Women in Business Luncheon - October 2024

From Bootstraps to Breakthroughs: Piloting the Journey to Accessing Capital

Join us for a luncheon panel featuring a diverse group of accomplished women business owners who have successfully navigated the complexities of funding their ventures. This dynamic discussion will delve into the unique challenges and opportunities women face in accessing capital, from self-funding and bootstrapping to securing loans, grants, and investment partnerships. The panelists will share their personal stories, highlighting strategies that worked for them, lessons learned, and the importance of resilience and creativity in the entrepreneurial journey.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into the various avenues available for financing a business, as well as practical tips and inspiration to empower their own ventures. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or looking to scale an existing business, this session will provide essential guidance on making informed financial decisions and building a robust foundation for success.

Meet Our Panelists!

Michelle Allen, CEO/Founder
MMELO Boutique Confections

Michele Allen is the innovative CEO of MMELO Boutique Confections. Michele has recently been honored as the Small Business Person of the Year for the Central and Southern Ohio District by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This prestigious recognition, part of the SBA's 30th annual National Small Business Week, highlights the incredible impact Michele and MMELO have made on our community.

MMELO is renowned for their delicious array of treats, including marshmallows, chocolates, cookies, and other confections, with several vegan and gluten-free options. Since opening in 2015, MMELO has evolved through various forms, from pop-up shops at Easton during the holiday season to a brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Columbus. Despite the challenges of 2020, Michele's tenacity and resilience led to the successful pivot to a pickup and delivery operation, along with extended holiday pop-ups at Polaris.

Michele is a 2021 graduate of the SBA’s Emerging Leaders Executive Training program and has received significant support through organizations like the ECDI Women’s Business Center of Central Ohio. Her ability to leverage SBA-backed loan programs has been instrumental in keeping MMELO thriving throughout the pandemic.

Chelsie Casagrande, Co-Founder
Flat 51
[BIO COMING SOON!]

(Chelsie Casagrande & Jen Brown)

Jill Frey, President/CEO
Cummins Facility Services

Jill Frey, the President of Cummins Facility Services (CFS), has impressively guided the company from its early days as a modest 15-person team to its current status as a national powerhouse employing over 800 staff members. A University of Toledo alumna, Jill confidently assumed leadership at CFS, a family-founded company, and is proud of its certification as a Women's Business Enterprise by The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

In 2019, Jill took a visionary leap into technology with the launch of Facility Genius and FacilityInSites. These initiatives integrate cutting-edge technology with building management to enhance operational efficiency, introducing intelligent sensor technology and eco-friendly air purifiers to the industry. Facility Genius, also certified by WBENC, brings innovative technology solutions directly to facility management, reinforcing the company's commitment to innovation.

Driven by her dedication to technological innovation and operational excellence, Jill’s strategic leadership propels her business ventures toward continued success. Her influence extends beyond her enterprises, creating a positive and enduring impact on the communities she serves.

Meet Our Moderator!

Cindi Englefield, Co-Manager/Co-Founder/Chief Investor Relationship Officer
Accelerating Angels

Cindi grew up in an entrepreneurial family where she caught the business bug early. She received her business degree from Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. After working in retail followed by wholesale sales for several years, she launched her own business from the dining room table. In 1990, she launched Show What You Know Publishing, an educational publishing company. She sold the company 20 years later after expanding into 5 states and multiple product lines, including a software product.

In 2013, Cindi opened Englefield Business Advisors and joined the board of the Women’s Small Business Accelerator to help women business owners grow their businesses. She witnessed first-hand the barriers women face when seeking capital to grow their businesses. Because of this, Cindi co-founded Accelerating Angels, an angel investment group and fund that invests in early-stage, high-growth, and exceptionally led women-owned businesses. Her mission is to make female founders wealthy in an exit and generate a return on investment to the investors that support them. In May 2024, Cindi and her co-founder at Accelerating Angels won the Inspiring Woman Award from Columbus Monthly Magazine.

Cindi is a board member at Englefield Oil Company, Central Point Partners, and Women’s Small Business Accelerator. She sits on the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council and is a member of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Women for Economic Leadership Development, National Association of Women Business Owners, Angel Capital Association and an alum of the Women Presidents Organization. Cindi sits on the Advisory Board for the Ohio State Early Investor Network and chairs the membership committee. She and Dave enjoy golfing, horseback riding and hiking during the winter months in Scottsdale, Arizona with their dog, a yellow lab named Zelda.