WBC Connect
2024-10-17 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Online, DC, United States
Monthly Meet-Up for WBC Directors & Staff
Join us for the WBC Connect monthly meet-up with your WBC peers for a one-hour discussion. These casual monthly meet-ups serve as an open space to exchange resources and develop tangible solutions for your WBC.
Theme: Applying for National SBA Awards for Your WBC & Clients
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking nominations for the 2025 National Small Business Week Awards, including the National Women’s Business Center of the Year Award and National Small Business Person of the Year.
We’ll discuss what the eligibility requirements are and how to apply during our WBC Connect meeting. You’ll also have an opportunity to hear from National WBC Award recipients.
Date: Thursday, October 17
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Click here to register

AWBC Members: Quarterly Member Orientation
2024-11-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join the AWBC team and your peer WBCs for the AWBC Quarterly Member Orientation!
Learn about how your center can benefit from AWBC resources, and share what YOU would like to see from us this year. We will share advocacy updates, discuss upcoming partnership opportunities, and provide a full refresher on all the perks of being a member of the AWBC – including access to the AWBC member guide.
This event is open to both new and experienced WBC staff members
Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
Click Here to Register

National WBC of Excellence Graduation & Closing Ceremony
2024-12-05 13:00 - 14:30 | Online, DC, United States
AWBC is proud to celebrate the recognition of the cohort for the National WBC of Excellence ceremony!

Participants are able to invite a funder, advisory board member and/or a member of the leadership team to witness what benefit pursuing the WBC of Excellence designation has brought and will bring to your organization. There will also be opportunity to share something you have seen positive in your peer(s) and an opportunity for funders/advisory board and leadership team to share comments.

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PT / 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Click here to register.

AWBC Conference Encore: Vertical IQ Exclusive Demo for WBCs
2024-12-09 13:00 - 13:30, 2024-12-12 12:00 - 12:30 | Online, DC, United States
Join AWBC for a 30 minute live demo exclusively for Women’s Business Centers to learn how Vertical IQ’s Industry Intelligence can empower your advisors to become more efficient, effective, and impactful.
During this session, Chief Sales Officer and co-founder, Susan Bell, will guide you through Vertical IQ’s use cases for WBCs and key features including Localized Industry Data, Financial Benchmarks, and call preparation tools, all designed to equip your team with the insights needed to advise small businesses effectively.
If you didn’t have a chance to connect with the Vertical IQ team at the leadership conference, now is your chance to learn about special pricing available for WBCs!

Dates & Times:
Monday, December 9 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
Thursday, December 12 at 9AM PT / 12 PM ET
Click here to register

Capital Access for WBCs: What You Need to Know About The Stearns Bank Partnership
2024-12-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join AWBC and Stearns Bank for the launch of a new partnership (as announced at the 2024 AWBC conference)! We’ll explore how your WBC can leverage Stearns products to benefit clients, gain support from a trusted capital provider, and increase access to unrestricted funds for your WBC.
If you didn’t have a chance to connect with the Stearns Bank at the leadership conference, now is your chance to learn about this exciting partnership for WBCs!
Optional: Before the meeting, learn more about SBA Loan Types by taking a short (12-minute) course on Small Business Digital Ready: www.hope2women.org/sbaloantypes. Simply login and find the course under the “Learn” section.

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 11 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
Click here to register

WBC Members: Rural Coalition
2025-01-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join the AWBC team for the Rural Coalition bi-monthly meeting.

The Rural Entrepreneurial Environment Outlook for 2025: An open discussion of the current environment for rural entrepreneurship among WBCs. What resources are being affected and how are you handling client concerns? What support does your WBC need to serve the clients in your communities?

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. PT / 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET

Click here to register.
This group is designed to focus on the unique opportunities and challenges of serving rural communities.

WBC Connect
2025-01-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Monthly Meet-Up for WBC Directors & Staff
Join us for the WBC Connect monthly meet-up with your WBC peers for a one-hour discussion.
Theme: Best Practices in Hosting a Pitch Competition for your WBC Clients
Date: Thursday, January 30
Time: 10:00 PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
These casual monthly meet-ups serve as an open space to exchange resources and develop tangible solutions for your WBC. Bring your burning questions and share your own challenges and tips with your peers!

