Atlanta Inno hosted its first Women in Innovation event on Thursday night with a packed house, full of local female-powered startups and supporters from the ATL innovation community. Thank you to Flatiron School and WeWork for allowing us to host in their amazing space!
The night was centered around our panel discussion moderated by Madison Hogan, founding staff writer at Atlanta Inno. The panel featured Tammy Carson, campus director of Flatiron School; Jacqui Chew, startup catalyst at ATDC; Christine Courtney, founder of C3 Agency; and Blanca Garcia, program lead at BIG Atlanta.
Apart from our panel we also had four fantastic companies showcasing their startups around the room: SitterTree, Smart Convos, Usit and Click-A-Shift. Each of these companies are not only outstanding in their products and services, they are each female founded!
On our panel, we discussed the biggest challenges for entrepreneurial women, which gaps need to be filled in the ecosystem and how Atlanta supports female founders. Here were some of the key points we took away from the discussion:
- We asked our panelists how Atlanta is helping female entrepreneurs and what we are doing wrong. The consensus was that while there are organizations that exist to empower women and inspire them to take charge and push forward with their dreams, the biggest thing holding us back can sometimes be ourselves and the ideations we force upon each other.
- Chew noted that we are our own worst enemies. She asserted that we cause ourselves guilt over things we think we should have done, but we need to ask the critical question, "What were my decisions?" and further, "Did they lead me to this 'I can't' moment?" She also noted that several of us feel pressured to follow this imaginary "perfect path," despite being absolutely miserable. Instead you need to know your truth and make peace with that truth!
- Carson added to that notion, maintaining that it is important to create spaces where it is okay to question things and have conversations surrounding those questions. That way, we are able to walk away with the sort of pat on the back---the affirmation, the confirmation that we needed. Further, she believes the conversations that have been going on are surface level---they aren't getting real enough. "We need to dig deeper and facilitate the conversations because that is going to get us through."
- Garcia agreed and expanded further that we are sometimes each others own worst enemies. She upheld that at times when we have expectations about the things we should be fulfilling that sometimes it drives us into the ground. We can project those feelings of anger, sadness or guilt onto others. She advocated that self-awareness and creating support for each other is how we should model allyship---it really starts with us.
- Finally, Courtney took the notion of allyship and took a slightly different step to comment on inclusion. She pointed out that one of the things she thought was great when she walked into the room was that there were two parent supportive groups showcasing, but at the same time there were women at home who maybe needed those services and further needed to hear this conversation but didn't have the access to it. From this she proposed, "What is the next step? How can we make ourselves more inclusive?"
This led into a great discussion about support---where it comes from and where it needs to come from. The panel agreed that support really does come from all different places: parents, spouses, friends, your work community---it all just depends on the quality of this support and having the courage to advocate for more when you are in need.
- Garcia added that the women who have really helped to propel her forward were those who live life intentionally to help others and are self-aware. These are the women who create those "safe spaces" previously mentioned.
- Courtney noted that she has experienced the greatest support in her business by creating a room that is not only diverse but also full of people who are openminded. She asserts that it is important for us to take a breath and realize we are the only ones living in our path. If you want your struggles or journey to be heard, say it. If they are openminded, they will listen. Further, you should always do your best to be the teacher when you can but also see the times where you can be the student, and take that opportunity to share what you learn with others.
- Chew really honed in on the importance of finding a spouse that is supportive of you and your dreams. She added that when you pick a life partner, that person could either make or break your dream or your passion. Just their demeanor, if it is negative, will instill guilt, and that weakens our ability to go and achieve our dreams. She ended with the message with, "If you haven't made that choice---maybe it is time to take another look."
- Finally, Carson shed light on the importance of her mother in her growth and everyday support. She asserted that her mother helped to carve and crack out the person that she is today. She pushed her to pursue her dreams, to be something bigger or better but to still remain humble.
The next major topic we landed on was representation higher up. The consensus was that it is difficult to get to the C-Suite, but once you get there, it is absolutely key to embrace yourself and unapologetically be the powerful leader you are.
- Chew noted that the males that join her at that level treat her no differently now---but it took a lot of terrible clients, CEOs, founders---people who were emotionally abusive---and her own ability to say, "I am not a bad person because I didn't meet their expectations," to be able to get there.
- Courtney added that we don't have to make a space for ourselves in this "man's spot." Further, you have to unapologetically be a woman---and then you can be a powerful leader.
- Garcia agreed that we need to be unapologetically who we are, and we need to embrace ourselves and our personality. She also maintained that we need to realize you should never ask someone else for permission to get what you need or what you want. Often times we are waiting for people to validate us or uplift us, and that does not need to be the case.
A big thank you to everyone who attended, participated and helped make last night successful.
We will be including some more photos from the event this evening. Stay tuned!
