Workshops to help Vermont women connect and collaborate

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RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont organizations are working together to connect women in business across the state.

The Vermont Small Business Development Center and several other organizations came together to organize a series of workshops offered to women in the community called “She Means Business.” She is part of the center’s Community Navigator pilot program for those who want to start or improve their business. Women from the community came to learn new skills, like Heather Wilson, owner of Bombshell Art.

“I realized that many women from the area who have businesses were going to attend. It seemed like an amazing program. I came here to learn a little bit and network and meet some other wonderful, incredible women in business,” Wilson said.

The ladies in this class learned about different types of business models, target markets, how to identify your customers and how to reach them.

Guest speaker Faye Longo says events like this encourage women to have what it takes to start a business.

“We think we always have to check every box before we can do anything, apply for the job or start the business, and that’s just not true. I think just getting past that doubt, identifying their passion and helping them see themselves as what they’re working towards,” Longo said.

In the last three years during the pandemic, more than 60% of businesses were started by women, according to the Vermont Small Business Development Center. This program helps them navigate the challenges they may face.

“I think being able to network with other women who are starting their business or running existing businesses, whether they’ve been in it for a year or thirty years, it’s really helpful to get that feedback,” said West’s Jadziah Derosia. Rutland.

The Vermont Small Business Development Center hopes to take these workshops statewide to connect with more business owners.

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