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September 2011 |
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FastTrac New Venture for Women begins September 15, 2011
We are able to offer this $1,200 class for only $450!
If you want to start a new business, or grow the one you have, FastTrac New Venture can provide your with the support and direction you need to get there. This 10-session business development course improves the likelihood of success of would-be and new business owners.
This course helps you:
- Prove the feasbility of your business concept, service or product
- Understand cash flow
- Hear from experts on topics such as
- Marketing
- Financing options
- Legal structure
- Make valuable connections with your classmates
Investing your time, energy and dollars now on FastTrac New Venture will pay off in the long-run. For an overview of the class, click here
 Thursday Evenings September 15 - November 17, 2011
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Women's Business Center
8527 Bluejacket St.
Lenexa, KS 66214
Cost for the 10-week session: $450
To register, please contact Dorothy Browning: dbrowning@kansaswbc.com or 913-492-5922 |
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Digital Marketing Classes
Internet Marketing in the Digital Age -
What Small Business Owners Should Know and Do!
Sept. 14: Website Design, Development and Promotion -
Understand what makes a great website and how you can make sure your website is the 'value hub' of your strategy
Sept. 21: SEO and Copywriting -
Understand the importance of words, messages, and the continuous flow of value to create an effective Interactive Marketing strategy
Sept. 28: Social Marketing / Networking / Engagement -
Discusses social engagement, so important to creating an effective multi-dimensional marketing and business development strategy
Oct. 5: Using Analytics to Guide Your Strategy -
Know your customer and your market better using analytics and social listening systems
office
Registration is required to attend
Contact: Dorothy Browning
dbrowning@kansaswbc.com or 913-492-5922
$20 per workshop
All workshops held at the Women's Business Center
8:30 - 10:30 am
8527 Bluejacket Street, Lenexa, KS 66214 |
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Flourishing in the Retail Sector
Maximizing the Holiday Season
25-40% of retail sales are made during the holiday season. Are you ready? Join us and a panel of experienced and successful retailers discussing tactics they have found effective in maximizing their holiday sales. Panelists include Casey Simmons (Stuff), Elizabeth Demas (The Avon MegaStore) and Mary Carol garrity (Nell Hills). Kelly Pruneau, former owner of Scandia Downs, will moderate. This hour long session will be followed by a networking event to allow you to talk to others in the retail business and give us feedback on future programs for retailers. Energize and refresh yourself before you plunge into the holiday rush!
September 29, 2011, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Women's Business Center, Enterprise Center of Johnson County
8527 Bluejacket Street, Lenexa, KS 66214
Register Online at: www.onekcforwomen.com/calendar/maximize-the-holiday-season/
Questions? Contact: Dorothy Browning 913-492-5922, dbrowning@kansaswbc.com |
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Doing Good while Doing Business
The OneKC for Women Alliance is introducing a co-branded Cause Card
While 79% of Americans say they would be likely to switch from one brand to another (given equal price and quality) if the other brand was associate with a good cause, only 30% of independent retailers are currently engaged in frequent-shopper programs. Over 50% of national chains use a frequent shopper program effectively.
The OneKC for Women Alliance is introducing a co-branded cause card that allows you to show tangible evidence of the good works your business supports through the alliance. This co-branded credit card gets your brand out to the community at large and builds loyal customers with each purchase.
Join us for a short presentation on the Cause Card as well as networking with your fellow retailers as you prepare for the holidays.
October 11, 2011, 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Women's Business Center
8527 Bluejacket Street
Lenexa, KS 66214
Register Online: http://www.onekcforwomen.com/calendar/cause-card/
Questions? contact Dorothy Browning dbrowning@kansaswbc.com (913) 492-5922 |
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Introduction to GSA Schedules
Help the government use your taxes more wisely...let them buy from you
Federal agencies spent more than $385 billion in contract dollars during FY2010. The GSA Schedule program is a vital procurement tool for the federal government as well as a potential source of nearly limitless revenue for GSA Schedule vendors. However, winning a Schedule award can be a complex, time consuming and costly process and,it simply isn't the right fit for every business.
Presented by: Scott A. Orbach, author of the recently published book, Getting A GSA Schedule, and co-founder and President of EZGSA. Prior to co-founding EZGSA, he was president and co-founder of MidLantic Contract Management, which provided IT, financial, GSA Schedule, Deltek, and DCAA consulting to numerous government contractors.
