Course Description:
Building a website doesn’t have to be overwhelming — you just need the right plan and guidance. In this hands-on, in-person series, you’ll learn step-by-step how to plan your site, choose the right platform, design pages that convert, and launch your business website with confidence. Over 3 weekly sessions (90 minutes each), you’ll get expert instruction, peer support, and practical tools to create a professional online presence that reflects your brand and helps grow your business.
Note: This Series is an In-Person Event. Please bring your laptop and come on time to our Hartford office location at:190 Trumbull Street, Hartford, CT, 2nd floor. If you miss a session, we can share the notes but you will likely be at a disadvantage going into the next session, therefore we encourage you to be sure you can commit to all three.
Session 1: 10/14/25
Session 2: 10/21/25
Session 3: 10/28/25

Instructor Bio:
Joy Braddock brings with her almost a decade of experience as a small business owner, and over 20 years’ experience in marketing and advertising. As a former co-owner of a local brewery, she understands the passion, drive and perseverance needed to start and run a small business. Joy is the co-founder and President of the Bombshell Project, a non-profit on a mission to help women enter and lead in the male-dominated craft brewing industry.

New to the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC)?
Have you used our services but want to know what else we can help with?
Come learn about the resources we offer to small businesses – most of which are offered at no cost. Join WBDC’s Concilia Ndlovu,Taylor Bergeron and Sonique Solis to find out how to get started. We have something for individuals at all stages of business – entrepreneurial and financial education services, grants, promotional and community-building opportunities, and much more! Whether you’re thinking about starting a business, are looking to expand your business skills, or are ready to scale, WBDC can help drive your success in a tangible and accessible way.

Course Description:
Whether you’re just getting started or think your website is already optimized, most small business owners miss critical SEO steps that limit their online visibility. In this fast-paced, one-hour session, Miria Gray will break down how search engines actually rank your site and reveal common mistakes that can prevent customers from finding you. Walk away with simple, actionable strategies you can implement easily to strengthen your online presence and grow your business.
Instructor Bio:
Miria Gray joined the Chelsea Groton team in July of 2017 and ever since, has been working to educate and improve the lives of the members of our communities.Prior to Chelsea Groton, she was the Marketing Director for Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC), where she developed public events in conjunction with other community organizations and city agencies, oversaw economic development activities, and managed NCDC’s traditional and digital marketing.
She is a graduate of Franklin Pierce University with a BA in English and Secondary Education, a proud 2015 Southeastern CT 40 Under 40 Award recipient and the 2023 recipient of the Greater Norwich Area Chamber Service Award.

Are you thinking a business loan might be in your future? Have questions about what lenders look for? Join us for a panel discussion with three lenders to talk about what makes a business “bankable” and things you can begin to do now to set yourself up for success in the future.
Topics include:
What you need to know before you apply What documents are needed When is the right time to get a loan How to set yourself (and your business) up for success

New to the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC)?
Have you used our services but want to know what else we can help with?
Come learn about the resources we offer to small businesses – most of which are offered at no cost. Join WBDC’s Concilia Ndlovu,Taylor Bergeron and Sonique Solis to find out how to get started. We have something for individuals at all stages of business – entrepreneurial and financial education services, grants, promotional and community-building opportunities, and much more! Whether you’re thinking about starting a business, are looking to expand your business skills, or are ready to scale, WBDC can help drive your success in a tangible and accessible way.

As a small business owner, are you aware about personal property taxes?
Every October, every town in Connecticut sends a personal property declaration to all registered business owners in their town.You are required to submit the form to the town by November 1to avoid a 25% penalty. The form is used to determine your Personal Property Tax, payable to the town.
Sherry Konwerski, WBDC Business Advisor, and Sarah Watson, a CPAwith the accounting and consulting firm CliftonLarsonAnderson, will show you the proper way to complete the form to make sure you are in compliance and pay the appropriate amount of taxes.

The Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund gives small business owners access to flexible funding for capital expenditures and working capital and connects them with support services. This fund was created to provide access to working capital for those who need it most. Learn about this new opportunity, how to get your business prepared to accept investments, access low interest loans, and invest in your success!

Course Description:
This course will allow you to take your SEO knowledge to the next level by focusing on how to attract local customers through targeted strategies. This one-hour session will show you how to optimize your website and online presence for local search results, including Google Business, local keywords, and location-based content. Learn how to boost visibility where it matters most—right in your community.
Instructor Bio:Joy Braddock brings with her almost a decade of experience as a small business owner, and over 20 years’ experience in marketing and advertising. As the co-founder of a local brewery, she understands the passion, drive and perseverance needed to start and run a small business. Joy is the co-founder and President of the Bombshell Project, a non-profit on a mission to help women enter and lead in the male-dominated craft brewing industry.

