Accelerate: Financial Management Series - Class is full. APPLICATION CLOSED
2026-03-16 16:30 - 2026-04-13 18:30 (America/Halifax) | Zoom
Learn financial management fundamentals to manage your business and plan for the future!

This five-part online series covers financial management for small businesses, including budgeting and bookkeeping, understanding and using financial statements, creating a financial forecast, and building your credit. These challenging sessions are hands-on and participatory, so come ready to engage with your instructor and your peers. It’s organized as a cohort, so you’ll sign up once for all five sessions.
This is an accelerated class intended for existing business owners currently generating revenue. It is recommended that you have been in business for at least 6 months. The class is not appropriated for new entrepreneurs who have not yet launched or started generating regular revenue.
1:1 direct no-cost technical assistance hours with a financial expert are available to all participants during this program.

Spring 2026 session starts March 16
Classes meet online via Zoom – Mondays, 4:30-6:30pm

2026 Madison County Small Business Summit
2026-03-19 08:30 - 14:15 (America/Halifax) | SUNY Morrisville, Charlton Hall, Chenango St, Morrisville, NY, 13408
March 19, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 2:15 PM | Charlton Hall, SUNY Morrisville
Whether you’re running an established business, just starting out, or thinking about making the leap, the Small Business Summit is coming to Madison County on March 19, 2026 at SUNY Morrisville.
A wide range of topics will be covered to suit all types of businesses including:
• Access to capital and lending
• Marketing strategies that work
• Hiring and managing your team
• Government contracting
• Legal and regulatory updates
• Grant opportunities
• Technology tools for your business
• Insurance essentials
New this year: Free professional headshots throughout the day—perfect for your website or business materials.
The day includes practical workshops, roundtable discussions with experienced business owners, and plenty of time to network.

Lunch keynote: Learn what Micron’s expansion means for small businesses across our region.
The Summit is organized by the Madison County Rural Equity Group—local, state, and national partners supporting small business, including The HUB, North Central SBDC, U.S. Small Business Administration, SUNY Morrisville, SCORE Central NY, WISE Women’s Business Center, and Madison County.

Seats are limited, so register early.
Registration: $25 | Includes lunch, refreshments, and materials

Leverage Email Marketing Strategy & Software with Maisha Walker
2026-03-19 11:00 - 12:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Join us for an introduction to email marketing strategies and software for small businesses with Maisha Walker from Message Medium

Thu, March 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Join us for an introduction to email marketing strategies and software for small businesses with Maisha Walker from Message Medium.
Location: Zoom

Who said email marketing was dead? In fact, it is still one of the best ways to reach your customers and prospects, if done the right way. Maisha Walker, an expert in digital marketing, discusses how to get great results out of email marketing. From creating and growing a list to the subject line, content, and call-to-action, you can put email marketing to work for you to attract and retain customers.

Zoom Access Instructions

Your Eventbrite confirmation email will include a link to the Zoom registration form. After you enter your name and email on that form, Zoom will automatically send you another email with the link to join the session.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

About Maisha Walker

Maisha Walker is the Founder and President of Message Medium, a digital marketing agency that helps new and reinvested brands harness the power of digital to create a dynamic, visible, and profitable presence online. She has been creating websites and digital marketing campaigns for more than 29 years. Maisha has worked on digital marketing campaigns with Mars Chocolate, Columbia University, Unilever, WJ Detusch (the owner of Yellow Tail wines), NBA player Kyle Lowry, Save the Children and more. Maisha is a featured online columnist with Inc. Magazine, and a 1994 graduate of Princeton University.

Building Blocks for Starting Your Business
2026-03-25 10:00 - 11:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Join us for an introduction to entrepreneurship and starting a business!

When: Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Location: Zoom

Join us for an introduction to entrepreneurship and starting a business! Learn the basic ideas on determining a need in the marketplace, target marketing, unique selling points, and building your support team.

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

Accelerate: Business Plan Intensive - CLASS IS FULL. APPLICATION IS CLOSED.
2026-04-08 17:30 - 2026-06-10 19:30 (America/Halifax)
Develop a comprehensive business plan to confidently move your business forward!
Over 10 weeks of hands-on interactive sessions, ABPI expert instructors will guide you through refining your business concept, forecasting your future financials, creating detailed plans for operations, and developing your business pitch.
Spring 2026: April 8 – June 10
Click here for more info and to apply!

