IN&AROUNDT O W NSomething BIG comes to TownBY LISA BALLOUDo you have a greatconcept, but have noidea how to turn itinto a viable business?Have financialor family commitmentsprevented youfrom discovering yourpassion? Or, do youhave no idea whatyou want to do next,but know you want todo something?Wonder no more. BIG,a new organization intown, is a growingcommunity of intelligent,creative andentrepreneurialwomen who want toshare their businessideas and build upontheir dreams. <strong>May</strong>be those dreamswere put on the back burnerbecause it wasn’t the right time.For some, the passion of raising afamily took precedence. Otherswent down career paths hoping tosome day return to doing what itwas they really dreamed about.And now, those dreams are reemergingand they require the rightenvironment to flourish. The rightguidance and support can make allthe difference in the world and BIGoffers precisely this forum.BIG was founded by Rebecca Hulland Tara Gilver of Bernardsville, NJ.It stands for Believe Inspire, Grow—goals which Tara and Rebecca hopeto help others achieve. They havechapters all over New Jersey and arerapidly expanding into New Yorkand Connecticut. These chapters arecalled Pods, a name the founderscame up with because BIG is cohesiveand when you travel in podsyou stick together.The first BIG meeting in <strong>Chappaqua</strong>took place on January 15th atJennifer Fink’s home. More than 20women gathered in Jennifer’s livingroom where they shared their careerAt a first BIG gathering in <strong>Chappaqua</strong> were (L-R) Jackie Somers,Becky Hull, Tara Gilvar, Jennifer Fink, and Lisa Ballou.highs and lows. “I was surroundedby lawyers, decorators, professionalorganizers, executives and stay-athome moms. The stories were colorful,honest and easy to relate to,”explained Fink. “When everyone left,I felt truly inspired.”For now Jennifer has taken on therole as “pod leader” which meansshe will organize the monthly BIGmembership meetings in<strong>Chappaqua</strong>. “Being a member ofBIG provides you with an instantfamily of dynamic women who willbe there to motivate and supportyou as well as offer business ideasand solutions,” said Jennifer. “Andwho knows, you may even find yourfuture boss or partner.”Members are invited to attendmonthly meetings, have access tofive teleconference seminars a yearas well as quarterly business planteleconferences. They receive themonthly newsletter, have access tothe membership directory, can networkwith one another and postbusinesses online.The second meeting was held inFebruary at Gail Patrick’s Café in<strong>Chappaqua</strong>. More than 15 womengathered to discuss “How to BuildYour Business Confidence.” Theycovered everything from findingyour passion to focusing on yourgoals and having discipline.“The feedback has been reallyencouraging. Women are being motivatedand finding the support theyhave been looking for,” said Fink.For more information, please visitjustthinkbig.us.Nancy Shenker, CEO, theOnSwitch, Addresses SocialMedia at April BIGGatheringHere were Shenker’s commentsto <strong>Inside</strong> <strong>Chappaqua</strong> as we weregoing to press: “Connecting withnew people and finding commoninterests has been going on longbefore the social media era. Wejust have a new way to meet,share, and ultimately. Change isalways frightening, but socialmedia has resulted in businessgrowth, awareness, and relationshipsfor me. I help people overcomethe fear and understandhow to make these tools work forthem.” Shenker also offered theseadditional tips:• Don't dismiss social mediauntil you've REALLY tried it.Stick with it!• It’s not a replacement for faceto-face;it's an expediter.• Learn the rules and mind yourmanners. Sharing, not selling,is what it's all about.• Watch for location-based services.Where you are is becomingjust as important as whatyou're doing. Great news forlocal businesses!For additional information, go towww.mysocialmediainabox.com8 <strong>Inside</strong> <strong>Chappaqua</strong> <strong>May</strong> <strong>2010</strong>
Tom Williamson Landscaping, Inc.Serving the community for over 20 years(914) 762-4927TomWilliamsonLandscaping.com<strong>May</strong> <strong>2010</strong> <strong>Inside</strong> <strong>Chappaqua</strong> 9
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