The WBON 2023 Conference will provide opportunities for education, inspiration and networking to help you build your own business owner toolkit. Business ownership challenges us to wear many hats but at the end of the day we are our own CEOs. We have the responsibility but also the opportunity to build balance and efficiency into our businesses. The conference will offer education in the major areas that contribute to a successful business:
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Financial literacy
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Marketing know-how
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Business plan essentials
The conference will feature a blend of practical skills education, motivational speakers and plenty of networking time because the biggest resource we all have is each other!
Lunch will be provided and coffee, tea and water will be available throughout the day. Paid parking is available in the Echo Leahy Center parking lot and other surrounding parking lots.
We offer a special rate for members – Click here to learn about becoming a member.
Meet Our Presenters
Emcee
Marie Eddy, MS, GCDF, CCSP
CEO, Eddy Career Services
Marie Eddy is a certified career services provider. In 2018 she started her business, a full-service career counseling company. Her business is based on a unique combination of experience in the employment industry, education and counseling. She works with people wherever they are on their career journey. Her goal is to increase clients’ confidence as they navigate the job search process. She also provides workshops and consultation to companies on career-related topics.
Visit the Eddy Career Services website
eddycareerservices@gmail.com
Presenter
Heidi Clute, CFP®
Founder & Co-Owner, Clute Wealth Management
3 Financial Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Future and How to Avoid Them
Heidi will share real-world examples of challenges we face as women business owners, three common confidence-shattering financial mistakes, and how to avoid them by unlocking your inner CEO to control what you can to reach your desired destination — be it a thriving lifestyle business or scaling to reach the stars.
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Whether she’s riding her motorcycle or helping clients, Heidi Clute knows how to plan a route to a destination and get there, never forgetting to enjoy the trip. Her team of CFP® Professionals believe in financial planning that works for clients now, and as needs change in their life journey.
Visit the Clute Wealth Management website
hclute@clutewealthmanagement.com
Presenter
Sara Kermenski
Founder, Spring Hollow Financial
Hygge & Your Happy Place: A Mindset Approach to Money Planning
With tangible tips to support your financial progress and techniques to examine your conditioned thinking about money, you can form a clear path to your desired results. Connect the Scandinavian concept of hygge to build a unique money practice into your routine alongside resources for organization, motivation and continuous improvement.
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Sara helps Vermont business owners apply her success formula to make financial progress: advice + accountability + attitude = results. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, host of the podcast This Vermontrepreneurial Life and mom to 4th-generation Vermontrepreneur kiddos, Sara believes Vermont entrepreneurship uniquely positions you for prosperity and impact.
Visit the Spring Hollow Financial website
sara@springhollowfinancial.com
Presenter
Julia Scott
CEO of J.Scott Marketing
How to Increase Organic Traffic to your Website with Search Engine Optimization Basics
This session teaches shortcuts to a website that Google ranks. Improve your site in fewer than 15 hours, and leave with a roadmap to weekly and monthly tasks to keep driving traffic.
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As brand champion to clients, a trained listener, and marketing strategist, Julia Scott has her dream job. The cherry on top is nurturing her growing team. When Julia is not taking charge for clients, she loves to be in the woods, grow (some of) her own food, and wake up early.
Visit the J.Scott Marketing website
julia@jscottmarketing.com
Presenter
Amanda Grant
Video Strategist, North Road Productions
Lights, Camera, Conversion: The Value of Video in Business
Discover the power of video for your business. Join Amanda as she explores the value of using video for brand building and connecting with clients and customers. Amanda will share the types of videos you can incorporate into your marketing so you’ll start thinking like a video strategist yourself.
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Amanda Grant is the founder and creative force behind North Road Productions, a woman-owned videography and video strategy company serving small businesses. With a passion for problem solving and visual storytelling, she partners with businesses to leverage the power of video to create impactful content that leaves a lasting impression.
Visit the North Road Productions website
amanda@northroadproductions.com
Presenter
Gwen Pokalo Hart
VP of Policy & Practice and Director, Vermont Women’s Business Center
Crafting a Business Plan that Embodies Your Values
Step into a world where women rewrite the rules of business planning. Join us in this interactive session as we challenge conventional norms and unveil a fresh approach to crafting your business blueprint. Discover how to align your values, embrace inclusivity, foster regenerative practices, and empower yourself financially. Unleash your potential for sustainable success by asking the right questions and creating a plan that truly reflects who you are as an entrepreneur.
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I believe that there is an innate entrepreneurial spirit in everybody and that it is possible to build an economy that allows all people to flourish. After years working in economic development and as a business owner, I’m impassioned by alternative growth models. I have a pet passion for sustainable textiles and fashion, and I’m currently working on designing a walking tour of women-owned businesses in Burlington. I live in Winooski with my toddler son and husband and am learning how to embrace this new identity.
View the Vermont Women’s Business Center website
ghart@cweonline.org
Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors
Conference Underwriter
Conference Supporters
Thank You to Our Annual Partners
