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Session 1
9:45 - 10:45

From Idea to Storefront: Two Women’s Journey
Kathryn Arbour and Pam Pressel
Business Strategy/Planning

Using their own personal story, the presenters will offer a thumbnail sketch of the genesis of “Capabilities,” their retail lifestyle center. The discussion will center on start-up homework, lessons learned and essential steps taken or not taken. A panel of experts who served as the presenter’s personal “team of specialists” will present elements of the practical checklist used by the presenters that was crucial to start up success and business growth.

Power Networking for Introverts
Marcy Phelps
Leadership/Personal Effectiveness

Does the thought of walking into a room full of strangers scare you to death? Would you rather have root canal surgery than promote yourself? Networking does not come naturally to many of us, yet it’s a great way to build your contacts and grow your business. Learn from a true introvert about overcoming your fears and becoming a power networker.

Investing in a Franchise — Is it Right For You?
Stacy Swift
Business Strategy/Planning

There’s more to franchising than just French fries! This power-packed presentation will cover the facts and myths about the franchise industry, including the rules, the investment costs, the support provided, and much more. If you’ve ever considered owning a franchise, you won’t want to miss this workshop. You’ll walk away with practical advice and tips about how to decide if franchising is right for you.

Identity Theft and Fraud—What You Can Do to Prevent It
John J. Salanitro
Finances/Procurement

Identify theft is one of the most rapidly growing crimes in the United States and throughout the world. This workshop will help you learn how identity theft can occur and what you can do if you believe you are a victim of identity theft. Most importantly, you learn what you as a small business owner can do to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft.

Getting in the Door: How to do Business with Corporate America
Lisa Shevy and Corporate Procurement Officers
Finances/Procurement

Does your business have the potential to become a supplier to Corporate America? If so, this workshop will teach you how to do business with large corporations. Find out what it takes to get in the door and how you can leverage your status as a woman-owned business to attract the attention of corporate purchasing officers. Decide if you are a candidate for certification as a woman-owned business, and learn why certification may be important to your success as a corporate supplier.

Session 2
11:30 - 12:30

More Money, Less Work, More Fun! Seven Synergies of Smart Growth
Pam Watson Korbel
Business Strategy/Planning

Simplicity. Business leaders can adopt 7 simple synergies to grow their businesses to success, and the end result will be more money, less work, more fun™ for owners and executives. The presenter will share her 7 guidelines and her personal insights for success based upon building a multi-million dollar entrepreneurial venture, working for two Fortune 500 companies, and assisting hundreds of closely held businesses during the past ten years as a business coach and trainer.

Leadership at its Best: Emotionally Intelligent Brilliance™
Marcia Hughes
Leadership/Personal Effectiveness

Learn to lead so your people follow…and produce results! Your vision must inspire passionate commitment in your teams and individuals to be effective. That requires trust and open, effective communication. You can learn to grow the competencies most important to you so they deliver a measurable return on investment through expanding yours and your team’s EQ. This workshop will show leaders how to love being all they can be by engaging their skills and passions.

Generating Referrals
Adrienne Zoble
Marketing/Sales/PR

Are you working hard, or working smart? How interested would you be in spending little time and money to generate more than 50% of your business via referrals? Join this international marketing speaker and consultant as she shows you how to grow your business via referrals and additional business from existing clients/customers. In marketing, it’s not what you spend, but how you spend it.

Getting Paid What You’re Worth—Setting and Getting Top Dollar for Your Services
Janet Arrowood
Finances/Procurement

The presentation covers the ins and outs of setting rates, developing a cost and rate estimating approach, and identifying time wasters and unavoidable overhead—the true costs of doing business. You’ll lean how to propose, and get, rates you may have thought are “impossible.” You’ll understand the top mistakes people make when setting rates, how to calculate what your time is really worth, how you really spend your time, how to be more productive, how to deal with and fire problem clients, and how to collect unpaid invoices.

