Courageous Conversations with Fran Pastore

The 2022 mid-term elections took place just over a week ago. While we don't fully know all of the results or what they will mean for the balance of power in our country, it is clear that female voters came out in force to make their voices heard. In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Fran spoke with two extraordinary female leaders; Patti Russo, Executive Director at the Campaign School at Yale and Teresa Younger, CEO & President of Ms. Foundation for Women, about why elections matter, particularly for women and women-owned businesses and why it's imperative that women become engaged in the decisions that are being made that affect them.

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Thanks for listening to Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs through the stories of incredible leaders!

To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

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Learn more about the WBDC's Equity Match Grant Program

25 years ago, Fran Pastore & Dorothy Bratchell embarked on a mission to create a resource for women entrepreneurs in Connecticut. They were at the forefront of forging a path to accelerate the growth of women's entrepreneurship and remain committed to that mission today. Listen to this episode of Courageous Conversations to hear how WBDC began, learn about the struggles faced by Fran and Dorothy, as well as their clients in those early days, and what they think the future looks like for women owned businesses in Connecticut.

Join us at our Women Rising 2022 Annual Gala & Awards Celebration on Friday, October 28th at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, CT

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Be sure to follow Courageous Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thanks for listening to Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs through the stories of incredible leaders.

To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

What does it take to reach the pinnacle of success in a male dominated arena? Of the more than two dozen banks that are licensed or headquartered in CT, six are led by women in the CEO position. Four of those extraordinary women join Fran to discuss the lessons they learned along the way, the mentors who inspired them, and the advice they have for young people coming up in today's world – in business or in any other field.

Find out more about our guests:

Diane Arnold, President & CEO of Essex Savings Bank

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Cynthia Merkle, President & CEO of Union Savings Bank

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Sue Shields President & CEO of The Milford Bank

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Lesa Vanotti President & CEO Torrington Savings Bank

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Find Out More About Us:

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Be sure to follow Courageous Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thanks for listening to Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs through the stories of incredible leaders.

To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

Twenty-five years ago, Fran Pastore turned a transition in her career into an opportunity for thousands of other women, their communities, and the State of Connecticut. A recent guest of the Mom Shuffle Podcast, a show which features interviews with guests who are trying to build businesses while also raising their families, Fran spoke with host, Dr. Colleen Kendrick about her own entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of the Women's Business Development Council. While Courageous Conversations is on a break for the summer, we invite you to listen to this episode of The Mom Shuffle Podcast.

Find out more about Dr. Colleen Kendrick and The Mom Shuffle

Be sure to follow Courageous Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thanks for listening to Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs through the stories of incredible leaders!

To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

Find Out More About Us:

WBDC on Instagram

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WBDC Connect Facebook Group

WBDC CEO Fran Pastore was recently appointed Board Chairperson for the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority. In this episode of Courageous Conversations Fran sits down with Nancy Barrow, host of The Paid Leave Podcast. Of course, they discuss WBDC's work and why Fran is so passionate about CT's paid leave program, but they also cover the need for more women in leadership positions, small business funding and why it's still easier for men to access capital, and so much more.

This podcast was previously released as the latest episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, which examines the state of Connecticut's paid leave program and the impact it has on various groups and diverse communities. You can find The Paid Leave Podcast on Apple Podcasts. To learn more about Connecticut's paid leave program, visit ctpaidleave.org.

Learn More About Nancy Barrow on her Website

Thanks for listening to Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs through the stories of incredible leaders!

To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

This episode of Courageous Conversations is brought to you by Websterbank.

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Can supporting your local Community affect your bottom line?

Amy Kenkel and Laurie Surprenant say it can! Amy and Laurie are the owners of Leaps and Bones, a pet supply store and pet bakery with locations in South Windsor, Southington and a new location opening soon in Manchester, CT. They are passionate about giving back to the communities that have supported them and they have some great advice for other small business owners looking to give back while also boosting their bottom line.

