August 22, 2006 – Many experts have reasoned that one of the quickest paths to true equal opportunity is through economic empowerment. The Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO), originally established in 1966 to promote economic growth in the African-American business community, has since then expanded its vision to become a one-stop resource center for all minority business owners.

Another, more recent community resource is the Asian-American Entrepeneur’s Network (AEN), organized by Ramon Gil, managing director of Fresh Concentrate. AEN, founded to support the growth of Asian American entrepreneurship, holds networking and educational events every two months. Its first networking night in June 2006 drew strong sponsorship from the local community, and an attendance of over sixty professionals from the tri-state area.

On August 22, 2006, AEN and WIBO partnered to host the event, Putting Your Plans to Paper: From Vague Notions to Reality. In addition to a networking reception, WIBO program manager Nancy Caballero presented an introduction to WIBO’s sixteen-week workshop, “How to Build a Growing, Profitable Business”. This workshop, held twice a year in New York, is taught by volunteers from the local business community. Speakers are specialists in topics such as clarifying your goals, learning and working with your strengths and weaknesses, and planning the finances of your business. Workshop formats are structured to include both seminars and small-group discussions. Many faculty members are WIBO alumni, and significantly, most are long-time volunteers (some have been teaching for up to thirty years).

Graduates of the workshop, in addition to a clear, action-oriented business plan, will have, according to Caballero, “membership in the alumnae association, access to networking events and monthly seminars, opportunities to meet and market, promotions in our newsletter and on our website, www.WIBO.org.”

For another networking opportunity, join AEN’s next event on October 10, 2006, which will include a reception with members from the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.