WBCs will also have an opportunity to hear and learn from Betty Hines, Founder of Women Elevating Women and Tiana Ligon, COO & CFO of Women Elevating Women on the 5 Pillars of Success.

Click here to register

AWBC Training: Unlock Funding Opportunities with VSBDR
2025-01-31 14:00 - 15:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join the AWBC team for an informative training session on the next round of the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready funding opportunity.
This marks our 5th year participating in a program that has already awarded thousands of dollars to Women’s Business Centers nationwide. Let this be the year you take advantage too!
Learn how to apply, get your questions answered, and discover how this program can benefit your WBC. Don’t miss this chance to explore valuable resources, secure funding, and enhance your center’s impact!

Date: Friday, Jan 31, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PST
Click here to Register

How to start selling in Amazon’s store
2025-02-05 13:00 - 14:00 | CO
Join AWBC and HOPE2Women for a 1-hour training on ‘How to Sell in Amazon’s Store‘.

In this session, discover if you’re ready to sell in Amazon’s store and how to get started. Learn the fundamentals of selling with Amazon including what to sell and when, how to list and deliver your products, and how to grow and scale your brand online. We will also share information on the resources and programs Amazon has to help enable small business success.

Date: Wednesday, February 5
Time: 10am PT / 1pm ET
Click Here to Register

Encore Session: Grant Ready, Grant Steady: From Proposal to Compliance
2025-02-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join AWBC and Ascend Ascend Nonprofit & Business Solutions for an insightful training session on organizational readiness for grant acquisition and management, aimed at equipping fundraisers with best practices in grant fundraising and sustaining compliance beyond the SBA grant.
Led by experts Dr. Arlene Siller and Daniela Paz from Ascend Nonprofit & Business Solutions, this training offers essential knowledge and tools to navigate the entire grant process—from pre-award preparation to post-award compliance.
Whether you’re new to grants or looking to enhance your strategies, this session provides actionable insights to help you secure funding and ensure long-term success and sustainability.
If you didn’t get a chance to connect with Ascend at the Leadership Conference, here is your chance to learn best practices on grant proposals! Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your grant strategy and make a lasting impact in your community.

Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
Click here to register

Sustaining WBC Success: Addressing Cash Flow In WBC Operations
2025-02-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join us for an engaging virtual event designed specifically for Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) Directors, hosts, and/or financial officers. This session will delve into the common cash flow challenges faced by WBCs and explore practical solutions to ensure financial stability and sustainability. Our discussion will cover strategic tools such as establishing a Line of Credit and other financial strategies specifically tailored for WBC operations.
Who Should Attend: Directors, financial officers, and staff of Women’s Business Centers who are seeking solutions to manage WBC operational cash flow challenges.
Key Takeaways:

Understand common cash flow challenges for WBCs.
Learn how a Line of Credit can support your center’s financial stability.
Explore actionable solutions and best practices for managing cash flow.
Connect with peers to share experiences and strategies.

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your WBC’s financial foundation and ensure long-term success!

Date: Wednesday, February 12
Time: 10am PT / 1pm ET
Click here to register

WBC Connect
2025-02-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Monthly Meet-Up for WBC Directors & Staff
Join us for the WBC Connect monthly meet-up with your WBC peers for a one-hour discussion.
Theme: Finding good coaches and growing your WBC coaching program
WBC Spotlight: Kathryn Rudloff, Executive Director at weVENTURE WBC

Date: Wednesday, February 26
Time: 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
These casual monthly meet-ups serve as an open space to exchange resources and develop tangible solutions for your WBC. Bring your burning questions and share your own challenges and tips with your peers!
Click here to register

