Essential Business Resources Every Woman Entrepreneur Needs

by | Mar 3, 2020

Essential Business Resources Every Woman Entrepreneur Needs [Part 1]Business resources abound at HAYVN! From our Hatch Pitch Night throwdown events to our Building An Offramp series, we’re all about bringing our woman-warrior members the greatest support.

But wait, there’s more.

Beyond our cozy coworking space, there are incredible local and online resources we want to share with you.

We’re curating a series of HAYVN-approved groups and resources. We’ll dig into the details and weigh in on what makes them HAYVN-worthy. Once we’ve covered the absolute gems (over several posts), we’ll put them together in a free resource guide (stay tuned).

Let’s jump in!

1. SCORE

Whether you need help setting up your LLC and finding a bookkeeper or spiffing up your business plan, SCORE mentors are available to help you “achieve business success.”

According to its website, SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, with more than 10,000 volunteers in 300 chapters.

What we love about SCORE

SCORE feels (and is!) a community gift. Local professionals give back by mentoring people who are just starting a business or who need some expert advice along their entrepreneurial journey.

Also, you get to choose your local mentor! Each SCORE profile includes a personal note on how they can help, as well as areas of expertise, industry experience and education. Way to pay it forward!

Plus, one of our HAYVN members is a SCORE mentor! Meet Meleisa Holek. Meleisa’s specialty is marketing. She offers small business owners business mentoring, including educational workshops and webinars. See her LinkedIn profile to learn more about her background and how she can help.

Go-to links

2. Connecticut Women’s Business Development Center (CT WBDC)

You’re fantastic at what you do (you accountants, bakers and jewelry-makers). However, when you’re starting a new business, you may need some help developing a business plan, setting up financing or planning your marketing.

That’s where the non-profit CT WBDC can help. They provide women business owners the tools and resources they need to thrive.

What we love about the Connecticut chapter of WBDC

CT WBDC offers invaluable on-demand classes, coaching sessions and events. As well as being an incredible resource, they’re supportive in every way as you pursue your business dream.

As an aside, CT WBDC continues to be my go-to resource! I take advantage of everything they offer — from their 12-week GPS program to their business mentoring!

They’re there when you need a boost — they make starting a business seem possible.

Go-to links

3. Ellevate

What’s not to love about networking when you’ve got Ellevate in your back pocket (yes, even you, shy person, who’d rather shuck oysters on a dock in August without a knife than network)?

Formerly 85 Broads, Ellevate focuses on community and fostering gender equality in the workplace. Event topics include Changing the Culture of Business and The Power of Empathy.

Plus, Ellevate turns networking into bite-sized Coffee, Chat and Go meetups. Check out the Stamford membership for “a morning boost of inspiration over coffee with others.” Sweet.

What we love about Ellevate

We’re all about Ellevate because they make networking enjoyable and productive. Here’s an Ellevate apéritif: How I Engaged a Global Team to Launch a Product Line Without Meeting Them In-Person.

They dodge the network ick with Ellevate Squads. An Ellevate Networking Squad is a” small, hand-picked group of driven professional women who pledge to support each other in reaching their goals.” That’s networking love!

Go-to links

4. iRelaunch

Just getting back into the workforce? If you’ve taken some time off, it can be tricky to jump back into work. Whether you’ve taken leave to raise a family or done a one-woman world walkabout, it may feel like the business environment is changing faster than you can say “digital transformation.”

Take a deep breath and check out iRelaunch. It’s an incredible resource for women wanting to get back into the workforce, do a career pivot, or turn an idea into a real business.

What we love about iRelaunch

iRelaunch offers a swath of resources, including a Roadmap program to help you make the most of your time off and consider what direction you want to take when you do go back to work (way to stay in the loop!).

Plus, their website feels welcoming—like a genuine you’ve-got-this workplace friend.

Go-to links

Let’s do this!

We hope you find the first of our resources helpful and inspirational. We’d love to hear about your experiences with them. Maybe you know of groups and resources you’d like to share. Please drop us an email at hello@hayvn.com to let us know. 

HAYVN Coworking

Founded in 2018, HAYVN is a flexible workspace for enterprising women (and men) to connect, create and grow. Along with a vibrant & engaged coworking community of entrepreneurs and business professionals, HAYVN is a business HUB, offering short- and long-term office space leases, meeting rooms rentals, and events to support local businesses. HAYVN is proud to be a Certified B Corporation™ and a CTNext partner. We believe in using the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy and have met the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. HAYVN’s workshops and signature programs encourage women of all colors and ages and acts as an incubator for developing skills and pursuing funding. HAYVN Launch incubator is a 2021 winner of the SBA's Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC), and the only 2021 winner in Connecticut. 

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