Welcome to WBDC

Providing the training and education necessary for women to launch and scale their businesses.

Women’s Business Development Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing the tools and resources to help women thrive in business. We believe that when desire, education, and preparation come together, opportunities are created, ideas are ignited, and economies are expanded.

Classes

eLearning

Business Advising

Holiday Gift Guide

Business Directory

eCenter

Stay Connected with the Latest Updates

Contact Us

Adriana Rivera
(203) 353-1750 x133
info@ctwbdc.org
General Inquiries

Eloisa Melendez
(203) 353-1750 x113
emelendez@ctwbdc.org
Child Care Business Inquiries & More
Habla español

WBDC 25th Anniversary Video

Featured Success Stories

“Not only did I receive the grant for equipment [swings, new website, tools, games, supplies, etc.], I found an amazing coach [Leslie Taravella] through WBDC. She was completely and absolutely amazing, really grounding me in how to run a business and organize myself so that I could function efficiently.”

- Francheska Velazquez, Owner, Play to Learn Childcare
“Not only did I receive the grant for equipment [swings, new website, tools, games, supplies, etc.], I found an amazing coach [Leslie Taravella] through WBDC. She was completely and absolutely amazing, really grounding me in how to run a business and organize myself so that I could function efficiently.”

- Aimee Elsner, Owner, Balanced Bee-ing
“WBDC improved my business, not only with the grant money, but more so in the long-lasting connections I’ve made.”

- Paula Pierce, Owner, Hosting Connecticut
“My office manager and I are always listening to WBDC’s webinars and the insight into our own business from them is endless,” Karen said. “I am so thankful an organization like this exists in our small state.”

- Karen Ross, Owner, Joe's Salon
“Nobody could foresee what 2021 would bring the wedding industry,” Renata reflected. “When I applied for the grant in the height of the Covid Pandemic, we wanted to get a food truck to sell cupcakes and cake pops. Nobody was hosting parties, and selling small things was how we stayed a float in 2020.”

- Renata Papadopoulos, Owner, Lovely Cakes

Get Inspired

Our Impact By the Numbers

15,000

Number of clients serviced by Women's Business Development Council since its founding in 1997
$231M

Amount Women's Business Development Council clients have generated in gross revenue in the last five years
$11.7M

Amount of taxes paid by Women's Business Development Council clients to the State of Connecticut in the last five years
$0.87

For every $1 raised by Women's Business Development Council, the amount that is reinvested in the community

See All Facts & Figures