Encore Session: Mastering the Customer Journey from Onboarding to Impact
2025-02-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join AWBC and GrowthWheel International Inc. for an encore session: Mastering the Customer Journey from Onboarding to Impact.
As small business advisors, we want to give all of our clients a professional service experience. A challenge is that every meeting is different and every client must be serviced differently.
However, the real problem is how we can create a client journey that is both flexible and standardized at the same time. The truth is that trust is created both through consistency and customization. That’s why we need to be able to take clients through an individual client journey rather than a generic client journey.
In this workshop, you will discuss with other advisors how to create high-quality customer journeys.
The takeaway from this workshop:

How to onboard clients for future success
How to assess and triage clients
How to define the scope of work
How to track and report results to all stakeholders

If you didn’t get a chance to connect with GrowthWheel at the Leadership Conference, here is your chance to learn best practices on mastering the customer journey!
Click Here to Register

Capital Access for WBC Clients - Launching the HOPE2Women Funding Center
2025-03-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join AWBC for the Launch of the HOPE2Women Funding Center!
This new funding center is designed to increase capital access for entrepreneurs and equip Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) with the resources, tools, and financial support needed to empower their clients and drive business success.
Key Takeaways:

Expanded Capital Access: Learn how this initiative will help WBC clients secure funding to start, sustain, and grow their businesses.
Exclusive Resources: Gain access to a suite of branded documents, templates, and guidance to support your clients’ funding success.
Join the Funding Cohort: Find out how your WBC can become part of the funding cohort and leverage this opportunity for long-term client impact.
Referral Fee Benefits: Understand how the referral fee structure can be used to support your WBC’s funding and match requirements.

Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Click here to register
*This training is for Women’s Business Centers only.

Women & Financial Empowerment: A Conversation on Tax Policy Insights
2025-03-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Women & Financial Empowerment: A Conversation on Tax Policy Insights
Join the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC), the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC), and HOPE2Women for an educational webinar on the latest tax policy updates and how the system uniquely impacts women. This training will equip women business owners with essential tax knowledge to enhance financial stability, leverage tax savings for growth, plan for retirement, and navigate digital tax risks effectively.
Learn best practices and strategies from Professor Caroline Bruckner from American University in Washington, D.C who has released ground-breaking research on the gig economy, women business owners, small business tax literacy, and issues with AI in tax administration.
Key Takeaways:

Tax Literacy Drives Success – Understanding taxes boosts financial stability and access to capital.
Tax Planning Fuels Growth – Smart tax strategies free up capital and improve borrowing power.
Plan for Tax-Efficient Retirement – Women entrepreneurs must optimize retirement savings for security.
Avoid Digital Tax Traps – Verify AI and social media tax advice to prevent costly mistakes.

Date: Tuesday, March 18
Time: 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Click here to register
This webinar training is open to Women’s Business Centers and Small Business Owners.

Practical AI for Small Business: Marketing
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join our partners at Mastercard Digital Doors for a training for small business owners on practical AI for marketing.
AI is changing the way small businesses market their products and services. In this practical, hands-on session, Jacqui Jones, CEO of One Degree Marketing, will walk you through specific AI tools that can help you:
-Automate content creation to save time and keep a consistent online presence
-Optimize ad campaigns to improve targeting and maximize your budget
-Personalize outreach to attract and retain customers more effectively
Designed specifically for small business owners, this webinar will focus on tactical, real-world applications of AI. You’ll leave with clear, actionable steps and easy-to-use tools to make AI work for you.

Date: Wednesday, March 19
Time: 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET
Click here to register

WBC Members: Rural Coalition
2025-04-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join the AWBC team for the Rural Coalition meet-up designed to focus on the unique opportunities and challenges of serving rural communities.

Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. PT / 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET

Click here to register.
This group is designed to focus on the unique opportunities and challenges of serving rural communities.

2025 Annual Leadership Conference Information Session
2025-04-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join us for the 2025 Annual Leadership Conference Information Session to learn more about the event and get all your questions answered. Whether you’re already registered or still considering attending, this session is for you!
Not yet registered for the Annual Leadership Conference? Learn more about the event and save your spot here!
Who should attend this Information Session?

