Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the area?
Born in Livingston, raised in Chester/Mendham. I left for college, graduate school, and many years of working in Vermont, Washington DC and NYC. I returned to the area during the pandemic and have decided to stay and raise my family here!
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
2 daughters. Shalom age 4 and Edison age 2
Are you involved in a business venture or corporate world? Please Share!
I work in the entrepreneurship and venture world (turning NJ into Silicon Valley East). I have always been a starter/creator who can see unique connection points in life and business and now I use this superpower for my clients. After many years of working in politics both in DC (US Senate) and NYC (City Hall), I made a career pivot to event production, which I found out is just like politics without the drama. While working in large scale event production, I realized that the industry was missing software, so like any starter, I set out to build it. After starting the company, raising capital, running it, and exiting, I have dedicated my life to helping others do the same.
Since 2014 I have worked with second career female entrepreneurs. Women with subject matter expertise who want to start and grow businesses. I help them go from idea through raising their first round of capital, if needed. I am dedicated to demystifying the process of business planning, pitching, and closing. And equally dedicated to getting my clients emotionally ready to be CEO’s. I also have a podcast called, Straighten Your Crown, focused on sharing information about starting a business and successfully fundraising.
When did you decide you wanted to open your own consulting firm?
It was one of those things that presented itself, in a persistent way. After I exited my start-up, I set out to find a job, but as I was interviewing, I kept getting requests to help other founders. I started to do this on the side, and realized how much I loved the work and voilà, Andrea Minkow Consulting was born.
I also realized that most of the services available to women are not helpful and it made me angry. I hate seeing organizations take women’s money and not help them really achieve their dreams. This added fuel to the fire for me. I was then and continue to be dedicated to not just giving advice, but to providing concrete tools and direction for entrepreneurs to build rocket ships. I focus on business planning as well as personal coaching to get my clients in and out of the rooms they need to be in successfully. I have not looked back; I love running my business!
Has helping women with launching new careers always been a part of your life?
In hindsight, it really has. While I never could have imagined ending up doing what I am doing now, it makes sense. I have 2 degrees in social work and public policy. My entire career has been focused around making the world a better place for women to succeed. While that has taken shape in different ways, it has always been a core tenant.
What do you recommend for someone looking to get started?
Call me! And do your homework. It is your job to know your business better than anyone else. Get as educated as you possibly can on the pain point you are solving for, your product, the market you will be in, and how you will be successful in that market. Know your customers more then they know themselves! Talk to your customers make sure they will actually buy what you are selling. If you plan to raise capital, make sure you know why (I often hear, I need to raise money, but when pressed entrepreneurs don’t have solid justification), deeply understand your financials and their affiliated projections (build a model with projections), study the different vehicles (debt vs. equity) you can use to take money in so you pick the right one for your business and finally understand the impact that taking in investment money will have.
If you could give one tip to fellow Mom Entrepreneurs what would it be?
Focus on you. Trust yourself to see the opportunity. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing or working on. Say no to networking events etc unless they serve a direct purpose for your business. As a mom your time is so limited, remember that getting distracted comes with a cost.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I am a sailboat captain and worked in the Caribbean for many years. I am passionate about changing the face of sailing for women and girls. I think sailing as a platform is the perfect vehicle to teach STEM and leadership. To work on this passion, I am the Chair of the Board at Hudson River Community Sailing.
Ok 10 Fun LOCAL favorites – ready, go!
1 – Favorite thing to do with your kids? Look for wildlife at Foote’s Pond
2 – Favorite coffee spot? Don’t hate me, but I am a tea drinker.
3 – Favorite lunch place? Sunday Motor Co or Fig & Lilly outside
4 – Favorite farm to go fruit picking? Wightmans
5 – Favorite date night restaurant? 90 Acres
6 – Favorite boutique? The Rock Shop
7 – Favorite spot to grab a drink? My front porch!
8 – Who has the best bagels in town? It’s Time For A Bagel in Morris Plains is literally the best EVER.
9 – Best slice of pizza in town? Morris Pizza
10 – Favorite spot for ice cream? Beenies soft serve! I feel bad to have replaced Dairy Queen, but it will always hold a special spot in my heart.
This interview was done in partnership with Andrea Minkow Consulting, be sure to follow her on social media below:
