The Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs (CHYE) held its first women-only event this past Wednesday, November 28, at CHYE’s center.
The event featured a panel of three successful Crown Heights business owners—Mrs. Aliza Blizinsky of Judaica Creations, Mrs. Linda Gutliezer of Apple Drugs, and Mrs. Chaya Abelsky of Triumphant Journeys.
In February of 2012, Rabbi Yehoshua Werde founded Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs, a fast-growing organization whose mission statement is to provide resources, support and mentorship for individuals already in businesses as well as those interested in starting a new business. In response to the tremendous need and demand, CHYE recently expanded by creating a new chapter for women seeking guidance, inspiration and practical assistance in starting and growing a successful business.
The diverse audience consisted of women of all ages and backgrounds, including students, mothers and grandmothers, with some traveling from as far as Boro Park and Monsey. Those in attendance who were already business owners came for insight and ideas for how to take their businesses to the next level, while those looking to break into the business world came for guidance on how to start and run a successful business. “I attended the event to hear firsthand from the speakers the methods they used, and the experiences and challenges they encountered while starting and growing their businesses,” said Itty Kreiner of Toys to Lease. “I left with practical advice and a strong sense of empowerment.”
The event was conducted in a Q&A style, with questions presented to the panelists by the event’s moderator, Sarede Switzer of Crown Heights Fitness. The three panelists discussed the spectrum of obstacles and challenges they faced when starting and building their businesses. Each offered advice and guidance based on her diverse personal business experiences, resulting in a potpourri of unique ideas and perspectives.
Those in attendance left with real-world, practical advice and resources to help them start, manage or grow their own business:
Mrs. Abelsky, founder of the independent coaching practice Triumphant Journeys LLC, emphasized the importance of choosing to work in an area in which one finds fulfillment, and shared her personal vision—“to provide a service that would be fulfilling to myself and others.” She also highlighted the importance of having a clear, long-term vision before starting a new business venture.
Mrs. Gutliezer emphasized the importance of being flexible and open to adjusting to new realities when executing a business plan, noting that the needs of the community change over time.
Mrs. Blizinsky pointed out that while a vision and plan is important, not all businesses begin with one. To illustrate her point, Mrs. Blizinsky described how her successful and fast-growing business of creating personalized Judaica masterpieces actually began as a hobby and evolved due to word of mouth. She stressed to the audience that her experiences are not unique to her, because each individual has a G-d-given talent that needs to be discovered and utilized.
The Q&A segment ended with each of the three panelists addressing what they considered to be the most important advice they could offer to business-minded Jewish women: the importance of making the building of one’s home a priority over the building of one’s business. Each told of the choices she had to make when it came to putting her family before her business. Mrs. Blizinsky spoke of how she chose to run her business from her house because, as she put it, “I needed to be there for my children when they came home from school.”
After the event, the women in attendance used to opportunity to network, swap business cards, and obtain valuable advice, suggestions, tips and resources from one another. Many expressed their appreciation to CHYE for recognizing the need of an organization of its kind. According to Ms. Switzer, Wednesday’s event garnered more Facebook RSVPs than any of CHYE’s previous events for men. The response generated by the event clearly demonstrates that there are more women than ever before who are either in business, interested in starting a business, or looking to network with other businesswomen.
For more information please visit CHYE.info or call 718-874-0100. Subscribe to CHYE on Facebook to receive updates regarding future CHYE events.
i spot you!
Y. Werde, this was a super evening. the panelist were good. each of them brought a unique something. Mrs. Abelsky gave us really great and practical tips to build the confidence and knowledge needed to move forward with our dream business. I am hoping you will be providing more of these. thank you so much!
Would have gone if I could- I live in Australia.
🙂 love ya
Yehoshua Werde is a huge asset to the community! He provides much needed services and devotes his life to helping people. Please support him and his organization!