What challenge are you stuck on? Let’s use this confidential and supportive space to harness the knowledge, experience and hack tips among us to wisely prepare for business this spring. Bring ideas, get ideas. Register Today!

Join the CEI Women’s Business Center and Island Institute for a virtual information session to learn about the CEI WBC's no-cost, confidential business service support and resources. This session will give you an overview of the individual advising opportunities, available workshops and resources, learning cohorts where you can dive deep into relevant topics with peers. Regardless of whether you are in idea stage, start-up, or growth mode, or are looking to network and learn with other female entrepreneurs this session will introduce you to the WBC and to each other! This program is geared towards those women and businesses based on any

Each year, the Federal Government awards about 10% of all federal contract dollars to Small Disadvantaged Businesses. In this 1-hour workshop, Leesah Patt, Disadvantaged Business Services Specialist at Eastern Maine Development Corporation will present on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification. What are the benefits of being a certified DBE? Who is eligible? How do I apply for the certification? There will be time for Q+A, come with questions!

Please join SCORE and SBA Resource Partners Maine Small Business Development Center, Maine Veterans Business Outreach Center, and us at the CEI Women's Business Centers as we celebrate Women’s History Month with a panel discussion including small business owners and small business resources. Margo Walsh, Founder and CEO of Maine Works will be our Keynote Speaker. Hear more about how these incredible businesswomen have been successful during challenging times and the resources available to help you as you start, grow, or expand your business! Register today for this empowering event to be held on March 28th from 9am to 10:30am at the US Custom House, 312 Fore Street, Portland, ME

Please join SCORE and SBA Resource Partners Maine Small Business Development Center, Maine Veterans Business Outreach Center, and us at the CEI Women's Business Centers as we celebrate Women’s History Month with a panel discussion including small business owners and small business resources. Margo Walsh, Founder and CEO of Maine Works will be our Keynote Speaker. Hear more about how these incredible businesswomen have been successful during challenging times and the resources available to help you as you start, grow, or expand your business! Register today for this empowering event to be held on March 28th from 9am to 10:30am at the US Custom House, 312 Fore Street, Portland, ME

Whether you are in start-up mode, or part of a family dynasty that needs updating, this session is for you. We’ll learn from two experienced camp operators, Katie Dunn of Pleasant Mountain Camp, and Rheanna Sinnett of Otoykwa and Just Add Water Floating Camps. In a moderated discussion plus an interactive Q+A , we’ll share some of the basics and successful practices from rustic to “glamping”, how your vision translates into business model, legal / entity structure, and behind the scenes marketing ideas and reservation system. Register Today!

Join experts from the Bureau of Labor Standards to learn what you need to know when it comes to hiring an employee! Wage & Hour session: This presentation will cover resources for: Hiring employees, Youth Employment Laws, and The importance of timesheet and scheduling practices. SafetyWorks! session: This presentation will cover: Top 10 most common safety violations, Available on-site consultation for your business, The SafetyWorks! Training Institute, and OSHA Voluntary Protection programs Both sessions will provide time for Q+A with attendees. Session Dates: April 5th 10:00am-11:30am April 6th 10:00am-11:30am Register Today to receive the Zoom link for both sessions!

This 12-week cohort provides technical guidance to 10-12 women of color who are either at the pre-start or very early stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Each 90 minute, in-person session will be facilitated by Grace Mo-Phillips, WBC Business Advisor. Through practical business training and peer discussions, participants help one another define and refine their business ideas, identify where the opportunities and challenges lie, and develop strategies to overcome barriers in starting or growing their business. At the end of the cohort, participants will have a clearly defined business plan using the Business Model Canvas. Participants will also learn about available resources

Even in the best of times, running a business is an act of vulnerability. From the financial unknowns, to the fear of failure, being a business owner is ripe for feelings of insecurity of every kind. The pandemic has been a source of tremendous stress, increasing the sense of self-doubt for many business owners. Working to recover emotionally from this tremendous curveball takes some time, and a new toolbox of skills. Whatever your situation, building a foundation of self-worth will help you in business. Feeling more confident in yourself helps you take those calculated risks that can improve your ability

Without an actual truck, what can you do with your mobile food business this season? WBC Business advisor, Ruth Feldman will discuss some ways to think creatively about alternative venues. We will also touch upon: licenses & permits, insurance, and marketing best practices to help you get your food business up and running. This workshop will also provide an opportunity for participants to connect with one another about tips and experience from on the ground. Register Today!

For many small businesses, their first formal equity investment will come from an angel investor. In Maine, we have a robust network of angel investors who play a sizable role in our startup economy. In this second part of a three-part series on equity investments, you’ll learn about the ins and outs of leveraging angel investors to raise equity for your business. During this session, we’ll cover: What is angel investing? What does an angel investment mean for you and your business? What types of businesses are a good fit? What stage of business is a good fit? I think

As businesses grow and scale, venture capital may be a feasible source of equity investment. We are lucky to have several Maine-based venture capital funds that invest in our local startups. In this third part of a three-part series on equity investments, you’ll learn about the ins and outs of leveraging venture capital to raise equity for your business. During this session, we’ll cover: What is venture capital? What does a venture capital investment mean for you and your business? What types of businesses are a good fit? What stage of business is a good fit? What’s the “average” investment