CEI Women's Business Center Consultant Katie Kelley will walk you through emergency preparedness for your small business. We will discuss creating a standard operating procedure (SOP) for your business that will outline the functions and processes as they pertain to your business. SOPs ensure daily operations can be implemented in the event that you, as the owner, are unable to tend to your business. This will be an interactive 1 hour workshop with time for questions and answers at the end of the workshop.

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

As a business owner, you have a unique opportunity to leverage retirement plans specifically designed for business owners and/or employers to help you with your retirement goals. Jamee Shinn, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, will detail the common plan types including SIMPLE/SEP IRA, and the process of establishing a new plan. Whether you are a solo-preneur or employ 2 – 200 staff, this session will provide helpful information as you establish a retirement plan. Bring your coffee and questions and join us!

Business planning can feel at odds with your passion and desire for creating a business. But it doesn’t have to! In this 1.5 hour session, we will draw from our Right Brain and “maker” approaches to designing a business plan. Through whole group, 1:1 feedback buddy time, and individual time to work on your own, we’ll navigate the planning process through a creative & intuitive lens. We will explore various visual tools as a frame of reference and guidance. This first step can be a path to a more refined plan. Whether you have a plan you’d like to refresh

Many female business owners find that they are repeatedly asked to do unpaid work, work that is not within their skill set, or work that leaves them tired and at risk of burnout. However, running a business is not inherently draining -- especially when you have the tools to set healthy boundaries. In this 6-week cohort lead by Hannah Curtis, we will combine structured discussions and skill-building instruction to help you learn to say no, set limits, prioritize your work, and build and grow a business that really works for you. Join a group of supportive women business owners from

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