Michelle Buonfiglio, Northeast Lead for Inclusive Banking at J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking
Over the last decade, the number of women-owned firms in NYC has grown by 43%, becoming a powerful force in the city’s economic momentum. Over the past several years, I’ve had an exciting window into this business growth.
As the Northeast Lead for Inclusive Banking at JPMorganChase Commercial Banking, I help business leaders of all industries and backgrounds grow and scale, with a focus on those from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of my work — and as a longtime New York City resident — I get to help women entrepreneurs from across the city, state and beyond in their pursuits to reach new business milestones. My journey has taught me several lessons:
Successful founders are comfortable being uncomfortable
Forging a new path as an entrepreneur isn’t easy work. There may be times when you’re the only person who believes in your idea, or where you’re the only person who looks like you do in a meeting room.
I have found the most successful founders develop the confidence to advocate for themselves and their ideas. By approaching each situation with optimism and courage, they find solutions and believe in themselves.
Success stalls when you go it alone. Creating a robust and strategically placed network of trusted partners, experts and advisors can help you enormously as you navigate challenges and reach new milestones.
At JPMorganChase, we offer business leaders help at every stage, from our Coaching for Impact program to our services for founders who are growing and scaling.
Beyond this, entrepreneurs can find great benefit from joining a group that connects them with likeminded leaders. For example, my team works with the Women Presidents Organization (WPO), a nonprofit geared toward mid-size women business leaders in supporting business growth.
This work has real impact. Take Roni Hirshberg, co-founder and CEO of fashion company Generation Love, who says collaborating with JPMorganChase and other organizations has helped her connect to other like-minded business leaders. “Community is everything when building a brand because we learn from one another,” she said.
Tahira White, co-founder of the NYC-based creative marketing agency 19th & Park, agreed. “Joining communities like WPO and J.P. Morgan’s founder network has been invaluable because entrepreneurship can often feel isolating,” she said. “Through relationships built in these rooms, I’ve been able to unlock opportunities that meaningfully strengthened our company.”
They put the customer at the center of everything they do
Exceptional leaders build enduring companies by centering clients and their communities in every decision. Get to know your customers deeply, communicate in plain language, make it easy to buy and get help, and follow up so people know you’re paying attention. Celebrate customer wins loud and proud to build community. Over time, this steady, people-first approach builds trust—and trust turns into loyalty and growth.