This eight-week peer-group program provides technical guidance to 10-12 aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the pre-start or early stages of their business journey. It is designed especially for those facing challenges due to limited financial resources, unfamiliarity with Maine’s business regulations, or language and cultural barriers.

Each 2.5-hour session will be facilitated by Grace Mo-Phillips, Business Advisor at the CEI Women’s Business Center in Portland.

Through hands-on business training and peer discussions, participants will:

Define and refine their business ideas
Identify opportunities and challenges
Develop strategies to overcome barriers to launching or growing their businesses
By the end of the program, participants will have a clear understanding of key business plan elements and gain insights into available resources to support their next steps.

Who should participate: This program is open to anyone in Maine looking to start or grow a business. It will be conducted in English. To get the most value from this program, participants should be willing to commit to attending all sessions in person at our Portland office.

Session Dates:

Friday, March 27th: 9:30am-12:00pm
Friday, April 3rd: 9:30am-12:00pm
Friday, April 10th: 9:30am-12:00pm
Friday, April 17th 9:30am-12:00pm
(No Session April 24th)
Friday, May 1st 9:30am-12:00pm
Friday, May 8th 9:30am-12:00pm
Friday, May 15th: 9:30am-12:00pm
Friday, May 22nd, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Fee: No Cost

Location: In-person at the CEI Women’s Business Center, 2 Portland Fish Pier, Suite 215, Portland, ME 04101

Note: This peer group requires a two-step registration process. Pre-registration responses are reviewed within 2-3 business days, and our team may contact you via email with questions. Approved registrants will receive an email to complete the second step of registration. Both steps are required to be officially enrolled.

PRE-REGISTER TODAY!!

Business Navigator

Hosted by: Coastal Enterprises, Inc. Women’s Business Center
Questions: wbc@ceimaine.org