Empowering Women in Business

Clark University School of Business and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation program recently hosted an inspiring Women in Entrepreneurship Panel Luncheon featuring six female entrepreneurs from diverse fields. Moderated by current MBA student Rakshya Bhandari, the event allowed panelists to share their entrepreneurial journeys, the successes and setbacks experienced along the way, and important advice for budding entrepreneurs going forward. Students in the audience then enjoyed some small group networking time with panelists, as they joined them for lunch and further discussions.

Panelists included:

• Dara ’91 and Paige Adams, Founders of the House of id
• Racquel Knight, Founder/Exec. Director of For One Child Foundation
• Dr. Stephanie Toise ’08, ’11, President/Founder of At One LLC
• Patricia Norins Clapp, Partner/Story Teller of Blue Butterfly LLC
• Michelle Miller, MS ’11, VP Program Operations, Center for Women & Enterprise

Michelle Miller on the power of female leadership:

One of the afternoon’s notable quotes came at the outset from Michelle Miller, the vice president of operations at the Center for Women & Enterprise. Her organization helps women from diverse backgrounds and orientations start and build their own businesses, and Miller oversees its six hubs, including five Women’s Business Centers and the regional center. She succinctly noted that women leaders are “do’ers,” adding, “If you put a woman in charge of something, it’s going to work.”  Determination and a focus on goals are two important strengths women bring to the entrepreneurial landscape, Miller noted.

Dr. Stephanie Toise on growth and resilience in your journey:

Dr. Toise emphasized the necessity of learning from both successes and failures, a common theme among the panelists. She discussed the challenges of turning an idea into a viable, scalable business model that meets real customer needs and “that people will want to spend money on.” Although self-described as not a profit-driven person, per se, Dr. Toise grew to understand that she should be well paid for her expertise.

While profitability is obviously necessary, Dr. Toise core aim is to deliver transformational value to her clients. “I stress the opportunity that an organization has through my products – what can they become? What will result from using my services and programs?”

In an important suggestion to the audience, Dr. Toise talked about her commitment to securing grants rather than relying on loans, stressing the importance of steady growth without incurring debt when possible.

Patricia Norins Clapp on mentorship and the entrepreneurial spirit:

Patricia Norins Clapp, a fourth-generation entrepreneur who launched her first business at just 14 years old, underscored the importance of mentorship throughout her journey. Clapp seeks mentees who demonstrate an honest drive, a clear vision, and who have completed the initial steps of market research and strategic planning. This shows that they’ve invested thought and energy into their goals. “Sometimes the passion is there, but there’s no plan,” she remarked. Clapp emphasized that while passion is critical for any new entrepreneur, having a strategic plan is equally vital.

Describing her own approach to challenges, Clapp said, “One of my mantras is there’s a solution to every problem.” As a consultant with Blue Butterfly LLC, she believes this mindset has allowed her to help companies of all sizes grow and scale, a role she finds both challenging and rewarding.

Racquel Knight on learning through service and building from scratch:

Racquel Knight, another inspiring panelist and a recipient of a 2024 Worcester Business Journal “40 Under 40” award, shared her story of founding the One Child Foundation. Having grown up in Jamaica, she returned to her home country as part of her college’s service-learning trip, and what she found surprised her.  Students were still facing an issue in school that she had faced herself years prior – a lack of proper seating and desks in the classroom. It was an experience that shaped her commitment to social impact, and upon returning home from her trip, she founded One Chair 4 One Child while still a college student. The organization is now the One Child Foundation, providing not just chairs to Jamaican students, but learning materials and technology.

Reflecting on her journey, Knight jokingly commented, “I did everything backwards,” but even her challenge to find board members who truly understood her organization’s mission and vision did not discourage her. Determination and adaptability were key to her success as an entrepreneur.

Paige and Dara on personal responsibility and artistic integrity:

The mother-daughter duo of Dara and Paige Adams took their life experiences “of being disabled (Paige) and being a caregiver to a person with a disability (Dara), and created a business where people like us could grab joy.” The House of id is a place of love and creative expression for events, group outings, photoshoots, and more. The two have shared in the highs and lows of an entrepreneurial journey.

Dara, also a designer and entrepreneur in the jewelry business, spoke on maintaining creative integrity in a competitive industry. She prefers to avoid looking at other designers’ work, allowing her to create original designs uninfluenced by any other seller. Reflecting on her own journey, she said, “I got people to invest in me personally,” which allowed her to take risks that she might otherwise have not pursued and retain control over her business vision. This led to Paige’s adding that personal accountability is a major part of the entrepreneurial journey. “All of the responsibilities fall on you,” she stressed.

Final Takeaways

Above all, the panelists encouraged attendees to consider all parts of entrepreneurship – from passion and persistence, to pragmatism and planning. Each entrepreneur stressed the value of mentorship, the importance of continuous learning, and the need for research and detailed plans on scaling ideas into successful business models.

The Women in Entrepreneurship panel served as a wonderful reminder of the determination and resilience with which women in particular approach entrepreneurship. Their stories were inspiring, and their advice for the future entrepreneurs in attendance was invaluable.