weVENTURE

Do you have a great business idea but no idea where to start? weVENTURE has what you need! The IGNITE 360® PATHWAYS Business Launch Program is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their concept into a successful business. The program includes 4 weeks of intensive coaching and support. With this dual-focused strategy, you get the information you need along with the support you want to help turn your ideas into a reality and launch your start-up with greater success!  Led by weVENTURE WBC staff and featuring presentations from local subject matter experts, this is a fantastic option for entrepreneurs who want to be able to ask questions, talk through challenges and benefit from deadlines and accountability support. 

Dates:  February 1, 8, 15, 22 8:30am - 10:30am virtual except for 2/15 in-person.

The Pathways Program covers the fundamentals of business development, from business planning and strategy development to financial management and marketing. Participants receive live instruction, take-home resources, one-on-one business coaching, access to industry experts, and a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs to journey along with.

So if you're ready to take your business concept to the next level, register for the  IGNITE 360® PATHWAYS Business Launch Program today. You'll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to turn your dreams into a thriving business.

Program size is limited. Talk to your weVENTURE WBC Business Coach today!

Cost:  $40

Federal Government Contracting with Small Business Administration (SBA)

How do I get started with Government Contracting? Is this right for me and my business? What is the difference between commercial contracting and government contracting? What is a contract? How are “set-aside” contracts and goals determined? In this course, participants will learn the basic ins and outs about how the government buys goods and services. Participants will also be introduced to important websites, and external agencies such as the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Marketing to the government will also be discussed.

weVENTURE WBC is proud to partner with the ATHENA Leadership Institute for a ninth year! Today, the ATHENA Leadership Model® can help women transform their leadership skills and empower them to step up during these times of economic turmoil, and a worldwide movement for economic and racial justice, to be the leaders we need them to be. 

Based on the Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ identified by ATHENA International, this course is designed to help emerging female leaders grow in confidence and clarity of purpose. Each class session is a dedicated deep dive into one of the principles with engaging discussion and activities that cultivate women on their personal growth journey while inspiring them to connect and share with others. 

LIVE AUTHENTICALLY -  LEARN CONSTANTLY  - BUILD RELATIONSHIPS - FOSTER COLLABORATION -  ACT COURAGEOUSLY  - ADVOCATE FIERCELY  -  GIVE BACK - CELEBRATE

Now more than ever, businesses are looking for tangible ways to diversify their workforce and equip emerging leaders with the tools they need to rise into management roles.  Traditional leadership development is focused on teaching people management. However, we know management is very different than true leadership. Management-focused programs don’t teach individuals how to foster personal growth and development in themselves and others, or walk them through the process of self-discovery. ATHENA bridges this crucial gap.

Sponsoring an emerging leader from your business is a great way to invest in her career development and connect her to the weVENTURE WBC and ATHENA International network of women. This provides supplemental ongoing  enrichment opportunities during and after participants in the ATHENA Leadership Program learn core curriculum competencies. 

The ATHENA Leadership Program is designed to create stronger female leaders. Join a dynamic cohort of women from across all industries as we study the 8 principles of ATHENA leadership.  This program is an inspiring and uplifting series that will motivate you to connect, share and grow.

8-Month program, meets one time per month on the 4th Thursday of the month. Also includes registration fee for 2025 IMPACT Summit, date TBA.

2025 dates:  Jan. 23; Feb. 27; Mar. 27; Apr. 24; May 22; Jun. 26; Aug. 28; Sep. 25; Oct. TBD

All sessions are from 1:30pm-3:30pm. 

