VPT Online: Public Square: Women in Business

PUBLIC SQUARE is a VPT initiative addressing issues of concern to Vermonters. Mixing documentary footage, thoughtful insight, in-depth panel discussions and more, we’ll keep you informed about local events and issues that affect your lives.

Women in Business

Monday, Nov. 13, at 9 pm
Rebroadcast: Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2:30 pm

Focusing on women business owners, this Public Square special looks at how the role of women in Vermont’s economy has grown in recent years.

The program features a video report from the 10th annual Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference that was held in October in Randolph.

Fran Stoddard hosts a discussion with panelists Janet Bullard, office and program manager of the Vermont Commission on Women; Lenae Quillen-Blume, director of the Vermont Small Business Development Center; and Gerianne Smart, president, Smart Communications.

Community Resources

Local Resources

Vermont Commission on Women
126 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont
1-800-881-1561
E-mail: info@women.state.vt.us

The Commission’s purpose is to help women achieve legal, economic, social and political equality in Vermont. To accomplish this goal, the Commission:

Acts as an advisor, planner and information source for both the Governor and the Legislature on issues affecting women
Functions as an educational resource by conducting research, producing publications and providing educational conferences
Works in coalition with other organizations to exchange information and take action for Vermont’s women
Serves as a clearinghouse for information and referrals to the general public, handling over 1,000 inquiries each year

The Commission’s website hosts an extensive resource directory, a list of women’s organizations in Vermont, as well as publications and other useful information.

Vermont Women’s Business Center (VWBC)
660 Elm Street
Montpelier, Vermont
1-800-266-4062
E-mail: ariesmeyer@cvcac.org

The VWBC serves women of all socio-economic levels in an attempt to address their business needs. Services include one-to-one business counseling and assistance with:

Business Plans
Marketing Plans
Financial Management
E-commerce
Internet Marketing

The VWBC website offers an extensive resource list, including business start-up guides, educational opportunities and networking events and FAQs (frequently asked questions) about minority/women owned businesses.

Upcoming Events

Microbusiness Open Forum
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Bethany Church, Montpelier, Vermont
6:00 – 8:00 pm

This forum provides microbusiness owners the opportunity to speak to legislators about statewide policies that might assist them in operating their businesses more efficiently.

For more information, contact the Vermont Commission on Women at 1-800-881-1561.

National Resources

Office of Women’s Business Ownership, Online Women’s Business Center
409 Third Street SW, Sixth Floor
Washington, DC 20416
202-205-6673
E-mail: owbo@sba.gov

The goal of the Office of the Women’s Business Ownership is to assist women in achieving their dreams and improving their communities by helping them start and run successful businesses, regardless of social or financial disadvantage, race, ethnicity or business background.