Online Entrepreneurial Course Serves as Resource for Busy Business Women and Would-Be Entrepreneurs

Atlanta, GA ——- The Women’s Economic Development Agency (WEDA) in conjunction with Sipping Tea and Doing Business today announced the launch of the Online Entrepreneurial Course, a self-paced online course for entrepreneurs and business owners. The Online Entrepreneurial Course is divided into 5 modules that cover: business operations, marketing, understanding consumers, bookkeeping and business plan writing.

The availability and use of the Internet by more women along with the creation of new, innovative and interactive technology has given both organizations an opportunity to expand their reach and impact more individuals by providing busy women everywhere a way to gather the information and tools they need to start or expand their business.

"WEDA and Sipping Tea & Doing Business have previously collaborated on a number of projects designed to provide women with the information and tools they need to establish and expand viable businesses. While we've approached all of these joint efforts with enthusiasm, I'm especially thrilled about this opportunity. Because of the Internet's ability to reach across geographic boundaries, our organizations will now have the capacity to reach not just local women entrepreneurs, but also those who heretofore have been unable to avail themselves of our unique brand of business development and management assistance due to issues relating to physical accessibility", says Deardra Green-Campbell, Executive Director for WEDA.

Individuals have the option of taking modules separately ($69 each) or consecutively (all 5 modules for $149) allowing them to tailor their own program based on personal time-commitments and professional needs.

The offline version of the course, taught by WEDA consultants has been wildly successful reaching more than 3,600 entrepreneurs and business owners over the last four years. “I’ve experienced the impact this course has had on participants and am excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with WEDA to bring the course online”, says Sheronde Glover of Sipping Tea and Doing Business.

Information on the Online Entrepreneurial Course can be obtained at www.sippingteaonline.com or www.weda-atlanta.org.

About Women's Economic Development Agency, Inc. (WEDA)

Since its founding twelve years ago, WEDA has assisted more than 10,000 Atlanta-area entrepreneurs. The organization's programs and services have helped to facilitate the formation of more than 500 small businesses that range from home-based endeavors like jewelry-making, virtual assisting and home accessories design, to retail and personal services ventures like clothing stores and hair salons, to companies engaged in cutting edge activities like information technology and automotive waste oil recycling. Also included among the organization's client base are franchisees for Bruster's Ice Cream, Smoothie King and others, as well as social entrepreneurs who have chosen to pursue non-profit ventures that provide critically needed services like transitional housing, after school programs and eldercare in response to the needs of disadvantaged families and communities. WEDA is a bi-lingual organization that provides services in both English and Spanish to meet the diverse language and cultural needs of its clientele. Although its services are targeted to women, the organization does not discriminate and serves a gender-diverse clientele.

The WEDA / MAWBC is one of 105 U.S. Small Business Administration Women's Business Centers nationwide and provides training, management and technical assistance to emerging, start-up and established women entrepreneurs living or doing business within the twenty-eight counties that comprise the metro Atlanta area. As an SBA Technical Assistance Provider, WEDA / MAWBC also originates and packages SBA-guaranteed Community Express microloans.

About Sipping Tea and Doing Business

Sipping Tea and Doing Business: A Holistic Journey to Business Success was written in 2001 by authors Sheronde Glover and Loretta Patrick. Since it’s release, the book and the concept of taking a holistic approach to starting and growing a business has inspired and motivated thousands of women. By bringing women together in supportive environments and intimate business settings, hosting numerous business forums, workshops and events, the authors have shared their business strategies and built a comprehensive resource for women and entrepreneurs. Sipping Tea and Doing Business is a division of Glover Enterprise Business Strategies, Inc.

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