The conference’s subtitle said it all “ Home Maker – Business Builder”
It was clear from all the opening speeches that there is a tremendous amount of support available for women setting up their own businesses today – financial, professional training.motivational tools and one-on-one mentoring.
One of the greatest supporters of this group is the organization TEMECH but there are also many other organizations including MATI Jerusalem Business Development Center, who have set up departments to help this ever growing section of the population.
This year’s conference was also for Hebrew speaking women with some speakers and workshops in each language and simultaneous translation available.
But right from the start Rabbi Menachem Stein reminded us where our priorities lie – in our homes, with our husbands and children. Our businesses are important in that they enable us to provide for our families – but a successful career should not be our goal in life.
One of the most important features of the program was the Power Networking arranged by Naomi Elbinger .
Rows of women were seated facing each other in various parts of the halls and each had 2 minutes to describe their business to each other and exchange business cards . Then one row moved on one place and each woman introduced herself to a new person.
I met several women who had businesses which were of interest to me personally and several others to whom I was able to offer a writing service.
There were also three workshop session with four choices for each session ranging in topics such as:
setting up a business Marketing Negotiating in business Eighteen keys to successfully running a small business
Time Management Goal Setting
For an extra fee there were also sessions of FreshBiz Games – a new ‘game’ designed to impart creative methods of entrepreneurial thinking and problem solving.
The final session was meeting a panel of three women who had set up highly successful businesses despite various challenges, businesses which now provide work for many more women.
Each woman described the path that led her to go it alone and the problems she met and overcame, They ‘proved’ that anyone who wants to can set up their own business- even if you have thirteen children at home and even if you have suffered grueling health problems.
They were indeed role models.
A delicious dairy lunch up to the Ramada’s usual high standard and coffee and cold drinks on tap made this a highly successful and enjoyable day.
If you missed it – be sure to look out for next year’s conference.
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