Thinking about starting a business but not sure where to begin? This practical class will help you explore if entrepreneurship is right for you, understand what makes a business idea work, and walk through key decisions before you launch. Perfect for anyone with a spark of an idea and a desire to turn it into something real.

The business structure you choose influences everything from the distribution of profits, to taxes, to how much of your personal assets are at risk. Choosing a structure that provides the right balance of complexity and benefits is key to starting your business. Join WBDC business advisor Pat Klapper as she reviews the pros and cons of common business structures – sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations.She will also review the process and benefits of converting from an LLC to an S-Corp.

Join WBDC Business Advisor, Carol Cheswick, to learnwhy having a solid business plan is crucial for success. She will review key parts of a business plan like identifying your customers, understanding your competition, and making financial predictions. You’ll get practical tips to create a strong plan for your business, helping you start off on the right foot and set yourself up for success.

Understanding how to become certified as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) can be confusing — but we’re here to help!
Join Tanisha Baptiste-Bynum, Lead Outreach & Marketing Specialist and Veterans Business Development Officer, as she walks you through the certification process and how to get started.
Topics include: • How to begin your WOSB certification • Women-Owned Certification overview • Opportunities in federal government contracting
Don’t miss this chance to get clear, actionable guidance directly from the SBA!

Comprender cómo obtener la certificación como Pequeña Empresa Propiedad de Mujeres (WOSB) puede ser confuso, ¡pero estamos aquí para ayudarte!Únete a Tanisha Baptiste-Bynum, Especialista Principal en Difusión y Marketing y Responsable de Desarrollo de Negocios para Veteranos, quien te guiará a través del proceso de certificación y cómo empezar.Los temas incluyen:• Cómo comenzar tu certificación WOSB• Resumen de la Certificación para Pequeñas Empresas Propiedad de Mujeres• Oportunidades en la contratación del gobierno federal¡No pierdas la oportunidad de obtener orientación clara y práctica directamente de la SBA!

Join our Hartford Small Business Mastermind! Connect with other entrepreneurs and boost your business for the new year. In this supportive group, you’ll discuss challenges, brainstorm solutions, and celebrate each other’s successes. Each meeting will offer practical insights and strategies tailored to your goals. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, this mastermind will help you overcome obstacles and build a strong network. Let’s unlock your potential and get ahead for the year!

Course Description: Hiring a marketing agency can be a game-changer for small businesses—but only if it’s the right fit. In this one-hour seminar, you’ll learn how to identify when it’s time to bring in outside help, what questions to ask when interviewing agencies, and how to set clear goals and expectations for a successful partnership. Taught by an experienced agency owner who regularly works with small business clients, this session will help you avoid common missteps and make smarter marketing investments.
Top Takeaways:
Recognize the signs your business is ready for outside marketing support
Learn how to evaluate and choose the right agency for your goals and budget
Understand how to set clear deliverables, timelines, and communication expectations
Gain strategies for tracking performance and managing the relationship long-term
Instructor Bio:
Jamie Taylor.As a media and digital strategist for over a decade and award-winning content creator and blogger, Jamie Taylor has worked on local, regional, and national campaigns for several industries including retail, legal, healthcare, and automotive. Her passion to see something become more than it is and commitment to excellence gave way to what seemed to be a such natural progression to the formation of Taylored Media Group. Jamie’s consultative approach to her clients’ needs is what forges long-lasting relationships, which are built on trust.

Protect yourself and your business! This interactive session breaks down the essentials of contracts—what to look for, what to avoid, and how to protect your interests. Learn how to confidently review, negotiate, and sign agreements without costly mistakes. Join Janet Johnson, WBDC Business Advisor and our special guest Joshua Hecht, Attorney from Caplan & Hecht, LCC in New Haven. Joshua will be able to answer some of your burning questions to make smarter moves in business.
Disclaimer: This session is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Participants are encouraged to retain their own legal counsel for advice specific to their business needs.

Do you have a question about applying for a business loan? Join Samantha Cross and Tanya Kelley, WBDC’s Access To Capital Advisors to get your questions answered and discover your business loan options. You can stay for the whole time or only a few minutes. We’re here for you!

This class is for anyone wanting to start a business in Connecticut. We’ll walk you through the whole process, from understanding business entity types and writing your business plan to exploring business viability, learning about financing options, and registering it with the state and federal government. You’ll learn about the considerations you need to make if you plan to hire employees.By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of the steps you need to take to turn your business idea into reality.

