Classes and Workshops

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

Topic: Business Basics In this first of our three-part series, WBC Consultant Cathy Roberts will review the basics of shipping for you small business, including cost control, packaging and streamlining your processes. Shipping 101 will begin with an overview of looking at how to charge for handling and shipping products. We will be looking at inside packaging to the outside box to determine projected costs. Packaging and shipping can be a statement about you and your business. We will also look at how your “story” can be reflected in these choices. There is much to consider in choosing your packaging

Launch and use QuickBooks Online like a pro! In this 4-part course, Kitty Barbee, of Barbee Business Services, will walk through the fundamentals of QuickBooks online so you can start utilizing this bookkeeping software for your business. Kitty will take a step-by-step approach to setting up and navigating through the important functionality of QuickBooks Online for business owners. Join this cohort to learn how to enter invoices, sales receipts, and customer payments into QuickBooks Online. This workshop will cover common functions including utilizing the bank feed as well as reconciling accounts and running reports. This cohort is available to Maine-based