Western Women’s Business Center hosts second annual conference June 30

Press release from the Western Women’s Business Center:

The Western Women’s Business Center (WWBC) at The Support Center (TSC) will host their second annual conference “Rock the World, Shape the Future” on June 30 at the US 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 and Asheville-based artist, Kat Williams. The conference will also host local business leaders and distinguished speakers. Keynote speakers include CEO of Knockout Panties, Angela Newnam; 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. The SBC is part of a statewide community college-funded initiative with a vision to support small business and economic development in local communities. For the second year in a row, the WWBC will be partnering with the SBC at A-B Tech to put on this local event. Other sponsors include the U.S. Cellular Center, Hola Carolina, 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.”

The conference will host five concurrent workshops covering topics including:

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

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

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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 soxendine@thesupportcenter-nc.org.
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 jrojas@thesupportcenter-nc.org.
About A-B Tech
One of 58 colleges in the North Carolina Community College System, A-B Tech offers associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in more than 60 curriculum programs through its five academic divisions: Allied Health and Public Service Education, Arts and Sciences, Business and Hospitality Education, Emergency Services and Engineering and Applied Technology. The Division of Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education offers opportunities for workforce partnerships, specific job training and retraining, as well as personal enrichment classes. A-B Tech enrolls more than 25,000 curriculum and continuing education students in programs at its Asheville, Enka, Madison, South, Woodfin and Goodwill locations.