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Roughly 45% of Americans, which equates to approximately 70 million people, report that they have a side hustle outside of their main career. In many cases, individuals consider transitioning to full-time self-employed, but don’t have to the tools in their arsenal to make it happen.
In a continuation of our ClickSide Chat discussion from December 2022, join Stacy Shew, Geneva Taylor, and ClickSide Chat Facilitator Tori Harper Mercado for a moderated discussion on Turing Your Side Hustle Into a Full-Time Career.
We will discuss what factors to consider when deciding to make your side hustle your full-time career, how to legitimize your business, what buyers are looking for, and much more.
Women & Hi Tech’s ClickSide Chats are monthly, virtual discussions amongst our members to share ideas and perspectives about the professional and personal challenges we are facing and serve to build new connections with fellow members. ClickSide Chats are held on the third Wednesday of each month, except July, from 4-5pm. One or more members serve as co-hosts and share their experiences, advice, talents, and resources for our greater good.
Stacy Shew
Stacy Shew’s career has taken her down many roads providing her with a unique and diverse perspective on life and business. During the span of her 30+ years of experience, she has served across various industries and organizations, including tech, government, non-profit and retail. She brings extensive knowledge and experience in supplier diversity, small business, community outreach and business development. Previously, she served as Executive Director of NAWBO-Indianapolis, Deputy Director of Certification for the State of Indiana, and Director of Fresh Express Home Delivery program at Marsh Supermarkets (before it was a thing). Today, Stacy works as Director of Business Development at Lemak Lubricants, a women-owned business specializing in industrial lubricants, fuels, specialty fluids, and chemicals helping clients streamline their procurement process and solve problems. She has spent a lifetime serving as a volunteer and committee member for non-profit organizations with a focus on women, business advocacy and the arts. She has a passion for animals, especially dogs and horses.
She holds a BS in I/O Psychology from Purdue University and a Human Resource Management Master Certification from VillaNova University. She is a Sagamore of the Wabash and Honorary Treasurer of the State recipient.
Geneva Taylor
Geneva Taylor draws on more than 25 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies, such as Rolls-Royce, Rockwell, Navistar and Caterpillar, Geneva is now owner of Tellis Executive Search (TES), a WBE, MBE, WOSB certified recruiting firm focused on leadership and contract staffing roles. As a recognized expert in the purchasing arena, she has established herself as an experienced negotiator and strategist. She holds an electrical engineering degree from Northwestern University, an MBA from
the University of Indianapolis, CPSM from the Institute of Supply Management and is also certified as a Diverse Sourcing Professional.
Geneva is also a Past-President of the Institute of Supply Management in Central Indiana and co-founder of Soroptimist International of Indianapolis Metro (a 501 (c) 3 women’s volunteer organization with international reach and NGO consultative status with the United Nations). Geneva currently serves on the board for the Six Sigma Racial Equity Institute (SSREI) and on the advisory board for Leading Ladies in Aerospace and Defense. She has also taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Indianapolis as well served on several other academic and non-profit boards in Central Indiana.
Geneva is originally from the suburbs of Chicago, IL and most of her family is still there. While she misses her family, food and fun of Chicago she has lived in Indianapolis for over 20 years.
The event is FREE and exclusive to Women & Hi Tech members! Space is extremely limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once registration is filled, no wait list will be initiated. Registration for ClickSide Chat is required in order to provide you with the final login instructions.
ClickSide Chats are presented by the Membership Engagement Committee, led by Women & Hi Tech Board Member Sahara Williams and facilitated by committee member Tori Harper Mercado.
Sahara Williams is an attorney at Koenig, Oelsner, Taylor, Schoenfeld & Gaddis PC (KO Law), focused on data privacy and cybersecurity compliance law as well as general commercial and corporate matters. Previously, she operated her own engineering and construction management firm for nine years and served as the executive director of a nonprofit equestrian learning center for youth for five years.
Sahara earned her J.D. from the IU McKinney School of Law. She graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and earned a MS in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. She is an alumnus of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series (Class XXXVII), the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series (2012-2013) and the IBJ 2013 Forty Under 40 Class as well as a Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Tori Harper-Mercado joined the Women & Hi-Tech organization in October 2022 and has worked in the data and analytics consulting space for the past two years. She has previous experience in civil engineering and sports & entertainment working in a variety of marketing and sales type roles. Currently, she works as an Account Executive for CSpring, a local data and analytics consultancy, that specializes in helping business leaders make better, faster business decisions through data analytics/business intelligence solutions designed to be easily adopted by business' teams.
Tori participates and involves herself in areas where she feels she can give back to her community such as coaching and mentoring athletes of her high school track and field and middle school volleyball teams and being an active committee member for Rebuilding Together Indianapolis.
In her spare time, she is a new experience fanatic that thrives off of fun adventures, connectivity, and the love of animals (especially dogs).
**By registering for this event, you acknowledge that you may be photographed, videotaped, and/or audio-taped during the course of this event and hereby give permission for your image, and/or voice to be used in education, training, promotion, advertisement, and/or trade and communications media by Women & Hi Tech in any and all media outlets throughout the world, without restriction as to frequency or duration of usage.**
***PLEASE NOTE: W & HT event registration is non-transferable. ***
