Courtesy of Delaware State University
The College of Business COB held a Women’s Entrepreneurship Week event that provided some Delaware State University-connected women an opportunity to share their business pursuits and successes
“The purpose of Women’s Entrepreneurship Week is to celebrate the ‘Wonder Women’ who have been continuously on their journey of innovation and entrepreneurship, and have been trailblazers in their own industries,” said Troy Farmer, event coordinator. “They have made space to conduct their business and have made space for each other from an interdisciplinary approach.”
Sponsored by the College of Business and its Delaware Center for Enterprise Development (DCED), the event was held on Oct. 18 in the Bank of America Building.
The day began with COB and DCED introducing the attendees to “The Garage” innovation space on the mezzanine level of the Bank of America Building. The event then moved over to the first floor Innovation Café where separate “fireside chat” interviews were held with Jada Robinson, a MBA candidate at the University, and with Nicole Homer who is the co-founder and CEO of HX Innovations.
Ms. Robinson of New York City shared her experience as the founder and CEO of Aquarius Cosmetics, LLC. “I tried to share the struggles I had and how I overcame them to start the business,” she said of her discussion before the audience. “Delaware State University has helped me learn how to carry myself, how to be professional.”
Ms. Homer co-founded HX Innovation with her husband Dr. Von Homer, a University Assistant Professor in the Department of Public and Allied Health. Their business provides movement analytics for injury prevention.
“The innovation part is me being able to see him as the scientist and the creator and see me as the business (side), who is concerned with how do we work this out,” Ms. Homer said. “A lot of people forget that there is a business side to science.”
The keynote “Wonder Woman” conversation featured Dr. Devona Williams, the President/CEO of Goeins Williams Associates and the Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Williams shared many of the lesson she has learned in the 33 years that her business has been her full-time pursuit.
When asked what advice she would give University students who aspire to make in business, Dr. Williams said,” Dream big.” She noted that she had achieve every dream she has had for herself.
“I have realized and learned that what I thought were big goal, they weren’t big enough,” Dr. Williams said. “Don’t let anyone tell you want you can’t do. Think about what you can do. What are all the possibilities? And then implement, have scary fun.”
She added, “Be who you are and figure out how to get there. Have big dreams and keep pushing”
Dr. Williams noted the following attributes of “Wonder Women” entrepreneurs:
- Being independent thinker, not being afraid to fail. Mistakes are opportunity
- Being a risk taker.
- Knowing how to build relationships.
- Giving back to other.
- Be sincere and authentic.