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Season 2 of Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs and small business owners through the stories of incredible leaders has been brought to you by Webster Bank

Be sure to follow Courageous Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

Learn more about the Equity Match Grant Program

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Join WBDC Connect

In her inspiring and eye-opening book, The First, The Few, The Only, Deepa Purushothaman examines the challenges faced by women of color in the workplace. In this episode, Fran had the opportunity to discuss Deepa's work at an event held by the Westport Library. While the intended audience for this book is women of color navigating corporate America, it can truly serve as a roadmap for anyone wanting to create a more equitable workplace.

Deepa Purushothaman is the co-founder of nFormation, a Women and Public Policy Leader in Practice at the Harvard Kennedy School and was the first Indian American woman to make partner at Deloitte.

To learn more about Deepa Purushothaman and her work, visit https://www.deepapuru.com

To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

Thanks for listening to Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs through the stories of incredible leaders! Be sure to follow Courageous Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode of Courageous Conversations is brought to you by Websterbank.

Find Out MoreAbout Us:

WBDC on Instagram

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Become a member of WBDC Connect

WBDC Connect Members Facebook Group

We continue our conversation about child care – an industry in crisis – with Beth Bye, Commissioner of the CT Office of Early Childhood. Child care providers are struggling as they strive to recover from the pandemic. While much has been done to strengthen the industry – including an innovative public private partnership between WBDC and OEC – there is still much to be done to stabilize this industry and support these businesses that provide a much needed service for parents as they return to work.

To learn more about the CT Office of Early Childhood visit https://www.ctoec.org/

To learn more about the WBDC Child Care Support Program, visit https://ctwbdc.org/childcare-business/.

The application period for Child Care Opportunity Fund grants is now open.

Sign up for an information session at https://ctwbdc.org/child-care-business-grants/.

Be sure to follow Courageous Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts. To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

Thanks for listening to Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs through the stories of incredible leaders!

The child care industry is in crisis – in Connecticut and across the country. Recognizing that access to quality child care is essential for our economic recovery, Connecticut's leadership took action to stabilize the industry and drive growth for its businesses. As part of those efforts, WBDC has partnered with the CT Office of Early Childhood (OEC) to provide business training, technical support, and financial relief to the state's child care providers.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, Fran talks with Louise Lisboa, WBDC's Director of Impact, Operations and Child Care, about the state of the industry and the work WBDC is doing to help support providers in Connecticut. Nichelle Wadell, owner of Watch Me Grow Daycare in Stamford, CT provides the perspective of a child care provider.

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Nichelle Wadell, Watch Me Grow Daycare

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To learn more about the WBDC Child Care Support Program, visit https://ctwbdc.org/childcare-business/.

The next application period for Child Care Opportunity Fund grants is opening soon.

Sign up for an information session at https://ctwbdc.org/child-care-business-grants/.

Be sure to follow Courageous Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts. To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

Thanks for listening to Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs through the stories of incredible leaders!

Welcome to Season 2 of Courageous Conversations with Fran Pastore!

We're kicking off the season with two recent WBDC Equity Match Grant recipients, Kevnesha Boyd, owner of Quality Counseling in Hamden, and Jona Jeffcoat, owner of Infinity Music Therapy Services in Southington. Listen to hear how these inspiring entrepreneurs plan to use the EMG funds to expand their businesses.

The WBDC Equity Match Grant program was created by the Women's Business Development Council to assist Connecticut's women-owned businesses, especially disenfranchised populations and those in distressed communities, providing grants of up to $10,000 to qualified applicants. The current application period is open until February 13, 2022.

WBDC Vice President of Programs and Business Services Brenda Thickett joins the conversation to discuss eligibility and the application process, and to describe the impact this program has had on Connecticut's women-owned businesses and the state's economy.

Be sure to follow Courageous Conversations wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thanks for listening to Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs through the stories of incredible leaders!

To learn more about the Women's Business Development Council and the support we provide to help women thrive in business, visit us at www.ctwbdc.org.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about the Equity Match Grant Program

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WBDC Connect Members Facebook Group

OUR GUESTS:

Jona Jeffcoat

Infinity Music Therapy Services Website

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Kevnesha Boyd

Quality Counseling Website

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Quality Counseling on Facebook

Quality Counseling on LinkedIn

Season 2 of Courageous Conversations, a podcast dedicated to inspiring women entrepreneurs and small business owners through the stories of incredible leaders has been brought to you by Webster Bank