Entrepreneurship Assistance Center
The WEDI Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) is made possible by a grant from Empire State Development. As one of New York State's 26 EACs, WEDI offers 60 hrs of free business support through our "EAC Training Series" this fall, tailored for new and existing small business owners. This training series will include workshops by various business experts, and one-on-one coaching to help you work on a Business Model Canvas. There are both in-person and virtual training options. We invite you to join us to build upon your business acumen. You can review the topics and schedules below and register here.
Tuesday, October 29: EAC Training Information and Registration 5 - 7 pm
Curious about our EAC program? Join us during this session as we provide a more in-depth overview of the training series offered this fall. You can register for the program during this time too.
Our Fall 2024 EAC Training Series: in-person
WEDI's in-person training is held in the Learning Lab on the second floor of WEDI's West Side Bazaar, 1432 Niagara Street, Buffalo from 5 - 7 pm. Free parking is available in its parking lot, 1455 Niagara Street.
Wednesday, October 30: Lean & Mean Business Efficiency
Presenter: Adam Goldfarb, Goldfarb Financial
Thursday, November 6: Budgeting & Cash Flow
Presenter: Adam Goldfarb, Goldfarb Financial
Tuesday, November 12: Topic to be confirmed
Wednesday, November 13: Commercial Insurance 101
Presenter: Jeffrey Leyonmark, The Wolf Agency
Tuesday, November 19: Topic to be confirmed
Wednesday, November 20: Topic to be confirmed
Tuesday, December 3: Topic to be confirmed
Presenter: Tina Anderson, Creative Juices Marketing & Events
Wednesday, December 4: Business Marking Tools
Tuesday, December 10: Finalizing Your Business Modal Canvas Part 1
Wednesday, December 11: Finalizing Your Business Modal Canvas Part 2
Our Fall 2024 EAC Training Series: virtual
This special webinar series centered around strategy and storytelling will be held from 12 - 2 pm. You may join the event virtually from the comfort of your own home or join us in the Learning Lab on the second floor of WEDI's West Side Bazaar located at 1432 Niagara Street, Buffalo. Free parking is available in its parking lot, 1455 Niagara Street. The Presenter is Michael Lightman, founder of Hate Your Deck.
Dates of virtual series
Tuesday, November 12
Thursday, November 14
Tuesday, November 19
Meet the Presenters
Tina Anderson is a marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in social media, content creation, and community management. In March 2022 she launched Creative Juices Marketing + Events full time, and has enjoyed the entrepreneurship experience. In addition to Creative Juices, she also runs SheConnects, a resource center for female professionals, and the Buffalo Kid Entrepreneurs, and organization that provides free vending and financial education to youth entrepreneurs.
In her spare time Tina has a passion for film, live music, stand-up comedy and traveling. She works with local theatres on live film events, and even co-ran a Drive Inn Theatre during the pandemic. Tina loves to connect with other businesses and organizations, feel free to say "hi" in person, at events, or online, creativejuicesny.com!
Adam Goldfarb, Financial Advisor Raymond James, assists individuals, families, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurs through important transitional periods in professional and personal development, beyond retirement and succession. He is an active community member serving on the board of the Big Easy in Buffalo and past service with the University at Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Alumni Association, Hillel Buffalo, WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable, WNY Planned Giving Consortium, the Rotary Club of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, and the EPA Environmental Financing Working Group. Additionally, he was a founding member of the Raymond James Sustainable Investing Advisory Council.
As owner and principal of GA Leyonmark Insurance Services, Inc. (An Affiliate of Wolf Agency, Inc.), a full-service risk management firm specializing in property and casualty insurance, I help families and businesses mitigate risk with comprehensive insurance coverage.
I am a business and community leader with a passion for building relationships with people. I consider myself a connector of people, serving as a “change agent” for growth and prosperity in the community in which I live.
Michael Lightman, founder of Hate Your Deck, kicked off his career in the Peace Corps, where he helped local entrepreneurs learn to build and scale companies in Morocco. Since then, he has built and run startup programs around the world, led entrepreneurial education and launched startup ecosystem programs for various nations, led bootcamps and accelerators, and fundraised for and launched a $50M venture fund in NY & Singapore. His passion remains working directly with entrepreneurs to help them capture the interest of investors through effective storytelling and uncovering market differentiation.
Please check out the New Community Partner Events Calendar here for more learning opportunities!