Member of the Month
We are proud of our members and want to share it with the world! Each month, we feature a Philly Business Connect member and share information about their business.
As a PBC Member of the Month, you will be featured on our social media platforms, will be mentioned in the monthly email to members and prospects, and will have the opportunity to speak about a topic of your choice during one of our events that month.
To become a Member of the Month, you must be an active member of Philly Business Connect.
Interested in being featured? Email hello@phillybusinessconnect.com to secure your spot!
Parul Agarwal, MS, PPC
Title: Managing Principal
Company: PSA Executive Coaching
Parul is the Managing Principal of PSA Executive Coaching, and is a certified executive coach and leadership team development consultant. Integrating her 18+ years of working side-by-side with global, mid-sized, and exceptional start-up organizational senior leaders, Parul both understands as well as inspires her clients to want to achieve more - to have a willingness to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work alongside their team to achieve results far beyone the conventional.
Her coaching engagements are fact-based and results oriented, with insight, empathy, and humor. As a trusted thought partner, Parul helps clients deepen their self-awareness, adjust and leverage executive presence, and build critical leadership capabilities that drive performance that is noticeable, as well as quantifiable. Her clients find her to be creatively resourceful, highly intuitive, and committed to creating lasting positive change that increases both their leadership success and fulfillment. Parul has a M.S. from NC State University and her B.B.A. from James Madison University. She has earned her Professional Certified Coach (PCC) marker from ICF (International Coaching Federation), is certified as a leadership coach through Saint Joseph’s University, is an Insights Discovery© Licensed Practitioner, and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach©.
What she likes about PBC: "Everyone that I have met through PBC simply seems to be cut from a certain type of cloth – one that is based in authenticity, top-industry talent, and a “how can I be of help” disposition."
Learn more from Parul and about "Shifting the Entrepreneurial Thought Process" during the July 13 PBC members-only meeting.
Robert Bovarnick
Title: Managing Director
Company: Bovarnick & Associates
Rob is the managing partner of Bovarnick and Associates, a Philadelphia-based business law firm, representing businesses and their principals. The practice is focused on all aspects of business, including determining a business' proper structure, drafting all types of contracts, purchasing and selling all or part of a business, renegotiating debts, bankruptcies or representing businesses and their principals and plaintiffs of defendants in all types of business litigation.
Rob represents businesses of all sizes and in all industries. In addition to his practice, Rob has been a contributor with forbes.com, with a column called "Good Counsel," writing on small business and bankruptcy issues, including a 16-part series called "Behind the Curtain-Chapter 11 From the Inside." Previously, Rob was a legal analyst of on the Fox Business Network during the Chrysler and General Motors bankruptcy; wrote a monthly political column for Pennsylvanie Law Weekly called "Politicall Right;" was the host of "The Billable Hour" radio show; and taught the Advanced Bankruptcy Seminar at Rutgers University Law School-Camden for 5 years. He is also a frequent lecturer on corporate and bankruptcy issues.
Rob has an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell and has been selected 10 times as a "Super Lawyer" in Pennsylvania in the areas of business, business litigation and commercial bankruptcy. Rob has also been named as one of the Preeminent Lawyers in America by Lexis Nexus.
In 2015 Bovarnick and Associates, LLC was a finalist for Small Law Firms of the Year by Smart CEO magazine. In 2016, Smart CEO named Rob as one of the Centers of Influence. Rob received his BA from University of Washington and his JD from the University of Miami. He is licensed in Pennsylvania and Florida.
Outside of work, Rob is a board member on the International Student-Athlete Academy and the Pennsylvania Board of Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Rob also enjoys working, traveling and finding new places to eat.
What he likes about PBC: "The Monthly Member Match Up. It is an opportunity to meet other members that we might not otherwise meet."
Learn more from Rob and about "Why do I need a lawyer when Google is Free" during the June 8 PBC members-only meeting.
