WBDC Client Spotlights & Testimonials

"My name is Ana Mercedes Rueda and I am originally from Colombia. I have known the women at the WBDC for several years and I have always received important help, support and information from them to help me develop my small business. Some of the benefits I have received from WBDC are the Fast Trac Course, Financial Coaching and the Hands-on Marketing Class (I am still in the last two courses). I am very grateful to the WBDC for all the opportunities I have been given and for the great work all the staff is doing!"

Ana Mercedes Rueda

"The last two programs I have taken with WBDC, “Fast rac Growth Venture Program” and “Hands on Marketing”, have provided me with the skills to refine and further develop my business plan and marketing strategies."

Steven Mueller

"Wonderful program that helped me face what once frightened me with encouragement, support and a PLAN! With that, scared turned to empowered as I took ownership and became accountable, set goals, structured and stuck to a budget. What once seemed insurmountable became do-able under the gentle, non judgmental guidance of my counselor. Prior to the program I couldn’t focus on putting together a budget, as a participant I actually began to look forward to the process, checking in with my coach and reporting my progress."

Lisa Grant

"Knowing “exactly” where you are financially is a liberating experience! Having control financially gives you a special kind of independence/freedom. You can make your choices confidently."

Lori Ann Dunn

"Excellent!! Continue the good work!!"

Pearl Lin

"The FastTrac for Growth program was really what I needed to give the time and attention, with access to expertise and resources, to put together a thorough business plan for my company. The instructor was great, the interactive format of the classes brought real life examples to what we were learning and the reading and online resources continue to be valuable. What I am most pleased with is that now I have a working plan to serve as a guide and specific action items, that when implemented, will help me reach my goals."

Laura Devlin

Strategic Communications Consulting, LLC

"Our experience in the WBDC FastTrac Growth Venture program has been an invaluable and wonderful vehicle for organizing, focusing and self-evaluating our business in a way we have not even been aware of previous to the course.

Our instructor was clear, focused, honest in her delivery and evaluations of our businesses. Her brutal honesty was a good thing though sometimes sobering to hear and offset by her compassionate and upbeat personality. She was able to articulate delivery and knowledge of the content was also apparent and a great asset as she delivered answers to the most barbed questions with a soft confident voice. Asking questions regardless of how basic or naïve we might have felt was always met with a supportive and encouraging answer. There was never a dumb question even if I felt dumb asking.

The amount of information and work demanded to fully comply with class assignments rival some of my college courses in both content and volume. I couldn’t complete everything to my satisfaction and maybe this breathing document will never be completely finished. I will miss this class and hope to take it again possibly next year. I learned so much but we have so much farther to go. This was a rewarding experience. Thank you for this wonderful learning and self-improvement opportunity."

Chris Zimmerman

StormWaterWorks

"I wish that I had been given this course 20 years ago. Back in my day, designers learned design in school and had absolutely no business classes. In view of the current economy, the class was especially helpful. If only it had lasted longer. Keep up the good work!"

Sara Schrager

Schrager Lighting Design, LLC

"I recently completed the FastTrac program sponsored by WBDC. Although I’ve been in business for 2 years, I felt I could benefit from a business development course such as this one. The program was extremely beneficial to my business. I have struggled and avoided putting together a business plan. I am a type-A personality and felt it was more important to work on creating a viable business rather than spending time creating a business plan. The process of researching the industries I serve, the financial analysis of my business although it was grueling and very challenging left me feeling much more confident of the viability of my business. I would encourage any sole entrepreneur to participate in this program in order to achieve a greater understanding of your business market, competition and the viability of your idea."

Hilda Maria DeLucia

Inspired Learning LLC

"The WBDC FastTrac Program helped me think through the financial aspects of my business which has brought a whole new level of clarity to what I am doing with my women's wellness company, Here’s to Life Now! I learned so much from the instructor, my classmates and the various guest speakers and never missed a class since every minute was well spent. Writing the business plan was an essential next step for me. I left the program and will start with my first company in one month. I still have questions, but who doesn’t when starting a business, and I know WBDC is there for me when I need advice. I plan to give back to WBDC one day since I couldn’t have gotten this far without them."

Susan O’Halloran

Here’s to Life Now!

"The class was not only organized, but motivating. I felt comfortable. I felt empowered. I felt like I wasn’t being fed a bunch of BS. Which, I appreciated so very much. The women listened to one another then gave their feed back. whether it was positive, or negative. It was done with nothing but love and in hopes for the best for the fellow women. The course was well organized. Fast. The additional one on one opportunity available was incredible. The organization truly offers a one of a kind service to us women looking to go into work for ourselves. The guest lectures were only a plus. But the samples brought in by our fellow ladies were even a greater blessing. I am thankful not only for being part of the organization but also for having worked and meet these amazing women. I am grateful for my peers who gave me the strength, encouragement and love to pursue my dreams. Job well done and I am proud to have been involved. I plan on passing along my experiences to my fellow ladies. Please keep up the good work. And I would be honored to provide my assistance for the organization anyway seen fit. Please take me up on my offer."

Jasminka Baney

"The FastTrac class made me start thinking more like a business women. I thank WBDC for having such a great class. I wish I had more resources to fulfill what I need."

Shelletta Brown

"I am writing to thank WBDC for offering the FastTrac program. I took this class during the winter 2009 in Shelton. I found this class to be an excellent resource for the development of my business plan. I think the FastTrac is a great opportunity for any aspiring entrepreneur. The principal learnings received in this class can be used to develop a startup business and in future as the business develops. The best features of this program included the chance to interact with other aspiring entrepreneurs, the opportunity to speak to legal and financial professionals and taking small steps to developing a business idea into a workable business plan draft. The most enjoyable learning was the “speed dating” night when various business professionals were able to hear about and critique our business ideas. I am glad was able to participate in the WBDC FastTrac class."

Tracia

Strategy One LLC

"When I think of the WBDC staff, I think of professionals with intellectual honesty and a genuine concern for the welfare of others through training and development. Leadership, patience and time-management are exemplified and the impact was evidenced throughout my process of learning.WBDC provided me with the opportunity and challenge to explore the true meaning of being a woman entrepreneur in the 21st century. The financial assistance that I received from the scholarship program enabled me to participate in the Fast Trac NewVenture Entrepreneur Training Program. The other services that I received including 1-1 counseling were the links that led to a successful experience with WBDC. Had it not been for WBDC’s program and services, I would not have realized my ability to manage the different aspects of owning a small business."

Dorcas White

"Excellent! High in content, succinctly and passionately delivered! Completely met my expectations!"

Ellen Heinenkamp