What You Missed From The WCBS Small Business Breakfast

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The WCBS Small Business Breakfast was in full swing this morning, with inspiration stemming between an insightful panel of speakers and up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Special guests Fashion Icon Cynthia Rowley, Eric Kinariwala, founder of Capsule, and Peter Madonia, who runs the family-owned Madonia Bakery were moderated by WCBS’s Joe Connolly.

Small business owners listened and learned from these three heavy hitters before engaging in an informative Q&A.

When asked how she stays relevant in the fashion industry, Rowley says that she’s still having fun, and she’s driven by the creative process and loves to work on her brand. Throughout her career she has had no investors or partners, and only used $3,000 that she received from her grandmother! Rowley’s advice is that she never gets too high or low with success and failures. She is always learning and making adjustments.

”I like chaos. Isn’t that the key to branding?” @Cynthia_Rowley shares that she is always trying to do something new that’s true to her brand while keeping people guessing to keep it fresh. Today, her brand is digital only and fashion forward. #WCBSBizBreakfast @JoeConnollybiz pic.twitter.com/JWEw0fXo3Q

— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) June 12, 2019

“You have to build something that people something that people want,” said Kinariwala, founder of the med-tech pharmaceutical company Capsule. The inspiration for Capsule stemmed from a sick-day where Kinariwala stood on line for far too long only to find out that his medication wasn’t available. Kinariwala is bringing the pharmaceutical industry to the palm of your hand to help make the industry that much more private and personal. When asked about the forefront of building his business, he notes there must be demand and that it doesn’t matter how good your advertising is or how large of a distribution.

“I wish I had an app like @capsulecares or run a family business [like Peter Madonia].” @Cynthia_Rowley says creative designing and fashion is difficult. Technology offers many options but can be limiting in its own way. #WCBSBizBreakfast @JoeConnollybiz pic.twitter.com/PicSHsmhJ7

— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) June 12, 2019

Chief of Staff to former NYC Mayor Bloomberg and ex-COO of the Rockefeller Foundation, Peter Madonia left a job in political management to run his family’s 100-year-old bakery on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. At the Small Business Breakfast he discusses his business principles and how he pays his bills in seven days.

An attendee asked Peter Madonia how he prepares for what he doesn’t know. Peter shares one of the first things he told @MikeBloomberg as his chief of staff, related to emergency response in NYC was “Go in knowing you don’t know.” #WCBSBizBreakfast @JoeConnollybiz pic.twitter.com/TZtPbP5f8Q

— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) June 12, 2019

The event was held at the Manhattan Pavilion, and you can join us for breakfast and coffee on Long Island in the Fall. Stay tuned for more information. We’ll see you there!

We loved seeing you all at the @MetroPavilion this morning for the #WCBSBizBreakfast with @JoeConnollybiz! We enjoyed our riveting conversation on branding with @cynthiarowley, @capsulecares founder Eric Kinariwala and Peter Madonia. We hope to see you on Long Island in October! pic.twitter.com/nEDoe9VRpP

— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) June 12, 2019

Neil A. Carousso produces the WCBS Small Business Breakfast and Small Business Spotlight programs.