Darren Sudman
Title: Founder
Company: Unless
Darren helps companies create a culture of engagement by implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies. He can create sustainable and authentic programs from the ground up, or collaborate to make existing programs more impactful. After building a national nonprofit organization in memory of his son, and executing campaigns with brands like the Philadelphia Flyers, Speedo, Wheels Up and Scrub Daddy, he wants to show other companies how to find their cause and purpose.
Outside of work, Darren is the Co-Founder of Simon's Heart, a nonprofit preventing sudden cardiac arrest and death in children, teens and young adults.
What he likes about PBC: "PBC is a very comfortable and fun way to network. The people are genuine, talented and kind."
Learn more from Darren and about the topic "Corporate Social Responsibility" during the May 11 PBC members-only meeting.
Eileen Ward, MBA
Title: Regional Vice President
Company: LoCorr Funds
Eileen Ward, MBA, is a Regional Vice President for LoCorr Funds - one of the leading fund groups exclusively dedicated to providing low-correlating solutions to investment advisors and their clients. She has regional responsibility for the Mid-Atlantic territory, which includes Delaware, Central & Eastern Pennsylvania, and Southern New Jersey. She works closely with financial advisors on all aspects of portfolio construction, asset allocation, and investment due diligence, providing them with investment ideas and the full breadth of LoCorr’s resources. She consults advisors in an effort to ensure her clients’ businesses thrive and their end-investors have a positive experience as capital market participants through any market cycle.
She joined LoCorr from AB Bernstein in Philadelphia, where she was Vice President and Investment Advisor. Prior to that, Eileen wholesaled for Goldman Sachs for seven years, covering the Midwest as well as the Mid-Atlantic region. Eileen began her financial services career in 2006 at Citi Smith Barney and JP Morgan and has also worked in logistics and the healthcare SaaS space in a business development capacity.
Eileen received her Bachelors of Arts and Bachelor of Science from Miami University in History and Finance, respectively. She graduated from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with her MBA in Economics and Finance.
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, traveling, being outdoors, exercise, wine tasting, playing with her nephew, and making new friends!
What she likes about PBC: "I like meeting new people and understanding where to access a myriad of expertise outside my own. You never know when you're going to need an attorney, an accountant, need insurance, or get acquainted with someone in a field that's just interesting or innovative. I like having a long list of people I can tap into for support personally or collaboratively in the professional community."
Learn more from Eileen about the topic "Diversification for the Long Run" during the April 13 PBC members-only meeting.
Rajat Kapur
Title: Founder and Managing Director
Company: & Marketing
As an entrepreneur, experienced marketer, and the Founder & Managing Director of &Marketing, Rajat “Raj” Kapur strives to provide growing businesses unparalleled marketing strategy and execution services. He is known for bringing the best of “big company” marketing strategies to smaller companies, without the excess baggage. His team of professionals can either augment an existing team, or outsource the entire marketing function for a client.
Raj’s two decades of marketing, sales, and strategy development experience have spanned B2B and B2C Fortune 50, mid-sized, and startups. He has a proven track record of using analytics to drive action, an unrelenting customer focus, a bias for practical implementation, and strong interpersonal skills. He is a hands-on leader, sought-after facilitator, and experienced marketing advisor with experience across five continents.
Outside of work, Rajat volunteers on several non-profit organizations' boards (Kind Like Joey Foundation and Prana International), spends time with his three sons and listens to audiobooks.
What he likes about PBC: “PBC has done a great job creating a community of like-minded professionals who are really trying to support each other. The Slack channel is active with people asking questions, providing advice, and sharing current information about their field. I'm so glad we've started in-person events and look forward to more of them!”
Learn more about marketing strategy from Rajat during the March 9 PBC meeting!
