Women’s Business Development Center Hosting Free Networking Event, Teleclass

WATERBURY — The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is the leader of entrepreneurial training for women in Connecticut and is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping women become economically self-sufficient.

The organization has been educating, motivating, and empowering women through entrepreneurship and expanded career opportunities for the past 13 years.

Personal finances will be the focus of a free WBDC evening event, “Money Matter$,” on Tuesday, May 11, from 5 to 8 pm, at Naugatuck Valley Community College. The event kicks off at 5 pm with a Financial Showcase featuring WBDC members and clients who are experts in a variety of financial disciplines.

Guests can meet and mingle and talk about money topics that matter most to them while enjoying refreshments all with a “green” theme.

At 6:30 pm, financial expert Jim Randel, author of The Skinny on Credit Cards: How to Master the Credit Card Game, will share the ten most important principles of personal finance. His talk will encompass credit and debit cards, bank accounts, budgeting, stocks, insurances, taxes and more.

The first 25 people who register and attend “Money Matter$” will receive a free copy of Mr Randel’s book.

There is no charge to attend the event, but registration is required. Register online at: www.ctwbdc/programs_whatsHap.html.org or email Kenyetta Banks at Kbanks@ctwbdc.org.

In addition to these new offerings, the WBDC’s website has information and schedules for the variety of other programs at the organization’s Stamford, Shelton, and Waterbury branch offices including a teleclass titled “Learn How to Become a Certified Woman-Owned Business.” Qualified businesses can apply for certification that is accepted by more than 700 major corporations and nonprofit organizations, as well as many local, state, and federal government agencies.

Certification is an important marketing tool for expanding a women-owned company’s visibility and gaining access to decisionmakers in supplier diversity and procurement offices. Many corporations require that a business be certified before they provide access to their supplier diversity programs.

There is no charge, but registration is required. The teleclass is scheduled for Thursday, May 13, from noon to 1:30 pm.

The WBDC is now accepting applications for the its unique, in-depth, marketing workshop series – “Hands-On Marketing — Creating a Practical Marketing Plan to Grow Your Small Business.”

Marketing professionals will teach this hands-on series of four workshops, delivering practical information for small business owners on promoting their businesses and driving sales.

Participants will learn how to develop annual marketing plans using a step-by-step template and other focused resources, so they can gain a clear direction and manageable plan for implementing future marketing initiatives.

Prerequisites: Must be in business a minimum of one year with a record of tracked sales. There is a $150 registration/materials fee; class size is limited.

To receive an application, email KBanks@ctwbdc.org or call 203-353-1750, extension 10. Application deadline is May 12.

The series will run on Wednesdays, May 19, 26, June 2, 16 from 6 to 9 pm at the University of Bridgeport Stamford Campus.

For information on these and other WBDC activities, go to www.ctwbdc.org.