How To Market Your Business Online to Increase the Effectiveness of Your Overall Marketing Program
Christi Castellano and Joy Barber
Marketing/Sales/PR

With PC sales outperforming TV sales, you can’t afford not to be on the Internet! The Internet is a cost effective way to market your business, but how do you get started? This interactive workshop will give you practical information you can put to work immediately, including how to establish a prominent place on the Internet, effective marketing tools to supplement your on-line program, and how to convert potential customers to clients with on-line, affordable marketing programs.

Session 3
2:30 -3:30

Business Strategy: An Imperative for Women Entrepreneurs
Lisa R. Buckley
Business Strategy/Planning

Make it or break it—success that is! Although women entrepreneurs are growing in number, so, too, are the numbers of women entrepreneurs who fail. This dynamic workshop will focus on the role of a sound business strategy and how it contributes to success. You’ll enjoy learning about being your own boss—on top of everything else you do, and identifying the people and behaviors that impact success.

Make a Difference While You’re Making a Living
Marla Riegel
Leadership/Personal Effectiveness

Are you so bogged down in putting out fires that you don’t get to do the work you really love, and perform the tasks that are the best use of your time and talents? Learn how to work with purpose: making a difference while making a living, maximizing the potential of each person in your organization, matching the talents to the tasks and implementing practical solutions and strategies that align with your company’s vision, values and culture.

Five Big Marketing Mistakes that Could Bankrupt Your Small Business—And How to Avoid Them
Jeanna Pool
Marketing/Sales/PR

Most small, service-based business owners are really good at what they do, but not very good at marketing themselves. It’s not surprising that too many small business owners struggle, fumble and ultimately fail in their marketing efforts! Participants will learn 5 big marketing mistakes that are not only common, but can be detrimental to the survival of their small business. The presenter will not only reveal these mistakes, but will teach participants exactly how to eradicate them now and forever.

Top Ten Accounting Tips for Business Owners
Janet Evans
Finances/Procurement

There’s no accounting for taste, but perhaps accounting itself leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Are you ignoring the accounting side of your business operations? In this workshop, the presenter will spotlight some key areas of business operations that bear closer consideration. Chuckle, jot down a few notes, and return to your business energized to take a closer look at the accounting side of things.

Session 4
4:00 -5:00

Write It Down or Kiss It Good-by!
Carol Naff
Business Strategy/Planning

Finally the secrets are revealed! These are amazing ideas for getting what you want and seeing the value of setting goals. You will unearth simple visions, goals, and actions to reach them. Learn to understand the power of setting goals, identify how to know when you are successful, learn the difference between wishes and goals, identify proactive goals, and eliminate the dangers that stop you from succeeding.

Doing Business with the Government
Wendy Allan, John A. Cisneros, Karen Klam, and Cheryl A. Drake
Finances/Procurement

Is the government – federal, state, or local – a viable market for your business? Our expert panel will discuss the current procurement environment, maneuvering through the regulatory maze, types of solicitations used by government agencies, notification systems for procurement, how to get momentum going, and how to get help if you need it.

Brand Aid: Making a Name that Sticks
Meryl Runion
Marketing/Sales/PR

The world is full of business owners, but is painfully devoid of true original entrepreneurial thinkers. This workshop will show you how to develop your ideas into transformative concepts that will help your business or service stand out in a crowd. Learn eight guiding principles that convert ordinary ideas or business into original enterprises that attract others. Discover and promote the uniqueness of your business.

Strategies for Financing Your Small Business
Stephanie Gerringer, Lynnette E. Newman, and Ceyl Prinster
Finances/Procurement

This workshop is designed for both prospective and existing small business owners. Our expert panel will discuss sources of capital, from debt financing to equity financing, including SBA loan programs. You’ll learn about eligibility requirements, loan terms, preparing for the application and interview process with the bank, and how the evaluation of your application works.