Seth Goldstein
Title: Principal Creative Director
Company: Goldstein Media LLC
Seth Goldstein started coding websites in 1998 and opened Goldstein Media in 2007. Since then, Seth and his team have created countless websites for clients of all sizes. In addition to web design and development, Seth has also helped companies get found online through various digital marketing channels, including SEO, PPC, social media, and email marketing. The companies that have benefited the most from Seth’s services are mid-sized companies in the startup, B2B, and biotech and life science areas. He likes to connect people from across the B2B space - business consultants, coaches, other digital marketers, advertising people and publishers. Seth enjoys podcasting and his show, “Entrepreneur's Enigma” brings together business owners and their career journeys.
When not helping companies find their way in the digital world, Seth is also involved in the groups Peak Community, Indy Hall Community, PodcastBuilders Club and PostStatus (WordPress Slack). He said “I'm obsessed with what I do.” Seth lives in Doylestown, Bucks County, PA with his wife and son.
What he likes about PBC: “I like the wide variety of businesses represented and the quality of the contacts. Everyone is so nice and always willing to help and grab a, albeit virtual, cup of coffee to learn more about your business. I absolutely love it!”
Learn more from Seth during the February 24 PBC meeting!
Lauren Williams
Titles: Founder and Chief Boss Lady
Companies: Workplace Harmony and Williams & Quigley
From construction and commerce to sports media and food bloggers, Lauren Williams has guided companies through exponential growth and all of the people challenges and opportunities that collide with big business success.
Lauren's expertise is rooted in her experience. She founded Workplace Harmony in April 2019 after nearly 20 years in people operations, organizational development and finance. She is SPHR certified and in the final stages of becoming an officially recognized women-owned business enterprise. Lauren holds a Master of Arts in organizational effectiveness from Immaculata University and a Bachelor's of Science in finance from West Chester University.
When you meet Lauren, you'll see her positivity, integrity and spiritually shine through. You'll know her by her smile and laugh, and you'll hear her tell her clients what they need to hear with honesty and directness. She curses when things move too slow, breaks the rules when she needs to and raps to '90s hip-hop in her mom-mobile. If you're picturing every HR person you've met before, Lauren isn't it.
In 2022, her company rolled out a do-it-yourself HR product and subscription membership for small business owners. Go to the Workplace Harmony's website to learn more about this exciting solution called Harmony in a Box!
Her advice to new business owners: "Listen to half of what people tell you and do the rest YOUR way. Be cautious not to allow idea killers in your bubble the first 6 months of launching your business."
What she loves about PBC: "I LOVE PBC because it's a super inclusive environment, where everyone is very kind and looks out for one another - it's not a referral network or anything pushy or braggadocios -it's simply business owners and leaders coming together to lift each other up and make the business world a better place!"
Joe Monzo
Title: Founder/Owner/Operator
Company: Monzo Media Productions
Monzo Media Productions founder, Joe Monzo, discovered his passion for telling stories through video and film back in high school in 2005 and continued working on his craft through college at Albright College. Joe established Monzo Media Productions in 2016 after spending a few years freelancing, knowing that businesses and independent private schools needed a way to fight through all of the content noise out on the web. And, that solution is compelling video. Joe’s passion deep down is simply making a difference. Video is his way of doing that.
His business philosophy is to "be transparent, be effective, be valuable." His target clients are private schools, non-profits, and small to mid-sized businesses. When he works with a client, he said, "we don't just come in with a camera and hit record. We help create effective video marketing strategies and plans so that way the organizations can use the videos with as much effectiveness as possible."
When he’s not working, Joe loves staying active, spending time with friends, family, traveling and taking timelapses of nature.
Joe’s favorite part of being a PBC member? "The community and the various types of people who seem to be willing to help. Love the engagement pods."
Watch Joe's video interview where he shares some video marketing tips.
Robert Curtiss
Title: Business Consultant
Company: Business Group Resources
Robert Curtiss brings to his work a long and successful career as a marketing manager, trainer and speaker, general manager, and small business owner. His experience spans natural foods, wholesale distribution, financial services, senior services, business brokerage and product fundraising. Additionally, he has been a director consultant for BNI, a business coach for Centricity, and served as a board member with the nationally recognized Weavers Way Food Co-op and the Pennsylvania Association of Mortgage Brokers.
