Vermont Womens Business CenterVermont Womens Business Center

Vermont Womens Business Center

Artists' Learning Circle

The Vermont Women's Business Center assists women who are starting a new business or growing their business by providing statewide networking events and educational classes and seminars -- opportunities for learning and sharing.

Classes
Class topics include: Practical Business Start-Up, Marketing & Sales, Negotiation Skills, Employment Contracts, Managing Employees, Financial Issues and E-Commerce.

Networking Events

VWBC 's unique networking events allow women to gather together informally once a month to learn about business topics, promote their products and services as well as learn from other business owners.

It is through the synergy of learning business skills and connecting with local community that successful businesses take flight.

Artists' Learning Circle
Women in the Arts sharing business ideas.
An affinity group supporting and challenging those whose passion involves the arts in any way.

In the words of one woman-owned business, "the Vermont Women's Business Center is more than just small business support and information. It's the VWBC people who provide me with the creative inspiration, positive feedback, and authentic, wonderful camaraderie that I value most."

These and other events are held in various locations -- Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest Vermont.

Please refer to the calendar for a full listing of current opportunities and statewide locations.

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MONTHLY NETWORKING LUNCHEONS in Central Vermont

Please join the Vermont Women's Business Center on the first Monday of each month. A guest speaker will give a presentation on a topic of business interest and you will have an opportunity to network with other business owners.

Attendees are encouraged to bring brochures, business cards, and display products to promote their business.
Please bring your own bag lunch! FREE, and open to the public; pre-registration not required.


Next Networking Luncheon: March 1, 2010. Presentaion: "Transitions" with VWBC Business Counselor, Mary Johnson

Time: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Location: 8 South Main Street, Barre (2nd floor in the "Firehouse at Barre" building across from the U.S. post office; free parking in back of building and around the corner on Church St.)


Looking Ahead - Networking Luncheons
April 5, 2010: Me? Invest? with Cathy Systo
May 3, 2010: Women CAN get Government Contracts with Kristin Vierra Zecca
June 7: Career Coaching with Ellie Byer


MONTHLY ARTIST'S LEARNING CIRCLES

Visual, fiber, textile, recording, and performing artists and writers - anyone involved with the arts - is invited to join the Vermont Women's Business Center on the first Wednesday of every month. Artists' Learning Circles are an informal, fluid gathering of artists who meet to help and support each other through the challenges unique to artists as business people.

Free: all are welcome; no pre-registration required; bring a friend; bring your coffee and muffin or other snack.
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 AM
Location: 8 South Main Street, Barre (2nd floor in the "Firehouse at Barre" building across from the post office). Free parking is available at the rear of the building and around the corner on Church St.

Next Artist's Learning Circle:
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
This month's discussion focus is: How to sell and promote your work!
Come and learn, or share your expertise!

Looking Ahead - Artists' Learning Circles
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Discussion focus: Struggling with production time management?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Field trip: to SPA (Studio Place Arts) in Barre - learn about galleries and how to approach them!
Wednesday, June 2
Teaching classes - Do they help you make an income?

For more information about either of the above monthly events, please contact Mary at 479-7439 or toll free at 877-524-1998 or e-mail us at: vwbc@cvcac.org.

CLASS

From Specialty Foods to Value Added Farm Products
Two Wednesdays, February 3 & February 10
DAY TIME CLASSES -- 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
(Bring your own bag lunch!)

WHERE:
Feb. 3rd at Vermont Women’s Business Center
Feb. 10th at the Community Kitchen at LACE

Join instructors Mary Johnson and Jeff Dutton in this very informative course about starting a food-based business in Vermont. Here’s a sampling of topics to be covered:
• Food & farming businesses
• Startup checklist for VT
• Packaging
• Cost out & calculate food products
• State regulations on what can be processed where
• Licensing & permitting
• Business plan overview
• Marketing & distribution

Mary Johnson is the central Vermont VWBC Business Counselor and a former retail business owner. Jeff Dutton is a New England Culinary Institute graduate as well as a former food producer and business owner. He is currently the CVCAVC Community Kitchen vendor liaison at LACE

Cost: $45. Class size limited - register by Jan 31st. Please make checks payable to Central Vermont Community Action Council. Partial fee waivers are available for a limited number of income-eligible participants.


For more information please contact Mary at VWBC (info above). For registration form,






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Contact Amy Robinson, VWBC Business Counselor in the Northeast Kingdom to find out about upcoming trainings. Call Amy at 748-6048 or 334-7316 or email amyr@nekcavt.org for more information.

No workshops currenlty scheduled. For updates please contact Gillian Franks, VWBC Business Counselor at CVOEO: 860-1417 extension 103.


Please contact Denise Mason of the Vermont Women's Business Center at SEVCA, 91 Buck Street, Westminster, VT for more information about upcoming events and trainings. 802-722-4575 ext. 150.



For more information about upcoming VWBC events in the Rutland area, please call Melinda Brown at 665.1741 or 800.717.2762 or email mbrown@broc.org.

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This Web site provides general information only. The information herein does not constitute legal advice. No representation or warranty is made as to the content of the information. VWBC assumes no responsibility for any loss resulting from the use of the information. The user of the site assumes all risk of use. Anyone starting or expanding a business should seek professional advice from her or his accountant and/or attorney.