The Treasure Coast Cohort will alternate between meeting in St. Lucie and Martin Counties, to make the program accessible to women from both communities. We are finalizing locations, but the schedule will be the following:

January 23 - St. Lucie County - optional informational session for prospective participants

February 27th - Martin County - Session One:  Build Relationships

March 27th - St. Lucie County - Session Two:  Foster Collaboration

April 24th - Martin County - Session Three:  Act Courageously

May 22nd - St. Lucie County - Session Four:  Live Authentically

June 26th - VIRTUAL - Session Five:  Advocate Fiercely

August 28th - Martin County - Session Six:  Learn Constantly

September 25th - St. Lucie County - Session Seven:  Give Back

October - IMPACT Summit and/or class date TBD - Session Eight:  Celebrate

St. Lucie County location:  St. Lucie EDC Office, 1790 SW Gatlin Blvd, fl 202, Port St. Lucie, FL  34953

Martin County location:  Palm City Community Center, 2701 SW Cornell Ave, Palm City, FL  34990

Scholarship opportunities are available.  To apply, please email weventure@fit.edu.  If you are interested in sponsoring a woman through ATHENA, or sponsoring the program, email krudloff@fit.edu to discuss how your business can help bring this fantastic program to local women. 

Cost:  $1000.  An Early Registration discount of $100 is available up to one week before first session date.

Her March to Success: Plan to win in a competitive market with Small Business Administration (SBA)

Leadership and brand management, separating your business from yourself. Realizing that your business has its own identity, and it is what you make it. (Leadership and brand management, 1hr)

weVENTURE WBC invites graduates of the Athena Leadership Program and our CEO Peer Group program, as well as members of the League of Extraordinary Investors to come together for networking and fellowship as we celebrate International Women's Day.  

Connect with other empowered women in our network and encourage other women from your class/group to come so you can reconnect.  Whether you graduated years ago or last year, are new to the area or have been with weVENTURE WBC for years, the power of our program is in the network of amazing women who get involved to support and encourage each other.  

The League of Extraordinary Investors is a powerful network of influential and accomplished businesswomen who are combining their resources to help other women succeed. When Gloria Steinem turned 80, someone asked her if she was ready to pass the torch. She said she wasn’t going to pass the torch, she was going to use hers to light others; if we all have torches, there’s a lot more light!!

League members are committed to empowering the next generation of women leaders and we are excited to plan more networking opportunities to bring them together with our leadership program graduates. We can think of no better way to celebrate International Women's Day than hosting this inaugural leadership networking event!

We hope you will join us! 

Leadership Networking Happy Hour 11:30am - 1:30pm at Marker 99

Cash Bar, light appetizers provided and full menu available to order. 

Want to sponsor or host a future networking event? Email Kathryn at krudloff@fit.edu 

NOTE: weVENTURE WBC is funded in part by a coopertaive agreement with the US Small Business Adminsitration. While weVENTURE WBC programs and events market to women, we do not discriminate based on race or gender and our programs and services are open to all entrepreneurs. 

Marketing Your Business to the Federal Government with the Small Business Administration (SBA)

This class focuses on improving your probability of being “found” by Federal contracting offices and large Federal Prime Contractors.

The discussion includes:

· Which website is used by contracting entities to source contractors

· Which NAICS codes and how many should you use

· What is a good “Capability Statement”

· What is most important to a Contracting Officer and Selecting Official

· How to improve your website

The weVENTURE Women's Business Center, located in the Florida Tech Bisk College of Business, is committed to being the leading voice and resource for women on the Space and Treasure Coasts.  Since 2012, we have proudly organized the Women Who Rock Awards in Brevard County to shine a spotlight on local women who are accomplishing remarkable feats and leading through their actions. 

• Small Business Owner of the Year
• Executive of the Year
• Excellence in Mentorship
• Women Trending in Tech
• Excellence in Caregiving
• Zonta Yellow Rose Award for Excellence in Community Service 

The nomination period closed on February 3.

Event sponsorships begin at $150.  Table sponsorships are $1,000. 

Visit our website for more information about how to nominate a woman or sponsor the event. 

Note this registration page is to reserve individual tickets only. Event and Table sponsorships should use the link above, or email weventure@fit.edu to request an invoice. 