Panel Event: Real-World Wisdom From Successful Business Owners
2026-04-13 16:30 - 18:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Financial Management Panel Discussion: Real-World Wisdom From Successful Business Owners

When: Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 4:30 PM
Location: Zoom

Join us for an engaging online panel discussion featuring successful women small business owners who will share their hard-won insights on managing business finances and building financial resilience.
In this interactive session, our panelists will discuss the financial strategies, tools, and practices that have helped them navigate the challenges of small business ownership. From cash flow management and budgeting to preparing for growth and weathering financial storms, these entrepreneurs will share practical advice drawn from their real-world experiences.
This panel is designed specifically for students in the WISE Accelerate: Financial Management class and WISE clients looking to strengthen their financial management skills. Whether you’re just starting your business journey or seeking to take your enterprise to the next level, you’ll gain actionable insights you can apply immediately.

Session Format (90 minutes):

Introductions (15 minutes): Meet our panelists and learn about their businesses and entrepreneurial journeys
Moderated Panel Discussion (45 minutes): Dive deep into financial management strategies, lessons learned, and best practices
Q&A (25 minutes): Get your specific questions answered by our expert panelists

Panelists:

Chris Belna, CEO, A La Carte Business Services
Tamika Otis, CEO, KABOD Consulting Group
Me’Shae Rolling, President, Rolling Enterprises
Dana Scherzi, CEO, Scherzi Systems

Please note that if you are already enrolled in the Accelerate Financial Management Course, you do NOT need to register for this session.

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

WISE WBC Orientation
2026-04-14 12:00 - 13:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Interested in learning more about WISE Women’s Business Center and our services? Join us for an orientation.

When: Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 12:00 PM
Location: Zoom

WISE is one of over 150 Women’s Business Centers in the US. WISE is funded in part by the Small Business Administration, and hosted by the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. WISE is also a NYS Entrepreneurship Assistance Center. We are located in the heart of Central New York, Syracuse.
WISE helps people start and grow their own businesses. WISE offers free business counseling and targeted training sessions to encourage strategy and access to smart resources and capital.
This orientation will cover WISE services, what you can expect from these services, and how we can help! We will give an overview of the center, personnel, resources available, and other information to help you navigate our services.
Who should attend? People in the greater CNY and Upstate NY area looking to start a business, or seeking help in growing their existing business

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

Building Blocks for Starting Your Business
2026-04-21 12:00 - 13:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Join us for an introduction to entrepreneurship and starting a business!

When: Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 12 – 1:30 PM
Location: Zoom

Join us for an introduction to entrepreneurship and starting a business! Learn the basic ideas on determining a need in the marketplace, target marketing, unique selling points, and building your support team.

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

WISE Wins: Arteika Hunter, Owner Clean & Glo Cleaning Services LLC
2026-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | LinkedIn Live
Arteika launched Clean & Glo in August 2022 after more than a decade in the cleaning industry. What started as a path to financial independence and control over her time has grown into a trusted Central New York business offering commercial janitorial services, painting, property maintenance, and lead remediation.
Her dedication to quality service and creating job opportunities in her community earned her the 2024 New York State EAC Entrepreneur of the Year award.
In this episode, host Melody Johnson (Owner of Melody’s Coworking & Event Space in Auburn, NY) will sit down with Arteika to talk about her wins, her challenges, and what it takes to build a business that makes a real impact.
In Arteika’s words:
“Clean & Glo not only created an income for me, but it gave me a way to provide jobs for my community. It takes determination and dedication to start a business, and you have to keep moving towards your goal.”

RSVP or bookmark the event by clicking HERE!

WISE WBC Orientation
2026-05-05 12:00 - 13:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Interested in learning more about WISE Women’s Business Center and our services? Join us for an orientation.