Those who are already registered for the conference and want to learn more about what to expect
Individuals thinking about joining but are unsure and need more information
Potential speakers or those interested in speaking at the conference
Anyone experiencing issues with registration or who has follow-up questions

This session is your opportunity to get an in-depth look at plans for conference, ask questions, and clarify any details before the event. Don’t miss out on the chance to ensure you’re fully prepared for AWBC’s 2025 Leadership Conference!
Thursday, April 10, 2025
10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
Click Here to Register

WBC Connect
2025-04-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Monthly Meet-Up for WBC Directors & Staff
Join us for the WBC Connect monthly meet-up with your WBC peers for a one-hour discussion.
Topic: High-Impact Advisory Boards: Best Practices for Women’s Business Centers
Spotlight Speaker: Ruth Garcia-Corrales, Program Director at NEW Women’s Business Center
These casual monthly meet-ups serve as an open space to exchange resources and develop tangible solutions for your WBC. Bring your burning questions and share your own challenges and tips with your peers!
Date: Wednesday, April 23
Time: 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
Click here to register
*This meeting is for AWBC Members and designed for WBC Staff.

Practical AI for Small Business: Financial Management
2025-04-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Online, DC, United States
Staying on top of your business finances doesn’t have to be overwhelming. AI-powered tools can help small business owners automate invoicing, track expenses, and predict cash flow, so you can focus on growth instead of spreadsheets. Ramona Cedeno, CPA, CGMA, and CEO of FiBrick, brings over 20 years of financial expertise to break down how AI can:

Speed up payments by automating invoicing and reducing delays
Simplify expense tracking so you always know where your money is going
Improve cash flow forecasting to make smarter financial decisions

This session is part of Mastercard’s Practical AI for Small Business, a four-part series focused on practical, tactical AI applications for small business owners.
Register Here

WBC Childcare Accelerator Grant Roundtable
2025-05-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
The Association of Women’s Business Centers is developing a new grant opportunity to specifically support existing childcare accelerator programs at Women’s Business Centers. As we shape the details of this initiative, we want to hear directly from you.

This conversation will help us better understand the barriers your clients face in growing their childcare businesses and how a program can be designed that meets real needs and reduces barriers. Your insights will directly inform grant design, requirements, and implementation support.

If your WBC currently runs a childcare accelerator or supports childcare businesses, please join this important discussion!

REGISTER HERE

**This meeting is only intended for WBCs and their staff

2025 Annual Leadership Conference Information Session
2025-05-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join us for the 2025 Annual Leadership Conference Information Session to learn more about the event and get all your questions answered. Whether you’re already registered or still considering attending, this session is for you!
Not yet registered for the Annual Leadership Conference? Learn more about the event and save your spot here!
Who should attend this Information Session?

Those who are already registered for the conference and want to learn more about what to expect
Individuals thinking about joining but are unsure and need more information
Potential speakers or those interested in speaking at the conference
Anyone experiencing issues with registration or who has follow-up questions

This session is your opportunity to get an in-depth look at plans for conference, ask questions, and clarify any details before the event. Don’t miss out on the chance to ensure you’re fully prepared for AWBC’s 2025 Leadership Conference!
Thursday, May 8, 2025
10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
Click Here to Register

AWBC Members: Quarterly Member Orientation
2025-05-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join the AWBC team and your peer WBCs for the AWBC Quarterly Member Orientation!
Learn about how your center can benefit from AWBC resources, and share what YOU would like to see from us this year. We will share advocacy updates, discuss upcoming partnership opportunities, and provide a full refresher on all the perks of being a member of the AWBC – including access to the AWBC member guide.
This event is open to both new and experienced WBC staff members
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
Click Here to Register

Going Global: How to Scale with EXIM Bank
2025-05-20 13:00 - 14:00 | CO
Join the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC), EXIM Bank, and HOPE2Women for an educational webinar that will guide you through the essential tools and resources for expanding your business internationally.
Learn best practices and strategies with Nada Allie, Business Development Specialist at EXIM Bank on how to access market research, find international buyers, secure financing, and more. Whether you’re new to exporting or looking to scale globally, this valuable session provides insights to help your business thrive in global markets.
Date: Tuesday, May 20
Time: 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Click here to register
This webinar training is open to Women’s Business Centers and Small Business Owners.

