Mercy Connections Women’s Small Business Program graduates class of entrepreneurs

On Sunday, December 10, 2017, thirteen women graduated from Mercy Connections Women’s Small Business Program’s (WSBP) class Start Up: Comprehensive Business Planning. Guest speaker, Dr. Janet Carscadden, PT, DPT, E-RYT, YACEP, owner of Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga in Burlington, Vt, encouraged the graduates with her own experiences as a WSBP graduate.

“When I went through Start Up, it gave me the confidence to do my business. Without this program, I wouldn’t have Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga,” Carscadden shared. “Twelve years later, I have a staff of 30 and over 50 yoga classes.”

Student speaker Judith Ehrlich acknowledged the benefit of the program and its network in her remarks. “I have my business plan and I will use it, and I learned I’m going to need a community of caring and nurturing people to be a small business owner. I found that [in the Mercy Connections Women’s Small Business Program],”she said. “This program is a commitment to your future; a commitment to hope.”

The Women’s Small Business Program has been helping aspiring entrepreneurs create or expand their business ideas for over 25 years. More than 1,500 women have graduated from Start Up and approximately 150 businesses owned by our alumni are active in the community.

Start Up: Comprehensive Business Planning is a 15-week; action-oriented class tailored to students’ individual business, using the business plan as a framework. The class is taught by an entrepreneur instructor team and a host of guest experts in three content areas: financials, marketing, and business management. The next cycle begins January 25 and registration is now open. To learn more, contact Carmen Tall, Director of the Women’s Small Business Program, at ctall@mercyconnections.org

Mercy Connections is an educational values-driven non-profit organization living the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy with an enduring concern for women. By compassionately nurturing self-sufficiency through education, mentoring, entrepreneurship and community, people are empowered to make significant life changes.