Workshops | WEDI

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 business support through our "EAC Training Series", 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.

The Fall EAC Training series begins October 6.

The Fall EAC Training Series is scheduled to run from October 6 to December 1, from 5:30 PM–7:30 pm. There will be 10 virtual sessions and 2 in-person sessions. Registration is free.

Our Fall training series will end with a Pitch Competition. On Tuesday, December 1, get ready to showcase your ideas, ambition, and innovation! Our EAC Pitch Competition brings together bold entrepreneurs who will take the stage to pitch their ventures to a panel of expert judges and a live audience. In just a few minutes, each competitor will share their vision, demonstrate impact, and make the case for why their business deserves to win. More information is forthcoming.

In-person sessions will be held in the Learning Lab located on the second floor at the West Side Bazaar (1432 Niagara Street, Buffalo).

Fall 2026 Workshop Series

Tuesday, October 6 - Plan for Success Using a Business Model Canvas

Presenters: Antionette McClain, WEDI and Purnima Mohan, WEDI

Wednesday, October 7 - Bookkeeping 101

Presenter: Desiree Parker Smallwood

Tuesday, October 13 - Topic to be determined

Wednesday, October 14 - Basics of Business Insurance

Presenter: Carl Chisholm

Tuesday, October 27 - Small Business Resources

Presenters: Ted Galantowicz, SCORE, Andrea Lizak, Small Business Development Center, and Victoria Reynolds, Small Business Adminstration

Wednesday, October 28 - All About the Business Model Canvas

Presenters: Antionette McClain, WEDI and Purnima Mohan, WEDI

Tuesday, November 3 - Brand Clarity & Positioning: Building a Brand People Understand and Choose

Presenter: Alisha Collins, The Lish Agency

Wednesday, November 4 - Library Resources & Business Law Basics

Presenters: Carol Kowalik-Happy, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and Neha Karambelkar, Western New York Law Center

Tuesday, November 10 - Minority Woman Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification for Small Business

Presenter: Lyndsay Michael, Small Business Legal Clinic

Thursday, November 12 - Budgeting & Cash Flow 101

Presenter: Adam Goldfarb, Goldfarb Financial

Tuesday, November 17 - Finding & Accessing Capital for you Small Business

Presenters: Esperance Rwigamba, WEDI and Yahaira Zapata, Pathstone Enterprise Center

Wednesday, November 18 -Pitch Competition Training

Presenter: Onice Castro, Coach & Assist, LLC.

Presenter: To Be Announced

Meet Your Fall 2026 EAC Presenters

Onice Castro, Founder of Coach & Assist, LLC.

Onice Castro, known as Coach Onyx, is a life coach, speaker, and founder of Coach & Assist LLC in Buffalo, NY. She focuses on accountability coaching, helping individuals turn their goals into actionable steps. Through workshops and community-based initiatives, she empowers others to stay focused, build confidence, and grow into their best selves.

Carl Chisholm, Insurance Associates Marketplace Agency, Inc.

Carl Chisholm is a 16-year veteran of the insurance industry, specializing in Property & Casualty insuraBnce for both businesses and individuals. As the third generation owner of Insurance Associates Marketplace, he represents a long established small business that’s been a part of his community for more than sixty years. A Buffalo native, Carl holds bachelors degrees in both psychology and political science, including having lived in Canada for several years with his now-wife Amanda. His hobbies are mostly quiet – he collects books, can’t resist a garage sale, and acts as assistant/taste tester for his wife’s bakery.

Alisha Collins, The Lish Agency

Alisha Collins is a visionary brand architect and creative strategist known for turning ideas into impactful experiences. As the force behind The Lish Agency, she blends storytelling, marketing, and innovation to help artists, brands, and entrepreneurs define their voice and expand their reach. With a sharp eye for aesthetics and a deep understanding of audience connection, Alisha builds brands that don’t just stand out, they resonate. Her work lives at the intersection of creativity and strategy, where culture, business, and purpose align.

Ted Galantowicz, SCORE

Ted Galantowicz is a SCORE mentor and workshops coordinator for the SCORE Buffalo Niagara Chapter. He has been mentoring small business clients for almost 10 years. He is a licensed customs broker who served as director of the St. Louis Customs District for 13 of his 30-year Customs career. That career also included five years of service on the staff of the World Customs Organization. Following retirement from Customs, he served as Global Trade Compliance Manager for two fortune 500 companies. From 2009 – 1015 he operated a consulting business providing import/export compliance resources and assessments to small and large businesses. Ted is a Buffalo native, a graduate of Canisius University and holds an MBA from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Adam Goldfarb, Goldfarb Financial

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.

Carol Kowalik-Happy, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

Carol Kowalik-Happy is the Manager of System Adult Outreach Services for the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System, where she leverages over 16 years of public library experience to serve the community. In her role, Carol focuses on engaging with adult patrons, offering valuable resources and services tailored to their needs, including workforce development programming and economic outreach.
Carol works closely with the local small business community. She partners with organizations like SCORE and the Ibero Business Center to provide library resources to entrepreneurs and frequently presents at SCORE’s “Starting and Managing Your Own Business” workshop. As a Small Business Librarian and Patent and Trademark Resource Center Representative, Carol offers specialized assistance and guidance to individuals seeking information on small businesses, patents, and trademarks.

Antionette McClain, WEDI

Antionette was born and raised in Buffalo and is currently working on receiving her bachelor’s degree in communication. Prior to WEDI, she worked for Massachusetts Avenue Project, and she is currently a member of the board of directors for Gerard Place, and the Tool Library. She also volunteers for both organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and listening to music. She also loves to travel and experience different cultures. She lives in Buffalo with her husband and their son.

Purnima Mohan, WEDI

Purnima has lived in Buffalo for 15 years. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Food & Fermentation Technology from the University of Mumbai, India. Prior to WEDI, she worked for Rich Products and Coca Cola India. Purnima has volunteered with numerous nonprofits and serves as the co-president of her PTSA Council. In her free time she enjoys arts and crafts, singing, dancing, cooking, photography, and volunteering. She lives in Amherst with her husband and son. Purnima was named WEDI's Employee of the Month in January 2022 and September 2023.

Victoria Reynolds, Small Business Administration

Victoria Reynolds began with the US Small Business Administration in 1990 and has served in a variety of roles assisting small businesses gain access to capital, technical assistance and government contracting opportunities. Since 2007, she has been responsible for the delivery of all of SBA’s programs throughout the 14 counties of Western NY and the Finger lakes and developing its dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Esperance Rwigamba, WEDI

Esperance moved to Buffalo as a refugee in 2005 and considers it her home. She holds an associate degree in Business Administration from Erie Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Medaille College, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Buffalo State College. Prior to working at WEDI, Esperance provided services to people with mental health issues and their families. In her free time she enjoys traveling and spending time with family. She lives with her husband and four children. Esperance was named WEDI's Employee of the Month in May 2022.

Our EAC training series is made possible by our presenters sharing their time and expertise and by a grant from Empire State Development.