Entrepreneur Fund

“You’ll never regret the confidence it gives you.”

- Marcie Stoyke, Amazing Grace Bakery and Cafe

For Marcie, one of the best things to come out of the weekend was connecting with other women and sharing the realities of being an entrepreneur.
The experience was also practical. “Where there wasn’t before; there is now. It may not be perfect, but now I feel like I’m clearly working towards something.” she says.  Marcie has already implemented several ideas including better signage and a working budget.

“There was a level of transparency there that I have not seen before in business owners. I do a lot of networking things, but this was pretty amazing.”

- Carol Willoughby, CEO, Let the Whole World Know

When Carol went to the Women’s Strategy Weekend Retreat, she was a business owner without the courage to call herself a CEO. She found she wasn’t alone. Every woman there seemed to quietly mumble her title. By the end, they were holding their heads high and saying confidently, “I am the CEO of my business.” They were feeling safe to open up to each other while gaining the tangible support and vision they needed to go home and advance their businesses.

“I was able to focus on what was really important in my business at a wonderful paradise where the food and everything was so good.”

- Janet Anelli, CEO, Hannah Johnson fabrics

Janet thought the March 2012 Women’s Strategy Weekend Retreat would be a distraction. Instead, she came back with more of a purpose and focus in running her business. She was able to step into the big picture to see the things she’d been missing. And just as importantly, she’s no longer alone, knowing that these other women business owners face the same challenges she does.

“It helped me to refocus on my business. I came up with a strategy and a plan, where before I was just winging it.”

- Monique Forcier, CEO, Crystal Clean of the North

Monique Forcier went to the Women’s Strategy Weekend Retreat in March 2012. Not only did she make a plan to improve and grow her business, but she went home with a lasting support system of fellow female entrepreneurs and CEOs. Because of the confidentiality agreed upon at the retreat, she was able to be open about what her business was facing and learn from others who had been there before.

“You owe yourself the time to plan your dream.”

- Tami LaPole Edmunds, CEO, Art in the Alley

Tami says the March 2012 Women’s Strategy Weekend Retreat gave her the tools and information she needed to confidently start a second location. But the best thing to come out of the time was the support. “As a small business owner, especially a woman owner, you can feel alone. Now I have a support group of like-minded people who are experiencing the same things I am. I don’t feel like I’m alone on an island anymore.”

“I made five major, successful changes in my business when I returned from the weekend.”

- Laura Goewey, CEO, Blue Lake Gallery

Laura felt reenergized and back on track to running a successful business after the March 2012 Women’s Strategy Weekend Retreat. She immediately implemented strategies she learned there, and is confident she’ll keep up her efforts with the 12-month Measurable Action Plan she created over the weekend. “The difference that one weekend made in my business is indescribable.”

“Hands down the best decision I’ve ever made for my business”

- Patrice Bradley, CEO, SwimCreative

When Patrice attended the March 2012 Women’s Strategy Weekend Retreat, it was a chance for her to step back from the day-to-day demands of her business and develop a vision and a strategy. Since then, she has created a stronger internal identity and joined a group of 10 women entrepreneurs who meet once a month and ask each other the question, “What’s keeping you up at night?”

Contact Patrice Bradley