Spring 2015
Program Schedule
“Though we have successfully been in business for over 20 years, the support of WBDC’s business counselors and the Passion to Profit program helped us take the company to the next level.” The Mastrianos, MGM Carting & Recycling, New Haven
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Information Sessions An opportunity to discover WBDC’s resources for business and personal financial education. You will gain the essential tools needed to prepare for your future. Shelton
Wednesday, April 29 WBDC
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Stamford
Monday, May 4 WBDC
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Hartford
Wednesday, May 13 WBDC
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Pre-registration Required/No Charge
Walk-in Days Meet one-on-one with a WBDC counselor to determine which WBDC programs and services can help you achieve your business and personal financial goals. No appointment necessary – just walk in!
“Life-fulfilling work is never about the money – when you feel true passion for something, you instinctively find ways to nurture it.” Eileen Fisher, fashion designer
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Norwalk
Tuesday, April 14 Norwalk City Hall
Waterbury
Thursday, April 23 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Naugatuck Valley Community College
Hartford
Wednesday, April 29 Wednesday, May 6 Wednesday, June 3 WBDC
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Stamford
Wednesday, April 29 Wednesday, May 27 Wednesday, June 24 Fairgate Community Center
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
*English-Spanish
Shelton
Tuesday, May 12 Monday, June 22 WBDC
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Danbury
Tuesday, June 9 Danbury Public Library
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
No Appointment Needed/No Charge
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Entrepreneurial Training Exploring Entrepreneurship Do you aspire to have your own business? This seminar explores everything you need to know to decide if entrepreneurship is right for you. Explore your business concept with a WBDC counselor and find out what you need to get started. Shelton Tuesday, April 14 WBDC
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Danbury Thursday, April 23 Ridley-Lowell
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday, June 9 Women’s Center
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Norwalk Tuesday, April 28 Norwalk Community College
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Hartford Wednesday, April 29 Wednesday, May 20 WBDC
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Stamford Thursday, May 14 Stamford Adult Education
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Pre-registration Required/No Charge
Passion to Profit: WBDC’s Business Plan Development Program Over the course of nine weeks, this program will help you create an individualized business plan and move your business from concept to reality. In a dynamic, peer-supported environment, qualified faculty provide aspiring and emerging business owners with resources, insight, motivation and guidance. In addition, you will have access to an interactive, Web-based tool providing step-by-step assistance to make it easy to complete your planning with professional results. Norwalk Tuesdays: May 5, 12, 19, 26 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Norwalk Community College Topics • Concept Kick Start/Business Basics/Setting Financial Goals • Market Analysis/Marketing Strategy
• Building a Team/Legal • Basic Numbers • The Web/Social Media • Cash, Taxes and Getting Financed
• Financial Forum/Forecasting • Business Advisory Networking • Implementing Next Steps and Business Plan Review
Registration and material fee: $300 Reduced-fee scholarships available to those who qualify based on income guidelines. Application deadline: April 20, 2015 Contact Amanda Allen for an application and additional information about WBDC’s Passion to Profit program at 203-969-5158 or aallen@ctwbdc.org.
For program information and registration, visit ctwbdc.org or call 203-353-1750.
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Entrepreneurial Training WBDC’s Mobile Business Advisory Team (MBAT) Whether you’re starting a business or ready to expand, WBDC is able to assist you. Meet with a business advisor one-on-one, during a no-charge, comprehensive and confidential meeting. Support and guidance can be provided with business management, financing options, loan packaging assistance, marketing analysis, social media, Internet marketing, and more. Walk-in Hours Visit ctwbdc.org for a complete list of dates and locations. Danbury Tuesday, April 14 – Marketing Thursday, April 30 – Business Growth Danbury Public Library, 170 Main Street Bridgeport
Tuesday, April 28 – Marketing LifeBridge Community Services, 475 Clinton Avenue
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Stamford Tuesday, May 5 – Marketing WBDC
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
New Haven
Monday, May 18 – Business Growth New Haven Chamber of Commerce, 900 Chapel Street
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Naugatuck
Wednesday, May 20 – Marketing Wednesday, June 17 – Marketing Howard Whittemore Library, 243 Church Street
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Hartford Thursday, June 18 – Business Growth WBDC Norwalk
Thursday, June 25 – Marketing Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Avenue, Room 231
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
No Appointment Needed/No Charge
MBAT QuickBooks ProAdvisor (by appointment only) WBDC’s certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor is available to meet with you at your location to provide insights and guidance with setting up your chart of accounts, bank reconciliations, inventory control, payroll issues, and more. Contact Kyle Hamilton with your questions about WBDC’s QuickBooks counseling or for an appointment at 203-585-7465 or khamilton@ctwbdc.org.
