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Ugly Talk - Small Fish, Big Pond
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| With Coralie Saint-Louis (Founder/CEO, Enpak), Kiyeon Nam (CEO, B'ZT), Neva Alexander (Leadership Dev, Nevalliance), Dawn Kelly (CEO, Nourish Spot), Miya Jones (Producer, Shades of Long Island). |
| Greater Nexus, 89-14 Parsons Blvd, Jamaica |
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Jan 29 (Thu) , 2026 @ 06:00 PM
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FREE |
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| DETAILS |
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Ambition is big, resources are tight, & the path rarely looks like a highlight reel. Building in 2026 means shipping through constraints, competing with legacy players, & carrying the emotional load that comes with long runways to traction. The founders who break through turn limits into lenses: they prioritize cleanly, pivot with intention, & cultivate communities that sustain the work between milestones. This conversation centers those in-between moments & turns them into a playbook.
Why You Should Attend
Turn limited resources into leverage so you can punch above your weight.
Use nimbleness as an edge with speed, focus, & tight feedback loops to outmaneuver bigger teams.
Build a resilient, consistent mindset for entering bigger markets & facing larger competitors.
Grow an accountability circle: mentors & peers who open doors, give honest feedback, & root for your success.
Who You'll Meet
Founders & creatives with bold visions operating on tight budgets
Early-stage B2B & consumer builders navigating bootstrapped or underfunded realities
Operators & C-level pros who know how to stretch scarce resources
Ecosystem enablers: angels, accelerators, community leaders, service partners, & platform allies
Who's on the Panel
Coralie Saint-Louis - Founder & CEO of Enpak
Coralie Saint-Louis is a journalist-turned-tech entrepreneur with over a decade of experience across broadcast, print, & digital media. She founded Enpak, a certified MWBE media & technology company focused on strengthening local communities through strategic communications, digital marketing, & technology-driven engagement. Inspired by her commitment to credible local news & underrepresented voices, Coralie launched the Enpak app, a platform connecting residents to verified local news, events, & small business resources. As CEO, she blends storytelling, data, & software to combat misinformation, boost civic engagement, strengthen local economies, & help organizations build meaningful community connections across New York State.
Kiyeon Nam - CEO of B'ZT.
Kiyeon Nam is an inventor, entrepreneur, & creative strategist based in New York. She is the founder of MESH, a human-centered technology company dedicated to protecting children, seniors, & vulnerable individuals through soft, wearable safety solutions seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
Dr. Neva Alexander - Leadership Development Consultant at Nevalliance
Dr. Neva Helena Alexander is a TEDx Speaker, leadership development consultant, & international trainer with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is the Founder of Nevalliance, a certified MWBE leadership development company, & leads the Nevalliance Foundation, dedicated to women's empowerment & community engagement. Since 2017, she has hosted the International Women's Conference on Long Island, creating global experiences that help leaders & entrepreneurs grow with clarity, confidence, & strategy.
Dawn Kelly - CEO of The Nourish Spot
Dawn Kelly is a visionary entrepreneur, community advocate, & Founder & CEO of The Nourish Spot, a wellness caf & juice bar rooted in Jamaica, Queens. A former corporate & nonprofit executive with over 30 years of experience, she transitioned from the C-suite to build a purpose-driven, family-owned business centered on health, culture, & economic empowerment. Dawn is a Howard University alumna, a trained journalist, & a multilingual storyteller. She serves on multiple civic & business boards & is widely recognized for championing small businesses, workforce development, & community-based wellness initiatives.
Miya Jones - Producer & Writer at Shades of Long Island
Miya Jones is an award-winning journalist & media producer with over a decade of experience in storytelling across digital, broadcast, & branded media. She is the senior editor, content producer & executive producer of Shades of Long Island, a production company & media platform that creates high-impact commercials, sizzle reels, & video content for businesses, nonprofits, & organizations. Through Shades of Long Island, she leads creative strategy & production while also overseeing a news platform with 44,000+ monthly views. A Temple University journalism graduate, Miya has worked with News 12, Essence, Newsday, & The Latin Times, blending sharp editorial instincts with modern production storytelling.
What We'll Talk About
Building without a safety net
How resource constraints reshape choices in product, GTM, & hiring, & the tactics that keep you moving.
Burnout, rejection, & quiet resilience
Practical ways to handle constant pitching, slow cycles, & delayed traction while staying effective.
Strategic pivots & survival-mode thinking
Adapting the vision without abandoning it: trigger signals, decision trees, & post-pivot operating plans.
Imposter syndrome & internal pressure
Tools for confidence, boundary setting, & advocating for yourself in rooms built for incumbents.
Trusting the process when progress is slow
Redefining milestones, building feedback loops with customers, & using community to lower CAC & R&D costs.
Capital-efficient growth in 2026
Scrappy distribution, partner-led plays, mini-MVPs, pricing tests, & the metrics that actually guide your next step.
Co-Hosted With
User Uploaded Image
Enpak connects communities to trusted local news, events, civic updates, & small businesses-helping people stay informed & engaged where they live.
GREY Journal - Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).
Venue Partner
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Greater Nexus is a community-focused coworking space in downtown Jamaica, Queens offering affordable flexible workspaces, offices, meeting rooms, & creative amenities designed to support entrepreneurs, startups, & small businesses in Southeast Queens.
About Ugly Talk:
Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough aha! moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons & insights.
With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, & Miami, we've built a vibrant community of thousands of founders & industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.
Official Website: UglyTalk.com
Important Notice for Ugly Talk Attendees
Admission & Confirmation
Attendance is by approval only. Approved guests will receive a confirmation email along with a calendar invite. Invitations are non-transferable. Additional event details will be shared as the event approaches.
Code of Conduct
By attending, you agree to:
Maintain respect & professionalism, adhering to all venue rules, policies, & applicable laws.
Refrain from harassment, discrimination, unwelcome sexual advances (verbal or physical), intimidation, or inappropriate photography/recording.
Report any violations to the event hosts immediately.
Violations may result in immediate removal from the event & exclusion from future invitations.
Liability & Risk
Participation is voluntary & at your own risk. The event organizers, hosts, sponsors, & venue are not liable for personal injury, lost or stolen belongings, or any other damages incurred during the event.
Media Consent
By attending, you grant the event organizers & affiliated entities the right to capture, use, & distribute photos, videos, & audio recordings of you for promotional, marketing, & other lawful purposes, including digital & print media, advertising, & social media. You waive any right to inspect or approve the final materials & release all claims related to their use.
Communications
By registering, you agree to receive marketing & promotional communications from Ugly Talk & its co-hosts, partners, & sponsors. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Agreement
If you do not agree to this Code of Conduct, please refrain from attending the event.
Official Event Page: [Link]
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