Event Summary: Femigrants of Silicon Valley

Source: http://www.femigrants.org/

What a way to spend my Thursday evening learning from great women at the 'Femigrants of Silicon Valley'- Forum of Female Immigrant Leaders event in San Francisco on March 22, 2018
 
Event Highlights

• Focus: The event was celebrating the 1-year anniversary of the Femigrants platform.
• Website: http://www.femigrants.org/  | Facebook: @femigrants | Instagram: #FOSV18 , #Femigrants
• Format: Keynote, Panels Discussions with Q&A.
• Attendees: Female immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals from many countries living in the San Francisco Bay area.
• Topics: Be Your Own Boss, Own Your Career in Silicon Valley.

 
My Objectives – why did I attend this event?

• Getting to know what the Femigrants platform is and the value it provides.
• Networking and meeting other female immigrant entrepreneurs and leaders.
• Gathering insights on entrepreneurship and building a platform.

 
Key Insights – what did I learn? 
Believe in yourself even when others do not believe in you
Beate Chelette, a fellow German immigrant, shared her life experience in the keynote. She shared stories of how people doubted her dating back to her years in middle school.
How many times have people doubted you and your skills? You will be successful if you persist and continue to believe in yourself even through difficult times, peoples doubt and even self-doubt. Personally, telling me, I cannot do something motivates me to do it and succeed. Don't let others discourage you and kill your dreams.
 
Be bold and take on opportunities
"Say hell yes to every opportunity that comes to you" was a phrase that Elena Krasnoperova shared that resonated with me.
After listening to Shonda Rhimes TED talk My year of saying yes, I challenged myself to say yes to more things and put myself out there. So, hearing Elena share her insights on saying yes was confirming the journey I am on. I am committed to put myself out there and say yes to things I will typically say no to because I am scared.
 
Trait to succeed - Be organized and visualize your plan
Kwanua Robinson's advice on the significant role being organized plays in being successful was very timely.
Being organized and having a plan has helped me progress in my own life. Having a plan should become the norm for everything you do in your personal, professional and business life. You will begin to see the outcomes you desire.
 
Entrepreneurs: Test your ideas first
Elena Krasnoperova shared great advice on testing your product with real users before you go all in.
In the process of developing your product, it is critical to test with real users. Before you make any significant investment in your product, you want to know that you have a user group.
 
General Advice:
The panelists and speakers shared some great advice that I would like to share with you.

• Be mentors and mentees - you can help someone out there.
• Strive for excellence in what you do and make sure everyone sees it - Market yourself.
• Don't underestimate the help you can get from a stranger.
• Prepare, have a plan before you go to speak to potential sponsors or investors.
• Always ask questions - get to know what has worked for others.

 
My Next Steps - What am I going to do?

• Continue saying yes to new opportunities this year.
• Test the product/service that I am currently creating.
• Make my mentorship program more official.

 
Final Thoughts

• As female immigrants, we have a unique opportunity - Let's use our skills and experiences.
• Women need to support other women - it starts with me.
• Women are winning as founders - You can do it too.