Dear Women of The NETWORK,

I don't know if you have noticed, but November looks like a month dedicated to entrepreneurs! From the University of Luxembourg, which has a full week on the topic  called the "Ideation Camp", to nearly all the organizations and associations related to entrepreneurs in Luxembourg, we are all invited to amazing and exciting events supporting the entrepreneurial spirit.

Among our members at The NETWORK, we have some seasoned entrepreneurs, early-stage entrepreneurs, and women who have great business ideas and still considering all options. Our November event will therefore focus on the women's perspective of entrepreneurship, as we understand women's specific needs very well.

Women are typically more involved in their children's care and household responsibilities than men. You add to that the fact that women rank higher than men in admitting the "fear of failure" as the number one reason for them to be hesitant to start a business – and this is even if women are less likely to experience failure, once their business is up and running. For these reasons, there is a visible impact on the ratio of women vs men entrepreneurs worldwide, and Luxembourg makes no exception.

In 2019, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor published a report showing a clear increase in the percentage of women founders of small and medium businesses within the previous 3.5 years, of 8.7%, compared to 5.9% in 2017*. Unfortunately, Covid negatively impacted this positive trend ** with Female Entrepreneurship being impacted harder.

Our panel of experts will discuss all those specific challenges as they tend to be similar for women at all stages of business development. They will challenge some ideas, like being irreplaceable in a business. This continues to be perceived as a strength, and many women truly believe that only they can do it all, but they end up exhausted and often burned out. We will bring up the angle of venture capital, a funding option often ignored by female business owners, especially in the early stages, when maybe that's the right time to consider it.

I hope you are as excited as I am about our event, and I am looking forward to Networking with you!

PS: Remember that we are holding a business card drawing, and a few lucky women will have the opportunity to pitch their projects or businesses at the beginning of our events. Bring your business card and be ready to pitch!

* Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Luxembourg 2019/2020 (public.lu)

**Female Entrepreneurship: Why It Matters (pwc.lu)

Yours in Networking,

Mariana Florea
President. The NETWORK

About this event

According to the Harvard Business Review, just 2.3% of all venture capital funding in 2020 went to female entrepreneurs. Yet the return on investment for female-led start-ups is more than twice as much per dollar invested.

The NETWORK is committed to helping women grow and develop professionally. Our November 2022 event, How to Build & Maintain a Thriving Business- From Concept and Planning to Execution and Securing Funding, is for women entrepreneurs at every stage of the business process.

This event is for female entrepreneurs who:

• Have a business idea and want to learn more about starting a business in Luxembourg
• Are in the early stages of beginning a business- Are seasoned business owners seeking more knowledge about maintaining a thriving business without burning out
• Want to learn more about venture capital but were always afraid to ask

This special event will focus on women entrepreneurs' unique and specific needs, from juggling private life and business to securing funding. Our panel of experts from multiple segments of the business world, including consulting and venture capital funding, will offer advice to help women at all stages of business development.

Panellists Christine Hansen (Christine Means Business), Lynn Stoltzfus (Majorel) and Leesa Soulodre (r3iVentures) will discuss key strategies for successfully taking your business from concept to full operation.

WHAT 

How to Build & Maintain a Thriving Business

WHEN

Wednesday, 23 November @ 19:00 CEST

WHERE

ING House Luxembourg

26 Place de la Gare

1616 Luxembourg

WHO

Christine Hansen, Leesa Soulore, and Lynette Stoltzfus

Would you like to pitch your business at our November event? Reach out to our Events committee and pitch your business during our 

What’s your background?

I am native French. Was born in Paris in the late 70s and grew up on the west coast of France.

Initially, I was wondering if I wanted to study Economics or Law. Finally, I chose Law as the main study theme and Economy (études comptables et financières) later as a hobby. I found a common interest between the two and specialized in Tax and International Law.

In 2001, I went to Germany for an Erasmus exchange. It was a challenging year but very positive for my background as I could particularly study International Tax Fraud. Happy with this year in Saarbrücken, I stayed one more year at the Europa Institut to prepare for a master's.

As treasurer of ELSA (European Law Students Association) Saarbröcken, I could visit some European Institutions in Strasbourg and Luxembourg. I found Luxembourg very attractive and decided to study the programme Cours Complémentaires en Droit Luxembourgeois at the University of Luxembourg. Then I could register at the Luxembourg Bar as a lawyer.

A few years later, I became an Independent Director for a professional challenge and family reasons to better control my Agenda. I can better combine my family life, professional activity and formation.

What are your duties as General Secretary of The NETWORK?

As a General Secretary of The NETWORK, I prepare the agenda of the monthly board meetings, draft the minutes, and take care of legal aspects regarding our activity (register RCSL).

I am not alone; I get real support from our members, particularly our President, Marina Florea and the co-General Secretary, Hanne Pinholt.

Like all members of The NETWORK, I try to be an Ambassador of the association and promote it in events I visit.

What do you see as some areas for growth within the organisation?

I challenge myself in this new role as General Secretary for The NETWORK. Even if I have more or less similar roles in my professional life, my role in the organisation is new.

I enjoy the idea of making publicity for The NETWORK in my professional and private life.

It makes my professional skills grow. I highly appreciate the content of our events, and I learn something at every event. It is a beneficial time for me to work close to positive and motivated women. This positivity is e real advantage of the Organisation.

The NETWORK is an organisation that helps you meet motivated, engaged, competent women.

We organise many events (schooling, charity, wine tasting, galas, etc.) where we can grow our soft and hard skills. The atmosphere is kind, and the vibes are good. We are surrounded by women who want to share experiences and help others.

The more we are, the merrier! Do not hesitate to join us for an event and hopefully for the long run!

Our partner, the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg, has been gracious enough to offer members of The NETWORK free AMCHAM memberships, which provides discounts in several shops throughout Luxembourg. There is a limited supply, and we will give the membership cards on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

Become a part of The NETWORK, a Community Women Helping Women.