CCPA Q&A with Member Marissa Taffer, M. Taffer Consulting

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1. What is your favorite spot in Philly to disappear for some alone time? Definitely the spa. They frown on cell phones in there so I really and truly can be off the grid without leaving the city. I recently got to check out the spa at the new Four Seasons. Watching the sunset from 57 stories above the city was incredible. Even better in a fluffy robe with a glass of champagne! 
2. What is a non-profit that you support? Other than CCPA? I'm currently involved with two other nonprofits and try to keep some hours in my business open for pro bono consulting. I am a co-founder of She Steps Up. We are a group that helps women, trans and non-binary folks reach their true potential both personally and professionally. We create community, resources, and support by hosting events and pushing thought leadership that focuses on self-advocacy at work, financial planning, personal wellness and more. I am also an active member of Comfort Caring Canines. My dog Charlie and I do therapy visits around the city. We also write and edit their blog! 
3. What was your first job? Scooping ice cream at Baskin Robbins in Dresher when I was 16.
4. What is your best networking tip?  There are so many ways to network. I always tell people to make networking work for their goals and personality style. Some people will say you have to work the room at a networking event. If you're a true introvert that might seem completely overwhelming and offputting. In that case, maybe try to make 1-2 good connections at the event. There are so many ways to network now both online and in-person so do your homework and find what works best for you.
5. It’s Sunday at 10 AM. Where are you? Headhouse Market. I like to get there right at 10 for first pick at the best produce. I sometimes have to make two trips. My dog also likes to visit the market. He is not the best at helping me shop, but he loves to grab some cheese samples from our friend Sue Miller at Birchrun Hills. Charlie recommends the cheddar and Birchrun Blue is my favorite!

Marissa Taffer, Founder & President, M. Taffer Consulting
267-346-9807 mtafferconsulting.com marissa@mtafferconsulting.com

New Membership Announcement

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Dear Friends,

It would be an understatement to say times in Philadelphia are changing. Dynamic growth, more robust and varied diversity, and a revitalization not seen in more than a generation abound. From the city’s largest companies to small and start-up business owners, nearly everyone is experiencing the change and more and more look to CCPA to help gain an edge.

To keep up with these changing times and fortify our relevancy, something at CCPA is changing as well! 

We have streamlined the membership structure—an overdue change. There are now only two membership tiers:

  • Membership for a company and all its employees at $500 per year

  • Membership for an individual, or one company representative at $250 per year

Additionally, members have the option to pay dues monthly making it more convenient.

For current members, these changes become effective October 1, 2019 and will be reflected in your renewal notice and will be on the website for online payment processing. Any member renewing after the launch date will be able to choose which level of membership is most appropriate for them. For supporters who are not members, our non-member event pricing will increase. So now is the time to join CCPA and take advantage of members-only event pricing, special events and other soon-to-be announced benefits.

Stay tuned for more information and watch your email and our website for enhanced benefits as we improve the value of being a CCPA member. Feel free to contact a board member or our dedicated staff at ccpa@centercityproprietors.org or 215.545.7766. We are always happy to speak to our supporters and are excited to be an important part of the Center City renaissance.

With CCPA, business is personal.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Frank
Executive Director

Women changing the city: Concentrate on what’s behind closed doors by Susie Perloff

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The four women on CCPA’s May 23 “Women changing the city” panel agree: For women, being yourself is the best way to get ahead.

“Wear your pink shoes if they make you feel good,” says Lauren Gilchrist, senior vice president and senior director of research at JLL, a Philadelphia commercial real estate firm. “Be who you are. We need the smartest people in the workforce, regardless of how they package themselves.”

Angela Val, chief administrative officer of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau concurs. “I am going to be me at work,” she says. “I don’t wear suits. I let my hair go natural. Be the woman that you really are.”

Those comments may not be the most solemn, but they captured the attention of the 90 attendees. Moderator Elizabeth Wellington, lifestyle columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, pulled it all together.

The Honorable Phyllis W. Beck, the first woman to serve on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, was slightly older than her colleagues on the panel, given that her daughter now serves on that court, while others plan play-dates for their kids. Over the past several decades, Judge Beck says, she has seen women growing into the leadership of important businesses and fields. Among them:

  • Jennifer Childs, co-founder and artistic director of the local theatrical company 1812 Productions, typifies women leading arts organizations.

  • Too few women gain partnership in law firms, with the bold exception of Jami McKeown, who heads Morgan Lewis, the 10th largest practice in the country last year.

  • More women worldwide direct philanthropies, particularly Rebecca Rimel, president and CEO of Pew Charitable Trusts since 1994. (Beck is currently chair and CFO of the Independence Foundation.)

Doors continue opening for women, says Annina M. Hogan, executive vice president at Remington & Vernick Engineers. “We need to concentrate not on the obstacles but on what’s on the other side.”

