Classes and Workshops

Join us to learn more about the $25 Million in grant funds currently available through the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) for Pandemic Relief The Maine Technology Institute is currently administering PRIME Phase I representing $25M in grant funds to eligible small businesses. PRIME Fund applications are due May 24th. At this information session representatives from MTI will share more information about the PRIME funds, who is eligible, and how to apply. Additional Information Grant funds must be used to address negative economic impacts of the pandemic, and businesses must demonstrate a plan to use the funds to will help increase revenues or create or

Spokeswomen: a facilitated peer group designed to help female entrepreneurs become more persuasive and effective communicators. How does it work? Through this highly interactive 8-week online program, participants will develop their own personal style by deepening their understanding of persuasive tools and practicing storytelling through a range of speaking scenarios. Participants will practice delivering planned speeches, providing and giving feedback, initiating difficult conversations, and improvising. There are limited seats available for this cohort. The Spokeswomen cohort will have a maximum of 8 participants in order to allow for ample speaking opportunities in the allotted two-hour meeting window. When does Spokeswomen begin? We

When we manage our decisions, we don’t have to carry the burden of micro-managing our time. You’ll walk away from each workshop in this series with practical, personalized steps you can immediately put into action to place you on the path of peace and ease. Time management systems, productivity hacks, and organizational tools can create more stress than they relieve. It’s the reason why the woman with the beautifully color-coded calendar still feels like she’s drowning in overwhelm with no time to do the things that make her feel most alive. In this interactive workshop series, Life & Business Strategist, Lanette

Creative views on how Maine’s small businesses can build diverse and inclusive communities. No business is too small to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to their workplace. A company's willingness to foster diverse perspectives allows for enhanced creative thinking and out-of-the-box strategic solutions to difficult problems. Studies have shown that more diverse work environments are more likely to outperform less diverse peers on profitability and productivity. While most DEI discussions have been in the wheelhouse of larger companies, how does a small business embrace DEI with limited resources? This panel focuses on Maine’s small businesses, from solopreneurs to employers with less

Staying consistent in messaging that will continue to drive your business toward its goals can be overwhelming, especially through times of uncertainty. How much energy do you invest into social media? How do you evaluate the effectiveness of different platforms? And how do you filter through the constant noise of what you “should” be doing while keeping the energy you put into communications work meaningful and impactful? As both a communications practitioner and coach, Leah Hurley will help you navigate the shifting landscape of communications-based marketing. Leah owns Craft, a boutique communications practice with a focus on value-driven marketing and

Scaling your business means increasing revenue while also increasing efficiency. While the pandemic still lingers, what does your business need to scale? More employees? Increased efficiency through new systems or equipment? Or more robust or seamless distribution through clearer procedures? Join Facilitator Tara Paluck in this interactive 4-part workshop series to identify your specific needs to scale, evaluate your options, develop a plan to get it done, and discover new tools for the future. You will leave with a plan of action for what you need to do to scale now and in the future. This workshop is beneficial for

With so many digital tools available, it can be hard to know what software or platform will actually help you stay organized, save time, and run your business efficiently. In this 1-hour workshop, WBC Marketing Expert Mercedes Arnold and WBC Advisor Lorri Brown will share an overview on popular digital tools that are out there to help you get and stay organized in your business. The resources shared in this workshop will help you find the right platforms for your business operations and help you feel confident implementing these tools in your day-to-day so you can work smarter not harder.

How do you move from idea to action? (June 3rd is National Egg Day! Thank you to all you chicken farmers out there!) Let’s make some egg salad! This is an informal gathering of female entrepreneurs to share, learn, and network. Let’s brainstorm out loud, share ideas about what makes it easy or hard to get started, and motivate each other for spring. OPTIONAL fun exercise before we meet to get your juices flowing: Take the Momentum Builder Quiz– from the Maker’s Toolkit. Find out what you should be working on right now to grow your business and receive a personalized checklist of

The CEI Women’s Business Center (WBC) and Westbrook-based Common Threads of Maine (CTM) are collaborating in this in-person 4-part cohort. During each interactive session, participants will learn the steps to start a business, the key elements of financial projections, and how to develop a business plan. Existing business owners in the textile industry will join and share their experiences on how they started their business. Aspiring entrepreneurs in other industries may also benefit from this business training series. This program will take place in-person at Common Threads of Maine, 90 Bridge Street, Suite 305, Westbrook, ME 04092 The WBC and CTM monitor