Learn the basics and necessities of personal credit to ensure you have a strong foundational backbone for your business finances. This free virtual webinar is a wealth of knowledge aimed to help you succeed from Fifth Third Bank.

Are you thinking about starting a business but need help breaking down the steps so you don't get overwhelmed? Join weVENTURE Women's Business Center coach, Sondee Lima, in person and learn how. Sondee is offering this session in English at 1pm. (en Espanol at 2pm.)

Cómo Empezar Tu Negocio en 12 Pasos en Espanol (En Persona)

¿Estás pensando en empezar un negocio pero necesitas ayuda para desglosar los pasos y no sentirte abrumado? Únete en persona a la coach de weVENTURE Women's Business Center, Sondee Lima, y aprende cómo hacerlo. Sondee ofrecerá esta sesión en español a las 2 p.m.

Registration is not yet open for this event. Please save the date! Registration will be through an Eventbrite link when ready.

QuickBooks for Small Businesses: Part 1

Learn the steps to start using QuickBooks for your small business and make it work for you. Managing your business finances and budget is key to your success. CPA Kathy Emerson will help you get everything you need in place in this informative, free, 2-part series!

weVENTURE WBC is proud to partner with the ATHENA Leadership Institute for a ninth year! Today, the ATHENA Leadership Model® can help women transform their leadership skills and empower them to step up during these times of economic turmoil, and a worldwide movement for economic and racial justice, to be the leaders we need them to be. 

Based on the Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership™ identified by ATHENA International, this course is designed to help emerging female leaders grow in confidence and clarity of purpose. Each class session is a dedicated deep dive into one of the principles with engaging discussion and activities that cultivate women on their personal growth journey while inspiring them to connect and share with others. 

LIVE AUTHENTICALLY -  LEARN CONSTANTLY  - BUILD RELATIONSHIPS - FOSTER COLLABORATION -  ACT COURAGEOUSLY  - ADVOCATE FIERCELY  -  GIVE BACK - CELEBRATE

Now more than ever, businesses are looking for tangible ways to diversify their workforce and equip emerging leaders with the tools they need to rise into management roles.  Traditional leadership development is focused on teaching people management. However, we know management is very different than true leadership. Management-focused programs don’t teach individuals how to foster personal growth and development in themselves and others, or walk them through the process of self-discovery. ATHENA bridges this crucial gap.

Sponsoring an emerging leader from your business is a great way to invest in her career development and connect her to the weVENTURE WBC and ATHENA International network of women. This provides supplemental ongoing  enrichment opportunities during and after participants in the ATHENA Leadership Program learn core curriculum competencies. 

The ATHENA Leadership Program is designed to create stronger female leaders. Join a dynamic cohort of women from across all industries as we study the 8 principles of ATHENA leadership.  This program is an inspiring and uplifting series that will motivate you to connect, share and grow.

8 Month program, meets one time per month on the 4th Thursday of the month. Also includes registration fee for 2025 IMPACT Summit, date TBA.

2025 dates: Apr. 24; May 22; Jun. 26; Jul. 24; Aug. 28; Sep. 25; Oct. 23 and Nov. 20.

All sessions are from 8:30am-10:30am at Florida Tech's Center for Aeronautics and Innovation, 1050 W. Nasa Blvd, Melbourne. Breakfast and networking available at 8:00am. 

Scholarship opportunities are available.  To apply, please email weventure@fit.edu.  If you are interested in sponsoring a woman through ATHENA, or sponsoring the program, email krudloff@fit.edu to discuss how your business can help bring this fantastic program to local women. 

Cost:  $1000  - Discount for $100 OFF available up to one month before first session date.

QuickBooks for Small Businesses: Part 2

Continue to learn the steps to using QuickBooks for your small business and make it work for you. Managing your business finances and budget is key to your success. CPA Kathy Emerson will help you get everything you need in place in this informative, free, 2-part series!