Welcome to FSW » Information & News » Press Releases
WIBO graduation keynote speaker Susan Bysiewicz Published on February 04, 2010
17 graduates of FSW’s Workshop in Business Opportunities honored
FSW, Inc., Bridgeport, CT, [February 3, 2010] – CT Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz was the keynote speaker last night at a graduation ceremony honoring the current graduating class of FSW’s Workshops in Business Opportunities (WIBO). Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch also spoke at the event, held at Liedle’s Banquet facility in Stratford. Members of FSW’s Board
of directors and staff joined the families and friends of the graduates at the celebration.
Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) offers aspiring entrepreneurs an intensive 16 week business development program that covers concept development, business planning, financial management, marketing, pricing and personnel management. Over
300 graduates of the ten-year-old program are currently operating local businesses.
“In this economy, small businesses are more important than ever for the State,” said Bysiewicz. “Seventy-five % of businesses in CT have between 3 and 9 employees. In the last 10 years, businesses with 50 employees or less have created 90% of all new jobs in our state.”
Mayor Finch testified to the difficulty of operating a small business. “I owned a small business at one time,” said Finch. “It was a harder job than being mayor.”
Bridgeport graduates included: J Diane Barber, Ma’at Life Coaching; Ryan Broadbin, Broadbin Digital Productions; Jordanna Condall, Virtual Assistant ; Laura daCosta, Caterer; Frederck J. Diggs Jr., Your Office on Wheels; Brian Dowling, Dowl’s Home Improvement; Julian Gordon, Precious Gifts Preschool; Anthony Graham, LessOnADay.com; Cassaundra Griffin, Built 4 Praise Dance Academy; Lorrine Chereen Kelly, Solar Energy Retailer; John Lawson, Artlaw Productions; Korene Octavia Lawton, Signature Stitches; Carol P. Lloyd, Blessed Houses Transitional Housing, Carmen Nieves, Photography Plus; Ida Pratt, Caring Arms Homecare Agency; Roxanne Reyes-Velez, Photo Journeys; Tyisha Washington, Washington Ego Christian Apparel.
“I’ve learned so much in the WIBO program, it’s incredible,” said Nieves. “You know your business is ready to fly when your husband agrees to become your vice president!”
FSW’s mission is to empower people to build a brighter future. Employing a holistic approach, FSW links flexible, innovative and collaborative programs that restore personal capability, develop skills and build a pathway to economic self sufficiency. For more information, visit www.fswinc.org.
FSW, Inc., Bridgeport, CT, [February 3, 2010] – CT Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz was the keynote speaker last night at a graduation ceremony honoring the current graduating class of FSW’s Workshops in Business Opportunities (WIBO). Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch also spoke at the event, held at Liedle’s Banquet facility in Stratford. Members of FSW’s Board
of directors and staff joined the families and friends of the graduates at the celebration.
Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) offers aspiring entrepreneurs an intensive 16 week business development program that covers concept development, business planning, financial management, marketing, pricing and personnel management. Over
300 graduates of the ten-year-old program are currently operating local businesses.
“In this economy, small businesses are more important than ever for the State,” said Bysiewicz. “Seventy-five % of businesses in CT have between 3 and 9 employees. In the last 10 years, businesses with 50 employees or less have created 90% of all new jobs in our state.”
Mayor Finch testified to the difficulty of operating a small business. “I owned a small business at one time,” said Finch. “It was a harder job than being mayor.”
Bridgeport graduates included: J Diane Barber, Ma’at Life Coaching; Ryan Broadbin, Broadbin Digital Productions; Jordanna Condall, Virtual Assistant ; Laura daCosta, Caterer; Frederck J. Diggs Jr., Your Office on Wheels; Brian Dowling, Dowl’s Home Improvement; Julian Gordon, Precious Gifts Preschool; Anthony Graham, LessOnADay.com; Cassaundra Griffin, Built 4 Praise Dance Academy; Lorrine Chereen Kelly, Solar Energy Retailer; John Lawson, Artlaw Productions; Korene Octavia Lawton, Signature Stitches; Carol P. Lloyd, Blessed Houses Transitional Housing, Carmen Nieves, Photography Plus; Ida Pratt, Caring Arms Homecare Agency; Roxanne Reyes-Velez, Photo Journeys; Tyisha Washington, Washington Ego Christian Apparel.
“I’ve learned so much in the WIBO program, it’s incredible,” said Nieves. “You know your business is ready to fly when your husband agrees to become your vice president!”
FSW’s mission is to empower people to build a brighter future. Employing a holistic approach, FSW links flexible, innovative and collaborative programs that restore personal capability, develop skills and build a pathway to economic self sufficiency. For more information, visit www.fswinc.org.
