Northampton Entrepreneurs Score Planning Grant to Create a Stronger Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Women
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 30, 2022
Dr. Megan M. Allen, NBCT
Owner/Operator and Founder, The Community Classroom
413-341-0740
megan@thecommunityclassroom.com
Northampton Proposal to Create a Stronger Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Local Woman Business Owners One of Four Grants Awarded State-Wide by Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
Childcare. Household obligations. Societal pressure. All entrepreneurs overcome tremendous odds to achieve success, with about 20% of small businesses failing within the first year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But woman entrepreneurs face even more odds as personal, professional, and societal expectations stack against them and create an even more precipitous journey.
Those odds are about to change for woman-identifying business owners in Northampton.
Amy Cahillane, the Executive Director of the Downtown Northampton Association, and Dr. Megan Allen, NBCT, owner/operator of The Community Classroom tutoring center in Florence, were recently notified that they have been awarded a $25,000 planning grant from the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem for female-identifying entrepreneurs in Northampton. This grant is part of MassTech’s Strong Entrepreneur Ecosystems initiative aimed at sparking entrepreneur-led economic development through regions across the Commonwealth. The grant is awarded in two phases: with this initial planning grant to draft a strategic plan over the next six months, followed by the potential for a follow-on implementation grant of up to $200,000.
Cahillane and Allen have convened an advisory group of successful entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners in a strategic planning process following the design thinking approach, facilitated in partnership with Smith College. The goal of the planning process is to develop comprehensive strategies that meet the needs of local female entrepreneurs, foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the community, increase employment opportunities, and attract more capital to female entrepreneurs.
“MassTech is excited to offer this planning grant to the Downtown Northampton Association and its partners to strengthen the support system for female entrepreneurs in the Commonwealth,’ said Megan Marszalek, Director of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems from MassTech. “Northampton’s strong base of female business owners will help uncover the gaps in entrepreneurial resources and identify opportunities to attract, develop, and retain more female entrepreneurs in ways that can serve as a model for other communities statewide.”
Cahillane and Allen’s vision is to see which issues surface as the most important to woman Northampton business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, then create and iterate solutions to help alleviate those barriers, creating a pathway to success for female entrepreneurs. The co-founders are already running an innovative model by addressing one of the most prominent barriers to female entrepreneurship – childcare. The team is leading by example in increasing access and inclusivity in the community by dedicating a portion of its funding to provide teacher-curated childcare at all of its planning sessions.
“We are grateful to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for recognizing the importance of focusing on the specific needs of female entrepreneurs, and for being willing to devote resources and support toward our work in this area,” said Cahillane.
Planning sessions got underway in August with an advisory group comprised of new entrepreneurs (those with businesses under two years old), mid-career entrepreneurs and experienced entrepreneurs, as well as those with connections to long-term family businesses. These entrepreneurs reflect a variety of industries including services, restaurants, and consultants from Northampton and the villages of Leeds and Florence. The advisory board is rounded out by a group of ecosystem builders from Smith College, the Downtown Northampton Association, the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and Valley Community Development Corporation.
The Advisory Board will meet August-November at rotating woman-owned businesses throughout Northampton. The first phase of this project will culminate with a feedback session with Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce members on November 18th before submission of the strategic plan.
Advisory Board Members Include:
Dr. Megan Allen, Founder and owner/operator, The Community Classroom, Co-Lead and New Entrepreneur **
Amy Cahillane, Executive Director, Downtown Northampton Association, Co-Lead and Ecosystem Builder **
Christina Webster, Owner/operator, Make it a Custom Creation and Priceless Picnics, Project Manager and New Entrepreneur
New Entrepreneurs (2 years or fewer)
● Marilyn Rivera, Owner/operator of Florence Barbershop
● Tiffany Chapman, Owner/Operator of Tiffany Chapman Photography
Mid-Career Entrepreneurs
● Devon Boulay, Co-owner of A2Z Science and Learning Toy Store
● Jillian Duclos, Vice President of Operations, Sylvesters and Roberto’s Restaurants**
Experienced Entrepreneurs
● Siyana Huszar, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Marcella NYC
● Amanda Shafii, Owner/Manager of CopyCat Ink
● Kathryn Kothe, Owner/Operator of Cycle Pottery
Ecosystem Builders
● Dee Dice, Owner, Constant Growth Marketing and Consulting**
● Sarah Sargent, Small Business Program Manager, Valley Community Development Corporation
● Jessica Thompson, Director of Community and Member Relations, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce**
● Heather Bell, Co-founder, The Innovation Accelerator for Non-Profits
** = Advisory Board members who are part of the Core Working Team
Find out more on the grant at https://innovation.masstech.org/projects-and-initiatives/entrepreneur-mentoring/strong-entrepreneur-ecosystems-initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 30, 2022
Dr. Megan M. Allen, NBCT
Owner/Operator and Founder, The Community Classroom
413-341-0740
megan@thecommunityclassroom.com
Northampton Proposal to Create a Stronger Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Local Woman Business Owners One of Four Grants Awarded State-Wide by Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
Childcare. Household obligations. Societal pressure. All entrepreneurs overcome tremendous odds to achieve success, with about 20% of small businesses failing within the first year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But woman entrepreneurs face even more odds as personal, professional, and societal expectations stack against them and create an even more precipitous journey.
