Did you miss StartupSac Happy Hour last night at in midtown? If so you missed out on some phenomenal experience from our guests, Margaret Mackenzie and Cheryl Beninga. Over 30 people crowded into the back room at The Golden Bear to ask their questions of two women with amazing credentials in the tech and startup world. Thanks to the fantastic live-tweeting abilities of a few our guests, predominantly @BreeAea (thank you Bree), we can share a few key nuggets if wisdom from the evening. There’s also a couple of brief videos of Margaret’s and Cheryl’s responses about the Sacramento startup community (apologies for the poor quality from my really old iPhone).
@sacstartup Happy Hour w/ @SofiiaAi advisor Margaret Mackenzie and @FourthWaveUS advisor Cheryl Beninga talking #FemaleFounders pic.twitter.com/oytR3Q5gJ4
— Laura Hansen (@Laura_M_Hansen) March 30, 2017
Sacramento Startup Scene
“Let’s be good at what we’re good at. No need to be like the others.” – Margaret Mackenzie #startupsachappyhour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
Tech jobs are looking to grow around the region because ppl understand govt won’t be able to sustain the workforce. #startupsachappyhour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
“Sacramento has the opportunity to differentiate itself. There are a ton of new ideas & expertise bubbling in Sac.” -Margaret Mackenzie
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
Margaret Mackenzie’s reply to question about Sacramento startup scene last night at #StartupSacHappyHour #StartupSac #SacTech pic.twitter.com/ShMZ0XbkPy
— Startup Sac (@sacstartup) March 30, 2017
Cheryl Beninga’s reply to question about Sacramento startup scene last night at #StartupSacHappyHour #StartupSac #SacTech pic.twitter.com/VbX6b9iIYe
— Startup Sac (@sacstartup) March 30, 2017
Female Entrepreneurs
DYK: Lending money to women in developing worlds is considered the safest bet. #startupsachappyhour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
Women tend to listen more. They tend to be shut out of the conversations more too. Less of hero complex. #StartupSacHappyHour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
Downside of female entrepreneurs tend to think others are more qualified than them. Stop that mindset! #StartupSacHappyHour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
Upside of women founders In general: women are better listeners, more collaborative. Downside:lack confidence in skills #startupsachappyhour
— Laura Good (@goodlaura) March 30, 2017
Straight up, don’t be afraid! Have the confidence and be open to learning. Learn from customers & mentors. #startupsachappyhour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
Yes, you should start a company. Wanna make a lot of $? Solve big problem. Don’t be afraid to take on huge problems. #startupsachappyhour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
Funding
When getting investor attention it is less about tech and more about growth. #StartupSacHappyHour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
More $ becoming available to those building communities. More difficult to find those who invest in physical product #StartupSacHappyHour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
When pitching to investors, really listen to the questions being asked. Don’t have a canned answer. #StartupSacHappyHour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
Common theme: who do you want to be your investor? You don’t want any investor at any cost. #StartupSacHappyHour
— B @ SacIndieArcade (@BreeAea) March 30, 2017
