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.
we have helped more than 18,000 women across 169 Connecticut towns become better business people.
A year after opening for business, Borghi learned about the Women’s Business Development Council on recommendation from her accountant. She promptly signed up for the GPS (A Guide to Plan for Success) program. Throughout the 12-week course Borghi learned about topics ranging from business planning, marketing, and finances from industry experts. “The camaraderie with other women in the course was great,” she explained. “It was an open dialogue and we were constantly discussing our struggles and successes.” Today, Pure Beauty is thriving and Borghi plans on adding several employees in coming years to supplement her business.
“Trying to learn about running a business isn’t super simple,” she said. “I met (Women’s Business Development Council Business Specialists) Carol Cheswick and Kyle Hamilton whenever I could” Greene said. Today, one year after opening, the CT Cookie Company employs up to five employees seasonally and has doubled sales in only the last six months. “I knew owning my own business would be hard work, but holy cow it’s hard in a both mental and a physical way. At the same time, though, it feeds my soul. I couldn’t be happier!”
Just as their fitness clients rely on Carrie Goldkopf and Meghan Crutchley to steer them on the right path to wellness, so, too, did the couple rely on the “invaluable advice” given to them by the Women’s Business Development Council to guide them along their entrepreneurial journey. After attending a few workshops and talks, Meghan and Carrie met with marketing consultant Anne DiFrancesco for guidance. She helped us review our web site and marketing assessment. We also took courses to better understand finances and budgeting. “Without a doubt, the Women’s Business Development Council has contributed to how fast we are growing as confident, small business owners who know how to make better decisions,” Meghan concluded.
“I sat down with advisors Carol (Cheswick) and Janet (Siegenthaler) and ran the numbers. They let me see which products were selling, which were profitable, which we needed to push a little more and which I should consider discontinuing. We also discussed things such as marketing strategy, overhead and markup… I would tell any woman that the Women’s Business Development Council truly believes in us.
They are there to help you grow your business out of this world!”
Number of clients serviced by Women's Business Development Council since its founding in 1997
Amount Women's Business Development Council clients have generated in gross revenue in the last five years
Amount of taxes paid by Women's Business Development Council clients to the State of Connecticut in the last five years
For every $1 raised by Women's Business Development Council, the amount that is reinvested in the community
