WWBIC - Putting Dreams to Work

100% Local
600 52nd St.
Kenosha , WI 53140 (view map)

Phone: (262) 925-2850 FAX: (262) 925-2855 Email: [email protected] Hours:

Mon – Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Other times per class

Social Media

The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is a statewide economic development corporation providing quality business education, technical assistance and access to capital.

Business Loan Programs:
Loans of $1000-$100,000 available to qualified businesses with an emphasis on women, people of color,
and low-income individuals.

Business Education Programs:
Approximately 350 business courses and workshops offered in Milwaukee, Madison, Dane County, Racine/Kenosha, Green Bay/Fox Valley, Beloit/Janesville annually.

Topics include business planning, entrepreneurship, marketing, financing, the Internet, and personal money management.

Areas of Special Knowledge/Reference:
Economic and Community Development — serving local, state, national, and international clients Micro-Enterprise Development and Micro Loan Fund Management Business Education, Mentoring and Assistance Programs Business Laboratories — Experiential Business Training Businesses started by former public assistance recipients (W-2, food stamps, etc.), Social Purpose Enterprises Individual Development Accounts (IDA), Economic Literacy Education, Financial Awareness

The Business Assistance Program

The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation offers a variety of opportunities to help small businesses launch and grow. In addition to our business workshops and business loans, we offer these Business Assistance services to our borrowers and class graduates:

Networking Opportunities at local events and meetings
Tools & Tips
Publicity for the business via WWBIC’s online newsletters and marketing efforts
Assistance in developing media contacts and submitting news releases
An Expo booth at WWBIC’s annual fundraiser
Referrals to potential vendors and buyers

Customized Assistance for WWBIC Loan Borrowers

A unique feature that we offer exclusively to WWBIC loan clients is individualized business counseling and mentoring services. Our aim is to ensure that business owners have access to the tools and skills they need to grow profitable ventures. Typically, our Business Assistance staff meets with a business owner one-on-one during the borrowing process. An assessment of the business’ situation is conducted, questions are answered and recommendations are made. Then, our staff and volunteers will work with clients on an ongoing basis, providing support and resources as needed. Our Business Assistance staff are experienced educators and former business owners who “know what it’s like” to operate a small business.

For more information about our Business Assistance programs, please contact us at [email protected] or by calling any of our offices.

Core Education Programs

Business Planning – Comprehensive Courses

START SMART ORIENTATION
All Start Smart participants are required to attend an orientation session. We will outline the course format, fees, materials, and review participant expectations. All Start Smart participants are required to attend an orientation session. No Fee

START SMART BUSINESS PLANNING SERIES
This series provides in-depth learning for starting and running a small business. Participants can complete a draft business plan through weekly worksheets and exercises. Extensive information will be provided on business financing and ownership, market research, marketing strategies, record keeping, cash flow, business operations and management. Weekly guest speakers will include business professionals and successful entrepreneurs. Participants will tour a business library to begin their research.*Orientation session is required for all Start Smart participants.

SMALL BIZ ORIENTATION
If you are interested in writing a business plan by participating in our $mall Biz Business Planning series, you are required to attend this orientation session. We will outline the course format, fees, materials, and review participant expectations. All Small Biz participants are required to attend an orientation session. No Fee

SMALL BIZ BUSINESS PLANNING SERIES
This series provides an in-depth learning for starting a business. Participants can complete a draft of their business plans through weekly worksheets and exercises. Extensive information will be provided on business financing and ownership, market research, marketing strategies, record keeping, cash flow, business operations and management. Weekly guest speakers will include business professionals and successful entrepreneurs. Participants will tour a business library to begin their research. *Orientation session is required.

Course Fee is discussed at Orientation.

Earn It, Save It, Keep It!

What our programs can do for you:

“I was able to move out of public housing, and I make my own money."

“I have moved to start my own business.”

“I finally have a yard my kids can play in.”

--WWBIC Financial Awareness Clients

Money management is not just for the very wealthy. EVERYONE can benefit from knowing how to get the most out of their money. You don’t even have to get a new job paying more money to realize the benefits of this programming….although once you begin planning and budgeting, you may find that you have more time and resources to get a new job, if that is your goal.

Money management is very much about setting and achieving goals, and you can use the money you have right now to begin. Financial awareness education will help you build life-changing skills that can help create a more secure life for yourself and your family.

As you and your family gain control over your money and your resources, you will experience many benefits. You will learn new and better ways to talk about money, and how to plan and save toward goals. You will find that you can be more flexible in dealing with the unexpected. Financial emergencies may still occur, but you will be better prepared to handle them. You will begin to minimize the stress and anxiety so often associated with money issues, and improve opportunities to achieve what you really want.

It takes some work, it takes some persistence, and it takes courage. But you CAN DO IT – many of our customers have!

“I am now paying all of my credit card bills on time.”

“I have started to save money.”

"I can do this!”

--WWBIC Financial Awareness Customers