Events
The WCEC hosts special events every year for purposeful networking and education purposes.
2024 Business Pitch Competition
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 9:00am
Eisenhower Corporate Campus, Livingston, NJ
Join us as we bring back in-person events! This morning offers a valuable blend of networking, recognition, and support for small businesses, making it an enriching experience for entrepreneurs, stakeholders & supporters alike.
Applications to pitch are now closed
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Past WCEC Women’s Business Center Events
2023 State of Women Business Owners: New Jersey Report
Thursday, May 4, 2023
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.
Women’s History Month: Small Business Panel
Friday, March 31, 2023
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.
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
