Empowered Women International

Spring 2013 ETS Schedule

Durant Center: 1605 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314 (Accessible via King Street Metro)
Regional Services Center: 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814 (Accessible via Bethesda Metro)

Saturday, March 23 (both classes – Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
Meet and Greet
11-2pm
(Optional Mentor Day)

• Learn about EWI, programs & services, support team and resources
• Understand how ETS is different from other programs
• Understand how referrals work
• EWI expectations; students requirements
• Students share about their dreams, stories and journeys
• Meet the mentors & understand how the mentor program works
• Vision Board Discussion and Assignment

Homework: Vision Board. Bring your Vision Board to the April 5th class and take 2 minute/student to present to the class.

Monday, March 25 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Your Passion, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
6:30 – 9:00pm
(Required Mentor Day)

• Training Orientation
• Training Outcomes: what you will take away and accomplish at the end of the program
• Entrepreneurship Talk and Test
• Time Management for Success in the program and biz
• Goals setting

Wednesday, March 27 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Building and/or Repairing Your Credit score
6:30 – 9:00pm
Hilltop Microfinance

Friday, April 5 (Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
About Your Business
6:30 – 9:00pm
(Required Mentor Day)

• Products & Services
• Clients
• Competition
• Niche
• Market Research
• Visioning Board Presentation

Homework:

• Conduct Market Research
• Work on Market Research Book Exercises

Wednesday, April 3 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Financial Empowerment #1
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Personal Finances

Friday, April 12 (Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
Market Research
6:30 – 9:00pm
(Required Mentor Day)

• Bring market research homework to class; work in small groups with mentors and peers
• Discuss the size of the market in your industry, prices and how they compare to the competition

Friday, April 19 (Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
Telling your Story: A powerful way to engage your clients
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Panel Discussion with Grads and Entrepreneurs
• Bio Writing, Resumes, Portfolios, and Artist Statements

Homework: Work on your story/portfolio and bring to Session 11 Biz Lab to get feedback

Friday, April 26 (Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
Marketing Plan Part I
6:30 – 9:00pm
(Required Mentor Day)

• Products and Price
• Sales and Channels of Distribution (online and offline)
• Online Marketing: Why do I need a website?
• Publicity, PR & Communication
• Advertising & Marketing Materials
• Public Relations
• Promotional Activities
• Online Marketing Resources and how-to videos

Wednesday, April 24 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Financial Empowerment #2
Pricing Your Products and Services
6:30 – 9:00pm

• What drives the cost of your products and services?
• How to price your products/services to make profit
• Discuss pricing strategy
• Work with financial mentors on worksheets to develop prod/services prices

Friday May, 3 (Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
Marketing Plan Part II
6:30 – 9:00pm
(Required Mentor Day)

• Know your customers and competition
• Strategies to attract and build loyal customers
• Customer Services and Satisfaction
• Product and/or service diversification; generating multiple sources of revenue
• Networking, Partnerships and Community Engagement through Service and Philanthropy

Monday, May 6 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Networking and Power Coaching
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Role plays, networking and speed coaching with Women Leaders

Wednesday, May 8 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Financial Empowerment #3
Financial Planning
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Work with students to identify the revenue drivers and costs for each of their biz (small groups)
• Help students understand how to develop a budget and make profit
• Teach and explain the components of a Profit and Loss Budget

Homework: Build one-year and three-year budget for your biz

Wednesday, May 15 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Biz Lab #1: Artists and Food Entrepreneur Marketing, Sales and Resources
6:30 – 9:00pm

ARTISTS LAB

• Panel discussion with guest speakers experts in the art market
• Review and provide feedback on artists portfolios (bio, statement, resume and artwork)
• Resources for artists

FOOD ENTREPRENEURS LAB

• Panel discussion with guest speakers experts in the food industry
• Licensing, safety training, other requirements for food entrepreneurs
• Review and provide feedback on entrepreneurs biography/story and how it ties in with their business

OTHER MICRO-BUSINESSES LAB

• Panel discussion with guest speakers experts
• Review and provide feedback on entrepreneurs biography/story and how it ties in with their business

Friday, May 17 (Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
Business Plan Preparation
6:30 – 9:00pm
(Required Mentor Day)

• Work with mentors and peers in small groups to draft your biz plan
• Review the biz pitch outline and discuss your 3 min business pitch

Monday, May 20 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Public Speaking and Communication in the American Business Environment
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Role-plays and group activities to build confidence and public speaking skills
• Practice elevator pitch
• Practice in front of the camera

Wednesday, May 22 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Financial Empowerment #4
Financial Planning
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Have students present their one and three-year P&L and address any questions or challenges
• Teach and explain the components of a Balance Sheet and Breakeven Analysis
• Profit Margin – helps students find profit margin for each of their biz

Homework: Finalize your one-year and three-year P&L and Calculate Your Profit Margin

Wednesday, May 29 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Biz Lab #2: Business Plan Review and Feedback Session (with Capital One and Financial Advisors)
6:30 – 9:00pm
Homework: Finalize your biz plan and biz pitch outline and submit to trainer and mentors by June 3

Friday, May 31 (both classes – Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
Biz Lab #3: Website and Social Media
Social Media Mentors work with students in industry specific small groups
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Students work in small groups with social media mentors to evaluate current online marketing strategy and explore best social media outlets for their biz
• Students will receive guidance along with how-to video and resources
• How-to-build a website

Monday, June 3 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Biz Lab #4: Registration, Recordkeeping and Legal Lab
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Business Registration (students receive forms to register biz)
• Licenses
• Record keeping and tax preparation
• Business Contracts
• Protecting your intellectual property: copyright and trademark

Friday, June 7 (both classes – Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
Financing Your Business
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Loans
• Grants
• Investment
• Crowd-funding

Monday, June 10 (both classes – Durant Center, Alexandria, VA)
Prepare to Launch and Showcase Your Business
6:30 – 9:00pm

• Tools and Tips on Display and Handling Sales
• Engaging with your customers
• Prepare for EWI graduation and biz showcase
• ETS Exit Survey, Feedback and Testimonials

Saturday, June 15 (both classes – Regional Services Center Bethesda-Chevy Chase)
Business Pitch
Biz Pitch Judges
10am-2pm
(Optional Mentor Day)

• Each student makes a presentation of max 3 min of their business

Sunday, June 23
Business Showcase and Graduation
Montgomery County, Location: TBD
12:30pm – 7:00pm (includes set up/clean up time)
(Required Mentor Day)