Local business leaders lend their expertise and Dress for Success SW Florida graduates inspire
Barbara Dell, CEO of Dress for Success SW Florida, is pleased to announce that the Entrepreneurial Spirit Program (E$P), a series of seminars for women who would like to start their own business, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on four Wednesdays from June 3 through 24.
Local business leaders will provide compelling insight and experience to help attendees gain the information, resources and confidence needed to get their dreams off the ground. The presenters will include E$P Chairperson Joanne Show, Central Bank Vice President; Attorney Christina Harris Schwinn of Pavese Law Firm; Gail Markham, founding partner of public accounting and business consulting firm Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company; and Connie Ramos-Williams, CEO and President of CONRIC PR & Marketing | Publishing. Attendees can expect to learn practical information that can be put to use in assessing the viability of different business opportunities, developing a marketing plan, managing bank accounts, networking, identifying insurance needs, understanding taxes and more.
In addition, attendees will hear from one successful E$P graduate at each Wednesday night session. Rose Jones will share her story of starting her company, A Southwest Florida Coastal Home Watch. Trisha Ryan, Esq. had been working dead-end jobs as a single mom, then put herself through college and law school and opened her own firm. Success is indeed sweet for Kara Bernier, who founded Ellie Bee Bakery and today creates beautiful cakes and confections for any occasion. Unemployed single mom April Bordeaux went back to school and started her own business, then landed an opportunity at CONRIC PR & Marketing | Publishing, where she serves as the agency’s Creative Director. These amazing women will share how they applied what they learned at E$P to improve their career prospects or start their own business.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Program is open to the public and free to attend, thanks to the generous funding and resources of Title Sponsor and long-time supporter, Central Bank Southwest Florida.
Registration is required and seating is limited for the series of four Wednesday seminars, which will take place at Dress for Success SW Florida’s Career Center, 12995 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 152 in Fort Myers. A donation of $35 is requested from those who are not financially disadvantaged. Call Jen Diederich at (239) 689-4992 or email Jen@dfsswflorida.orgfor more information.
“Our mission at Dress for Success SW Florida continues to be the work that we do to reach the most women and empower them to improve their quality of life. With the E$P program that mission is coming to fruition,” Dell said.
As a follow-up to E$P, attendees will continue receiving ongoing mentoring and networking sessions provided by Dress for Success SW Florida.
About Dress for Success
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. There are 135 Dress for Success affiliates internationally focusing on providing career wardrobes, employment counseling and mentoring for women. The Fort Myers location is at 12995 S. Cleveland Ave. Suite 153, Fort Myers in the Pinebrook Plaza. The Naples location is at 9015 Strada Stell Court, Suite 205. For information on Dress for Success SW Florida, email swflorida@dressforsuccess.org, call 239-689-4992 or check our website at swflorida.dressforsuccess.org. or visitwww.DressForSuccess.org/swflorida.