Donate online below to the WBDC Annual Appeal       

Dear Friend:

I hope you will join me in support of the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) 2009 Annual Appeal. 

WBDC empowers women in our community to realize their dreams as successful entrepreneurs, business owners and experts in their field.  We provide the education these women require to transition from marginal employment situations to owners and operators of thriving businesses.  In the process, we hope to inspire our clients to realize their own financial, professional, and personal potential.

Rosie's Story

     Over the years, WBDC has assisted countless women, but I'd like to share a single story that highlights the true power of your potential commitment.  Rosie Jones-Clarke is the 2009 recipient of the Deb Ziegler Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. Ten years ago, as a soon-to-be mother, Rosie decided to launch a daycare business.  She has since grown her company from caring for one friend's child into Bright & Morning Star Daycare, LLC. 

     Rosie's drive to create, build, and discover was nourished by WBDC.  There she found the knowledge and support to get started and also learned how to keep expanding her business and her professional capabilities.  Rosie benefited from our nationally certified long term business planning program FastTrac®, and received individual guidance from talented career counselors and entrepreneurs through programs including Access to Capital Counseling.  As a result of WBDC's work with Rosie to deliver a sound strategy and business plan with measurable success metrics, Bright & Morning Star Daycare is ready to purchase a second house.  It will be zoned for commercial/daycare so that she can expand both the number of clients and the number of employees from one (herself) to five full and part time workers. 

What makes WBDC different from women like Rosie?  Specifically, we:

• offer one-on-one entrepreneurial counseling
• provide access to our nationally certified education programs
• lead workshops on a host of timely topics for every stage of the business cycle
• help perfect their business plans
• have trained thousands of volunteers to deliver our portfolio of entrepreneurial training programs since 1997

You probably have friends and relatives who have started their own business.  Their story may differ from Rosie's but many of them will likely tell you, "I wish I'd had more support."  With your help, WBDC can make it possible for more women to put great ideas into practice, benefitting families, communities and our local economics. 

Please donate online below and give what you can to the Women's Business Development Center and help continue to support the growing list of clients who have made their entrepreneurial dreams a reality. 

Sincerely,

Fern Schapiro

InsightExpress

WBDC Board of Directors and 2009 Annual Appeal Chair

PS - A donation of $250 will assist a woman to participate in FastTrac® who could very well be the next Rosie.