Greater Boston & North Shore Region  
SUMMIT FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS


Wednesday, June 16
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. FREE

Click here to read the report of top session priorities

This summit will set priorities and explore challenges facing Massachusetts women business owners, promote dialogue among the women’s business community, and help the National Women’s Business Council to articulate policy recommendations.

Speakers will address key national policy challenges and the current local economic climate impacting women business owners. This event is FREE and lunch will be served.

To register for this event please click the button on the right.

Click here to read the press release: Summit for Women Entrepreneurs set for June 16

Key Note Speaker:
Ana Recio Harvey, Assistant Administrator for Women's Business Ownership, Small Business Administration
 

Council Members: 

Wendi Goldsmith, President & Founder, The Bioengineering Group  


Dr. Ann Blackburn, Board Member, Women Impacting Public Policy, Owner & President, Blackburn Advisory Services


Margaret Barton, Executive Director, National Women’s Business Council


Rebecca Herwick, President & CEO, Global Products, Inc.

Breakout sessions will include (click for full description):

Hosted by the National Women's Business Council in conjunction with the Enterprise Center at Salem State College.
The National Women's Business Council is a bipartisan federal advisory council created to serve as an independent source of advice and counsel to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners. The Council's mission is to promote bold initiatives, policies, and programs designed to support women's business enterprises at all stages of development in the public and private sector marketplaces -- from start-up to success to significance. Click here for more information on NWBC

COMMUNITY RESOURCE PARTNERS:

 Beverly Chamber of Commerce

 

 Center for Women & Enterprise  
 Commonwealth Institute  
 Creative Economy Association of the North Shore  
 Homebased Businesswomen’s Network  
 MA Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship  
 North Shore Alliance for Economic Development  
 North Shore Technology Council  
 Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce  
 Revere Chamber of Commerce

 

 Salem Chamber of Commerce  
 Salem Partnership  
 Small Business Development Center  
 Women Impacting Public Policy  

 

Breakout Session Descriptions

Securing Federal Government Contracts 
Government contracts can be a great source of business revenue for both new and established businesses. But to get those contracts, you have to understand the process and how to navigate it successfully. What can the government do to make procurement policies more accessible to women-owned businesses? Have you tried to access the federal procurement marketplace?

Access to Capital – Obstacles and Challenges  
Access to funding for starting or expanding a business is typically a challenging issue for any business owner, but particularly women entrepreneurs. What policies or regulations could assist women business owners in securing financing for their businesses? How have you been impacted by the current economic climate?

Microenterprise Challenges and Issues  
Sole proprietorships and small businesses with fewer than five employees frequently experience challenges that are different from their “larger” small business counterparts. If you are a newly established business, a sole proprietorship or a business with fewer than five employees, what are the most prevalent obstacles to your business success?

Taxes    
Understanding tax policy is difficult for any small business. What challenges do women business owners face related to local, state and federal taxes? How can tax policy be changed to support entrepreneurial ventures? Are you familiar with the tax code changes that have emerged as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009?

Healthcare Costs and Coverage   
The availability of affordable healthcare options ranks as one of the top concerns of most small business owners. Join the discussion on how policymakers can craft laws and regulations to make affordable healthcare available to small businesses. Are you a business owner who provides healthcare options for your employees? Are you a sole proprietor seeking affordable healthcare options for yourself?

Training and Workforce Development   
Entrepreneurial development and technical assistance programs are committed to helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. What programs should the government be supporting to help business owners find qualified employees and achieve business success? Are you familiar with entrepreneurial development programs in your area? How do you find the best employees and sustain their professional satisfaction?

Work/Life Balance  
Starting, running and growing your own business is more than a full-time job—it’s multiple full-time jobs. How can you plan, focus and accomplish your business goals while still benefiting from the freedom of your own venture? What strategies or programs would help business owners stay in balance?

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