Women's Business Center at ODU

🎉 Celebrating One Year of Impact! 🎉

Huge congratulations to The Mustard Seed Place on their amazing One-Year Anniversary! 🌱🎉

👉 Join the Celebration! 🎉
Let’s continue the momentum and support the Mustard Seed Place as they strive for even more growth, impact, and community-building in the years ahead. Head over to mustardseedplace.com/momentum to learn more about how YOU can join this beautiful movement.

Starting a business? Researching your industry? Writing a business plan? Expensive databases can be a barrier, but you can access high-value business, economics, and entrepreneurship research tools for free through the ODU library.

Join us on April 9 from 10:30am-11:45am for a FREE webinar ➡️ https://oduwbc.centerdynamics.com/workshop.aspx?ekey=2450003

This session will show you how to leverage ODU’s databases—resources that typically require costly subscriptions—by working with a librarian in a subject matter consultation. Learn how to find essential data for market research, competitive analysis, industry trends, and more.

Whether you are a startup founder, small business owner, or just exploring an idea, this class will provide the tools to help you make informed business decisions.

This month, we encourage YOU to get involved! Find ways to give back and support local businesses and entrepreneurs. Together, we can create lasting change and empower women to succeed. 💼✨

SBA resource partner SCORE is America's largest network of volunteer business mentors!

• Find a mentor near you: https://www.score.org/find-mentor
• Learn how to volunteer: https://www.score.org/volunteer-score

Mark your calendars 📆 4-Steps to Financial Security for Entrepreneurs | April 16 from 9 - 11am EDT 🙌

Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your financial strategy, this session will provide the practical insights and steps to secure your financial future and confidently build wealth for years to come.

Learning objectives:
1) Help you gain clarity on your financial position
2) Aligning your financial priorities with you goals
3) Creating a plan to ensure growth and financial stability
4) Importance of regularly reviewing and adjusting your plan

Mark Your Calendar 📆

Check out Portsmouth Economic Development's April events and register here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iVjGkC

The City of Norfolk Government's BIZ Café connects Business Owners with tools and resources while helping to strengthen personal and professional networks through the power of community.

BIZ Café will be held on April 3rd, at E. Palmer Berkley Supermarket inside the Soul Food Kitchen from 4pm-6pm. The address is 201 E. Berkley Ave, Norfolk, VA 23523.

Register ➡️ https://bit.ly/4iFxhgg

Last week, Tameika Serrano, Director of ODU’s The Mustard Seed Place Women’s Business Center, was honored to join Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin, First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, and women business leaders from across Virginia for the official reading of the 2025 Women’s History Month proclamation. The event marked the state’s recognition of March as Women’s History Month, celebrating the contributions and leadership of women throughout the Commonwealth.

Serrano, a 2024 Inside Business; Women in Business award recipient, was invited as a guest to witness the reading of the proclamation. 🏆 🙌

🌸 Welcome, Spring! 🌸

The first day of spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to plant new ideas, cultivate growth, and blossom in business. 🌱✨

At the Women's Business Center, we support women entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to thrive all year. Let’s embrace this season of renewal and take your business to the next level! 💼🌟

Learn more ➡️ https://www.odu.edu/iie/wbc

Mark your calendars 📆 April 9 @ 1PM

Join the Association of Women's Business Centers' team for the Rural Coalition meet-up designed to focus on the unique opportunities and challenges of serving rural communities.

Register below ⬇️

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: WBC Members: Rural Coalition. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Join the AWBC team for the Rural Coalition meet-up designed to focus on the unique opportunities and challenges of serving rural communities.

Know your resources 💡 🙌

Local business assistance is just a few clicks away!

🔎 Find SBA district offices and resource partners near you: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance

Get ready for Momentum 2025: A Weekend
Celebration of Year One of The Mustard Seed Place—and trust us, you do not want to miss this!

April 4-6, 2025 | Portsmouth, VA

This is more than an event—it’s a movement. A weekend packed with inspiration, impact, and a groundbreaking historic announcement that will shape the future.

Special Guest: Tamika D. Mallory
Meet the national activist and changemaker in an exclusive fireside chat, book signing, and powerful workshops that will leave you feeling motivated and ready to take action.

Unforgettable Experiences:
Celebration Party with a major announcement

Meet & Greet with Tamika D. Mallory (includes signed copy of her newest book!)
Transformational breakout sessions
Community service project with the YWCA

Tickets are $20.24 each in honor of the year the Mustard Seed Place opened!

Seats are LIMITED and this will sell out! Secure your spot before it’s too late—early bird pricing includes a signed book!

Register now at www.mustardseedplace.com/momentum

 

March is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of women throughout history and to reflect on the achievements of women in every field. At the ODU Women's Business Center, we are proud to honor the women entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators who continue to inspire and drive positive change in business and beyond.

The ODU Women's Business Center is dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs grow, succeed, and make their mark in the world. Through mentorship, resources, and community, we are committed to fostering an environment where women can thrive and create businesses that make a lasting impact.

This Women's History Month, let’s celebrate the trailblazers who have come before us and continue to support the women who will shape the future.

Join the lunch & learn webinar series in March every Wednesday to learn more about the importance of “Organizing Your B.A.I.I.L” team in 2025! Delve into the critical roles each of these experts play in your business’s success.

You will hear from banking, accounting, insurance, investing and legal professionals with deep experience who will share tips and game-changing insights that you need to consider as a business owner.

Register ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h8dDaP

Unlock Your Business Potential with the ODU Women’s Business Center!

Ready to take your business to the next level? Join the ODU Women’s Business Center community! Sign up for our newsletter to receive:

✨ Expert business tips
✨ Invitations to exclusive events & workshops
✨ Resources to help you grow and thrive
✨ Success stories from inspiring women entrepreneurs

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your business, our newsletter is packed with valuable insights to support your journey. Don't miss out—sign up today and start growing with us ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UFgLBb

Bonding Education & Contractor-Readiness Series (BEP)

🗓️ Dates: March 4 - 6, 2025
🕰️ Time: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm EACH DAY

Register ➡️ https://bit.ly/4k5g3tP

Presented By: The South Atlantic Region Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC).

Partners: The Lane Construction Corporation, Archer Western/Walsh Construction, Virginia Department of Transportation, VDOT BOWD Center, Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity

TOMORROW! Join The Offices at Two Five & J for their "The Entrepreneur "Survival Kit": Self-Care and Resources for Business Owners" event!

Register ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Xgsbyi

Love your business with a strong business plan! Take the first step towards turning your business into a sustainable reality.

Current and prospective business owners are welcome to attend this free session.

Registration is required – seats are limited ➡️ https://busiplanessentials2025.eventbrite.com/

Mark your calendars 🗓️

Women In Defense Greater Hampton Roads is thrilled to partner again this year with The Mustard Seed Place Women's Business Center and the ODU Women's Business Center to present their 2nd Annual Speed Mentoring Program—an exciting opportunity to connect with leaders who inspire and guide!

Their mentors include successful business owners, government officials, and other prominent leaders in our community, all eager to share their experiences and insights to help you grow personally and professionally.

Join at NO COST on March 26th at:

The Mustard Seed Place
340 High Street, Portsmouth, VA