8 | INNOVISION MAGAZ INE SPRING 2022 | 9 Entrepreneurship can be daunting, especially for people who do not know how or when to take the leap. When starting a new business, it is normal to have concerns and endless questions. During Entrepreneurship Week, the College of Business invited five women to share their advice and stories in becoming entrepreneurs. The Women Entrepreneurs Panel included Ana Konopitskaya, Lori Donofrio-Galley, Ashley Russo, Sharon Brokenbough, and Dianne Denison. These five successful entrepreneurs led an interactive discussion through their journeys. Ana is an architect who lived in Los Angeles until she decided to take a leap and become an entrepreneur. She moved to Pennsylvania and spent three years finding the right fit for her, knowing above all else she wanted to make an impact. She eventually co-founded Coexist Build, an architect-led company focused on creating communities that are “healthy, simple, and sustainable.” Her success was due to her persistence and the relationships she maintained in her previous jobs. Lori is a Public Relations Strategist and founder of The Right Angle Strategic Storytelling. She took the leap Dianne is the founder and CEO of Denison Technologies. Her decision to take the leap into entrepreneurship was due to her desire to learn and grow. As a team leader for managing technical projects, Dianne realized she enjoyed learning how things work. She capitalized on this interest by starting her own technology firm, and at first she was humbled. This motivated her to take a deeper dive into the ever-changing tech world. As she did this, she established her credibility in the field. All five women shared several important insights when wanting to leave the corporate world behind and become an entrepreneur. First, when financially funding your company, they all mentioned that it is important to start saving early. They also discussed how it is imperative to work on networking even before starting your business. Establishing these contacts is fundamental in increasing credibility as an entrepreneur. Ashley advised, “be curious before getting experience.” Her company empowers young individuals through internships. She also shared that you should not wait for a seat at the table. Instead, take the seat. Most women in their respective fields must constantly prove themselves to be worthy of this seat. Also, it is important to have a plan before taking the leap. Dianne stated ice hockey players “don’t skate to where the puck is, but where it’s going.” This is the mindset entrepreneurs need to have when creating a plan. In the entrepreneurial field, everyone starts off by taking on multiple roles. However, Ashley noted that just because you can, does not mean you should. Entrepreneurs need to know their limitations and when to hire someone else to take over a role or duty in their organization, such as payroll. It is also extremely important to find a balance between work life and personal life. The panel was an immense success as students and faculty members of the College of Business attended to support these successful women. Members of the audience were treated to an interesting discussion, which included valuable advice and necessary steps in taking the leap and becoming a successful entrepreneur. after working for nonprofits and decided to become an entrepreneur at the age of 60. Lori stated it is important to know what you have to offer and where you want to go when becoming an entrepreneur. If challenges keep coming up, treat them as opportunities. Ashley is the President of ASR Media Productions. She took the leap twice before she found the career path she was looking for. As a winner of multiple Emmy awards for her work in video and television production for NBC's Today Show and other major media outlets, she gained the confidence to strike out on her own. Recognizing that hard work alone is not enough, she further developed her emotional intelligence to ensure she would become a more effective leader. Ashley advised future entrepreneurs to “be passionate, not emotional.” Sharon is the founder of R.O.S. Professional Partners. She transitioned out of the corporate world when she realized she no longer wanted to deal with discrimination in her work environment. Sharon observed it is important to “measure your commitment to what it is you want to do.” This will give you an insight into what you are willing to do to be an entrepreneur. WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS PANEL Taking the Leap: From Quitting Your Day Job to Becoming an Entrepreneur Sharon Brokenbough Founder R.O.S. Professional Partners, L.L.C. Ashley Russo President ASR Media Productions Lori Donofrio-Galley PR Strategist The Right Angle Strategic Storytelling Dianne Denison Founder Denison Technologies Ana Konopitskaya Co-founder Coexist Build Pictured left to right: Dean Anne Carroll, Lori Donofrio-Galley, Dianne Denison, Ana Konopitskaya, Ashley Russo, and Sharon Brokenbough
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