Gilchrist believes that, while the recent recession shook the entire business world, it left in its wake many opportunities for women. “We are seeing fierce competition for the best and the brightest. Women can thrive, step up and lead,” she says, encouraging them to be strategic and thoughtful along the way.

Why is it important for women to lead? Because female managers, directors and top dogs give other women comfort and a goal, says Hogan. “When they see a mentor who looks like them, women realize that they can embrace diverse opinions.”

Gilchrist knows that women can’t save the world, “But we can be of service to the people in our industry, to our clients, to the people around us. The tech field, especially, is leveling the playing field for women – as well as making life more challenging.”

And the future? Val recommends that female bosses mentor their superstars so that they, too, can become leaders. Beck reminds the audience that next year will be the 100th anniversary of women being able to vote in the United States. “The nation has to look hard at women being just private caretakers. We need to provide good childcare so that women can get out from under the burden of career and husband and children – and begin to focus on their career.”

I love to write. I am your friend who WRITES and teaches writing in Pennsylvania.
Reach Susie Perloff at
writerphiladelphia@gmail.com
215-985-1001
Philadelphia PA
www.writerphiladelphia.com

A Wellness Center Is Born

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by Mindy Solkin, Founder, Certified Running Coach, USATF Level 2 Since 1998, The Running Center LLC

What a difference a year makes! In the world of networking, sometimes your initial meeting results in a new resource that may take time to cultivate, other times you build a relationship right away. At the CCPA’s Speed Biz in April 2016, I met JingJing Cai, founder of MyDoc Urgent Care and Primary Care Center. We did the usual, exchanged business cards and then had a brief email exchange. At the time, I was not living in the Philadelphia area, but had been planting seeds to move back to my home town, the City of Brotherly Love. I had been away from Philly for 27 years... 25 years in NYC and two years down the shore. And things had changed. When I lived in Center City the 1980’s (as a Yuppie Trailblazer) you couldn’t find a restaurant open for Sunday brunch. Now the Millennials have replaced the Yuppies, and long lines are formed at many eateries on the weekends.

Starting over in my new (old) city was daunting, but I was excited about all the new possibilities. When I left Philly in 1989, I was a fashion designer. When I returned this year, I was a specialty fitness business owner. While becoming a competitive runner in NYC, I fell in love with the sport of running, became a professional running coach, and started a company called The Running Center.

Announcing my return to Philly, I sent an email blast that piqued the interest of JingJing who wrote back to me asking to meet for coffee. We bonded quickly and discovered we had a meeting of the minds. JingJing’s business is health care. Mine is fitness. We realized that matching the two services and adding a third area, weight control, would make for a unique wellness business. And so, Run Well Center was born!

Our Integrative Method to Wellness includes physicals (paid for by insurance), metabolic testing (a scientific test that measures caloric usage at rest, providing targeted calorie zones for weight management), and running and wellness coaching. Truly, a one-stop-shop for health, nutrition, and fitness.

The Center is located inside MyDoc Primary Care Center at 1420 Locust Street, Philadelphia. Our Grand Opening will kick off with an Open House week from August 14 to 18, every day from 8:00am to 7:00pm.

CCPA provides an awesome venue to start relationships. Collaboration is the new buzzword. The race is not always won by the swiftest, but by those who diligently take steps to cross the finish line together.

For more information contact: Coach Mindy (Mindy Solkin)
Cell: 917-523-9297 Office: 267-519-9293
The Running Center - Founder, Certified Running Coach, USATF Level 2 Since 1998
CoachMindy@TheRunningCenter.com
www.TheRunningCenter.com
Run Well Center - Co-Founder, Fitness/Wellness Entrepreneur
CoachMindy@RunWellCenter.com
www.RunWellCenter.com

MAKE REAL CHANGE END THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS

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Open House results in large list of resources: See list HERE

Center City, December 15, 2016 - Close to 200 people attended an Open House at the Pennsylvania Convention Center with representatives from more than two dozen local organizations that provide food, housing and social services to the homeless.

Their work and our work is far from done. For those who were unable to attend and for those who want to continue to explore how to help, we’ve created a comprehensive list of all the groups who attended, plus many other providers, and direct links to all of their websites, so you can learn more about what they do and how you can help.

First on the resource list is:

Best wishes for the holidays and the New Year!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth G. Hersh                                   Paul R. Levy
Director                                                    President and CEO                                      
Office of Homeless Services                  Center City District
City of Philadelphia                                  centercityphila.org
phila.gov/osh

CCPA to Launch New Website

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After, oh, way too long, CCPA is building a new website. With the help of CCPA Board Member, Patty Tawadros of Xercel, we are developing an up to date, fully functional and member oriented site. Members will be able to log in, edit functional profiles, add pictures and even recommend each other.  A new event calendar will make registering easier and more efficient.

Watch for details coming this year!