Well, I am working to beome a business owner! Managing Momentum, LLC will be my company name. I will focus on helping organizations move to their 2.0 by engaging the next generation of leadership. Step one: be more welcoming. That means helping current leaders build their own networks.
I was excited to do that today for a handful of women who run Chicagoland union mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) businesses. I invited the two dozen I could find to lunch. Interest was high among those who made the organically grown list but the numbers that could come out were small...
AND mighty! This little group of 7 (4 contractors and 3 advocates for women in the construction industry) lunched, laughed, and learned. Networks were grown, frustrations were flagged, and what-ifs are still percolating. This group could easily become an industry think tank! What CAN be done to elevate WBEs/MBEs in the area? Some off-the-cuff ideas could help all subcontractors and others could help the union construction industry as a whole... Lots to think about!
Anyway, I am thankful that I got to expand every attendee's network by at least 2 relevant contacts. I am thankful for the helpful and patient server, Adrian, who took care of us as we chatted well beyond the suggested 90 minutes. I am thankful to feel support from the local MEP Coordinating Committee and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force. I am thankful that these women, who shoulder taking care of their employees' families daily, got to commiserate and share a delicious meal together.
At the end of the day, I am simply thankful these women showed up.
As for the future, I am hopeful that these women will come back and talk more. I am excited to elevate them and their ideas to people who can do something beyond what each woman can do on her own.
#lucky7 #gamechangers #bethechange #leadershipcollab #managingmomentum
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