When: Tue, May 5, 2026, 12 – 1 PM
Location: Zoom

WISE is one of over 150 Women’s Business Centers in the US. WISE is funded in part by the Small Business Administration, and hosted by the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. WISE is also a NYS Entrepreneurship Assistance Center. We are located in the heart of Central New York, Syracuse.
WISE helps people start and grow their own businesses. WISE offers free business counseling and targeted training sessions to encourage strategy and access to smart resources and capital.
This orientation will cover WISE services, what you can expect from these services, and how we can help! We will give an overview of the center, personnel, resources available, and other information to help you navigate our services.
Who should attend? People in the greater CNY and Upstate NY area looking to start a business, or seeking help in growing their existing business

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

The 5 Must-Have Ingredients for an Online Store That Sells
2026-05-07 11:00 - 12:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Launch Your Online Store: The 5 Must-Have Ingredients for a Shop That Sells with Maisha Walker from Message Medium

Thu, May 7, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Join us for an introduction to building an online store for small businesses with Maisha Walker from Message Medium.
Location: Zoom

Whether you sell handmade goods, vintage finds, or wellness products, this free session will show you how to create a store that’s clear, credible, and conversion-ready—no coding required.
In just 90 minutes, you’ll learn:

The 5 elements every high-converting store needs (most people miss #3)
How to structure your homepage to guide buyers to “Add to Cart”
What to skip so you can launch faster and easier
The easiest way to get your store online—even if you’re not tech-savvy

This class is perfect if you…

Already have a products and just need the online store to start selling them
Are stuck on how to build your store or what should go where
Want a clean, smart online shop—without getting overwhelmed by design or tech
Want guidance from an experienced expert so you can avoid wasting time and money

Zoom Access Instructions

Your Eventbrite confirmation email will include a link to the Zoom registration form. After you enter your name and email on that form, Zoom will automatically send you another email with the link to join the session.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

About Maisha Walker

Maisha Walker is the Founder and President of Message Medium, a digital marketing agency that helps new and reinvested brands harness the power of digital to create a dynamic, visible, and profitable presence online. She has been creating websites and digital marketing campaigns for more than 29 years. Maisha has worked on digital marketing campaigns with Mars Chocolate, Columbia University, Unilever, WJ Detusch (the owner of Yellow Tail wines), NBA player Kyle Lowry, Save the Children and more. Maisha is a featured online columnist with Inc. Magazine, and a 1994 graduate of Princeton University.

Building Blocks for Starting Your Business
2026-05-20 14:00 - 15:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Join us for an introduction to entrepreneurship and starting a business!

When: Wed, May 20, 2026, 2 – 3 PM
Location: Zoom

Join us for an introduction to entrepreneurship and starting a business! Learn the basic ideas on determining a need in the marketplace, target marketing, unique selling points, and building your support team.

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

Everything You Need to Know: Applying for Verizon Digital Ready $10K Grants
2026-05-27 11:30 - 12:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Join us for a free, one-hour walkthrough covering everything WISE clients need to know about the Verizon Digital Ready grant program

Tuesday, May 27 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Via Zoom

Did you know that by completing just two free courses or live events on Verizon Digital Ready, you may be eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant? If you’ve been curious about the process — or aren’t sure where to start — this session is for you.
Join us for a free, one-hour walkthrough covering everything you need to know about the Verizon Digital Ready grant program, including:

What Verizon Digital Ready is and how to sign up through WISE
How to complete the two activities required for grant eligibility
What the grant application looks like and what to expect
Tips for putting your best application forward
Time for your questions

Whether you’re already on the platform or haven’t signed up yet, come ready to learn and leave ready to apply.

Not on Verizon Digital Ready yet? Sign up first at wisecenter.org/verizon

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

WISE WBC Orientation
2026-06-09 12:00 - 13:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Interested in learning more about WISE Women’s Business Center and our services? Join us for an orientation.

When: Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 12 – 1 PM
Location: Zoom

WISE is one of over 150 Women’s Business Centers in the US. WISE is funded in part by the Small Business Administration, and hosted by the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. WISE is also a NYS Entrepreneurship Assistance Center. We are located in the heart of Central New York, Syracuse.
WISE helps people start and grow their own businesses. WISE offers free business counseling and targeted training sessions to encourage strategy and access to smart resources and capital.
This orientation will cover WISE services, what you can expect from these services, and how we can help! We will give an overview of the center, personnel, resources available, and other information to help you navigate our services.
Who should attend? People in the greater CNY and Upstate NY area looking to start a business, or seeking help in growing their existing business

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

Building a Service Business Web Site with Maisha Walker
2026-06-11 11:00 - 12:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Join us for an introduction to building a website for your service business with Maisha Walker from Message Medium

Thu, June 11, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Join us for an introduction to building a website for your service business with Maisha Walker from Message Medium.
Location: Zoom

We’ve all witnessed tremendous growth in people shopping for products and services online. Do you have a website and is it ready? Your website represents your brand online and is the one place you have total control over. Is it clear and easy to navigate? Is the design professional and mobile-friendly? Can your potential customers understand exactly what it is that you do and how to take the next step?

