This eight-week peer-group program provides technical guidance to 10-12 aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the pre-start or early stages of their business journey. It is designed especially for those facing challenges due to limited financial resources, unfamiliarity with Maine’s business regulations, or language and cultural barriers.

Each 2.5-hour session will be facilitated by Grace Mo-Phillips, Business Advisor at the CEI Women’s Business Center in Portland.

Through hands-on business training and peer discussions, participants will:

• Define and refine their business ideas
• Identify opportunities and challenges
• Develop strategies to overcome barriers to launching or growing their businesses

By the end of the program, participants will have a clear understanding of key business plan elements and gain insights into available resources to support their next steps.

Who should participate: This program is open to anyone in Maine looking to start or grow a business. It will be conducted in English. To get the most value from this program, participants should be willing to commit to attending all sessions in person at our Portland office.

Session Dates:

• Friday, March 27th: 9:30am-12:00pm
• Friday, April 3rd: 9:30am-12:00pm
• Friday, April 10th: 9:30am-12:00pm
• Friday, April 17th 9:30am-12:00pm
• (No Session April 24th)
• Friday, May 1st 9:30am-12:00pm
• Friday, May 8th 9:30am-12:00pm
• Friday, May 15th: 9:30am-12:00pm
• Friday, May 22nd, 9:30am – 12:00pm

Fee: No Cost

Location: In-person at the CEI Women’s Business Center, 2 Portland Fish Pier, Suite 215, Portland, ME 04101

Note: This peer group requires a two-step registration process. Pre-registration responses are reviewed within 2-3 business days, and our team may contact you via email with questions. Approved registrants will receive an email to complete the second step of registration. Both steps are required to be officially enrolled.

PRE-REGISTER TODAY!!

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Interpretation is available upon request.