Meet Morgan Berman

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Morgan Berman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Morgan, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?

I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 8 years ago when I was looking for physical outlet to anxiety. Jiu jitsu has had a profound impact on my life, serving as both a physical and mental anchor. The training helps me strength, flexibility, and endurance both physically and mentally, while the strategic nature of the sport sharpens my problem-solving skills and mental resilience. Through countless hours on the mat, I’ve learned the value of perseverance, humility, and patience, applying these lessons to everyday challenges. The camaraderie and sense of community within the gym provide a supportive environment that fosters personal growth and mutual respect – which is especially valuable in a context where I am often the only woman and culturally and personally just very different from a lot of the people I train with in my new gym. Overall, jiu jitsu has become a vital part of my self-care routine, giving me the space to step away and develop my identity a part from work and family but in a way that winds up benefiting both.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. Currently, I serve as the Executive Director of Life Science Cares Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to combating poverty in the community by harnessing the power of life science companies and their employees.

In addition to my role at Life Science Cares, I am the founder of two impactful startups: Glitter and MilkCrate. These ventures allow me to merge my passion for technology with my commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

One of the aspects I find most exciting about my work is the intersection of technology and social impact. As a non-technical founder of a tech company, I’ve had to navigate numerous challenges, but these experiences have reinforced the importance of being coachable and adaptable. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, especially when I see the tangible impacts of our work on communities and individuals.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I’m also deeply involved in the community. I serve on multiple nonprofit boards. My commitment to community service is driven by a passion for creating sustainable, positive change.

A significant part of my story is my journey in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where I am proud to be a purple belt training three days a week as life allows and have even won gold medals in some local competitions. This discipline has taught me valuable lessons about strategy, resilience, and strength, which I apply to my professional life.

I regularly travel the country speaking about my experiences, from building a successful impact company to being a woman in tech and a jiu jitsu athlete. Some of my favorite speaking engagements include the Global Entrepreneurship Summit at The Hague, Grace Hopper, and the Global Women in STEM Conference in Atlanta.

Upcoming Events and Projects
I’m thrilled to share that we are currently expanding the reach of Glitter with our latest project, Safe Steps Northwest. This grant-funded initiative aims to reduce gun violence by providing weekly block cleaning and community engagement in the Germantown and Mt. Airy neighborhoods. Through October 2024, we’re offering free, weekly cleaning on hundreds of residential blocks, with subsidies available to support ongoing cleaning efforts. Research shows that cleaner blocks are safer blocks, and through this project, we aim to enhance neighborhood engagement and satisfaction while providing living wage jobs to those with barriers to employment.

The Safe Steps Northwest initiative is a collaborative effort with Mt. Airy CDC, Germantown United CDC, and PA State Senator Art Haywood’s office, representing a unified approach to transforming our northwest neighborhoods. We’re actively seeking additional partnerships with neighbors, community organizations, businesses, and leaders to expand our impact.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story. I’m passionate about the work I do and excited about the future as we continue to innovate and drive positive change.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, three qualities have been particularly impactful: resilience, adaptability, and community-building. These skills have not only helped me navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship but have also enabled me to create lasting, positive impacts through my ventures.

1. Resilience
Resilience has been crucial in overcoming the inevitable setbacks and obstacles that come with being a serial entrepreneur. Whether it was pivoting my business model or dealing with personal challenges, maintaining a resilient mindset allowed me to persevere and keep moving forward.

Advice for Developing Resilience:

Embrace Failure: View setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. Each challenge you overcome strengthens your resilience.
Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and supporters who can provide guidance and encouragement during tough times.
Self-Care: Prioritize your well-being through regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and taking time to recharge. A healthy mind and body are essential for maintaining resilience.
2. Adaptability
The ability to adapt has been vital in my journey, especially as a non-technical founder in the tech industry. Being open to change and willing to pivot when necessary has allowed me to stay relevant and meet the evolving needs of my ventures.

Advice for Developing Adaptability:

Stay Curious: Continuously seek new knowledge and skills. Being open to learning helps you adapt to new situations and challenges.
Be Open to Feedback: Listen to feedback from customers, team members, and mentors. Use it to make informed decisions and adjustments.
Embrace Change: View change as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat. Practice flexibility in your thinking and approach.
3. Community-Building
Building strong communities has been at the heart of my work with Glitter and other ventures. Fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration has amplified the impact of my initiatives and created a supportive environment for growth.

Advice for Developing Community-Building Skills:

Engage Authentically: Connect with people on a personal level. Show genuine interest in their stories, needs, and aspirations.
Create Value: Focus on providing value to your community through your products, services, or initiatives. When people see the positive impact you bring, they are more likely to engage and support you.
Facilitate Collaboration: Encourage collaboration and create opportunities for people to come together and work towards common goals. This fosters a sense of unity and collective purpose.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to focus on developing resilience, adaptability, and community-building skills. These qualities will not only help you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship but also enable you to create meaningful and lasting impacts. Embrace learning, seek feedback, and always prioritize the well-being of yourself and those around you. Your journey will be unique, and these skills will serve as your foundation for success.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely, we are actively seeking passionate individuals and organizations to partner with or join our team at Glitter. Our mission is to create sustainable, impactful solutions that transform communities, and we believe in the power of collaboration to achieve this.

Glitter provides litter cleaning services for residential blocks, focusing on creating cleaner, safer, and more engaged communities. By maintaining clean streets, we aim to reduce litter and improve the overall quality of life for residents.

We are particularly interested in partnering with leaders and decision-makers who are eager to bring innovative, community-focused solutions to their regions. Expanding our Safe Steps Northwest initiative and other programs that combine technology with social impact is a priority for us. We seek to collaborate with nonprofits, government agencies, and private sector partners who can complement our offerings and help us introduce new services that further our mission.

As we continue to grow, we are also looking for dedicated individuals to join our headquarters team. We are seeking professionals passionate about social impact, community engagement, and innovative problem-solving. Whether your expertise is in project management, community outreach, technology, or another relevant field, we would love to hear from you.

Additionally, we are looking for advisors to help us scale the business. We are exploring methods of incorporating employee ownership or profit-sharing as a core part of our growth strategy. We are also interested in franchising models to expand our reach and enhance our on-ground operations through expertise in street team management.

If you’re interested in partnering with Glitter or joining our team, please reach out! You can connect with us through the following ways: email me at [email protected] with a brief introduction and how you’d like to collaborate or contribute, visit our website at shareglitter.com and fill out our contact form with your details and interests, or follow us and send us a message on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. We regularly post updates about our projects and opportunities for collaboration.

We are excited about the future and the potential to work with like-minded individuals and organizations who are as passionate about creating positive change as we are. Let’s join forces to make a lasting impact in our communities.

Contact Info:

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