Those odds are about to change for woman-identifying business owners in Northampton.
Amy Cahillane, the Executive Director of the Downtown Northampton Association, and Dr. Megan Allen, NBCT, owner/operator of The Community Classroom tutoring center in Florence, were recently notified that they have been awarded a $25,000 planning grant from the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem for female-identifying entrepreneurs in Northampton. This grant is part of MassTech’s Strong Entrepreneur Ecosystems initiative aimed at sparking entrepreneur-led economic development through regions across the Commonwealth. The grant is awarded in two phases: with this initial planning grant to draft a strategic plan over the next six months, followed by the potential for a follow-on implementation grant of up to $200,000.
Cahillane and Allen have convened an advisory group of successful entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners in a strategic planning process following the design thinking approach, facilitated in partnership with Smith College. The goal of the planning process is to develop comprehensive strategies that meet the needs of local female entrepreneurs, foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the community, increase employment opportunities, and attract more capital to female entrepreneurs.
“MassTech is excited to offer this planning grant to the Downtown Northampton Association and its partners to strengthen the support system for female entrepreneurs in the Commonwealth,’ said Megan Marszalek, Director of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems from MassTech. “Northampton’s strong base of female business owners will help uncover the gaps in entrepreneurial resources and identify opportunities to attract, develop, and retain more female entrepreneurs in ways that can serve as a model for other communities statewide.”
Cahillane and Allen’s vision is to see which issues surface as the most important to woman Northampton business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, then create and iterate solutions to help alleviate those barriers, creating a pathway to success for female entrepreneurs. The co-founders are already running an innovative model by addressing one of the most prominent barriers to female entrepreneurship – childcare. The team is leading by example in increasing access and inclusivity in the community by dedicating a portion of its funding to provide teacher-curated childcare at all of its planning sessions.
“We are grateful to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for recognizing the importance of focusing on the specific needs of female entrepreneurs, and for being willing to devote resources and support toward our work in this area,” said Cahillane.
Planning sessions got underway in August with an advisory group comprised of new entrepreneurs (those with businesses under two years old), mid-career entrepreneurs and experienced entrepreneurs, as well as those with connections to long-term family businesses. These entrepreneurs reflect a variety of industries including services, restaurants, and consultants from Northampton and the villages of Leeds and Florence. The advisory board is rounded out by a group of ecosystem builders from Smith College, the Downtown Northampton Association, the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and Valley Community Development Corporation.
The Advisory Board will meet August-November at rotating woman-owned businesses throughout Northampton. The first phase of this project will culminate with a feedback session with Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce members on November 18th before submission of the strategic plan.
Advisory Board Members Include:
Dr. Megan Allen, Founder and owner/operator, The Community Classroom, Co-Lead and New Entrepreneur **
Amy Cahillane, Executive Director, Downtown Northampton Association, Co-Lead and Ecosystem Builder **
Christina Webster, Owner/operator, Make it a Custom Creation and Priceless Picnics, Project Manager and New Entrepreneur
New Entrepreneurs (2 years or fewer)
● Marilyn Rivera, Owner/operator of Florence Barbershop
● Tiffany Chapman, Owner/Operator of Tiffany Chapman Photography
Mid-Career Entrepreneurs
● Devon Boulay, Co-owner of A2Z Science and Learning Toy Store
● Jillian Duclos, Vice President of Operations, Sylvesters and Roberto’s Restaurants**
Experienced Entrepreneurs
● Siyana Huszar, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Marcella NYC
● Amanda Shafii, Owner/Manager of CopyCat Ink
● Kathryn Kothe, Owner/Operator of Cycle Pottery
Ecosystem Builders
● Dee Dice, Owner, Constant Growth Marketing and Consulting**
● Sarah Sargent, Small Business Program Manager, Valley Community Development Corporation
● Jessica Thompson, Director of Community and Member Relations, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce**
● Heather Bell, Co-founder, The Innovation Accelerator for Non-Profits
** = Advisory Board members who are part of the Core Working Team
Find out more on the grant at https://innovation.masstech.org/projects-and-initiatives/entrepreneur-mentoring/strong-entrepreneur-ecosystems-initiative