Join this session to learn about the importance of your website, its role in converting customers, how to design for easy maintenance, and how to make sure it works hard to help you grow your business without breaking the bank.

Zoom Access Instructions

Your Eventbrite confirmation email will include a link to the Zoom registration form. After you enter your name and email on that form, Zoom will automatically send you another email with the link to join the session.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

About Maisha Walker

Maisha Walker is the Founder and President of Message Medium, a digital marketing agency that helps new and reinvested brands harness the power of digital to create a dynamic, visible, and profitable presence online. She has been creating websites and digital marketing campaigns for more than 29 years. Maisha has worked on digital marketing campaigns with Mars Chocolate, Columbia University, Unilever, WJ Detusch (the owner of Yellow Tail wines), NBA player Kyle Lowry, Save the Children and more. Maisha is a featured online columnist with Inc. Magazine, and a 1994 graduate of Princeton University.

Building Blocks for Starting Your Business
2026-06-17 10:00 - 11:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Join us for an introduction to entrepreneurship and starting a business!

When: Wed, Jun 17, 2026, 10 – 11:30 AM
Location: Zoom

Join us for an introduction to entrepreneurship and starting a business! Learn the basic ideas on determining a need in the marketplace, target marketing, unique selling points, and building your support team.

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

Loan Ready: A Four-Session Series for Women Business Owners
2026-07-01 17:00 - 2026-07-22 19:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Online Event
Four sessions. One expert. One-on-one time. A clear path to financing.

Dates & Time Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15 & 22 5:00 – 7:00 PM Via Zoom
Cost: $25

Are you loan ready? If you have been thinking about financing for your business but are not sure where to start, this series is for you. Over four Wednesday evenings in July, WISE is bringing in national small business finance expert Maria Randall to walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding your loan readiness to sitting across the table from a lender with confidence.

Who should attend: Women business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in Onondaga, Oneida, Madison, Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, and Oswego counties who are considering financing in the next 6 to 18 months.

What Is Included
Registration includes all four sessions plus a free 30-minute one-on-one virtual consultation with Maria Randall. Your individual consultation is your chance to bring your specific questions, your numbers, and your situation — and get honest, expert guidance before you approach a lender.

What You Will Learn
Session 1 — Is Your Business Loan Ready? An honest assessment of where you stand. We cover what lenders look for, how to read your own financials, and what needs to be in place before walking into a bank.
Session 2 — Understanding Your Options Not all capital is the same. We walk through SBA loans, conventional bank loans, CDFIs, microloans, and lines of credit, what each is best for, what they cost, and who they are right for at different stages of business.
Session 3 — Building Your Loan Package The practical session. Financial statements, business plan, projections, personal credit, collateral, and how to put together a package that makes a strong first impression.
Session 4 — Lender Panel: Straight Talk A panel of local lenders answering your questions directly. WISE recruits and coordinates the panelists. You ask the questions.

Loan Ready is offered through WISE Women’s Business Center, a designated SBA Women’s Business Center and NYS Entrepreneurial Assistance Center hosted by Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management.

After registering, you will receive an email from Eventbrite with a link to access the webinar. Please save this email and be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see it in your email inbox.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Carolyn Tucker at wisecenter@syr.edu to make arrangements.

Your Instructor
Maria Randall | Founder & CEO, LLADNAR Services, LLC
Maria brings more than 25 years of banking and finance experience to the Loan Ready series, including 17 years as an SBA lending specialist. After a career spent working primarily with small businesses, she founded LLADNAR Services to share her insider knowledge as a lender and help entrepreneurs, especially women, navigate every phase of the loan process. She is a graduate of Vassar College and has been a sought-after speaker at business conferences and workshops nationally.
