August is National Black Business Month |
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SAVE THE DATE
Women of Color in Business Panel Series
Together We Rise
Wednesday September 16; 10am-11:30am
We are excited to announce a new series. More details Soon!
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WBC Business Spotlight: FLYY Fitness |
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FLYY Fitness Healing & the Arts was founded to provide people with a holistic health experience aimed not only at strengthening the body, but also nourishing the mind, heart, and spirit. Since 2007, Sistah Anyangō has led classes that utilize movement in many forms, including Zumba® and Afrikan Dance, and Dances of the Diaspora workshops, to facilitate “whole self” expression and health. These classes have always been held in person, so when the pandemic restrictions were put into place, she had to adapt quickly. By March 21, FLYY Fitness Healing & the Arts had brought all their class offerings online.
“In the midst of so much trauma, it’s been a blessing for us to be able to offer our classes online. This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I never had time to do,” she said. Sistah Anyangō got up to speed quickly with the Zoom platform, and she began to stream FLYY’s fitness experiences to virtual classes. She’s been pleasantly surprised with the level of energy and engagement her classes and clients have been able to achieve online, and she’s happy that she can offer FLYY’s services to anyone, anywhere now.
The shift in her business model has resulted in new doors being opened. “The blessing has been in the pivot,” she said. With the time she has gained back over the last few months, she’s been able to work on a rebrand of her business, including a new website. The Entrepreneurial Center & Women’s Business Center referred her to resources to help make that happen, and her goal is to launch the new site during the second week of August. So even as she moves back to the studio this month (with full COVID-19 protocols in place), she will continue to expand her online presence to reach more people than she ever could have before.
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Click on the webinar links below to register in advance. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation with the webinar link, and a reminder prior to the start of the webinar. |
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Tuesday, August 18; 10am—12pm
Presenter: EC-WBC Business Advisor
Are you over 50 and looking for ways to improve your current financial situation? Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss? Work for Yourself@50+ is designed to help older adults learn the ins and outs of successful self-employment.
Join us for an interactive workshop where you can explore your self-employment options and connect with resources in your community. After completing the workshop, you will have the opportunity to work with our team to:
- Develop a business plan
- Create a rock-solid financial foundation
- Work one-on-one with a business advisor to find an approach that meets your needs.
Thursday, August 20; 11am—12pm
Presenter: Marisol Herrera, Procurement Specialist, CTPTAC
If your business is looking for a way to expand its customer base, government contracting may be an option. This webinar will cover the steps required to do business with the federal government and the state of Connecticut. Topics include: identifying if & how buyers buy what you sell, industry codes, registration steps & bid process, set-aside programs & goals. Part of WBC/CT PTAC Contracting Series.
Monday, August 24; 10am—12pm
Presenter: Deborah Norton, Internet Strategy Consultant
Discover practical insights from an industry insider on digital marketing topics including online search, social media, web design and development, search engine optimization tactical recommendations, analytics, and more. We will delve into actionable tactics on how to gain more traction. Come prepared with your website. Presenter will conduct mini-website audits with select participants.
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Tuesday, August 25; 10—11:30am
Presenter: Jack Antonich, EC-WBC Business Advisor
A well-crafted business plan is a roadmap for your business and essential when approaching lenders. In this interactive hands-on workshop, learn the basic content building blocks of a business plan narrative.
Wednesday, August 26; 10am—12pm
Presenter: Lesley Ingves, Clear Pathway LLC
Ever started your day with a list of things to do, worked really hard all day, but at the end of your day almost nothing from your list was touched? Does it feel like you run in hundreds of directions and feel out of control? If this is you, then you’ve probably been attacked by the Time Wasters. It’s time to get focused, cross off your to-do’s, and feel energized!
This workshop will help you to:
- Identify what steals your time, keeps you from being effective, and drains your energy
- Understand and deal with interruptions and distractions
- Discover time management tools that work best for you
- Make sure your true priorities stay on top
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Facebook is Celebrating Black Business Month |
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Join Facebook and the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc (USBC) for a series of free webinars featuring digital training classes, business advice and panel discussions designed to inspire, uplift and help Black-owned businesses across the country.
Every Wednesday 1:00-2:00pm. Free online throughout August..
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Minority Business Grants: 12 Best Options |
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Check-out this article for a list of small business grants available specifically for minority-owned businesses. |
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Black Business Triumphs and Challenges |
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A Groupon and National Black Chamber of Commerce survey of more than 400 Black small business owners found that 75% have seen an increase in business since protests sparked by the death of George Floyd began. 79% percent of survey respondents said they’re more proud than ever to be a Black business owner.
However, the survey also found some negative results:
- Nearly 60% of black business owners said they experienced some form of racism or bias, and half of the survey participants said that the government stood in their way when it came to opening their businesses.
- Approximately three out of four Black business owners said that they’ve had fewer chances due to a lack of capital investment and resources.
- According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), as many as 41% of Black small businesses were forced to close permanently due to COVID-19 compared to just 17% of white-owned businesses.
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222 Pitkin Street
East Hartford, CT 06108
260 Girard Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
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