Design: create logos, banners, and graphics, using tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva.
Website Development: tips for building professional-looking websites.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Business Plan Review: local experts will aid in performing an analysis of your business plan and offer guidance to help you integrate new tools into your existing model.
Strategic Planning and Assessment: operational planning to scale your business through strategic goals and creating an action plans to define timelines and better allocate resources.
Market Analysis: tips for leveraging data analytics tools and techniques to analyze market trends, consumer behavior patterns, and purchasing data.
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Public Speaking to Sell: craft compelling narratives that illustrate the benefits of your product or service, using real-life examples and anecdotes to engage the audience emotionally and inspire action.
Persuasive Influence & Negotiation Skills: tips for compelling negotiations by setting clear objectives and anticipating potential objections allowing you to negotiate from a position of strength and confidence.
Fine Tuning your Business Pitch: practice your pitch and receive feedback from trusted advisors, mentors, and peers to help refine your delivery messaging and effectiveness.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Leading Ladies Collective Program Closing Celebration.