Western Women’s Business Center Hosts Second Annual Business Conference

Business consultant Desiree Adaway is one of the keynote speakers.
Business consultant Desiree Adaway is one of the keynote speakers.

The Western Women’s Business Center (WWBC) at The Support Center (TSC) opened registration for its second annual conference “Rock the World, Shape the Future” to be held June 30, 2016 at the U.S. Cellular Center.

“Rock the World, Shape the Future” will feature a day of business workshops, music, interactive activities, and speakers. The event will open with a performance by Emmy-nominated Asheville-based artist Kat Williams and will host local business leaders and distinguished speakers. Keynote speakers include the CEO of Knockout Panties, Angela Newnam; the owner of Plum Print, Meg Ragland; and Desiree Adaway, business consultant and coach of the Adaway Group.

“I am really excited to again partner with Jill Sparks at the A-B Tech Small Business Center (SBC) in order to deliver quality workshops, speakers and networking to our women entrepreneurs in western North Carolina,” said Sharon Oxendine, WWBC Director. “The feedback from our women last year indicated they were thrilled with the level of diversity and community engagement and wanted to see more of this at our conference this year.”

“As a program of The Support Center, it has been great to be a part of the WWBC’s growth in the western region of the state,” said Lenwood V. Long, Sr. “This year, I am excited to see the impact that the conference will have on women entrepreneurs. Not only will it provide them the opportunity to learn new skills to grow their businesses, but we hope it will leave them inspired to continue to work towards their dream.”

The lead sponsor for the conference is the SBC at A-B Tech, part of a statewide community college-funded initiative with a vision to support small business and economic development in local communities. Other sponsors include the U.S. Cellular Center, Hola Carolina, the City of Asheville, Bank of America, and SunTrust Bank.

“This is the perfect event for one to get inspired or reinvigorated as to how they can truly have an impact regarding their business or business idea,” said Jill Sparks, Executive Director of the SBC at A-B Tech. “I am thrilled this opportunity is once again available to the women entrepreneurs in our community.”

Workshops

The conference will host five concurrent workshops covering topics including:

  • Business Development for Artists
  • Resources to Succeed in your Business – Recursos para el Exito en tu Negocio (Spanish session)
  • Why am I Afraid of Taking a Risk to Get a Loan? Risk Aversion & How it Affects your Business (Panel)
  • Make your Mark in the Digital World
  • The Magic of Collaboration

For conference registration and information, please visit thesupportcenter-nc.org/wwbc
or call (828) 633-5065.

About the Western Women’s Business Center (WWBC)

The mission of the WWBC at TSC is to provide high quality technical assistance, capital and programs that reduce barriers and serve as a catalyst to the success of entrepreneurs, particularly women who are socially and economically disadvantaged, in the western region of North Carolina. In addition to a monthly networking workshop series, the WWBC also offers business plan development, one-on-one business development counseling, and certification assistance for federal programs and referral support for business services. For more information about WWBC, please contact Sharon Oxendine at (828)633-5065 or [email protected].

About The Support Center (TSC)

The Support Center (TSC)’s mission is to foster economic development in underserved communities by providing capital, business services, and policy research to support small businesses. Since 2010, TSC has invested more than $28.6 million through 402 loans to small businesses across North Carolina helping to create or retain more than 1,018 jobs. www.thesupportcenter-nc.org. For more information about TSC, please contact Marketing and Communications Associate, Janice Rojas at 919.803-1437 ext. 232 or [email protected].