New to the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC)?
Have you used our services but want to know what else we can help with?
Come learn about the resources we offer to small businesses – most of which are offered at no cost. Join WBDC’s Concilia Ndlovu,Taylor Bergeron and Sonique Solis to find out how to get started. We have something for individuals at all stages of business – entrepreneurial and financial education services, grants, promotional and community-building opportunities, and much more! Whether you’re thinking about starting a business, are looking to expand your business skills, or are ready to scale, WBDC can help drive your success in a tangible and accessible way.

Fast-track your QBO expertise— one class, two hours, zero stress.
This QuickBooks Online Refresher Class is for small business owners who have actively used QuickBooks Online (QBO) within the last six months and have completed all of the following
Purchased an active QBO subscription (any plan) Successfully linked your bank and/or credit card accounts to QBO. Categorized at least one or two transactions in QBO. Join Tanya Kelley, WBDC Business Advisor, for a QuickBooks refresher to brush up on the steps you may have overlooked. In this hands-on session, we’ll cover how to:
Record sales and receive payments
Categorize expenses accurately
Generate essential financial reports
Reconcile bank and credit card accounts

Join Sherry Konwerski, WBDC Business Advisor and CertifiedQuickBooksPro Advisor, for a3-parthands-oncourse to learn how to manage your business finances withQuickBooks. In thisseries, you’ll learn a broad range of bookkeeping functions, from setting upQuickBooks, to handling money in/money out, banking, payroll, and much more. If you’ve decided to useQuickbooksOnlineto manage your business finances but need help getting started, thisclass is for you!
Thisseriesis designed for business owners with 1+ years of sales. You must have aQuickBooksOnlineaccount to attend this class. A trial account is sufficient.
Dates:Fridays: November 7, 14, 21
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Do you have employees? Are you hoping to hire employees? Join us to learn important information about how to avoid legal challenges when hiring.
Even well-intentioned small businesses can stumble into costly legal trouble. This session will spotlight the most common – and avoidable – employment law missteps, from hiring practices to terminations. Learn how to identify and avoid red flags to stay compliant.
Instructor Bios:
Paula Anthony is an experienced employment attorney and Office Managing Shareholder at Littler’s New Haven office. She regularly advises employers on a wide range of workplace issues, including discrimination and retaliation claims, wage and hour compliance, and workplace leaves and accommodations. She works closely with employers to craft clear policies and navigate tricky HR issues.
Paula brings strong expertise in employment litigation and workplace investigations, with valuable experience across both the private and public sectors. She’s also a frequent speaker on employment topics and enjoys working with WBDC to empower women entrepreneurs with practical legal insights that help them lead with confidence.
Nicole S. Muléis Of Counsel in Littler’s New Haven office, where she focuses on employment litigation in federal and state courts. Her practice spans claims involving discrimination, harassment, leave management, wage and hour issues, and restrictive covenants. Drawing on her prior experience managing business operations and working with executive leadership, Nicole brings a strategic perspective to counseling employers. She serves on the Board of the Hartford Marathon Foundation and is President of the Western New England School of Law Alumni Board. Nicole is also the daughter of an entrepreneur, which shaped her appreciation for the challenges business owners face and the value of resources like those offered by the WBDC.

Join WBDC to meet and mingle with fellow entrepreneurs and WBDC team members bright and early! We’ll provide light snacks and coffee – additional food and specialty drinks will be available for purchase.Meet us on Bank Street at Tox Brewing Company for coffee and pastriesand the opportunity to connect in person and share ideas and inspiration with fellow community members.

Join WBDC for an opportunity to meet and mingle with the WBDC community of CT-based small business owners and the WBDC team! We’ll provide light snacks and refreshments, and offer ample opportunities to connect in personand share ideas with fellow entrepreneurs

Join WBDC for an opportunity to meet and mingle with the WBDC community of CT-based small business owners and the WBDC team! We’ll provide light snacks and coffee, and offer ample opportunities to connect in personand share ideas with fellow entrepreneurs.

Join WBDC to meet and mingle with fellow entrepreneurs and WBDC team members. We’ll provide light snacks and coffee – additional food and specialty drinks will be available for purchase.Meet us at WBDC office in downtown Hartford at 190 Trumbull Street, Hartford, CT (2nd Floor) for delicious food and the opportunity to connect in person and share ideas and inspiration with fellow community members.

