The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center continues to celebrate women business owners by hosting a number of programs for women during National Women’s Small Business Month:
- This 6-week program that started on October 5th is designed for women with lower incomes, those in transition or those trying to make a better life for themselves and their families, the program will offer women support and guidance in determining if entrepreneurship is an option for them. Facilitated by experienced SBDC consultants, the series is designed to give lower income women the step-by-step guidance needed to develop successful small businesses. Participants in this interactive program will learn start-up basics, legal and insurance considerations, marketing and social media essentials, business plan development, accounting and budget skills, financing options and requirements, and goal setting. Local women business owners will also visit the sessions to share their experiences.
- Coffee and Confidence. A free information session being held on October 24th for women interested in exploring the idea of starting their own businesses. Participants will meet with guest Holly Pilcavage, director of business development at Coal Creative, Wilkes-Barre. Pilcavage will talk about the concepts of mindset/perception and how they lead to success covering the following ideas: It takes courage to let go of the familiar and embrace the new; Choose your attitude every morning; what would you do if you knew you could not fail; Life doesn’t happen to you – it happens for you.
- Women in Philanthropy Loan Program. The SBDC staff continues to mentor women business owners looking to obtain financing through the Scranton Area Foundations Women in Philanthropy Loan Program. The Scranton Area Foundation has developed a program that enables women to receive micro-loans from $1,000 to $10,000 to start or grow their business venture. This program removes many of the barriers faced by low to moderate income women or women in transition. By providing this opportunity to women, WIP aims to create a path for women to obtain necessary funding and to develop their credit-worthiness so they can qualify for traditional funding in the future.
- The First Step to Starting Your business. This workshop will help aspiring entrepreneurs to begin the process of successful business ownership including evaluating business ideas, developing a business plan, and exploring financing options. Attendees will learn unique lifestyle requirements involved in owning a business, how to assess the feasibility of a business idea, different types of business structure, business plan basics, financing options and how to prepare, basics of marketing a product or service and applications and licenses needed to start a business.
For more information about the Scranton SBDC or any of these programs, please visit our website, www.scrantonsbdc.com or contact us at 570-941-7588.
