The HEC Paris Meet Up: Celebrating Women's Motivation and Entrepreneurship

One evening, a conference, and activities to create connections... This was the agenda for the very first "Meet Up," held on June 20, 2024, at the Fabrique République in Paris. The event, dedicated to the HEC Stand UP community, the flagship program of HEC Paris focusing on women's entrepreneurship from the HEC Paris Center for Social Entrepreneurship, part of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, gathered over 150 attendees! Let's take a look back at the success of this event, which is just the first in a long series.

A Meet Up to Unite Women of the HEC Stand UP Program 

HEC Stand UP is the reference program for women of all ages, backgrounds, or social statuses, developed by HEC Paris to help them gain financial independence through entrepreneurship. Launched in 2018 and completely free, Stand UP has supported over 2,300 women online since its inception. Additionally, 900 women have already been certified upon completing the program. Although Stand UP spans multiple territories in France and its overseas regions, the event – themed around motivation – gathered more than 150 women from the HEC Stand UP community!

During the event, guests also had the opportunity to discover the new HEC UP Ile-de-France program**: a free program that naturally follows the Stand UP program. While Stand UP helps women entrepreneurs move from idea to action, UP is designed to help them consolidate their businesses. For six months, the entrepreneurs— all certified from the Stand UP program— receive support and mentorship from our teams in a frequently crucial area for entrepreneurs: business development.

Motivation at the Heart of the UP Adventure

Whether they participate in the Stand UP or UP program, motivation is the common thread that guides these entrepreneurs.** This first evening was a renewed opportunity to place motivation at the heart of their entrepreneurial projects. Nathalie Riond, Academic Director of the HEC Paris Center for Social Entrepreneurship and both programs, led an exclusive conference titled "Motivation through Taking Action," where she shared her top entrepreneurial motivation tips.

"We don't get motivated to do something; we get motivated by doing something."
- Nathalie Riond

Behind every entrepreneurial success lies well-honed discipline. But how does one maintain motivation, especially during challenging phases? Nathalie Riond recommends a pragmatic approach:

"Focus on one task at a time."

Focus is essential to maintain motivation. According to her, the key is to finish what you start, finish it well, and even exceed the initial expectations.

"Ask questions rather than seek answers."

This advice applies to every entrepreneur: instead of constantly searching for answers, adopt a mindset of asking the right questions. "Don't look for ready-made answers," Nathalie Riond suggests, listing several key questions to help women entrepreneurs guide their reflection:

• What should I do today to get closer to my goal?

• Who can help me?

• What do I need to know?

"Success nurtures motivation. So does failure."

Motivation doesn't sustain itself; it must be nurtured. It involves seizing opportunities, finding inspiration, and learning from both successes and failures. Nathalie Riond advised all the women present to keep track of their progress and methodically analyze what didn't work.

"Remember: you are your first resource." 

"As a woman entrepreneur, you are the primary person responsible for your success and motivation." Entrepreneurship is personal work that no one else will do for you. Therefore, each woman is also her first resource! The attitude to adopt, according to Nathalie, is: "Seize opportunities, experiment, and cultivate a 'Plan B' mindset: it's through action that we stay motivated."

The Network: The Strength of the Stand UP and UP Programs

Beyond a mere gathering, this first Meet Up aimed to provide these exceptional women with the opportunity to reunite, share their respective experiences, and collectively boost their motivation. Everything was orchestrated to achieve these objectives, including testimonies from the very first participants in the HEC UP program from the Overseas Departments and Territories (DROM).

Among the participants, many were captivated and are eager to take action by joining the next UP cohort in Île-de-France. One certified participant expressed pleasant surprise at the advancements made by HEC Paris with the Stand UP program to further assist women in achieving success. Participating in this event was also a "great source of motivation" for another attendee, who emphasized how "it is crucial to reconnect with the community to exchange ideas on projects and their future perspectives."

Motivational Bar, Boost Wall, and Cocktail Networking also Energized this 'Vitamin-filled' Evening.** Mentors, the cornerstones of both programs, and financial partners—without whom the Stand UP and UP journeys would not be possible—also joined the event. Lastly, a photo booth awaited the participants. Beyond taking home memories of this first Meet Up, attendees could update their LinkedIn profile pictures, a valuable tool for helping women enhance their presence on this essential social networking platform for making a name in the entrepreneurial world.