BOSSY is a networking group founded in 2014 by Kelly Metras (Salena’s Mexican Restaurant, Nox Cocktail Lounge) and Kelly Bush (Marshall Street Bar & Grill, The Union Tavern, K & B Consulting). They started the group BOSSY after finding that as business owners, they lacked peers to discuss management and operation issues, issues with employees, marketing, legal requirements and standards, and more. 

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Having few people to relate to the stressors of owning and running a business, especially as women, Kelly and Kelly set off to create a safe space for women to gather, for free, to learn from one another, make friends, vent, ask questions, share experiences and more. Rotating the host each month, women gather at different local businesses allowing members to showcase their space and bring in guests who may not have otherwise known about it.

 

In 2017, Kelly and Kelly asked long-time members Erika Sorbello (Gallery Salon) and Rebecca Fien (Rochester Web Girl) to join the group and share responsibilities. Over the next several years, BOSSY has organically grown to include hundreds of remarkable, driven, and passionate women business owners in Rochester, NY. Erika remains as our group leader and our #1 cheerleader!

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Before COVID-19 changed all of our lives, BOSSY hosted free monthly social events at a different business each month. When the pandemic made it unsafe to meet, we transitioned to zoom calls to keep our community informed and supported. Our private Facebook group became the main way we relayed info to one another and ask questions, seek support and advice, etc.

 

We are now back to in person meetings and hope that will continue. Luckily we can pivot quickly if needed.

 

There is no obligation to refer, no formal structure to follow. Our events, chats, and zooms are filled with sharing ideas, strengths and some venting, but mostly learning about other women living their dreams. As we grow and adapt to the changes, we learn from one another.

 

If you are women business owner in Rochester, NY, this group is for you.!

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In addition to the social events we host, we have educational workshops 4 times per year. These events are aimed to present rich, relevant content for women business owners in a casual environment. Some examples of professional contacts that we bring in are HR executives, social media and advertising specialists, professional development and wellness experts, and more.

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The pandemic taught us many things, one of the biggest was it's okay to ask for help. The Kelly's and Erika decided in the spring of 2021 it was time to take BOSSY to the next level. At our Lucky 7 Birthday Party, we announced out Visionary Team - the group that will take BOSSY to new places we've only dreamed about. Stay tuned...

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