A recent survey by the HR platform Gusto showed that last year more than 5 million new businesses were created in the United States. What stood out in this survey is that about 47% of these new businesses were started by women. In 2019, before the pandemic, this percentage was only 29%.
The fact is that women are starting businesses or wanting to start more than ever, whether in search of financial stability, especially amid the highest inflation in the last 40 years, or to fulfill the dream of working in what they love.
With this in mind, the Grupo Mulheres Do Brasil of New York, in partnership with William Paterson University and sponsored by Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), is offering a free online course on entrepreneurship. The “Virtual Incubator Women Entrepreneurs” was created especially for women from communities in need of assistance, such as immigrants and ethnic and racial minorities, as well as other minorities.
The course, which is entirely taught in English, covers topics such as business model, mission and vision of the business; entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship; development of the entrepreneurial spirit; sources of capital and financial resources; social and environmental responsibility, as well as community and collective business solutions.
According to Ana Siqueira, course coordinator at William Paterson University, the program’s goal is to “increase participants’ awareness of their creative entrepreneurial skills to develop ventures and also their community in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.”
With registrations open for the second class, the Grupo Mulheres do Brasil celebrates the success of the first course, held between October and December of last year.
“It was (a very rich experience) the partnership between the Grupo Mulheres do Brasil NY and William Paterson University,” says Ana. “The first class had 11 participants, and our results included free access to the Reframery website with all course materials and the provision of 6 live online sessions, where participants could interact with each other and ask questions after applying the worksheets and exercises to develop their own business ideas,” she explains.
Erika Noguchi, a health coach, was one of the participants in the first course. Aiming to expand her area of expertise to reach more people, she decided to start a business, and the Virtual Incubator Women Entrepreneurs course assisted her.
“This course helped organize my ideas, opened new perspectives for me, and gave me a new outlook on my own business,” she evaluates. “It also strengthened my network of relationships, as I was new to the United States and had the opportunity to meet other women entrepreneurs. I recommend the course to anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and develop or boost their own business,” she adds.
Registrations for the next class are open until April 12. The course will take place from May 12 to June 16. Classes will be held on Fridays from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Remember that the course is 100% online and completely free.
To register, visit the link and follow the instructions: www.wpunj.edu/ccob/csrei/programs-and-certificates