Originally published in the Daily Republic on February 11, 2017 By Daily Republic Staff.
Christina Baird, of public relations firm Little Wing Connections. (Courtesy photo)
Women Mean Business, a comprehensive approach to inspiring and supporting women-owned businesses, is debuting in March at branches of the Solano County Library.
The series includes speakers, financial workshops and a collection of new books chosen for women considering the start of a new business.
The new books, with titles covering the gamut of women entrepreneurship, from “Million Dollar Women: The Essential Guide for Female Entrepreneurs Who Want to Go Big” to “The Women’s Small Business Start Up Kit” will be on display at all Solano County Library branches.
Funded by the Women’s History Luncheon Committee and the Solano County Library Foundation, the program seeks to support women who are embarking on business ownership as well as those who are growing a business.
“Attendees will be hearing stories from some of Solano’s finest ‘glass-ceiling breakers’ and will be inspired by how challenges and successes can grow small businesses,” said Deb Sica, the branch manager of the John F. Kennedy and Springstowne libraries in Vallejo, in a press release. “All women can obtain economic empowerment. We want women to find out how at this six-event series.”
The speaker lineup includes three women who tell their stories of struggles and successes:
- Roxana Dumas, the owner of Diversity RD Global, will speak in Vallejo, with the Solano Small Business Development Center hosting a question-and-answer session afterward, from 2 to 5 p.m. March 4 at the John F. Kennedy Library, 505 Santa Clara St.
- Christina Baird, of public relations firm Little Wing Connections, will speak in Fairfield, with Manjul Batra of Cooperative Realty & Ajanta Enterprises hosting questions afterward, from 2 to 5 p.m. March 11 at the Fairfield Civic Center Library, 1150 Kentucky St.
- Alexis Koefoed, the owner of Soul Food Farm, will speak in Vacaville with Maria DeSousa, physician and medical consultant, from 2 to 5 p.m. March 18 at the Vacaville Public Library-Town Square, One Town Square Place. There will be time for questions.
Alexis Koefoed, the owner of Soul Food Farm. (Courtesy photo)
“It’s a great opportunity to get free advice and ask any question you might have about starting a business in a safe place,” Sica said in the release.
Women who would like to share and promote their own businesses at these events are encouraged to sign up for a free reserved spot in the networking area. Spaces are limited. Women who are interested can reserve a spot by contacting Sica at libraryannouncements@solanocounty.com or by telephone at the toll-free number listed below.
The library will partner with Travis Credit Union from 6 to 8 p.m. the first three Thursdays in March to present a “Women and Money” series. The goal is to help those who attend learn how to manage their finances by addressing the specific financial challenges often faced by women.
The programs are March 2 at the Fairfield Cordelia Library, 5050 Business Center Drive; March 9 at the Rio Vista Library, 44 S. Second St.; and March 16 at the Suisun City Library, 601 Pintail Drive.
All events are free and open to the public.
For more information about these upcoming programs, visit www.solanolibrary.com or call 1-866-572-7587.
