October marks National Women’s Small Business Month, a time each year when West Chester University (WCU) and SCORE celebrate the important contributions and achievements of women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Now in its 11th year, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference, “Empowerment Through Collaboration: Creating Space for Women Everywhere”, takes place Friday, Oct. 18.
It will feature the insights and experiences of two successful local women business leaders and facilitate discussion groups addressing critical keys to success: brand storytelling, effective communication, talent engagement, and managing stress.
The Keynote speaker is Gina Schaefer, a visionary entrepreneur best known as the founder of a chain of Ace Hardware stores.
The Featured speaker is Cherri Gregg, an afternoon drive host/news anchor for WHYY-FM and co-host of “Studio 2.”
You can register here for the Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference. Tickets are $45, which includes a Continental breakfast and lunch. This is an expected sell-out event with limited seating so register early.
The Conference runs 7:45 AM to 1:30 PM. It takes place on the West Chester University campus at the Sykes Student Union, 110 W. Rosedale Ave., West Chester.
“This year’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference is truly a collaborative effort!” said Pattie Diggin, director of the WCU Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center and a SCORE volunteer.
The Chamber Alliance of Chester County has put together impactful breakout sessions as part of this year’s lineup, she said.
The session, “For the Heart to the Bottom Line: The Impact of Effective Communication” will be led by Marie Conley, founder of Conley Consulting, providing workforce engagement and team building by prioritizing honest communication, active listening, empathy, and kindness
She is a CliftonStrengths Coach and SHRM-Certified Professional who brings strategic communication and leadership expertise to help organizations foster collaboration and achieve long-term success.
A second session, “Tell a Story. Build a Brand. Why Storytelling Is the Key to It All” will be led by Craig Smith.
Smith speaks on the power of storytelling to build communities around your brand. He has partnered with some of the world’s largest brands like Google, Samsung, HP and more while ringing their products into the world of multimedia shopping.
Smith has appeared on the shopping platform QVC more than 4,000 times and was recnelty seen on CBS Saturday morning.
The Conference provides a great opportunity to come together for an “amazing and inspiring program and an always lively and enjoyable networking opportunity,” Diggin said.
All are welcome. This is not a female-only event. Meet some new contacts, pick up new ideas and get your questions answered.
Get to know the SCORE mentors of Chester and Delaware Counties who can help you work through your business plans and identify your key areas of focus to make a big impact.
Special thanks and recognition is extended to the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Conference, Citadel Credit Union, and the luncheon sponsor, i2n, an initiative of the Chester County Economic Development Council.
In the US, there are over 14 million women-owned small businesses, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all businesses in the country.
Women-owned businesses are driving our economy and building stronger communities, generating $2.7 trillion in annual revenue and employing almost 12.2 million people.
They’re doing so with smaller teams. The vast majority of women-owned businesses are operating as ‘micro-businesses’ with fewer than 50 employees.
SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business experts, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals.
Since 1964, it has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs nationwide.
SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties has been operating since 1985, with 100 dedicated volunteers today who provide confidential mentoring at no charge and offer business seminars, workshops and webinars to benefit the local community.
SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center fosters entrepreneurship across West Chester University and throughout Chester County.
It prepares students to contribute to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, providing access to a rich network of entrepreneurship resources and enhancing the startup and growth of new ventures to develop a strong WCU entrepreneurship culture and a vibrant Chester County entrepreneurship ecosystem.
