Financial Literacy Workshop for Women
January 27-28, 2025
CohnReznick
1301 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019
BUY TICKETS
Day 1 will focus on getting ready to ask for money, from building the right mindset (confidence is key!) and determining how much to ask to identifying funding options and knowing how to ask.
Day 2 will focus on understanding your financial statements, how you can impact them through operations and tech, and future-proofing your business (from building new revenue models to putting the right team in place).
Meals will be provided by the following businesses, owned by alumnae of The James Beard Foundation's Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Program:
Schedule
January 27
8:45-9:15 A.M. Registration and Breakfast
9:15-9:30 A.M. Welcome
9:30-10:00 A.M. Getting Into the Money Mindset
- Ita Ekpoudom, Partner, GingerBread Capital
10:00-11:00 A.M. The Why, What, and When of Raising Money
- Stephanie O'Rourk, CPA, Partner, CohnReznick Global Consulting Solutions
- Michael Shemtov, Owner and Founder, Butcher & Bee, The Daily, Redheaded Stranger, and Fancypants
11:00-11:15 A.M. Break
11:15 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Identifying Funding Sources, Pitching, and Deal Structuring (Operator's Perspectives)
- Vanessa Pham, Co-Founder, Omsom
- Michael Shemtov, Owner and Founder, Butcher & Bee, The Daily, Redheaded Stranger, and Fancypants
- Ellen Yin, Founder and Co-Owner, High Street Hospitality Group
12:30-1:30 P.M. Networking Lunch
1:30-2:30 P.M. Investor and Deal Maker Perspectives
- Greg Golkin, Managing Partner, Kitchen Fund
- Lynda Marren, Founder, Just Add Salt
- Andy Peskoe, Partner, Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe
2:30-3:30 P.M. Building Business Longevity
- Stephanie O'Rourk, CPA, Partner, CohnReznick Global Consulting Solutions
- Allison Ruderman, Vice President, The Elliot Group
3:30-4:15 P.M. Practice Pitching with Confidence
4:15-5:00 P.M. Day 1 "Office Hours" - Deeper Dive with Speakers
5:30-7:30 P.M. Cocktail Party at the Beard House
January 28
8:30-9:00 A.M. Breakfast
9:00-9:15 A.M. Welcome and Takeaways from Day 1
9:15-10:15 A.M. ABCs of Restaurant Financial Statements
- Stephanie O'Rourk, CPA, Partner, CohnReznick Global Consulting Solutions
10:15-11:15 A.M. Impacting Your Financials Through Operations
- Dede Lahman, Founder and Owner, Clinton St. Baking Co. & Restaurant
- Kwini Reed, Co-Owner, Poppy & Seed, Poppy + Rose, and Root of All Foods
11:15-11:30 A.M. Break
11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Optimize Your Tech Stack for Efficiency and Revenue [Peer to Peer Review]
- Emma Blecker, Chief of Staff and Director of Business Systems, Boqueria Restaurants
12:30-1:30 P.M. Networking Lunch
1:30-3:00 P.M. Building A Diverse Portfolio of Revenue Sources (From CPG to Real Estate)
- Joy Crump, Founding Partner and Executive Chef, Foode
- Paulina Lopez, Co Proprietor, Guelaguetza Restaurant and Co-Founder, I Love Micheladas
- Vanessa Pham, Co-Founder, Omsom
3:00-3:45 P.M. Day 2 "Office Hours" - Deeper Dive with Speakers
3:45-4:00 P.M. Closing Remarks
Session Descriptions
Getting into The Money Mindset
Confidence is key! Learn how to build the right mindset to be successful in asking for money and communicating about your business.
The Why, What and When of Raising Money
Gain a firm understanding of the different stages and purposes of raising capital and when it’s best to be raising money. Better understand the pros and cons of raising more vs. less money, sooner vs. later. Understand the different types of restaurant funding available and the pros and cons of each.
Identifying Funding Sources, Pitching, and Deal Structuring (Operator Perspectives)
Learn strategies and resources to deepen funding relationships, confidently pitch prospective investors, and strike a deal that makes sense for you and your business from experienced founders.
Investor & Deal Maker Perspectives
Learn from a panel of seasoned investors and dealmakers on what makes a compelling investment, do’s and don’ts in pitching, and deal structure tips and pitfalls.
Building Business Longevity
Think ahead about what changes you may need to make to your team, structure and processes to profitably reach your growth goals and set yourself up for financial success. Learn from a panel of experts on what to consider regarding reporting and process and building the right team.
ABCs of Restaurant Financial Statements
Increase your confidence in interpreting financial statements and understand what is most in your control. Learn about some common pitfalls to avoid and what the important metrics are to focus on and why.
Impacting your Financials Through Operations
Hear from experienced operators on how they have implemented tools and processes in day-to-day operations to lead to better financial results.
Optimize Your Tech Stack for Efficiency and Revenue (Peer to Peer Review)
Gain a comprehensive perspective on the different restaurant technology solutions that exist and how you should evaluate what is needed for your business (less is sometimes more!). Better understand how to evaluate the financial return of implementing a new technology. Learn from a seasoned restaurant systems operator and from each other!
Building A Diverse Portfolio of Revenue Sources (from CPG to real estate)
Adopt a mindset of maximizing your restaurant business (and your own!) financial success and sustainability by thinking about ways to grow revenue outside of it. Gain valuable insights on how to launch a CPG business and how to invest in real estate from experienced founders.