Success Stories
How’d they do it? How can you do it? Get inspired here.
Female and minority entrepreneurs are the fastest-growing segments of business owners in the U.S. Everyone’s reasons for starting a business, their path to success and even their definition of success is unique. Learn from WEDC clients and how we helped guide them through their journeys.
Featured Success Story
Diana Bellissimo – Lilymoore Farms LLC
Pleasant Valley, NY
Diana said “I truly believe that my WEDC 60 hour class and the friends that I made in the class have been a blessing. I gained a lot of knowledge in the 60 hour and continue to gain knowledge through their classes offered. Cynthia and my friends that I made in the class have been a wonderful sounding board in helping me make decisions to make my farm grow.”
Additional Success Stories
Flor Cabello
WEDC prepared me to become a business owner. WEDC helped me achieve my dream of having a thriving business in the United States.
Yvonne Kasper
I decided to take the WEDC course because I wanted to provide my business a better background in marketing and advertising. I really didn’t know where to start. When I came into the course I got so much more. Knowledge in insurance and networking. If you are deciding on starting a business this is the place to come.
Diana Bellissimo
I truly believe that my WEDC 60 hour class and the friends that I made in the class have been a blessing. I gained a lot of knowledge in the 60 hour and continue to gain knowledge through their classes offered. Cynthia and my friends that I made in the class have been a wonderful sounding board in helping me make decisions to make my farm grow.
Jeffrey Sinclair
The help I received from the EAP was invaluable. The help I received from Cynthia and Simone was priceless. Cynthia made the process of preparing a proper business plan so much tolerable. That process of the plan was very nerve racking for me until I received her help. With her help I wrote a very well organized plan that helped me receive funding on the first try. I truly believe that if it wasn’t for both of these very professional woman I would still be trying to write this plan and not be in business today. I would and have recommended them to everyone one I know thinking to start a business.
Geraldina Shabani
The program helped me in completing a solid foundation to grow my business. It was very helpful (for learning how) to be an American businesswoman, I want to give my heart to my business.
Kelsa DeBrabant
Entrepreneurship is not the easiest career route to take, but it has proved to be the most satisfying.
Isreal Morales
The WEDC class really propelled me forward at a faster rate than I ever expected to move. I’d always dreamed of owning my own jewelry store to provide a more distinct customer experience and fill the gaps that I noticed in the jewelry industry. My ambition was always strong but I needed help formulating the right business plan. The WEDC program did just that, it far surpassed my expectations from day one. Not only did I gain the knowledge to move forward with my business model but most importantly it gave me the confidence I needed to not stray from my ideas of a perfect jewelry store. After the program Cynthia was there to answer any questions I had and now I can finally say I am the proud owner of Sky Diamond Jewelers LLC.
Nancy Kessler
Don’t start without taking a class. WEDC can offer all you need to know and introduce you to a community of people that will help you. I relied heavily on WEDC.
Jessica Mejias
For people starting out their own business I would strongly advise them to let themselves be guided by WEDC and to definitely take the classes and workshops that WEDC offers. I would like to thank WEDC as it has helped me grow both as a person and as a business owner.
Lassey Mensah
Before I started the program I have a vision of the future but didn’t have a path to get to it. With the help of WEDC program I have built my confidence and have learn how to build a business plan that allows me to have a road map. Please be informed that I could have never done it without the Help of WEDC program. Through the program I have learned that to be an entrepreneur and have a successful business, you need to have a business plan. Thank you, Cynthia and the WEDC team for all the help and support.
Soraida Sanchez
Soraida Sanchez emigrated from Colombia and arrived in the U.S. with dreams of starting her own business and becoming her own boss when she read about the Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) in a local newspaper. Interpreting that moment of discovery as a sign, Soraida contacted WEDC, enrolled in its 60 Hour Entrepreneurial Training Program in Spanish, and graduated. Today, Soraida is the proud owner/operator of Zoraida Beauty Spa located in Port Chester, New York, where with the help of the technical assistance she received from a WEDC business counselor, and a $10,000 loan secured through WEDC’s microloan program, Soraida will continue to grow her enterprise and serve her expanding clientele.
Karlene Barrett
Before attending the 60-hour course, I had the idea of what I wanted to do, but it was all in my head. The WEDC course helped me translate my idea into a workable business plan. I especially appreciated learning how to integrate market research into identifying a target market, and how to develop a marketing plan.
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Success Story
The Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC), a 501(c)(3) corporation empowers entrepreneurs to build successful businesses by providing high-quality training programs, advisory services, and access to capital to generate economic growth in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley.
Together, we are creating a vibrant future of entrepreneurs of all genders launching new businesses and growing established companies.
Our support and services significantly increase your chance of success through our collaborative learning, powerful network, and diverse community.
The Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC), a 501(c)(3) corporation, has been empowering women entrepreneurs to build successful small businesses since 1997 in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley. Our overarching goal is to build a vibrant community of women business owners, comprised of start-up and established companies.