National Women's Business Center of Excellence: Applicant Info Session
2025-05-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
AWBC invites you to participate in the National Women’s Business Center of Excellence program! This program is designed to recognize organizations that demonstrate commitment to the mission and values of their WBC!
This opportunity for WBC Directors and Staff allows participants to strengthen their relationship within the WBC network, learn from peer centers, and elevate their WBC operations. During the applicant info session, we will dive deep into the expectations of participating as a candidate, and address any questions pertaining to the application process and milestones.

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
Click here to register

Apply to join the 2025 WBC of Excellence Cohort
Deadline to apply: May 30, 2025

WBC Connect
2025-05-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Monthly Meet-Up for WBC Directors & Staff
Topic: Manufacturing and Workforce Development: Open Forum for Women’s Business Centers
Join us for an open and engaging discussion on the current landscape of manufacturing and workforce development. This session provides an opportunity for Women’s Business Centers to connect, collaborate, and share insights on how they are navigating and addressing client needs as it pertains to the SBA priorities.
Discussion topics will include:

What trends or challenges are you seeing in workforce and manufacturing sectors?
Which client needs or resource gaps are emerging, and how is your center responding?
What additional support or partnerships would help your center enhance its impact?
We invite you to share best practices, showcase programs you’re developing or offering, and bring your questions and ideas to this interactive session.

Date: Wednesday, May 28
Time: 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET
Click here to register
*This meeting is for AWBC Members and designed for WBC Staff.

Practical AI for Small Business: Sales and Lead Generation
2025-05-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Online, DC, United States
AI can help small businesses find the right customers, follow up efficiently, and close more deals. In this session, Jacqui Jones, CEO of One Degree Marketing, will walk you through practical AI tools that can:

Identify high-potential leads to focus your efforts where they matter most
Automate follow-ups to keep prospects engaged without extra work
Improve conversion rates by personalizing outreach at scale

This session is part of Mastercard’s Practical AI for Small Business, a four-part series focused on practical AI applications for small business owners.
Register Here

2025 Annual Leadership Conference Information Session
2025-06-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, DC, United States
Join us for the 2025 Annual Leadership Conference Information Session to learn more about the event and get all your questions answered. Whether you’re already registered or still considering attending, this session is for you!
Not yet registered for the Annual Leadership Conference? Learn more about the event and save your spot here!
Who should attend this Information Session?

Those who are already registered for the conference and want to learn more about what to expect
Individuals thinking about joining but are unsure and need more information
Potential speakers or those interested in speaking at the conference
Anyone experiencing issues with registration or who has follow-up questions

This session is your opportunity to get an in-depth look at plans for conference, ask questions, and clarify any details before the event. Don’t miss out on the chance to ensure you’re fully prepared for AWBC’s 2025 Leadership Conference!
Thursday, June 5, 2025
10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
Click Here to Register

WBC Connect
2025-06-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Online, DC, United States
Topic: Innovative Fundraising & Revenue Strategies for WBCs and Hosts
Join the monthly meet-up for WBC Directors and Staff for a one-hour interactive discussion.

In this WBC Connect session, we’ll exchange ideas and explore creative fundraising approaches and potential revenue streams that can strengthen both your Women’s Business Center and host organization. This conversation will focus on sharing practical experiences, asking questions, and learning from each other as we work toward financial sustainability and growth. Whether you’re seeking to diversify funding or expand your impact, come ready to contribute, collaborate, and walk away with fresh insights and next steps.
Facilitated by Corinne Goble, AWBC CEO, and Austin Goble, AWBC Capacity Committee Chair.
This Session is For:

Women’s Business Center Staff
Host Organization Staff

Date: Wednesday, June 18
Time: 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET

Click here to register
