Storefront Stories: Karen Macumber, Business Consultant - NICE, Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce
Storefront Stories: Karen Macumber, Business Consultant - NICE, Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce
Storefront Stories: Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce -
Celebrating Women's History Month Spotlights
In honor of Women's History Month, we’re spotlighting #ACKChamber Women-Owned Businesses, Entrepreneurs, and Leaders! We asked Karen Macumber, Business Consultant - NICE, here at the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce a few questions, these are her answers!
A: I'm the proud mom of two (grown) kids and one cavapoo. My master's degree is in archaeology and museum studies, and I worked at the Smithsonian. Yet somehow, I found myself in tech in '93, became the first head of marketing at Monster.com (when it was the Monster Board), founded my own agency, and then landed on ACK full-time as a B&B owner.
Q. What tips or advice do you have for other women in business?
A: Always be looking for opportunities and never be afraid to think outside the box. I knew just enough to be dangerous when starting my first business, but not enough to be stuck with pre-conceived notions of how to operate in that industry. I brought in people with more experience than me, and together we created a different model that was quite successful.
Q. What mantra do you live by?
A: Everything happens for a reason, but sometimes you have to just make your own luck.
A: Everything happens for a reason, but sometimes you have to just make your own luck.
Q: Who is the most influential woman in your life and why?
A: Probably my mother. She was the managing editor of Ski Magazine when women were not exactly running the business. She ultimately left to raise us, which was a hard adjustment for her. When I had my kids, I knew I needed to keep working at least part-time to be fulfilled. It was the best thing I could do for them because it made me a better mom.
Q. Why do you think it's important to support other women?
A: It's a hard balance. On the one hand, the more you single out women as being different and needing more support, the more you are reinforcing the stereotype. But after years in hi tech, trying to raise VC money as a female founder, unfortunately I know first-hand there is still much work to be done to even the playing field.
A: It's a hard balance. On the one hand, the more you single out women as being different and needing more support, the more you are reinforcing the stereotype. But after years in hi tech, trying to raise VC money as a female founder, unfortunately I know first-hand there is still much work to be done to even the playing field.
Q: To what do you attribute your success?
A: It's a group effort. You have to be confident in your own ability, but also smart enough to realize your own weaknesses and bring in a team to fill those gaps.
Q: What have you most enjoyed about working with the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce?
A: I've actually been working with the Chamber for nearly 5 years and have seen my share of transitions! I feel the Chamber really shined on so many levels during Covid, and I am very proud of all we have done with the Center for Entrepreneurship. I look forward to having my new business at 5 Amelia become an active member of the Chamber soon!
