Women's Business Center at ODU

Women's Business Center at ODU The Women's Business Center helps elevate women to business success through education, counseling, networking resources and entrepreneurial training. S.

We are an advocate for women entrepreneurship. At WBC, we're inspired by women who are empowered, impassioned-and committed to success. Recognizing the challenges of an increasingly complex marketplace, we work to educate, inspire and support women entrepreneurs as they launch and grow influential, profitable businesses. To build a fruitful business, you need more than clients. You need a network of experienced professionals who believe in you-and your vision. That's the strength, beauty and purpose of the WBC. WBC is your partner: positioning you for business success through education, counseling, networking resources and entrepreneurial training. Thanks to the support of the U. Small Business Administration and Old Dominion University Research Foundation and our supporting partners, we're able to provide our services and outreach training opportunities to all participants at no charge. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, WBC programs provide the insight required to launch and build your dream. Our initiatives help you to:

Start your own business from the ground up
Maximize business growth and profitability
Develop strategic management methods
Improve leadership and business skills
Acquire a support, referral and resource network
Access capital and manage cash flow
Market your business and keep it competitive

Opening doors. Sharing experience. Promoting achievement. It's what we do, every day. All programs and services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities, including clients with Limited English Proficiency, will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Women's Business Center via phone at 757-683-7150 or email us at [email protected].

The ribbon is cut! ✂️💙 Yesterday, we celebrated the opening of The Mustard Seed Place Women’s Business Center in Portsmo...
09/30/2026

The ribbon is cut! ✂️💙

Yesterday, we celebrated the opening of The Mustard Seed Place Women’s Business Center in Portsmouth. Program Director of the ODU WBC, Erika Small-Sisco, TMSP-WBC Program Director, Tameika Serrano, Portsmouth Economic Development and Portsmouth City Council were there to celebrate this momentous occasion.

We’re proud to be part of a national network of Women’s Business Centers and one of two serving women entrepreneurs in Hampton Roads. Whether someone is exploring her first business idea or figuring out her next stage of growth, she deserves a place to ask questions, learn, and make meaningful connections.

As this fiscal year comes to a close, we’re grateful that we can continue doing this work. Thank you to The Mustard Seed Place, the U.S. Small Business Administration, ODU Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, our partners, and the clients who joined us to celebrate.

This space is for you. We can’t wait to see what you build. 💙

09/15/2026

80+ women registered?! 🤯💗

This morning I kicked off Grow Smarter: Modern Marketing for Small Business, a four-part series I created with The Mustard Seed Place Women’s Business Center!

First up: Finding & Reaching Your Ideal Customer.

I LOVE getting opportunities to share what I’ve learned and help other small business owners feel a little more confident (and hopefully a lot less overwhelmed 😬) when it comes to marketing.

Forever grateful that this is part of what I get to do. 🙏🏻

One down. Three to go! 💪🏻

Want to join us? Shoot me a DM!

09/09/2026

Ready to grow smarter with your marketing?

Join us for our FREE 4-Part Marketing Bootcamp, a virtual series designed to help small business owners strengthen the way they attract, reach, and convert customers.

Over four sessions, we’ll cover:

* Finding & reaching your ideal customer
* SEO & getting found online
* AI & modern marketing
* Turning clicks into customers

Whether you’re building your marketing strategy from scratch or looking for practical ways to improve what you’re already doing, this series will give you tools you can actually use in your business.

📅 September 15, 17, 22 & 24
💻 Virtual
💲 No cost to attend

Register today and join us for the full series!

Ready to stop shrinking and start showing up with confidence?Join us on August 26 from 6–8 PM for Ask…for What You Need ...
08/14/2026

Ready to stop shrinking and start showing up with confidence?

Join us on August 26 from 6–8 PM for Ask…for What You Need to Succeed, an interactive business communication workshop for women led by Charleta Harvey of Patriot Woman Coaching.

Learn how to communicate with confidence, navigate difficult conversations, advocate for yourself, and own your value in business.

Registration link in the comments!

We spotted a familiar face in AWBC’s promotion for this year’s Leadership Conference!This photo was taken during last ye...
07/09/2026

We spotted a familiar face in AWBC’s promotion for this year’s Leadership Conference!

This photo was taken during last year’s conference as our Program Director of the Mustard Seed Place-WBC, Tameika Serrano, asked Amazon representatives about opportunities for handmade business owners selling on their platform.

Supporting artisans, makers, and micro-manufacturers is an important part of the work we do every day. Conferences like AWBC provide valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and bring back new resources that benefit the entrepreneurs we serve throughout Hampton Roads.

We’re looking forward to another year of learning, collaboration, and connecting with Women’s Business Centers from across the country.

07/09/2026

Women's Business Centers are essential to America's small business ecosystem, and we need your help to keep this work going.

✍️ Sign on today: https://awbc.org/supportwbcs/

Every year, WBCs help tens of thousands of entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain their businesses—creating jobs, strengthening communities, and changing lives.

But this impact depends on continued federal funding, and lawmakers need to hear just how much support exists for this program!

Whether you're a WBC client, a champion of entrepreneurship, or simply believe in the power of small business, we're asking for just 30 seconds to make your voice count: https://awbc.org/supportwbcs/

07/06/2026

When you first step into U.S. Flag & Signal, you can't help but notice a theme going on, but then again, red, white and blue have been the team colors here for more than 100 years. "It originated in 1920," said U.S. Flag & Signal owner Doris Wilgus. "My business partner and I are the fourth owners."

Wilgus and that business partner have been running the show since 1998.

And with America's big birthday coming this weekend, administrator Kelly Loeffler of the U.S. Small Business Association made a special visit to Portsmouth Tuesday.
https://www.wavy.com/news/business/us-flag-signal-a-true-red-white-and-blue-business/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WAVY_TV_10

Let’s talk about your business! 💙The ODU Women’s Business Center offers FREE one-on-one business counseling for entrepre...
06/30/2026

Let’s talk about your business! 💙

The ODU Women’s Business Center offers FREE one-on-one business counseling for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Our experienced business advisors can help you with:

• Starting your business
• Business planning
• Marketing & branding
• Access to capital
• Financial management
• Business growth strategies

Whether you’re launching your first business or growing an existing one, we’re here to support your journey.

👉 Register for counseling here: https://oduwbc.centerdynamics.com/center.aspx?center=73001

We look forward to working with you!

06/29/2026

Did you know that good bookkeeping can save your business more than just time?
Accurate financial records can help you identify trends, optimize cash flow, and make informed decisions that drive growth. Plus, it makes tax season a breeze and can even lead to better financial forecasting. So, whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or running a large firm, investing in quality bookkeeping can seriously pay off!
🧾✨ Keep those numbers in check and watch your business thrive!

06/20/2026

Capital Readiness Workshop | Thursday, May 7, 2026

Starting and maintaining a small business can be hard work - let’s talk about how we can provide tools for success and support for entrepreneurs. No matter where you turn in Norfolk, we’re here to help you succeed!

As we prepare for Small Business Month, the City of Norfolk Economic Development is excited to collaborate with our ecosystem partners from the Hendrix Business Center at The Slover, the City of Norfolk Government, the Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Hampton Roads Sbdc to host a Capital Readiness Workshop!

▪️Thursday, May 7th
▪️9am -11:30am
▪️The Slover, 6th floor
▪️Register https://lnkd.in/eZV_jn8t

Address

112 Bank Street
Norfolk, VA
23510

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+17576837150

Website

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