Jennifer Massig incorporated Magna Engineering in 2016 and at the time, she was running the show by herself. After what she describes as a “rough start,” she relaunched the business in 2018 and hired her first employee. In just two years, her business has expanded to include a team of ten people, the majority of whom are female.
Jennifer has been shaking up the engineering world by rethinking traditional ways of engineering. Though there have been some shifts, she says the industry looks much the same as it did 20 years ago. “Given that I'm in a highly male-dominated industry, it is really hard for me to find like-minded women.”
In 2019, AWE’s PeerSpark program came across her desk. As soon as she discovered the business accelerator program, which combines practical curriculum with the support and learning from other women entrepreneurs, she was eager to get started.
The program offers expert coaching in a safe and supportive environment where women can come together to focus on their business. For Jennifer, having a space of openness and an acceptance of vulnerability was important to creating a desirable learning environment.
“When you have a group of women together, you really understand each other because there's things that bind how we lead: trust, devotion and relationship.”
Dr. Linda Miller, President of EWI Works, enrolled in PeerSpark in 2015 and had a similar experience: “I always encourage women entrepreneurs to take some form of formal management training and business training. I was able to get that through the PeerSpark program...I absolutely believe that having a peer group of women is very, very critical in order for a female business to grow.”
Years after completing the program, many of the women continue to turn to each other for advice and support. “I’m still connected to those women today, and we support each other outside of the program.” says Lori Pecorilli, CEO of Latium Fleet Management, who participated in PeerSpark in 2015. “To me that was the most valuable part, the network and the people.”
Jennifer describes PeerSpark as being a “perfect fit” for a company her size. She says it's much easier to find programs built for start-ups, but once you’ve become established and are looking to scale, it can be hard to find the right support and training.
PeerSpark allowed Jennifer to dedicate the necessary time to focus on growing her business, with access to guidance and resources. Her company “hugely benefited” last year from her experience: “I went into the program wanting to get as much as I could get out of it and it totally did not disappoint.”
