Originally published in the Times Herald News on February 14, 2017 By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen.
COURTESY PHOTO Alexis Koefoed of Soul Food Farm will be speaking to women about how to start, run and grow a business, at the Vacaville Town Square Library.
Solano County officials want more women to open businesses here, and for the women-owned businesses already here, to thrive, so they’ve devised a program designed to inspire and support female entrepreneurs, Solano County Library officials announced.
Women Mean Business, a comprehensive approach to inspiring and supporting women-owned businesses, debuts in March at Solano County Library branches.
“The series includes inspiring speakers, financial workshops, and a collection of new books especially chosen for women considering the start of a new business,” Solano County Library spokeswoman Ann Miller said. “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 an existing 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. All women can obtain economic empowerment. We want women to find out how at this six event series,” said Deb Sica, branch manager of Vallejo’s John F. Kennedy and Springstowne Libraries, who developed the program.
“Workforce readiness is a priority for the county and helping women start and grow their businesses is good for everyone,” Miller said. “Less time commuting, more time with family and more connection with the community.” Sica called the program “a great opportunity to get free advice and ask any question you might have about starting a business in a safe place.”
Women seeking to share and promote their own businesses at these Saturday events are encouraged to sign up for a reserved spot in the networking area. These spaces are limited and free. Reserve a spot for Women Owned Business by contacting Sica at libraryannouncements@solanocounty.com or by calling 1-866-572-7587.
The speaker lineup includes three women who tell their stories of struggles and successes.
In the same spirit, on the first three Thursdays in March, the library will partner with Travis Credit Union to present a Women and Money series, organizers said.
These free evening presentations will run from 6-8 p.m. and will help attendees learn how to manage their finances by addressing the specific financial challenges women often face.
The Travis Thursday programs are:
March 2: Fairfield Cordelia Library, 5050 Business Center Drive.
March 9: Rio Vista Library, 44 South Second St.
March 16: the Suisun City Library, 601 Pintail Drive.
All events are free and open to the public.
For more information, visit http://www.solanolibrary.com for call 1-866-572-7587.
Contact Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at (707) 553-6824.
