Latina-Owned Businesses Have New Growth Opportunity

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Business

For the first time ever in the Chicago area, the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) headquartered here is launching a leadership and entrepreneurial comprehensive training program for Latina business owners. Focused on four key areas – leadership, mentoring, volunteerism and strategic business planning – the Latina Entrepreneurial Accelerated Development (LEAD) Program kicks off February 11 with a three-day opening retreat to build peer-to-peer connections and set the stage for the 12-month program.

“We have had a Latina Business Program for over a decade, and now we’re shifting the focus to provide relevant and targeted programming in a closed group setting to established business owners poised for growth,” says WBDC President and CEO Emilia DiMenco. Structured in three phases – planning, activation and assessment – the program will provide participants with connections to non-profit and Latino business leaders in the Chicagoland area to further their community commitment and business development.

Participation is limited to 25 Latina business owners headquartered in Illinois who have at least two employees and have been in operation for two years or more. Funded through Discover Financial and UPS, the program will be offered two to three times throughout 2015. Additional dates to be announced online. To learn more about the LEAD program, visit www.WBDC.org or contact the WBDC at 312.853.3477.

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