Courses and Cohorts
The CEI Women’s Business Center offers a variety of courses, cohorts, workshops and events: geared towards aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners. Learn more about signature programs and how they can help you and your business thrive!
For a full list of our event offerings and to register for upcoming events, click here.
Propeller I
This 4-week program guides a group of 10-12 women in researching, testing, and developing their tech-based start-up ides. In 2-hour sessions facilitated by product developer, Ashley Baldwin, participants determine a problem that needs to be solved, develop interview questions for potential customers, and begin to develop a viable product. In addition to group meetings, participants have weekly 1:1 check-ins with the program facilitator to receive guidance and set goals.
Who can participate: Maine women of all ages and abilities who are in the early stages of developing a business that is tech-based or conducts the majority of its business online. In guiding the development of their own start-up projects, we seek to provide aspiring female entrepreneurs with an introduction to customer research and product development.
In Propeller I, I found my distinct problem, the solution, and firmed up how to implement the solution. I also learned how to communicate with my customer, learn from my customer, and found a wonderful support group of crazy strong amazing women.
Caitlin House, Milk Bottle Cocktails
Click here to see when the next Propeller I Cohort starts
Propeller II
This 8-week program is designed for women who have participated in Propeller I and wish to take their tech start-up idea to the next level. Participants meet weekly for 1-hour group workshops, as well as weekly 1:1 time with program facilitator, Ashley Baldwin, to assist them in moving forward with their start-up goals. The primary objectives of Propeller II include:
- Find 5 paying customers
- Write an abbreviated business plan
- Legally formalize your business
- Develop an online presence
Who can participate? Alumnae of Propeller I
Propeller II kept me focused on moving ahead on my project. Some weeks I didn’t have as much time to work on the business, but knowing I had a meeting every week kept me thinking about next steps and actually taking them. I also liked meeting new people and the classmates felt like friends and co-founders after only one session.
Heather Kenvin, Cardigan Associates
Click here to see when the next Propeller II Cohort starts
FocusME
This program guides a group of 8-10 female business owners through ten facilitated sessions focusing on business and personal growth. Each 2-hour session offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to share a current business challenge and brainstorm solutions with their peers. Participants also engage in facilitated discussions on personal development topics, including goal setting, time management, prioritization, and more. In addition to group meetings, participants are paired with an “Accountability Partner” to connect with between sessions.
FocusME is led by entrepreneur and professional facilitator Leigh Tillman. Each cohort meets for ten consecutive weeks and is intended for women based in Maine.
Who can participate? Maine women who are currently in business
I am so grateful to have had you as our guide once again. Our group’s weekly refuge reassured and served and as a safe, forgiving place to dream and both give and receive friendship in a tangible way. This would be a gift at any moment but felt like a lifeline especially during this especially challenging time. My business would not be where it is today had I not signed up for our course. I knew it would force me to create necessary change and provide the gentle accountability to push myself.
Suzi Pond, Red Bird Media Group
Click here to see when the next FocusME Cohort starts
Spokeswomen
This 8-week facilitated peer group is designed to help female entrepreneurs become more persuasive and effective communicators for a wide range of situations. In 2-hour sessions facilitated by Hazel Stark, participants will gain clarity and develop their own personal style of speaking about their business. Each session is an opportunity to practice storytelling through a range of speaking scenarios, all with a supportive sounding board of female entrepreneurs who provide feedback and encouragement.
From scenarios including casual inquiries about your business to professional elevator pitches, Spokeswomen provides a space to practice techniques and gain confidence when speaking on the spot.
Who can participate? Maine female entrepreneurs who are currently in business
“Spokeswomen gave me all of the information I never knew I needed! By the end of the course, I was able to confidently and clearly define who I am as a professional and explain my services and their benefits. I learned tricks for making my speeches and content entertaining, engaging, and relatable. I’ve been afraid of promoting my business because I didn’t have the words to market in a convincing way. I no doubt believe that my business will grow now that I’ve gotten over this hurdle. It has been the missing link.”
Spokeswomen Participant, Summer ‘22
Click here to see when the next Spokeswomen Cohort starts
Self-Worth Club
This 8-week program facilitated by Hannah Curtis, LCSW and founder of New Approaches guides a group of 8-12 female business owners to build a stronger foundation of self-worth. Each 1-hour facilitated discussion encourages participants to learn strategies to feel more confident in themselves and their decisions. This supportive group aims to help women understand they are not alone and give them actionable, concrete ways to reclaim their own self-worth as an individual and as a business owner.
Who can participate? Maine female entrepreneurs who are currently in business
“This class helps build connection, confidence, and overall awareness within our business and ourselves. It helped me and continues to help me push my business. Connecting with so many business owners struggling with the same thing helps remind us we are not alone!”
Self-Worth Club Participant Summer ‘22
Click here to see when the next Self-Worth Club Cohort starts
Boundaries for a Thriving Business
In this 6-week cohort lead by Hannah Curtis, LCSW and founder of New Approaches, a group of 8-12 female business owners learn to say no, set limits, prioritize work and build a business that works for them. Each 1.5-hour session guides the group through structured discussions and skills-building instruction to grow a business that works for them.
Many female business owners find that they are repeatedly asked to do unpaid work, work that is not within their skill set, or work that leaves them tired and at risk of burnout. However, running a business is not inherently draining — especially when you have the tools to set healthy boundaries. This group aims to help women business owners across Maine help each other work on building boundaries to sustain their businesses together.
Who can participate? Maine female entrepreneurs who are currently in business.
“I learned to focus more of my time and energy on the customers and business I want to have. I am glad to have participated in this workshop. I thought it was a really valuable investment of my time to network and connect with other business owners and to learn from Hannah. I do feel more confident and empowered as a business owner as a result of participating in this workshop. Highly recommended!”
Self-Worth Club Participant Summer 2022
Click here to see when the next Boundaries Cohort starts
|| CEI Women’s Business Center – Southwest || CEI Women’s Business Center – South || CEI Women’s Business Center – Northeast ||
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Interpretation is available upon request.