North Shore Network Connects Women Through Camaraderie

SALEM, MA – When Lisa Christine Summerville joined a sorority at West Virginia University, she was struck by the support she felt. The experience, which included holding a leadership position, helped her build confidence and leadership skills.

Now she's providing that same support to other entrepreneurial women through 28 Carrots: A support network for women in innovative businesses on the North Shore. Summerville will be talking about the network, and her business Bateau Ventures, at the next InnoNorth panel on Women in Technology on Thursday, March 23.

"It just kind of slowly built organically over the course of the six years I’ve been doing it," said Summerville of 28 Carrots. The organization was originally a branch of the Downtown Women's Club, one of the fastest growing branches, before the Downtown Women's Club closed. Summerville eventually transitioned the organization to 28 Carrots.

Through 28 Carrots, Summerville has learned that women thrive with support, camaraderie, and feedback.

"They’re looking for other people that can hold them accountable, and they always want to know how to grow their business," said Summerville. "It’s that support network and the mentorship that is really helping pull that all together."

28 Carrots' tagline is collaboration over competition. The organization helps mentor women, offers networking events, and monthly encouragement calls. Women can get discounted access to events through memberships. Currently, 28 Carrots has around 3,000 participants.

"I've seen people accomplish tasks that they weren’t able to do on their own," said Summerville. She said participants stop procrastinating when their peers hold them accountable during regular meetings, by asking them for updates on their projects and tasks.

"At the end of the day, everyone is looking to have real, authentic conversations, and be able to relate to another person one on one," she said.

28 Carrots will host Cocktails & Conversations on March 28, at VASA in Newburyport.

Click here to learn more about 28 Carrots.
Click here to learn more about Bateau Ventures.
And click here to learn more about InnoNorth.

Image via Lisa Christine Summerville