Last week, a group of five women entrepreneurs gathered at a roundtable discussion organized by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to share their experiences of doing business in New Jersey. The event aimed to highlight the journey of women business owners and explore how the state can continue supporting women-led enterprises.
NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said, “From day one, Governor Murphy has been dedicated to supporting women business owners and fostering a robust, diverse, and fair economy. With assistance from Assemblywoman Collazos-Gill and the entire Legislature, the NJEDA has been able to roll out programs that provide essential resources to help women entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.” Sullivan recognized the progress made but emphasized the ongoing need for efforts to ensure equitable resources for minority business owners.
The roundtable took place in Clifton at Agave Mexican Cantina with participants from diverse industries, including retail, food, healthcare, and software. Key attendees included Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill, President-Elect of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce Robin Tabakin, NJEDA Chief Economic Security Officer Tara Colton, and NJEDA Chief of Staff Emma Corrado.
Assemblywoman Collazos-Gill remarked, “I commend the NJEDA for their thoughtfulness and intent in which their grant programs and tools are reaching and empowering the diverse group of women entrepreneurs. Continued state support is critical to their growth, expanding economic opportunities, and building a more inclusive and resilient economy.”
Robin Tabakin highlighted the role of the NJEDA and New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (NJCSIT) during Women’s History Month, stating, “Our discussions encompassed the resources these businesses currently utilize, the support programs they envision for the future, and NJEDA’s ongoing commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs through legislative actions and strategic goals.”
The NJEDA's focus extends to child care facilities through its Child Care Facilities Improvement Program, as noted by Tara Colton. "Making robust investments into the child care industry is helping empower women to rejoin the workforce, strengthening families, and communities," she said.
Emma Corrado underlined the NJEDA’s commitment: “In support of Governor Murphy’s goal to strengthen the small business community, the NJEDA is committed to uplifting women small business owners across the state with the resources and tools needed to succeed.”
Rebecca Pauline Jampol, Co-Director of Project for Empty Space in Newark, emphasized the importance of the NJEDA’s support for artists and creatives as small business operators. “We recognize artists as vital contributors to the economic ecosystem—individuals who operate as small businesses—and with the support of NJEDA, we have expanded our footprint to better support this community in the heart of Downtown Newark,” she said.
Margot Zigmont, owner of Tea & Oranges in Summit, appreciated the community's role in her success. “As the recipient of the E-Commerce Grant from the NJEDA, my business made a crucial relationship with another woman-owned business who brought our website to the next level,” said Zigmont.
Yidian Lu, Co-Founder of PolyGone Systems in Princeton, discussed the challenges of hardware business development and the NJEDA's role in supporting early partnerships and funding. “I could not thank them more for creating such an inclusive ecosystem in NJ to host business like PolyGone,” Lu added.
Sonia Sequeira, Ph.D., CEO of Vitruviae in Nutley, remarked on the NJEDA's impact on their early-stage research. “Early support from the NJEDA and CSIT was instrumental in enabling Vitruviae to conduct critical early-stage research,” she said, highlighting how the funding helped them advance to the preclinical stage.
Nicole Shaw-Provillion, owner of Kurly Kürtősh, applauded the community support and NJEDA grants that helped establish her niche dessert culture in Nutley. “As a woman business owner building this niche brand, it has been an interesting journey, and the community has been overwhelmingly supportive,” Shaw-Provillion noted.
The NJEDA's Main Street Recovery Program supported 537 women-owned businesses across New Jersey with $10.5 million in funding in 2024, demonstrating a commitment to aiding minority-owned enterprises across the state.