September 21, 2011, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Marriott Kansas City Airport
775 Brasilia Avenue Kansas City, MO 64135
Price: $139
Register Online
Contact: Mary Johnston 301-913-5000 ext 5026 seminars@ezgsa.com
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Workshops at The Enterprise Cente  r of Johnson County September Workshops
Advanced Facebook for Business
Sept. 15, 2011, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Learn advanced ways to enhance your current Facebook page, like incorporating a blog and creating custom tabs. Learn strategies for building your fanbase and get more advanced information on Facebook security and advertising. $25 (lunch provided)
Register: www.ecjc.com/advancedfacebook0
Valuation of the Early Stage Company
Sept. 22, 2011, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
This workshop helps entrepreneurs understand how to value their early-stage business when raising capital. $50 (lunch provided)
Register: www.ecjc.com/valuationofearlystagecompany
The Process of Raising Capital
September 29, 2011, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
This workshop helps entrepreneurs understand the process of raising capital. Topics covered include traits necessary for raising capital, angel investors, federal and state securities laws, Regulation D, private placement memorandums, and subscription documents. $50 (lunch provided)
Register: www.ecjc.com/raisingcapital092911
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Key considerations for Franchising Your Business
Presented in conjunction with Husch Blackwell LLP and Equity Bank
Husch Blackwell LLP, a full-service litigation and business law firm will present on the pro's and con's of franchising your business and the myriad of considerations involved in this process. They have extensive expertise in franchise & distribution focusing on the design, implementation, financing and maintenance of franchise and distribution systems. Equity Bank who has extensive experience in making loans to franchis ee's will discuss the process and expectations from a funder's perspective.
October 12, 2011, 8:00 - 10:00 am
Women's Business Center
8527 Bluejacket Street
Lenexa, KS 66214
Continental breakfast available
Cost: $20.00
RSVP: Dorothy Browning dbrowning@kansaswbc.com (913) -492-5922
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2011Kansas Business Matchmaker
"Where Business and Opportunity Meet!"
If you are a small business owner, a supplier or a contractor including a small disadvantaged business, a women owned small business, a HUBZone firm, an 8(a) contractor, or a veteran owned small business contractor, this business matchmaker is for you. 
October 19, 2011, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Wichita state University, Metropolitan Complex
5015 E. 29th Street North
Wichita, KS 67220
Cost: $50.00 (includes a box lunch)
Register Online: http://www.wichita.edu/conferences/KBM
Teri Taylor 316-269-6426, ext. 223 or teri.taylor@sba.gov
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The Women's Business Center
The Women's Business Center offers mentoring, resources, and consulting to women in the Kansas City Metropolitan area who wish to become an entrepreneur or who are currently operating their own business. Through business consulting, classes, workshops, networking, and peer mentoring the WBC is the key to running a successful business for Kansas City's women.
Find out how the Women's Business Center can help you. Click here to learn more!
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FastFacts:
As of the end of 2007 (last full report), women owned 7.8 million businesses , generating $1.2 trillion in revenue and employing 7.6 million workers in the U.S. Another 4.6 million firms were 50% women owned. In Kansas, 27.5% of all businesses were women owned and in Missouri, 26.1%.
Less than 1% of all women-owned employer firms had 100 or more employees (as opposed to less than 2% for men-ownde firms).
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3 Women and an Oven compete in "The Greatest Cake on Earth Challenge"
August 31, 2011
3 women and an Oven joined Kansas City's most talened cake decorators in a challenge to take a cake from white, to "outta sight!". The competetion celebrated 200 years of P.T. Barnum (playing September 7-11 at the Sprint Center.
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Photo from the 3 Women and an Oven Facebook Page |
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Tea for You, Spices Too
Sherri Becker, owner of The Marketing Department, opens test store
Local entrepreneur Sherri Becker has opend a test tea store inside Vintage Market selling a variety of teas and tea accessories.
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Located in Vintage Market
7930 Lee Blvd.
Leawood, KS 66206
Hours:
Tue-Wed 10:00-3:00
Thur-Sat 10:00-5:00
Sun noon-5:00
Closed Mondays
816-942-2TEA(832) |
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25 under 25 Awards
Thinking Bigger Business Media now accepting nominations
Criteria for nominating a company are simple, the company must:
- Employ fewer than 25 full-time employees (or full-time equivalents)
- Operate a for-profit business for three or more years
- Be located within the Greater Kansas City area
If you know of a derserving company, visit the Thinking Bigger website and fill out the simple nomination form.
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Share the good news
Are you a Women's Business Center client or volunteer? Something exciting going on in your business? Let us know if you have added a major product or service line, expanded your territory or won an award. We will help you spread the word.
Email dbrowning@kansaswbc.com
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2011 Corporate Talent Show
A benefit for Literacy KC & WEN
November 3, 2011
6:00 - 9:00 pm
1st Annual Kansas City's Got Talent Corporate Talent Show
Boulevard Brewing Company
2501 Southwest Boulevard
View full details online |
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The Voice for Small Business in Government: Office of Advocacy
The Office of Advocacy, an SBA program, was created in 1976 to assure policymakers understood the contributions to the economy made by small business as well as to represent small business concerns related to federal regulation. To do this, they engage in research related to small business as well as sitting at the table as small businesses representative when regulations are proposed. They also host or publish several newsletters and alert systems that may be helpful for you. These include a variety of topics from regulatory updates to research on small business issues and a
regional newlsetter. Go to http://web.sba.gov/list/ to view and sign up to receive this information.
On a recent visit to Kansas City, the head of the Office of Advocacy, Dr. Winslow Sergeant met with several women business owners at the office of the Women's Business Center to discuss their role and hear about the issues important to their businesses. We appreciate Lynette Burkhardt (Web Contracting), Angela Hurt (Veracity Solutions), Chris Jackson (NCES) and Gina Danner (Mail Print) for taking time out of their day to participate in the discussion. Rhythm Engineering and Spinal Simplicity graciouly hosted tours of their operations. If you have issues, success stories or questions you can reach our regional advocate, Becky Greenwald at rebecca.greenwald@sba.gov.
