She Did That’s Founder Forum Helps Women Build What’s Next
Sometimes the answer to a business owner’s problem is simply being in the right room. She Did That is creating those rooms in real time.
She Did That recently held its Founder Forum, a day full of panels for entrepreneurs to gain information, valuable skills, and connect with fellow business owners in Brooklyn. The event’s topics included trademarks, leaving your 9-5, Artificial Intelligence, work-life balance, and acquisitions.
The panels featured a number of business owners and strategists, including founder of Carol’s Daughter Lisa Price, actress and host Bevy Smith, and influencer and owner of 12PM Studios Jenee Naylor. She Did That’s founder Renae Bluitt says the flow of the day was very intentional.
“So, we opened the day with, “By Choice or by Change, What Happens After the 9 to 5?” I felt like we had to start there because so many women, if they’re not transitioning out of corporate America, if they’re not transitioning by choice, they’re transitioning by change,” she said.
This transition by change is happening to a lot of Black women, as reports state that since January of 2025, over 600,000 Black women have been pushed out of the workforce. Renae added that letting women think about what’s possible is key to building what’s next.
“We had four different women on that panel that had four different unique journeys from corporate to entrepreneurship,”. She added, “Their stories needed to be told, so they can inspire whoever is in the room that is thinking of making that change or navigating a layoff.”
Attendee Katrina Clayton, who is looking to start two new businesses, said that being in the room is helping her make that change reality.
“There are two businesses that I want to start, and it’s important for me to just be inspired by women who are owners of brands that I know and love, and I can see more into how they built their business,” she said.
But this event wasn’t just for people who want to get started; it also helped women who already own their businesses build towards more. Another attendee, Simmone Alexander, said that she’s in the process of rebuilding and that a space like this one helped her see she’s not alone in that.
“I’ve already been through the experience of having a business, not seeing what it could be, and someone copying work or just losing that business,” she said. She added that she was taking an important lesson with her, “Not to make the same mistake again and know my worth.”
The event also featured a marketplace with vendors including DeAndra Craigman Studios, Jam+Rico, Maya Winston, and TERRA-TORY Skincare.
Founder of DeAndra Craigman Studios, DeAndra Craigman, says that the support of rooms like this means everything.
“I feel like a lot of people that really appreciate what we’re doing are looking to either work with us or ask us, how can we grow? So it just feels like a really supportive and nurturing environment to be a part of,” she said.
Guests were also able to get some great eats from Brooklyn Tea, Coco Bread, The Crabby Shack, and Hibiscus Brew.
The owners of The Crabby Shack, Gwendolyn Woods and Fifi Bell-Clanton, have been open about the support they need to keep their restaurant open. They both said they could feel the love in the room.
“There’s been a couple people saying, How are you guys doing now? I’m here to support you, you know? It’s like, I saw the TikTok. I hope you’re doing better, and I’m here to buy something from you,” Woods said.
It’s this energy that Renae was hoping to cultivate, and at the end of the day she said it really exceeded her expectations.
“It was necessary. Black women are navigating so much in our lives, in our careers right now. So to come together in this intimate room, and have so many real conversations, was like a healing bomb for all of us,” she said.
