“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals.”
Jean Vanier
Events
We are a growing community of like-minded women business owners. What binds us together is a dream. We all seek to change the world in some small way, and to improve the lives of ourselves, our families and our communities. We share the challenges which face all women who strive to compete in the marketplace of ideas, products and services.
In the midst of your busy lives, it’s important to get together with one another to energize your spirit and motivation to continue your journey. Periodically, the WCEC holds panel discussions and other gatherings to allow you to meet and interact with one another in a casual and social setting.
Women’s History Month: Small Business Panel
Friday, March 31, 2023 at 12:30pm
About
In honor of Women’s History Month, we recognize the strength and resilience of women entrepreneurs, and their invaluable contribution to a thriving economy.
Our panel will feature intimate stories of the challenges, successes, and best practices of women-owned small businesses right here in New Jersey.
We have no set schedule, and sometimes these events crop up spontaneously.
Sign up below for our emails and follow us on social media.
2023 State of Women Business Owners: New Jersey Report
Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 9:00am
About
Join the WCEC, elected officials, business owners, and valued partners to hear the state of Women Business Owners New Jersey Report.
Learn about current challenges, on-going strategies, and next steps for recovery.
Attendees will have the chance to hear a special message from Governor Phil Murphy and attend experiential virtual workshops on the topics of finance & funding with a focus on woman-owned and BIPOC-owned small businesses.
Keynote Speaker: Governor Phil Murphy
Events in The Community
NJAWBO 2023 Annual Spring Business Luncheon
March 30, 2023
About
Be inspired by invited guest speaker(s), learn from diversity-focused representatives, network with women business owners from around the state, meet sponsors, visit vendor tables, and enjoy a delicious lunch.
Register today: njawbo.org
Cocktails & Connections
October 17, 2022
About
Join us on Monday, October 17th from 6:00pm-9:30pm as Rana Shanawani, WCEC Executive Director, speaks at Cocktails & Connections presented by NJAdvancedMedia. Build your network and learn from established business leaders about how to successfully start or grow your woman-owned business.
WSJ Jobs Summit
April 12, 2022
About
Join us! The job market has roared back to life with a record number of openings. Hear from the experts on how to turn today’s hot job market into a competitive advantage. This full-day program will feature interviews and interactive workshops designed to help you succeed in the search. Take away a practical toolkit from navigating your job search to negotiating an offer.
Women In: The Entertainment Industry
March 15, 2022 from 12:00-1:45pm
About
Women at the helm of studios, networks, and creative teams are changing the way we tell stories, consume media and manage entertainment businesses. Join WSJ to hear from the female decision makers shaping entertainment.
National Small Business Week
September 13-15, 2021
About
During this year’s National Small Business Week, September 13-15, the U.S. Small Business Administration will spotlight the resilience of America’s entrepreneurs and the renewal of the small business economy as they build back better from the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic. The SBA will share important information about the many services and programs to help individuals start and grow businesses, build resilience, support and retain employees, discover new markets, and join key networks.
Virtual Summit
The SBA will host a virtual summit on September 13-15 during National Small Business Week. The virtual summit will honor the nation’s 30 million small businesses for their perseverance, ingenuity, triumphs, and creativity. And, the SBA, along with valued small business partners, will share important information about the many programs and services available to help businesses start and grow, build resilience and support, retain employees, discover new markets, and join key networks.
The National Small Business Week Virtual Summit will also include representatives from Fortune 500 companies who will discuss their paths to success and share resources to help businesses on their entrepreneurial journey. Highlights of the summit will include virtual booths to develop one-on-one connections with public and private sector partners to create opportunities for collaboration and information-sharing in real-time. In addition, small business participants can learn more about new business strategies, meet other business owners, and talk with industry experts.
Past WCEC Women’s Business Center Events
From Pandemic to Progress Virtual Conference
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Bringing women business owners in NJ, NY, and PA together to network, share business challenges, and learn strategies to thrive and survive, even during the pandemic. Guest Speakers: US Senator Cory Booker, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Natalie Madeira Cofield of the SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership, and Corinne Hodges of the Association of Women’s Business Centers.
Black History Month – Small Business Funding Update
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
In honor of Black History Month, the WCEC hosted a Zoom Meeting focused on current funding opportunities for women and people of color. As impacts of the on-going pandemic continue to suppress companies of all sizes, it is clear that some entities have been hit harder than others. Watch recording here
Small Business Webinar – PPP Loans
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Hosted by the office of Congresswomen Mikie Sherrill, with guest panelists, including WCEC Executive Director Rana Shanawani, to answer questions that New Jersey residents may have about the new round of PPP loans. Watch recording here
Group Business Counseling & Open Networking
Thursday, January 21, 2021
The first hour is facilitated discussion followed by open networking.
We’ll be using the Remo virtual conference platform. Participants can hop from one table to the next, meeting new business owners & networking in a powerful and meaningful way. Conference registration includes a profile to add your photo, LinkedIn profile, Calendar/scheduling service, & more.
Become An Ally:
Entrepreneurs & Racial Equality
Thursday, December 17, 2020
2:00pm-3:30pm
Zoom
Since the death of George Floyd in May, businesses of all sizes have assessed what role to play in our national discussion on racial injustice – Black Lives Matter. As a small business owner, how do you balance your personal values with your business goals to meet this moment?
Join us for an inspiring panel discussion with three NJ small business owners who are BLM allies to hear about choices they’re making to champion change and to build diversity, equity and inclusion into their business practices.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Hester Agudosi, Chief Diversity Officer, NJ Office of Diversity & Inclusion
PANEL
JaLeena Anthony, Owner, Create That Party
South Plainfield, NJ
Kris Ohleth, Owner, Garden State Kitchen
Orange, NJ
Bettina Peets, Owner, Adventures for the Soul
Bloomfield, NJ
Wine, Women & Shoes
Empowering Entrepreneurial Women
For 22 years, the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) has worked to support the network of Women’s Business Centers, like the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship, to secure economic justice by providing training, counseling and mentoring for existing and start-up businesses. This year, they announced a new fundraiser – Wine, Women & Shoes.
This program includes a live auction, entertainment and empowering messages about entrepreneurship, all while supporting the mission of the AWBC.
We’ve partnered with the Wall Street Journal
Women In the Workplace Forum
This year’s Women In the Workplace forum takes place for the first time online, with a renewed focus on actionable advice and insight. Together, senior business leaders will examine how companies and individuals can stay focused on building better, more inclusive, workplaces during this global crisis. They’ll discuss revealing new data from LeanIn.org and McKinsey on how the pandemic has impacted business priorities, then participate in deep-dive group discussions and an interactive town hall that will provide playbooks for the unique challenges and opportunities this critical moment presents for top executives around the world.
September 30, 2020 from 11:00am-8:45pm
30% off Professional Pass with code WCEC30
227 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Chatham, NJ 07928
(973)507-9700
info@wcecnj.org
© Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship of New Jersey | All rights reserved
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.