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Microenterprise Training and Funding to be offered in Kansas City
Microenterprise is defined as a business with five or fewer employees and $35,000 or less in start-up capital. Most frequently, micro entrepreneurs are sole proprietors, many times working out of their homes. There are over 20 million identified micro entrepreneurs in the US, with 59% being female and 68% being at or below their area median income. Although most of these businesses remain small, they deliver significant benefits for their owners.
A 2008 study by the FIELD institute found that the number of micro entrepreneurs receiving public assistance dropped from 17% to 9% in a one year period, with up to 60% moving out of poverty. Average household income increased from $29,927 to $36,000 in a year's time (17%), with even larger gains noted at the lower levels of income (87% increase after two years).
The local microenterprise funding program offered through Go Connection closed in the spring of 2009, and the First Step Fund, which had offered a broad array of microenterprise services closed at the end of 2009, leaving a large gap in the ability of low to moderate income individuals to obtain sustained training and support in the Kansas City area.
Area organizations serving entrepreneurs such as the Women's Business Center, KCSourceLink, UMKC SBTDC, JCCC Small Business Development Center, Hispanic Economic Development Center, Federal Reserve Bank, U.S. Small Business Administration, FDIC and several others formed an exploratory microloan committee. These efforts continue, with the hope of bringing a locally based microfinancing option back to the community.
One of the top three microlenders in the country is based in St. Louis, Justine Peterson. The organization was invited by the local microloan committee to explore the Kansas City market.
These efforts proved fruitful earlier this summer when Sherry Turner, who leads the One KC for Women Alliance, was approached by Justine Peterson in seeking a local partner in efforts to bring microenterprise training and funding back to Kansas City. Sherry eagerly agreed to support the funding proposal as this is a perfect fit for the mission of the One KC for Women Alliance.
In late August, Justine Peterson was awarded a PRIME grant (SBA funded) for five years to allow them to deliver both training and financing to the Missouri side of Kansas City. The program should kick off in the fall of this year; look for more details to follow.
One KC for Women is an alliance between the Women's Business Center, Women's Employment Network and the Women's Capital Connection providing financial sustainability options for women in our metro area.
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Who are the Angels behind Angel Investing?
Kansas City is home of one of only eight women's angel groups in the US who invest in women-led businesses. The Women's Capital Connection is a 30+ member group of all women who meet monthly. A typical meeting will feature a presentation by a women-led business, discussion of results of their work investigating previous presenters (due diligence), and hearing updates on additional investment opportunities hosted by other angel groups as well as an opportunity to network with fellow group members.
WCC is in their fourth year of operation. Initially, the number of opportunities available for review was slow, but as the group has grown its reputation and the economy improved, deal flow has significantly increased. WCC now has four company investments in their portfolio (with add-on investments in two)-totaling investment dollars of almost $1M.
Angel investing is risky business, but for the investor, it's about making money and giving back. In general, Angel investors are interested in companies that are going to start, grow quickly and potentially sell/exit the business in a relatively short period of time. These investors usually, but not always, only realize a return on their investment when the company has completed these steps.
Members of the group are proud to help fill a funding gap that exists for many businesses, excited to help other women realize their entrepreneurial ambitions, and they enjoy the challenge and intellectual engagement it takes to determine what deals are right for their personal investment portfolio.
A more detailed description of the criteria for a business to be considered for funding can be found on the home page of the women's capital connection website. http://www.onekcforwomen.com/womens-capital-connection/is-angel-investing-right-for-my-business/. After reviewing the criteria, if you feel your company fits the profile, click on the application link to get the process started.
If you are interested in membership in Women's Capital Connection, contact Kelly Pruneau at: kpruneau@kansaswbc.com |
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Women's Business Center hosts International Fellow
The Women's Business Center has the pleasure of hosting Hadijah Nankanja for the next four months. Hadijah is one of 66 fellows working through the International Research & Exchange Board's Community Solutions program. Community Solutions is a professional development program for the best and brightest global community leaders working in a variety of areas such as conflict resolution, environmental issues and women's issues.
Hadijah holds multiple degrees in business leadership, development studies and IT among others and currently is the head of operations for a business incubator for women in Kampala, Uganda, her home country. In addition she teaches life skills and literacy classes to the women with a focus on business applications.
During the next four months, Hadijah will be accountable for completing a project that will assist the Women's Business Center. Specifically, she will be developing proposals related to microenterprise support in the Kansas City area. In addition, she will spend time observing operations at the Women's Business Center and the Women's Employment Network. Upon her return to Uganda, she will complete a follow up project that leverages the work she has done here to further her mission with the women in her incubator.
She has settled in with the assistance of Ruthie Harrison, the Human Resources Manager at BNIM Architects, who is hosting her and making sure she experiences all the best of Kansas City. So far a Royals game and the bus line - next Bar-B-Q! |
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