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WEI FORUM REPORTS: January 23, 2003

The Women’s Enterprise Initiative held their first forum for 2003 on January 23 at the Newton Free Public Library.  During the networking period, the entire room bustled with a wide variety of attendees ranging from students, aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals, and interested citizens.  Almost ninety women and men came to hear Tiffany Amorosino of Bella Sante Spas present her business plan.  Our moderator, the extraordinary Yolanda Cellucci of Yolanda’s of Waltham, charmed and amazed the crowd with her fascinating story and motivated all with her unfaltering will to succeed.  Before the featured presentation, Tori Stuart of Zoe Foods, who presented in October 2002, updated the audience on her business and shared the great value she gained by being a WEI business plan presenter.  Tori relayed how some basic yet important marketing strategies had been overlooked but thanks to the panelists and audience, they were addressed.  Zoe Foods has begun to incorporate this advice into the packaging and positioning of their products as she continues to expand into retail outlets, particularly in the supermarket arena.

Moderator: Yolanda Cellucci of Yolanda's of Waltham  Panelists: Louise Sacco of The Enterprise Group, Christine Graber of Graber Marketing, and Nina Monastero of Monastero & Associates  Past Presenter Update: Tori Stuart, Zoe Foods  Business Plan Presentation: Tiffany Amorosino, Bella Santé Spas

The lovely Tiffany Amorosino, Vice President and Co-owner of Bella Sante Spas (located in Boston on Newbury Street and in Lexington) was the featured business plan presenter.  Recently, Bella Sante Spas was spotlighted on a local cable channel program called “Chowdah”.  Tiffany shared the video clip with the audience to familiarize them with her business and the spa industry.  Tiffany completely engaged the audience with her fervor, humor and honesty.  She walked the group through her personal background as well as the development, growth and future of Bella Sante.  Tiffany openly shared some of the challenges that she has overcome and some that still lie ahead.   She asked WEI’s distinguished panelists to help her in three major areas: customer service, merchandising, and e-commerce.  In order to prepare for the forum, each of the esteemed panelists, Louise Sacco of The Enterprise Group, Christine Graber of Graber Marketing, and Nina Monastero of Monastero & Associates, “mystery” shopped Bella Sante.  The panel members reported having a fantastic visit but each discovered ways to improve the business.  The panel provided Tiffany with valuable and insightful critiques as well as offered her specific suggestions for making the already enjoyable Bella Sante experience even more wonderful (and profitable!)  The evening ended with comments and questions from the audience, promotion of our next event, and distribution of gift bags courtesy of Bella Sante.

WEI extends much thanks to our generous sponsors, Auburndale Co-operative Bank, Boston Private Bank, and Sovereign Bank who provide WEI with the necessary financial resources to continue holding our business plan forums three times a year.  Furthermore, through their regular attendance, our sponsors prove their commitment to emotionally support local women entrepreneurs.  WEI also extends gratitude toward Roche Bros./Sudbury Farms, Inc., for donation of their delicacies, demonstrating how entrepreneurs can help other entrepreneurs.  Additional thanks go out to WEI past presenters for attending this forum and continuing to stay connected to WEI: Nancy Finn of Communication Resources, Suzanne Paling of Sales Management Services, and Denise Passaretti of Passaretti Photography.

 

WEI is a partnership between the City of Newton, Pine Manor College, and New England Women's Business Owners