Listen to “#657 How to Propel More Women to Lead Small Businesses” on Spreaker.
On this episode of The Small Business Radio Show…
SEGMENT 1 with Gloria Feldt, starting at 0:00: What will it take to achieve gender parity and propel more women to leadership roles? Gloria Feldt, a nationally recognized social and political advocate of women’s rights, is here to share how we can move toward gender equality.
SEGMENT 2 with Zeke Bronfman, starting at 18:45: How do you start a beverage company from your dorm room? Zeke Bronfman, grandson of the late Seagram CEO Edgar Bronfman, and his roommate Nate Medow did just that, and Zeke is here to share their story.
SEGMENT 3 with Libby Hikind, starting at 35:00: What grants are available to small businesses and nonprofits that are not well known? Libby Hikind, founder of Grantwatch, is here to share tips for finding and applying for grants to help fund your organization.
Sponsored by NiceJob and Plastiq.
More on each segment below.
Segment 1: Gloria Feldt is a New York Times best-selling author, speaker, commentator and feminist leader who has gained national recognition as a social and political advocate of women’s rights. In 2013, she co-founded Take The Lead, a nonprofit initiative with a goal to propel women to leadership parity by 2025. She is a former CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, directing the organization from 1996 to 2005.
1:30 – What is your take on the newest Texas law and its effect on Roe v. Wade?
3:45 – Are we currently moving forward or backward for equality with gender and race in the workplace?
5:30 – What are the barriers to gender parity in leadership and small business?
8:45 – What was your inspiration to make gender parity your life’s mission?
10:15 – How do people who identify as trans, non-binary and more fit into the equation?
12:30 – You vow parity by 2025. How did you arrive at that date?
14:15 – How do we get women back on track after their setbacks from the pandemic?
Segment 2: Zeke Bronfman and Nate Medow are former college roommates, best friends, and founders XED Beverages. Nate was a college athlete and is a Type-1 diabetic, so he has always found it difficult to find a drink with low sugar and carb content that is also enjoyable. On the other hand, Zeke comes from a long line of spirits pioneers, establishing his high standards for quality flavors. The duo started experimenting with various flavors and equipment in their dorm room to create SESH, XED’s premiere product.
18:45 – Tell us more about the origin story of XED Beverages.
22:30 – How did you bring SESH to market?
24:00 – In what ways did the pandemic affect the business?
26:15 – How do you get people to try the product and buy more?
28:45 – Who is the target consumer? What about the competition?
31:30 – Making the family proud!
Segment 3: Libby Hikind, a national grants expert, established a grant writing agency in 1994. From 1999 to 2001, Libby created NYC Grantwatch, a grant newsletter publication for nonprofit organizations.
35:00 – What happened during the pandemic with grants for small businesses and nonprofits?
37:30 – How does a grant work?
39:45 – How can small businesses and nonprofits find grants that are not well known?
40:45 – How much money is available? Does it vary by state?
42:30 – What grants are currently available?
45:00 – How to maximize your chances of winning a grant in any industry.
48:30 – How long does it take to apply for a grant? What’s the success rate?