Do you have a question about applying for a business loan? Join Samantha Cross and Tanya Kelley, WBDC’s Access To Capital Advisors to get your questions answered and discover your business loan options. You can stay for the whole time or only a few minutes. We’re here for you!

Do you have a question about applying for a business loan? Join Samantha Cross and Tanya Kelley, WBDC’s Access To Capital Advisors to get your questions answered and discover your business loan options. You can stay for the whole time or only a few minutes. We’re here for you!

This class provides an overview of the essential functions that keep a business running smoothly. Participants will explore topics such as day-to-day management, workflow processes, staffing, and resource allocation. By the end of the session, you will understand how to build efficient systems that support growth and long-term success.

Are you new to Microsoft Excel and want to learn more about how to use it for your business? Join us to learn how to fill in an existing Excel worksheet (e.g., financial template), create a table, create basic formulas, adjust the formatting of your worksheet, and more. Find out how Excel can be used to create a budget, track your income & expenses, and show you trends in your business. Bring your questions to the session!
Please note, this class is for beginners that are not very familiar with Excel.If you use Google Sheets instead, the concepts are similar, and may be valuable to you.

Talking with parents about money can be very stressful. That is why is important to have good payment policies and effective ways of communicating them. During this session, we will discuss draftingpayment policies that will increaseyourcash flowand improveyour ability to budget.
Instructor Bio:Linda Fecteau is a WBDC Business Advisor dedicated to helping Early Childhood Education and Care Programs enhance their business practices. As a founder and former owner of a multi-site Early Childhood Education operation, Linda now uses her expertise to consult with other child care programs and small businesses. Linda assists providers as they develop and implement fiscal policies and practices that save time and money. She was also the lead instructor for Administration and Supervision of Early Childhood Programs for Charter Oak State College.

Do you have a question about applying for a business loan? Join Samantha Cross and Tanya Kelley, WBDC’s Access To Capital Advisors to get your questions answered and discover your business loan options. You can stay for the whole time or only a few minutes. We’re here for you!

En esta clase, aprenderás a calcular el verdadero costo de ofrecer cuidado infantil de calidad, tomando en cuenta todos tus gastos operativos, materiales, tiempo y valor profesional. Exploraremos herramientas prácticas para ayudarte a establecer precios sostenibles que reflejen el valor real de tu trabajo, al mismo tiempo que aseguren la viabilidad a largo plazo de tu negocio.
Ideal para proveedoras de cuidado infantil que buscan claridad financiera y quieren tomar decisiones informadas sobre sus tarifas.

¿Sientes que trabajas mucho, pero no sabes exactamente a dónde se va tu dinero? En esta clase aprenderás qué es un presupuesto y cómo crear uno de forma sencilla y práctica. Esto te ayudará a tomar decisiones más claras, planificar con confianza y darle estabilidad a tu negocio de cuidado infantil.
Descubrirás que tener el control de tus finanzas no es complicado… ¡es una herramienta poderosa para cuidar mejor tu trabajo y tu futuro!

Did you know? There is a positive relationship between the quality of administrative practices and the quality of the children’s learning environment.
Join WBDC Business Advisor and former child care owner, Linda Fecteau, for an interactive session to help you assess your business needs, and consider how to make changes that will strengthen your program’s quality. We will teach you how to use the Business Administration Scale tool to evaluate your business’ strengths, before moving onto creating sound, usable action plans. These action plans will help you as you explore the accreditation process or simply prepare you to elevate your business skills.

Ready to unlock a new level of efficiency to save you time & money?
Join WBDC’s Sonique Solis to take the first step in digitizing your personal and business receipts, and get ready for grant season by organizing them for yourself or your bookkeeper. Whether you have a scanner or just a mobile device, explore tools and applications to effectively capture your receipts and other important financial documents. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of going digital.

¿Listo para desbloquear un nuevo nivel de eficiencia para ahorrar tiempo y dinero?
Únete a Sonique Solis del WBDC y da el primer paso para digitalizar tus recibos personales y de negocio. Prepárate para la temporada de subvenciones organizándolos para ti o para tu contador.
Ya sea que tengas un escáner o solo un dispositivo móvil, exploraremos herramientas y aplicaciones para capturar de manera efectiva tus recibos y otros documentos financieros importantes. También hablaremos sobre los pros y contras de pasarte al formato digital.

This interactive class helps entrepreneurs and small business owners identify what their customers truly want and need. Participants will learn practical tools to gather customer feedback, analyze buying behaviors, and translate insights into products or services that add value. By the end of the session, you will have a clearer understanding of your target market and strategies to meet customer expectations effectively.