The second annual Women’s Business Conference, hosted last week by MCE’s Women’s Business Center, focused on preparing women entrepreneurs for the challenges they may face in business.
“We built on the success of our first conference and were able to attract some great speakers for our second event,” said Jennifer Currie, Director of the Women’s Business Center, which is based in Salisbury.
The keynote address was by Mitzi Perdue, wife of the late poultry magnate Frank Perdue. Mitzi recently published a book about how Frank grew his business and his business tips. It’s also about life with Frank, and she provided her tips for business success.
“Mitzi has been so supportive of the Women’s Business Center and the whole concept of helping women entrepreneurs succeed,” Currie said. “She really helped provide some valuable insight for those in the audience who are about to embark on a new adventure in business.”
Mitzi is cosponsor of the Women’s Loan Fund that is offered through MCE that helps women entrepreneurs with start-up costs and other expenses starting or expanding a business.
Other speakers included Vince Gisriel, owner of Sprout Creatives, who talked about web design and how to make your website the best it can be; Rachel Howard, from the Small Business Administration (SBA), who talked about the various SBA program available to women; LaCheryl Jones, of MDOT, who discussed the MBE & SBE certification process, Kelly Drexel, of M & T Bank, who went over banking and finance issues; Ann Shaw, of The Law Firm of Ann Shaw, who discussed all the legal issues that business owners need to understand; Sumathy Chandra Shekara & Brooke Berezowski of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), who talked about how the SBDC helps small business owners, and John Franke, of SCORE, who discussed the various resources and services they have to offer.
More than 35 women attended the conference held at the Hampton Inn in Salisbury last week. To learn more about the Women’s Business Center and the many services they provide including monthly networking luncheons, free business consulting and other services, visit their website at www.marylandcapital.org/mce-womens-business-center or call (410) 546-1900.
