Tapas Talks kicks off 2025 season

The popular Tapas Talks speaker series kicked off its 2025 season on Feb. 13 in the Grand Ballroom of the Allegheny Country Club with a Entrepreneur Confidential: How to Scale a Small Business from Scratch panel discussion.

The talk featured three of the Sewickley area’s successful female entrepreneurs, including Beth Genter, founder and president of Schenley Capital; Melissa Horvath, CEO, owner and designer at Sweet Water Decor; and C. Holly Wilbanks, founder and principal of The Wilbanks Consulting Group.

While each had a unique pathway to success, all three spoke about the challenges, setbacks, successes and rewards of starting and growing a one-woman startup into a thriving business.

Following the presentation, the audience engaged in a lively Q&A session. Attendees posed thoughtful questions about what motivated these entrepreneurs to take the plunge into creating their own small business. The panelists responded by giving practical advice and inspiring insights that both fascinated and informed attendees about the passion and hard work it takes to start, grow and make a small business thrive.

After the program concluded, attendees continued their discussions in an informal setting, enjoying a delicious ice cream and cookie dessert bar. This relaxed atmosphere allowed participants to make connections and discuss what they had learned with new and old friends who appreciate these mentally stimulating talks. Subscribers are now looking forward to the next talk on May 1, which features former Army officer, journalist, and now author Will Bardenwerper and his presentation entitled Foul Deeds and Fair Balls: An Insider’s View of a Captured War Criminal and the Saving Grace of Baseball.

The mission of Tapas Talks is to inform, inspire, connect and give back to the Sewickley community by offering an inviting venue where neighbors can celebrate one another’s achievements. The event was made possible by sponsorships, including First National Bank, Heritage Valley Health System, Wilpen Hall, Sewickley Public Library, Fermata Brewing Company, Pittsburgh Paws Pet Resort, Local Roots Landscaping, and Schenley Capital.

Other sponsors include Michael J. Hatcher/Holly Hampe, and Tapas Talks Founder, Fran Merryman. Because of these donations as well as individual donations through Friends of the Talk, Tapas Talks was able to give honorariums to the speakers, which they donated to Bethlehem Haven, Celiac Disease Foundation, and Fern Hollow Nature Center as well as fund future grants to deserving Sewickley area non-profits.