SCRANTON, PA – The Women’s Business Center (WBC), the collaboration of the University of Scranton’s Kania School of Management (KSOM) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC), has now officially opened its office doors. It was established in 2009 to help women gain knowledge and skills to start small businesses through educational programs and one on one consulting. The WBC is a student run organization that takes direction from the SBDC. The group of students that staff the office were chosen from among the brightest of the Kania School of Management and have completed 20 hours of rigorous training to be able to work with clients.
The goal of the WBC is to empower women business owners through programs that teach practical skills and give applicable advice on topics from how to effectively use social media for small business needs and how to surmount the financial hurdles they will face. This happens to be the same goal as the student advisors, Donna Simpson of the SBDC and Dr. Niyati Ahuja of the KSOM, they have been instrumental in getting the physical office open for business.
The WBC started its services with a series of educational programs such as the Locally Grown™ Woman Owned certificate program, and the Women Win! 3-part program for the basics of starting a business. Now with the addition of the office consulting services have been added to the roster. Students can now offer help with writing a business plan, outlining financial forecasts, and researching markets and industries for clients, and more. Donna Simpson said: “Not only did we want a program that afforded local women an opportunity for business education, but we also wanted to give the students a way to become more involved in the community while gaining real life business experience.” And the students are very glad to have that opportunity as they look forward to meeting with their first clients. Lisa Hall, also with the SBDC, said, “It is great to see how eager the students are to make the WBC a successful program. They really are a valuable resource for the business community.”
Clients are now being accepted. Please contact the Women’s Business Center at (570) 941-7026 or visit www.ksomwomenscenter.org for more information. Additional information can also be found through the SBDC at (570) 941-7588.
The WBC provides low or no-cost educational programs and free small business consulting services to residents of Bradford, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne & Wyoming counties. To request free business consulting services, complete the online request at www.scrantonsbdc.com.
