Financial Literacy Workshop for Women

This two-day financial fitness workshop aims to provide women and non-binary hospitality entrepreneurs at all stages of their career—from looking to turn idea into operation to growing one’s existing businesses—with the financial literacy training they need to get to their next level. The workshop will take place at CohnReznick.

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 future-proofing your business, from building a variety of revenue models to identifying and using various technologies available.

For accommodations, we recommend using a hotel booking site like hotels.com or booking.com to find the best rate, which are plentiful at this time of year, especially if you reserve early. Hotels located in Time Square and Midtown will be a short walk from the CohnReznick office.

Schedule

January 16

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 with Ita Ekpoudom

10:00-10:45 A.M. What Do You Need Money For (and When)? with Stephen Mancini and Stephanie O’Rourk

10:45-11:15 A.M. Identifying Funding Sources with Michael Shemtov

11:15-11:30 A.M. Break

11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Building a Relationship with Funders/Asking for Money with Ping Ho and Daniella Senior

12:30-1:30 P.M. Networking Lunch

1:30-2:30 P.M. Investor and Deal Maker Perspectives with Greg Golkin, Lynda Marren, and Andy Peskoe

2:35-3:35 P.M. Operator Perspective on Deal Making with Ping Ho and Michael Shemtov 

3:35-4:00 P.M. Practice Pitching with Confidence

4:00-4:30 P.M. Break

4:30-6:30 P.M. Cocktail Party at the Beard House

January 17

8:45-9:00 A.M. Breakfast

9:00-9:15 A.M. Welcome and Takeaways from Day 1

9:15-10:30 A.M. ABCs of Restaurant Financial Statements with Stephanie O'Rourk

10:30-11:30 A.M. Using Technology Effectively to Boost Your Bottom Line with Stephen Mancini, Daniella Senior, and Anna Tauzin

11:30-11:45 A.M. Break

11:45 A.M.-12:45 P.M. Building Alternative Revenue Sources in CPG with Violeta Edelman and Molly Irani

12:45-1:45 P.M. Networking Lunch

1:45-2:45 P.M. Building Business Longevity and Scaling Up with Sarah Diehl and Ellen Yin

2:45-3:00 P.M. Break

3:00-3:45 P.M. "Office Hours” Deep Dive by Topic

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.

What Do you Need Money For (and When)?

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 to raising more vs. less money, sooner vs. later and how to create a financial model for your business.

Identifying Funding Sources

Understand the different types of restaurant funding available and the pros and cons of each.

Building a Relationship with Funders / Asking for Money

Learn strategies and resources to expand your network, deepen funding relationships, and confidently pitch prospective investors from founderd who has successfully done it in the past.

Investor and 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.

Operator Perspective on Deal Making

Get perspectives from operators on entering into an agreement with an investor or lender.

ABCs of Restaurant Financial Statements

Increase your confidence in interpreting financial statements and using them to improve the operations of your business. Learn about some common pitfalls to avoid and what the important metrics are to focus on and why.

Using Technology Effectively to Boost Your Bottom Line

Learn how to effectively use technology in ways that help you meet your financial goals. Get advice from experienced operators on what to consider when evaluating different technology alternatives.

Building Alternative Revenue Sources in CPG

Gain valuable insights on how to expand and/or pivot your restaurant business to CPG from experienced operators.

Building Business Longevity and Scaling Up

As your business grows, its needs change. Get guidance on how to think through implementing the changes today that will make you successful tomorrow. Areas covered will include team structure to support growth, comp policies, competitive benefits and legal compliance.