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Entrepreneurial Training Connecticut’s Small Business Express Program If you are a small business owner in Connecticut, have been in business for one year or more, and want to expand the workforce and create jobs in Connecticut, this program is for you! Find out if you are eligible for a grant of up to $100,000 or a loan up to $300,000 from the Department of Economic Community Development (DECD). Stamford
Monday, April 6 Wednesday, May 6 Fairgate Community Center
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Danbury Thursday, April 30 Danbury Public Library
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Hartford Thursday, June 18 WBDC
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Pre-registration Required/No Charge
Strong Coffee, Strong Women Fueled by caffeine and determined entrepreneurs, this valuable networking event is for those focused on achieving something every day. Join WBDC and guest speaker Nancy Daoud, owner of Daoud & Associates, a private wealth advisory firm. Ms. Daoud shares her journey into entrepreneurship along with her expertise in all aspects of financial planning, including retirement, education and divorce settlements. Shelton Thursday, April 16 The Renaissance
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Danbury Tuesday, April 28 Savings Bank of Danbury
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Stamford Tuesday, May 19 WBDC
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Hartford Wednesday, June 3 WBDC
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Pre-registration Required/No Charge/Refreshments Provided
WBDC clients have secured nearly $2M in grants and loans through the Small Business Express Program from the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). For program information and registration, visit ctwbdc.org or call 203-353-1750.
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Entrepreneurial Training Open for Business: Planning to Keep Your Business Open When the Unexpected Occurs Does your business have an action plan to handle a business disruption? What will you do to prevent a loss of income or operational time? How will you recover from a cyber-disruption or a loss of business either from a supplier issue, a loss of power, local area construction or even a natural disaster? All small businesses should develop a preparedness plan for various situations. This class will teach you how to: minimize the impact on your business; create, test, and maintain a disaster preparedness plan; and find resources for recovery. Hartford Wednesday, April 22 WBDC
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Stamford Thursday, May 7 WBDC
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Danbury Tuesday, June 2 Women’s Center
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Pre-registration Required/No Charge/Light Lunch or Dinner Provided
Business Financial Walk-in Days Meet one-on-one with a WBDC financial counselor to discuss a variety of business financial issues, such as understanding cash flow, developing a budget, financial forecasting and seeking capital. Danbury Thursday, April 23 Thursday, June 25 Danbury Public Library Stamford Thursday, June 11 WBDC
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Shelton Monday, June 15 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM WBDC
No Appointment Needed/No Charge
Connecticut ranks: • 3rd nationally for women to live and work • 4th nationally on the composite index of women’s employment & earnings • 5th nationally for women’s median earnings
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Entrepreneurial Training Improve Your Online Marketing Results Unlock the secret to defining and managing your social media goals with simple tips for your Web and social media marketing efforts. In this session you will focus on: • Internet marketing • Online targeting and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) • Social media implementation
Webinar
Pre-registration Required/No Charge
Wednesday, May 6
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Doing Business with the State of Connecticut Learn about the benefits of being a state-certified business. Getting certified is easy and can be done online. Expand your markets by becoming eligible to do business with the State of Connecticut. WBDC will assist you step-by-step with the application process and help you open new doors for your business. Hartford Wednesday, May 13 Counseling sessions scheduled between: Workshop WBDC
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Pre-registration Required for Workshop/No Charge
Appointment Required for Counseling Sessions/No Charge To schedule a counseling session, contact Amanda Allen at 203-969-5158 or aallen@ctwbdc.org.
Saturday Studies: Drive Sales and Increase Brand Awareness Three information-packed workshops and two networking sessions, all built into one empowering morning. These sessions will allow you to learn from sales and branding experts to advance your business. Norwalk Saturday, May 16 Norwalk Community College
For more information on workshop topics and instructors, visit ctwbdc.org.