Robert is the owner of Business Group Resources, a privately-held US business with annual revenues of $2MM+ and over five employees. The company created an IRS compliant, audit resistant, and simplified methodology to ascertain R&D tax credits specifically for SMBs. Robert and his team have helped businesses in the following industries: medical and dental services, manufacturing, construction (including HVAC, solar, plumbing, etc.), tech, and automotive.
His business philosophy is to "do what I can to help clients and people in my network and consider the benefits for them. That will always benefit me." In his spare time, Robert works in his garden, reads American, Roman, and Medieval history, watches old black-and-white movies, and tries to keep up with his two-year-old granddaughter. Robert is a graduate of Central High School (229) and Temple University (MA, Philosophy).
Robert’s favorite part of being a PBC member? "The ability to make connections for other members and the businesses I serve."
Watch Robert's video interview with Erica and how he helped small businesses recover money
Jeff Harris
Title: Founder and owner
Company: JMJB Merchant Solutions
Jeff Harris is the founder and owner of JMJB Merchant Solutions, a boutique merchant solutions brokerage serving businesses in Southern New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. His company brokers nine different credit card processors along with a variety of technologies to connect those processors to businesses.
Jeff has been working in the credit card processing space since 2005 and has always had a passion for supporting the local business community. In early 2020, Jeff formed JMJB Merchant Solutions with the sole intention of helping business owners and executives manage the processes and costs associated with accepting credit card payments. His clients include restaurants, manufacturing companies, and trade professionals.
Jeff loves connecting his clients with one another and surrounds himself with only the best, service-focused organizations to support his business and his client base. Jeff's business philosophy is "Keep it simple and do what is right by the customer!"
Outside of the office, you'll find Jeff with his wife Rita and his two sons, Joshua ( age 9) and Benjamin (age 6). He coaches youth sports, plays tennis, runs and bikes.
Jeff’s favorite part of being a PBC member? "The People! Meeting other like-minded professionals that can support my clients and network!"
Watch Jeff's interview with Erica
Drew Griffin
Titles: Co-Founder and Developer
Companies: Delicious Marketing LLC, groupX.io, LeadBubble.io.
Drew Griffin is a former hyperbaric wound care nurse specialist who successfully transitioned into app development and marketing after 25 years in healthcare. Drew now helps individuals and small businesses get more leads, customers and sales from the internet with emerging tech.
He enjoys helping prospective and existing clients by actually getting them results (and if possible, in advance). Clients typically range from individuals or businesses and organizations looking for new customers. Drew's businesses democratize (make easy) emerging technology. His clients receive services in lead generation, list (email and SMS) building / growth, and online course creation.
Drew’s favorite part of being a PBC member? "I like seeing other members win and learning about the awesome work they do in their industries. (I dig the Slack Channel and the growth of the group)."
Liz Herman
Title: Financial Advisor/Planner
Company: Sherpa Financial
Liz Herman is passionate about guiding women entrepreneurs, executives, and women to make sound financial decisions and achieve their definition of financial security. She has over 30 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. She is licensed for Life, Accident and Health Insurance and she has earned her FINRA Series 6 (Investment Company products / Variable contracts Limited Representative), 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination), and 65 (Investment Advisor) Registrations.
At Sherpa Financial, Liz works with women and their families to enable them to achieve financial confidence to live a life they love in the future.
When not shaping financial futures, Liz is actively involved in her community through activities through her local Rotary Club and the community group, Love Upper Perk. In addition, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
What is Liz’s favorite part of being a PBC member? “There are so many different types of businesses in PBC. And the events are fun, engaging, and offer unique ways to build business relationships.”
Watch Liz's interview with Erica
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