TUCSON - On Wednesday, March 30, YWCA Southern Arizona’s Women’s Business Center will be celebrating its first group of graduates from the BUILD Academy small business program. Small businesses and entrepreneurs who have participated in a 10-week program to build capabilities in Business Analysis, Human Resources, and Marketing will be recognized at this event, featuring a keynote talk by Marisol Casal, CEO of Pure, Love, Juice; and a showcase offering an opportunity for community members to get to know each of the small businesses who have completed the BUILD Academy program and the products and services they offer – everything from legal document services to party rentals, from building kids' nature playspaces to planning your next surf trip! YWCA CEO Magdalena Verdugo and Women’s Business Center Director Isabel Georgelos will also speak.
The Women’s Business Center offers workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring to support small businesses and connect them to resources & networks as part of our ongoing focus on economic recovery. Participants in the BUILD Academy small business program have completed a series of workshops geared towards connecting with subject matter experts and mentors, building strong foundational skills, and closing gaps in processes to support continued recovery and growth. YWCA’s Women’s Business Center also offers Orientations every quarter for small businesses at every stage of operation – from business idea to businesses operational for multiple years – and foundational classes including financial management, digital literacy, and developing a business plan. Small businesses participating in Women’s Business Center programs can also access free one-on-one coaching.
"When you spend time with these business owners & entrepreneurs and you listen to their stories, you can’t help but want to cheer them on," says Isabel Georgelos, Director of the Women's Business Center. "When a business owner tells you what they have learned is helping them increase their revenue and grow, you can’t help but want to do more. That’s why we are excited to showcase these business owners who are part of our community driving our economic growth."
Small businesses are at the heart of our community and important contributors to our economic recovery. YWCA’s Women’s Business Center recognizes that small business has been transformed by the pandemic, and is committed to helping Southern Arizona's entrepreneurial community navigate, connect to resources, and build capability in order to grow, innovate, and thrive. In response to the changing needs of small businesses in our community, the Women’s Business Center distributed $9M in small business continuity grants with support from the City of Tucson, and pivoted to offer programs in food service, childcare, and tools of digital commerce to local small businesses struggling to adapt in the pandemic. While most of their participants are, indeed, women, the Women’s Business Center offers support to local businesses owned by people of all gender identities. To learn more about the Women’s Business Center, reach out via email at info@ywcatucson.org or by phone at 520.884.7810.