Pre-registration Required/No Charge/Light Breakfast Provided
For program information and registration, visit ctwbdc.org or call 203-353-1750.
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
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Entrepreneurial Training Eliminating Your Competition Committing to updating and building your brand can be easier than you think. Build a personal brand that positively impacts your business. It’s well worth the return on your investment. In this session you will learn: • Why having a strong personal brand is common among successful entrepreneurs
• How to create your personal brand both online and off • How to use your brand to create a network of trusted advisors and referral sources
Danbury Thursday, June 2 Danbury Public Library
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Pre-Registration Required/No Charge
QuickBooks Basics This three-night computer lab program teaches the basics of QuickBooks: practice invoicing, bill payments, bank reconciliations, and other workbook exercises. You will receive hands-on practice in setting up and navigating QuickBooks. Additional topics include: the Customer and Vendor Centers, preparing and using financial statements, and more. Prerequisite: Basic Microsoft Windows skills. Accounting or bookkeeping experience a plus. Shelton Thursday, June 4 Thursday, June 11 Thursday, June 18 WBDC
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Registration and material fee upon acceptance into the program: $175
Reduced-fee scholarships available to those who qualify based on income guidelines.
Launch Pad: Get Started on Your Business Plan Writing a business plan can be a daunting undertaking. There are many aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs with great ideas, who are afflicted with business plan paralysis. If you want to learn how to take a great idea and begin to explore whether it has the potential to be a great business, WBDC’s Launch Pad is the perfect first step. Launch Pad can help you move from the “working on” stage to actual development. Using WBDC’s proprietary business plan guide, you will learn the fundamentals of what a formal business plan is and how to begin one. Launch Pad is the ideal first step to testing the feasibility of your business concept; it’s also a great way to get a jump-start for WBDC’s nine-week business plan writing class, Passion to Profit. Waterbury Tuesday, June 9 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Naugatuck Valley Community College Stamford
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Wednesday, June 17 Fairgate Community Center English-Spanish*
Pre-Registration Required/No Charge
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Entrepreneurial Training Finding the Right Mix: Integrated Marketing for Your Small Business Marketing a small business can be a challenge, especially in rough economic times. Many companies have been successful by finding the right strategic mix to reach their audience and achieve their goals. These strategies may include social media, online marketing, traditional marketing methods and even direct mail. See how one successful business owner has developed tactics to optimize spending and design the most effective approach to boost sales. Learn from real-life examples about the pros and cons and best practices of different marketing components. Hartford
Wednesday, June 24 WBDC
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Pre-registration Required/No Charge
Essential Skill: Writing to Sell Proposals, emails, letters, presentations, postcards, newsletters and websites – try selling anything in today’s world without them…it simply can’t be done! These are the tools the small business owner relies on to open doors, forge connections, build relationships, fuel sales, develop new business, stay in touch, request information...in short, to make things happen. Yet, amazingly, no one ever teaches us how to create them – until now. This exciting workshop helps you boost sales with a remarkably easyto-use breakthrough approach to strategic communications. Now you can discover how to combine persuasion psychology, proven marketing tactics and strategic planning techniques to catapult your productivity to a new level of effectiveness and success. Danbury
Tuesday, June 30 Danbury Public Library
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Pre-registration Required/No Charge
Special Event! Take Charge of Your Personal Finances to Ensure Business Success! Join WBDC for an evening of insight, guidance and networking. Hear from a successful entrepreneur who has lived with salary, commission and self-employed income streams, and knows how to live and thrive. Jill Foster, author of Thrive in Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day, will share her professional guidance and personal wisdom to help you improve and better understand your finances. Every entrepreneur and those thinking of starting a business can benefit from learning the important steps to take to avoid overspending, improve credit scores, and much more. Personal finances are the key to securing funding for any business. First 10 registrants that attend the event will receive a FREE copy of Ms. Foster’s book at the event. Waterbury Wednesday, June 3 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Naugatuck Valley Community College Newtown Wednesday, June 10 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM C.H. Booth Library Pre-registration Required/ No Charge/Light Dinner Provided
For program information and registration, visit ctwbdc.org or call 203-353-1750.
