Mentoring for Women Business Owners
Now Enrolling for 2008-2009 program

Register by October 21st.

The formal mentee program is a twelve-month program where women business owners are matched with seasoned, successful entrepreneur mentors in the region. Funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, admission is by online application and interview process in the fall of each year. Up to twelve mentees per year are accepted and each mentee is matched with a mentor through a process that ensures good "chemistry" to foster a learning environment.

The primary benefit of the mentoring program is the experience mentees will receive in a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Mentors provide insight, knowledge, coaching, make connections to other resources, and motivate by example.

 • More information about the program

Think BIG
Envisioning your company’s move to higher ground
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Chatham University

What is your vision for your business? Are you restricting your own growth? At Think Big... you’ll learn from successful women entrepreneurs who have been where you are what it really takes to grow your business.

More information on Think Big

FastTrac NewVenture™: The payoff
September 20th to November 22nd

Chatham University
REGISTER ONLINE

Before you quit your job or invest your life savings; wouldn't it be nice to know whether your idea has merit? In FastTrac NewVenture, you'll write a feasibility plan on your venture's strengths and weaknesses, examining your idea from every angle. You'll also work closely with other aspiring entrepreneurs sharing ideas and strategies, and laying the groundwork for future business relationships. Through FastTrac NewVenture, you'll discover whether the life of an entrepreneur is right for you.

Classes run for 10 Saturdays, beginning September 20th through November 22nd, from 9:00am - 12 noon on the campus of Chatham University. Parking is free; no permit required. Class size is limited

Please register by September 17th. Cost of the 10 week session is $295.00. Payment accepted from Master Card, Visa or Discover via our online registration form.

 • More information about the program

FastTrac GrowthVenture™: The Big Picture
October 2nd to November 20th

Chatham University

REGISTER ONLINE

FastTrac® GrowthVenture™ focuses on helping entrepreneurs take a step back, look at the big picture, and work ON their business, not just IN their business. Through this program, you can strengthen your ability to make critical decisions and equip yourselves with the knowledge and skills needed to improve the performance of the business. With FastTrac® GrowthVenture™, you'll create a framework to determine the best way to grow your business.

Classes run for eight Thursdays, beginning October 2nd through November 20th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm on the campus of Chatham University. Parking is free; no permit required. Class size is limited

Please register by September 29th. Cost of the 8- week session is $395.00. Payment accepted from Master Card, Visa or Discover via our online registration form.

 • More information about the program

FastTrac NewVenture™ Washington County : The payoff
September 16th to November 18th

Plaza Building,Washington, PA, 15301.

Before you quit your job or invest your life savings; wouldn't it be nice to know whether your idea has merit? The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University is offering the FastTrac® NewVenture™ program to women entrepreneurs in Washington, Fayette and Greene County who are ready to start their own businesses. In FastTrac NewVenture, you'll write a feasibility plan on your venture's strengths and weaknesses, examining your idea from every angle. You'll also work closely with other aspiring entrepreneurs sharing ideas and strategies, and laying the groundwork for future business relationships. Through FastTrac NewVenture, you'll discover whether the life of an entrepreneur is right for you.

Classes run for 10 Tuesdays, beginning September 16th through November 18th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at the Plaza Building, 4th Floor, Room 408, 150 West Beau, Washington, PA, 15301. Parking is free. Class size is limited

Please register by September 12th. Cost of the 10-week session is $295.00. Payment accepted from Master Card, Visa or Discover via our online registration form.

 • More information about the program

FastTrac® GrowthVenture™ Washington County
September 25th to November 13th

Plaza Building,Washington, PA, 15301.

 • REGISTER ONLINE

The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University is offering the FastTrac® GrowthVenture™ program to women entrepreneurs in Washington, Fayette and Greene County who are ready to grow their current businesses. FastTrac® GrowthVenture™ focuses on helping entrepreneurs take a step back, look at the big picture, and work ON their business, not just IN their business. Through this program, women business owners can strengthen their ability to make critical decisions and be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to improve the performance of their business.

Classes run for eight Thursdays, beginning September 25th through November 13th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at the Plaza Building, 4th Floor, Room 408, 150 West Beau, Washington, PA, 15301. Parking is free. Class size is limited

Please register by September 19th. Cost of the 8-week session is $395.00. Payment accepted from Master Card, Visa or Discover via our online registration form.

 • More information about the program

“Listening to Your Business” Workshop - Washington County
Date: Wednesday, September 10th
Time: 8:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon
Venue: Citizen's Library, 55 South College Street, Washington, PA 15301
Cost: $20.00 (includes all materials and morning refreshments)

 • More information about the workshop.

Supported by the Bridgeway Capital www.bridgewaycapital.org

Peer-to-Peer Learning Roundtables
Registration is Ongoing
Roundtable format limited to 12 women business owners with non-compete industries.

National research conducted (Weeks, Riebe, 2006) on women growing their businesses indicates a strong interest for women to join a peer group with other women at their same sales level.

The new Peer-to-Peer Learning program offered by the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University is a dynamic forum, consisting of moderated roundtable discussions limited to 12 women business owners within non-compete industries. Women business owners exchange ideas, explore ways to answer challenges, gain insight on growing their business and learn from other women about successful business practices over monthly roundtables. Current participants describe the roundtables as “empowering,” “stimulating,” and “rejuvenating.”

Kit Needham, President and CEO of KFN Consulting will facilitate the Peer-to-Peer Learning sessions. As an independent consultant, Kit specializes in promoting economic growth by engaging the established business community in supporting business start-ups and assisting entrepreneurs. Kit currently serves as Executive-in-Residence for Project Olympus at Carnegie Mellon University and is the Education Coordinator for BlueTree Allied Angels. Kit was formerly Senior Vice President for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the Chief Operating Officer for Mellon Lab, a new unit established by Mellon Financial Corporation to spark innovation in the creation of revenue-producing businesses. Her vast experience in assisting entrepreneurs and her commitment to helping other women in business make her a valuable resource for Chatham University’s Peer-to-Peer Learning program.

Peer-to-Peer Learning at Chatham University is designed exclusively for women business owners based upon their company’s level of success:

Chapter II Apply online
Designed for women business owners with $100,000 to $500,000+ in sales. Each month women business owners from non-compete businesses, discuss with their peers personal and professional challenges, such as; access to capital, external advisors, human resource issues, client relationships, technology and the workplace and managerial skills, all in a confidential and facilitated environment. Members are sent an agenda ahead of time, so as to prepare for the roundtable discussion. The cost to join the program is $585.00 for the 12 facilitated roundtables. Members are billed quarterly.

Chapter II currently meets the second Thursday of each month from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Chatham University campus in Shadyside. Free parking is available. Registration is Ongoing. The roundtable is limited to 12 women business owners with non-compete industries. If interested, please complete the Online Application Form.