Building Partnerships and Inspiring Growth: Highlights from the ICIC Back Bay Small Business Mixer

By ICIC | September 9, 2024

In late August, ICIC’s Alumni Network (ICAN) hosted the ICIC Back Bay Small Business mixer. The event, sponsored by EY and held at their office in Bay Back, brought together alumni from ICIC’s executive education programs, partners, and ICIC staff and board members. We connected with Judi Vigna, CEO of Specialized Career Guidance LLC, and Jeysi Zuniga, President of Synergy Contracting, Inc., about their experience at the event. Along with members of the Boston ICAN Steering Committee, they played a critical role in planning and promoting the event, leading to an exciting evening of networking among a crowd of more than 60 business owners and partners from organizations like Arctaris Impact Investors, Bank of America, Cultivate Advisors, Dorchester Bay EDC, Forward Financing, M&T Bank, and Women of Color Entrepreneurs (WOCE).

Q: What role did the steering committee play in shaping the vision and goals for ICIC’s Back Bay Small Business mixer?

Jeysi: The committee played a key part in shaping the event’s vision. We aimed to help create an environment where local businesses could connect and collaborate, strengthening the community.

Judi: Exactly. We focused on fostering meaningful connections between ICIC staff, ICAN alumni, board members, and partners, with the aim of inspiring, exciting, and advancing the businesses involved. What I love about being on the steering committee is the opportunity to build those relationships and help businesses thrive through collaboration.

“What I love about being on the steering committee is the opportunity to build those relationships and help businesses thrive through collaboration.”

Q: What were some of the highlights or memorable moments for you during the event?

Judi: Some of the highlights for me during the ICIC Back Bay Small Business mixer included hearing about the success and growth of small businesses attending the event, especially those blazing new trails with the support of ICIC and their connections. It was validating to be reminded that entrepreneurship is hard work, but there are tremendous resources, and a vibrant network of partners committed to supporting our success. A key moment for me was connecting with a partner deeply interested in my company’s mission and offering to make an introduction to help my business grow. I also had authentic conversations with fellow ICAN alumni, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.

Jeysi: One of the highlights for me was seeing business owners and partners genuinely engage and connect so quickly—it felt like real partnerships were forming right in front of us.

Steve Grossman’s speech also stood out. He shared a powerful message about how ICIC has supported small businesses by providing access to capital, networking, and other valuable resources.

Q: What feedback have you received from attendees or partners?

Jeysi: I’m happy to share that the overall feedback was very positive. Several attendees shared how much they appreciated the supportive atmosphere and left the event feeling empowered and inspired, which shows the event’s impact.

Judi: I invited two colleagues to the event, and their experiences highlighted the impact of the mixer. One colleague, who recently joined a partner of ICIC, realized during the event that her past roles had intersected with mine through other ICIC-connected organizations. It was a surprise to both of us how our involvement in these organizations connected, showing the depth and layers within the ICIC network. The other colleague, new to the ICAN community, was excited to connect with many partners in the room.

From my observations, I noticed the joy a partner experienced reconnecting with attendees she knew from prior work with another ICIC partner organization. This reminded me that successful collaboration is like a varsity sport—it requires continuous effort, showing up, participating in training, and working together as a team. This is true for all of us, from experienced partners to new entrepreneurs.

Q: What impact do you hope the event will have on the local business community, especially given the committee’s involvement?

Jeysi: I hope the event sparks long-term partnerships and continued collaboration among businesses. The goal is to keep driving growth and innovation here in Boston and New England, ensuring that all businesses, big or small, have the tools they need to succeed.

Judi: Well said, Jeysi! To add to that, I hope the event inspires attendees to take full advantage of the connections they made by following up, continuing conversations, opening doors, being authentic, and sharing resources. I was recently reminded that while fear exists, working through it is what makes you brave. Being an entrepreneur requires taking risks, and leveraging the experience and knowledge of ICIC staff, partners, and alumni makes those big steps more informed and supported. My hope is that this event ignites the spark for entrepreneurs to make that next call, moving forward in ways that ultimately strengthen and grow our local business community.

“Successful collaboration is like a varsity sport—it requires continuous effort, showing up, participating in training, and working together as a team. This is true for all of us, from experienced partners to new entrepreneurs.”

We are extremely grateful for the support from the Boston ICAN Steering Committee. In addition to Jeysi and Judi, the committee includes Oluwatoyin Adewumni of TamBo Foundation, Monday Akinyomi of PFM Services, Clarrissa Cropper of Frugal Bookstore, TJ Douglas of The Urban Grape, Meichelle Ferguson of Hilton Realty Inc, Gineean Holyoke of KGJ Fence, Edna Laurent-Tellus of Awake IntuMind, Inc,  Clarence Little of Grove Hall Child Development Center, Dr. France Neff of Family Independence, Bob Katz of My Grandma’s Coffee Cakes of New England, Jane Obbagy of Obbagy Consulting, Kay Oladunjoye of Kay Ventures, Anthony Taylor of Firecode Design, Liseth Velez of LJV Development, Marvina Wilkes of Red Dress Events, and Oscar Zepeda of OMZE Authentic Tequila.

ICAN will host additional networking opportunities for alumni and small business owners interested in learning more about ICIC’s community and the resources it offers throughout 2024. To learn more and attend an upcoming event, visit icic.org/events.