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Women’s Business Development Council CT

@ctwbdc

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Empowering women to achieve their dreams through business education, advising and funding opportunities. We help you start and grow your business

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This National Entrepreneurship Month, we're celebrating the dreamers, doers, risk-takers and community builders who keep our world turning.

From the ideas they pursue to the opportunities they create and the communities they strengthen, entrepreneurs make an impact that reaches far beyond their businesses.

Here's to all the entrepreneurs who make it happen. We celebrate you! by @ctwbdc

by @ctwbdc

One week later, we’re still inspired by an unforgettable day celebrating the people and partnerships advancing women in business.

Our Annual Women Rising Gala brought together more than 650 supporters, sponsors, community partners, and business leaders to recognize the entrepreneurs building businesses across Connecticut and the leaders helping create opportunities for them to succeed.

Congratulations again to our Women Rising honorees — Avery Beamon, Sarah Gromko, Danielle Lutsky, Gloria Montoya, and Oddette Staple-Brown — as well as our Impact Award honorees, Susan Muigai of Mastercard and Katherine Saunders of FlyteHealth, and our Patricia Billie Miller Award recipient David Wezdenko of Blue Leaf Ventures.

Each honoree represents an important part of the work it takes to advance women’s economic prosperity: entrepreneurial drive, leadership, and a community committed to opening doors and expanding opportunities.

Thank you to our sponsors, funders, partners, and everyone who joined us in celebrating this shared mission. Your support helps WBDC continue empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening communities throughout Connecticut.

Relive the day and watch the Gala replay. Visit link in bio!

Photo credit: @aviva4 by @ctwbdc

From QuickBooks and enrollment strategies for Family Homes to a Mastermind session in Hartford, WBDC’s upcoming classes cover topics to help you build skills, tackle challenges, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs.

Learn something new, exchange ideas, and put fresh strategies into action.

Explore our upcoming classes and register today. Visit link in bio. by @ctwbdc

Looking to make new connections before the year wraps up?

Join WBDC at one of our upcoming networking events to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, meet the WBDC team, and grow your network across CT’s small business community.

Whether you’re looking to exchange ideas, build relationships, or simply get out and connect, we’d love to see you there!

Check out our upcoming events and find one that works for you. Register by visiting link in bio. by @ctwbdc

What a day to celebrate women who are changing the game!

Yesterday’s Annual Women Rising Gala and Awards Celebration brought together an incredible community to honor the women and leaders making an impact across Connecticut, hear their stories, and celebrate all they’ve accomplished.

Congratulations to all of our honorees! And a huge thank-you to our elected officials, state leaders, and generous sponsors who help make this work possible. We’re so grateful to be part of a community that shows up, lifts women up, and creates more opportunities for women to thrive in business and leadership.

When women rise, we all rise!

We can' t wait to share more photos from this unforgettable day.

@senblumenthal
@lgsusanb
@govnedlamont
@repjimhimes
@seanscanlonct by @ctwbdc

Are you ready to celebrate?

Tomorrow, we’re gathering for WBDC's Annual Women Rising Gala and Awards Celebration to celebrate 29 years of supporting Connecticut’s women entrepreneurs!

We can’t wait to honor this year’s outstanding Women Rising honorees and celebrate the women, connections, and community that make this work possible.

A big thank you to our generous Gala sponsors and state leaders for their continued support of WBDC and the women entrepreneurs we serve.

Can’t join us in person tomorrow? You can still make a difference!

Purchase a raffle ticket through the link in our bio and help support women-owned businesses across Connecticut. by @ctwbdc

Feeling lucky? Only TWO DAYS left to enter the 2026 WBDC Gala Raffle!

Prizes include a week’s stay in France, a penthouse suite stay at @beldenhouse, a bespoke @edie_parker handbag, a @richardsstores gift certificate, @Yankees and @Mets tickets, a @uconnwbb experience, VIP golf experiences, and more!

You don’t need to attend the Gala to participate. Every ticket purchased supports WBDC’s mission and Connecticut’s women entrepreneurs.

Explore all 17 raffle packages and enter by 1:15 PM EDT on Friday, October 23. Purchase your tickets through the link in our bio! by @ctwbdc

Meet Oddette Staple-Brown, Owner of @ohdluxecandles in Bridgeport!

During the pandemic, Oddette was looking for something to keep her busy when she discovered a passion for candlemaking. With encouragement from her husband, she began selling her candles on Facebook and sold out three times in a row! That success showed her she was onto something special, and in 2021, she turned her passion into a full-time business.

Oddette discovered WBDC in 2020 while searching for business resources to support her entrepreneurial journey. In 2025, Oh D’Luxe Candle Company received a WBDC Ignite Grant, which she used to purchase a cargo van. This investment has helped her transport products and fulfill orders for the four national retailers that now carry her candles.

We’re honored to be part of Oddette’s entrepreneurial journey and look forward to seeing Oh D’Luxe Candle Company continue to grow!

Join us on October 23 as we celebrate Oddette, our fellow honorees, and women entrepreneurs across Connecticut.

To purchase your tickets, visit the link in our bio! by @ctwbdc

Entrepreneurship is more than running a business. It’s connection, vision, grit, and being part of something bigger than yourself.

We asked three WBDC clients what entrepreneurship means to them.

Now we want to hear from you! Take a moment to share what entrepreneurship means to you in the comments.

@old_wethersfield_country_store
@heathertherealnp
@mindfultransformationsllc by @ctwbdc

Meet Gloria Montoya, owner of My Little World in Meriden, CT!

When Gloria first arrived in the U.S., she was a mother of two young children. After struggling to find child care for her own children, Gloria turned that challenge into an opportunity and eventually opened My Little World, a child care business dedicated to supporting families in her community.

Gloria first connected with WBDC during the pandemic in 2020. In 2021, My Little World received a laptop through WBDC’s Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Technology Grant program. The laptop helped Gloria navigate the online world and opened the door to new opportunities for her business.

Since then, Gloria has received additional Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants, participated in WBDC’s virtual workshops, and received one-on-one business advising. These resources have helped Gloria strengthen the financial side of her business.

We are proud to support vital child care businesses like My Little World and honored to be part of Gloria’s entrepreneurial journey. We can’t wait to see My Little World continue to grow and thrive!

Join us on October 23 as we celebrate Gloria, our other honorees, and women entrepreneurs across Connecticut.

To purchase your tickets, visit the link in our bio.

@ctoecgov by @ctwbdc

Your next game-day experience could start with a raffle ticket!

From @Yankees and @Mets tickets to a @uconnwbb suite, a Boston sports experience, and a VIP experience at the 2027 @hartfordhealthcare Women’s Championship, the 2026 WBDC Gala Raffle has something for the sports fan in your life.

You don’t need to attend the Gala to participate! Every ticket purchased helps support WBDC’s mission and Connecticut’s women entrepreneurs.

To explore all 17 raffle packages and purchase your tickets today, visit the link in the bio! by @ctwbdc