Started in PA: CEO reCAP/MakerPlace

Karen Rzepecki is the CEO and founder of Mason Jars Company, maker of reCAP, a self-funded product manufacturer. She is also the founder of two-sided specialty marketplace, MasonJars.com and of MakerPlace, a marketplace SAAS platform for communities to brand and grow their region.

Karen’s intention had little to do with creating a product. She was simply looking for a solution that would allow her to make and store homemade salad dressings. Leaving a long career at GE as a global leader, Karen took the leap into running a small business that includes design, manufacturing and sometimes having assembly parties with her team.

Find out how this successful entrepreneur has managed to figure it all out from product development and her trajectory to her most recent venture.

During Our Interview We Will Uncover Questions:

How did you figure out the process of product design and going to market?
What were the challenges you encountered when sourcing manufacturing partners?
What were the sources of funding your business growth and new ventures?
When did you feel you had validated your product idea and what was the process?
How do you recruit and find the right talent to support your business and create a workplace culture?
Was there a time(s) when you had to consider you might have a flawed business model and need to pivot?
What impact has the pandemic had on your business plans and/or growth?
What was the first big decision you made as CEO? Why was it a big decision and what was the outcome?
How did you figure out how to build a two-sided marketplace?
What has been your experience finding product market fit?
Are you hitting all your goals?
As a woman CEO, have you encountered any challenges raising the necessary funds to scale your business?
What is your advice to inspire others and especially women to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas?

Benefits of this session:

Gain insights into the real world of starting a business.
Learn about the ups and downs of product development and going to market.
Understand what it takes to find and hire the right people at the right time.
Find out what it takes to stay to raise funds to sustain product development and growth.

Meet the presenter

Karen is the founder of Mason Jars Company, maker of reCAP, a self-funded product manufacturer and the two-sided specialty marketplace, MasonJars.com. She is also the founder of MakerPlace, a marketplace SAAS platform for communities to brand and grow their region. Karen left a long career at GE as a global leader and took the leap into running a small business that includes design, manufacturing and sometimes having assembly parties with her team.

Started in PA: CEO reCAP/MakerPlace