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Entrepreneurial Training – Access to Capital Access to Capital: Small Business Loan Options Join WBDC and our panel of commercial bankers and non-bank lenders to learn about opportunities for attaining the funds you need for your business. Gain an understanding of traditional and non-traditional lenders, alternative loan sources, and the requirements you need to qualify. If you are ready to open or expand your business, learn about the many resources available. Shelton Monday, May 4 Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Stamford Wednesday, June 17 WBDC
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Pre-registration Required/No Charge
Finding Funding for Your Business Come meet with WBDC and Accion and learn how you can access capital for your small business. Accion is the leader in loans to small businesses. The organization is committed to bringing affordable small business loans to micro entrepreneurs. See how your business can find the funds it needs to grow. Join us for a walk-in session or attend the workshop. Stamford Thursday, May 14 Counseling sessions scheduled between: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM & 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Workshop 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM WBDC Wednesday, June 10
Counseling sessions scheduled between: Workshop WBDC English-Spanish*
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM & 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Pre-registration Required for Workshop/No Charge
Appointment Required for Counseling Sessions/No Charge
To schedule a counseling session, contact Paola Hernandez at 203-353-1750 or phernandez@ctwbdc.org.
Money Smart – Business Finance Certified by the FDIC/Small Business Administration (SBA), this workshop will provide basic techniques for improving your business finances. Risk Management for Small Business Danbury Thursday, May 21 Danbury Public Library
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Pre-registration Required/No Charge/Light Lunch Provided
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Financial Education Personal Financial Walk-in Days Meet with a WBDC counselor who can help address a variety of your financial concerns, such as: your credit score and report, home buying, developing a personal budget, and much more. Stamford Wednesday, April 15 Wednesday, May 13 Wednesday, June 17 WBDC
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Danbury Wednesday, April 22 Danbury Public Library
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, May 27 Location TBD
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
No Appointment Needed/No Charge
Things Your Parents Never Taught You: Understanding Social Security Benefits This workshop will provide insight into the key decisions you need to make now that will have a tremendous impact on your retirement income. Take a total view of your retirement planning options with a focus on how to optimize Social Security benefits available to you in retirement. Shelton Wednesday, May 27 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce
Pre-registration Required/No Charge
“Don’t limit yourself…You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” Mary Kay Ash, founder Mary Kay Cosmetics
For program information and registration, visit ctwbdc.org or call 203-353-1750.
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Want more ways to learn with WBDC? Register for an online class through WBDC’s Remote Learning Hub!
www.ctwbdc.org
WBDC Office Locations Stamford WBDC Headquarters 184 Bedford Street, Suite 201 Ph 203-353-1750 Shelton WBDC Regional Office 2 Enterprise Drive, Suite 303 Ph 203-925-0686 Danbury WBDC Satellite Office Ph 203-969-5158
Hartford WBDC Regional Office McCarter & English 185 Asylum Street, 36th Floor Ph 203-969-5158 Waterbury WBDC Satellite Office Naugatuck Valley Community College 750 Chase Parkway Ph 203-925-0686
Training Session Locations and Addresses Danbury CityCenter Danbury 186 Main Street Danbury Public Library 170 Main Street Ridley-Lowell 24 Shelter Rock Road
Norwalk Norwalk Community College 188 Richards Avenue Norwalk City Hall 125 East Avenue
Savings Bank of Danbury 90 Mill Plain Road
Shelton Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce 10 Progress Drive, 2nd Floor
Women’s Center of Greater Danbury 2 West Street
The Renaissance 100 Parrott Drive
Newtown C.H. Booth Library 25 Main Street
Stamford Fairgate Community Center 9 Fairgate Drive
Note: *English-Spanish sessions are in English, assistance from our bilingual staff member will be available. Importante: *Las sesiones clasificadas como English/Spanish son dadas en inglés, pero la asistencia por parte de nuestro personal bilingüe estará a su disposición.
Radio Show – Women with Impact
This monthly radio show is hosted by WBDC’s CEO and Founder, Fran Pastore. Tune in to WPKN Radio 89.5 FM and learn about the important issues facing women, and women in business. Tuesdays: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM May 5, July 7, August 4.
Brought to you through a partnership with the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Show your support of WBDC’s clients and programs. Together, let’s invest in the next client who walks through WBDC’s door.
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To make a donation, visit ctwbdc.org. @CTWBDC #CTWBDC