Jewish women entrepreneurs create group with intent to connect and grow
This is an opportunity for women to 'benefit and share from each other'
An enterprising effort is underway to promote local Jewish women entrepreneurs. For months, Greenfield resident Hayli Firtell-Elgarten has worked to bring The Jewish Woman Entrepreneur, a national network, to Pittsburgh. On Nov. 11, Firtell-Elgarten’s efforts will come to fruition as she welcomes executives and businesswomen to the launch of The JWE’s Pittsburgh City Pod.
The local group, Firtell-Elgarten said, is for Jewish women seeking to network, grow their businesses and learn. “My vision is to create a community for these women, and really to have a village.”
Whether someone is seeking an importer, supplier or simply advice from a fellow Jewish woman in business, the group should be a resource, she continued. “This is just an all-inclusive community that supports women in business and women who are executives.”
More than 8,000 women have participated in The JWE programs since 2010, according to the organization.
With branches in several cities, including Paris, Dallas, Cleveland and Monsey, New York, The JWE regularly hosts networking events, skill-building workshops and guest speakers.
Pittsburgh is ripe for related programming, and local residents are eager to learn, Firtell-Elgarten said.
Since announcing the upcoming event, the Greenfield resident, who runs the online boutique Debbie’s Room Jewelry with her husband, Yossi Elgarten, has received numerous messages from women seeking more information, she said.
In fact, more than 50 women are now on a related WhatsApp group, she added.
Shari Zatman, owner of Perfectly Planned by Shari, and founder of Signature Slipcovers, plans to attend the event.
With both of her businesses serving as sponsors, Zatman said she’s delighted to support other Jewish women in business.
“That’s really important to me,” she said. “I’ve been an entrepreneur pretty much my entire career.” Interacting with others who work in Pittsburgh and own businesses here is an opportunity for women to “benefit and share from each other.”
Zatman knows attendees will range in age and experience. Some women will arrive with decades of leadership behind them. Other attendees will come to the event at what’s basically the start of their careers.
Regardless of where someone is on their professional journey, it’s important to support each other, Zatman said.
There’s an opportunity here — given the group’s freshness — that participants can not only benefit from other like-minded women but help create a collective, she continued. “The more people that go, the more we can build a strong community.”
The Nov. 11 kickoff event, which is being held at 7:30 p.m. at The Highline in the city’s South Side neighborhood, will feature opportunities to connect, enjoy light refreshments and receive new professional headshots; it’s also a chance to give back, Firtell-Elgarten said.
In partnership with GIFT, event attendees will pack holiday kits for later distribution to local residents.
Firtell-Elgarten said she hopes readers register and attend.
An easy way to approach this, she said, is to “think of it as self-care for your business.”
Everyone is “so busy,” she continued. It’s important to “just take the time for yourself.”
The Jewish Women’s Entrepreneurs Launch Event will occur Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at The Highline. Tickets start at $36. Registration is available at thejwe.com/etn/pittsburgh-launch-event. PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
comments