Codefi Connecting, Supporting and Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs
July 19, 2019
The first step into the world of entrepreneurship can often feel like starting a climb up an insurmountable peak. For women, it can be even more impossible, from juggling home and work life, being the only female in a room full of male engineers, or being told a woman isn’t qualified to do a certain job. Exhausting and often outmoded obstacles such as these can stymie even the most resilient up-and-coming businesswomen.
On the other hand, who could be more qualified to support and empower an aspiring female entrepreneur than another female entrepreneur? Cape Girardeau and the surrounding community are blessed with some absolutely badass women doing amazing things in the business world, and not enough people know about them. They’ve been there, built extraordinary businesses and opportunities, overcome countless trials and tribulations, and are happy to share their journeys with other women who want to fulfill the dream of stepping into the world of entrepreneurship.
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This is your chance to connect with a thriving community of women, as Codefi hosts Cupcakes and Cocktails1 on Wednesday, August 28 from 6-8pm. Cupcakes and Cocktails is a celebration of the spirit of innovation for female founders, entrepreneurs, and businesswomen who are passionate about growth, networking, and supporting other women. It’s an opportunity to generate ideas, form relationships, and learn about life as a woman in different types of local businesses. Whether you’re an experienced professional with a lengthy resume or a budding entrepreneur with lots of scary new ideas, you’ll be inspired as we discuss community amongst female businesswomen and learn how to lean into your strengths to build and maintain sustainable businesses.
The event will include the requisite cupcakes and cocktails (I mean, they’re in the name, so you’d better believe they’ll be there), as well as an esteemed panel of businesswomen—all Codefi members and community leaders—who have been molded by their personal experiences and will be sharing their successes, failures, and lessons learned as they discuss the role of women in business today.
Heather Holdman
Co-Founder, Codefi
If Co-Founder of Codefi wasn't glamorous enough, Heather also serves as matchmaker and head janitor of the coworking space. It's also worth nothing that she has a reputation in these parts as a boxer and a mixologist with a heavy pour! (It's a blessing and a curse.) With 14-plus years of experience in marketing, sales, product research, and development, Heather is being pulled in at least two dozen directions at any given moment. Despite that, she never fails to lend a helping hand or avert the latest office crisis. She also sleeps. Occasionally.
Carisa Stark
Owner, Mary Jane Burgers & Brew, Mary Jane bourbon + smokehouse
Carisa has over 22 years of Hospitality Management experience, including an A.A.S. in Business Management. She has spent the last six years as sole proprietor of Mary Jane Street + Food, Food Truck, Mary Jane Burgers & Brew LLC2, Stark Property Management LLC, Jackson Street BrewCo3, and most recently Mary Jane bourbon + smokehouse4, which opened this year in Cape Girardeau. She formed Stark Property Management in 2013, focusing on commercial property rentals, vacation rentals, and most currently a residential rental rehab project. Carisa is also a member of the Kansas City BBQ Society and a Certified BBQ Judge with the KCBS.
Lindsey Radcliffe
Owner, Morning Star Behavioral Associates5
Lindsey has a rich lineage of compassion and service, becoming the fourth generation in her family to serve people with disabilities in southern Illinois. Lindsey has presented and consulted with top universities and state committees on current employment trends for people with disabilities and how active treatment in employment can affect primary education at an early age. She designed a highly successful program, “the Eleven Categories of Independence,” for adults with intellectual disabilities, helping them achieve a higher level of independence both residentially and on the job. Lindsey is known for innovation in planning and creating a natural and common sense approach to learning and treatment.
Stacy Dohogne Lane
Director of Programs - Youth, Marquette Tech District Foundation6
Stacy Dohogne Lane develops and runs the Marquette Tech District Foundation’s youth coding initiatives7, with most of her time spent on the Youth Coding League8, commonly known as the YCL, an after-school youth coding program with a unique competitive element in 40+ schools in Fall 2019. Past professional experiences include roles in marketing and public relations for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau and a local medical practice. Stacy prioritizes community involvement with her roles on the promotions committee at Old Town Cape, a spot on the Cape Girardeau Public Library Board of Trustees, and volunteer roles with the Frank the Fighter Foundation and the Hand to Hold organization.
Panel Moderator
Breyana Ray
Director of Community Engagement, Codefi
Breyana joined Codefi in 2016 after 7-plus years in the aerospace engineering industry, where she started as a marketing assistant, ended as Director of Business Development, and learned that airplanes are cool, but rockets and satellites are cooler. Breyana is responsible for connecting internal community members and stakeholders to each other and the greater community. She works on and develops initiatives that provide company and industry-specific value to our members. She also plans and organizes the amazing events here at Codefi. Breyana is the owner of JoAlexCrews, LLC, her soon-to-be sock company (if she ever finds the time).
If you’re ready to fulfill a dream, step into the world of entrepreneurship, and indulge in some irresistible refreshments (every entrepreneur damn well knows the value of free food), Cupcakes and Cocktails will empower you with the knowledge and excitement to conquer your next challenge.
Be a badass. Do something different. Climb the insurmountable peak and turn your desires into real outcomes. Maybe the next time we meet, you can tell us your story and inspire the next big innovation in our community.