Q&A talks with Fran Pastore, CEO and president of the Women’s Business Development Council, a nonprofit organization that provides tools and resources to help women start and grow their businesses.
Q: How did you get into this business? What motivated you?
I’ve always been passionate about women’s economic equity and wanted my two daughters to be economically self-reliant. The women’s economic development group where I worked closed, and so I decided to put my passion to work and start WBDC.
Q: How long have you been in business?
I am so proud to share that 2022 will be our 25th year. What started with an initial grant from the Small Business Administration has grown into one of the country’s premier women’s business organizations, with three offices across Connecticut (and growing!)
Q: Describe your target customer.
WBDC’s target customer is any woman who aspires to launch or grow a business. We work with women from across the socio-economic spectrum at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, from every one of Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.
Q: How many employees do you have?
As a result of the pandemic, WBDC experienced a 600% increase in our annual client volume. We now have 26 full- and part-time employees.
Q: What advice would you give to other small businesses, especially during this difficult time?
You are not alone. Women in the WBDC community have exhibited such incredible creativity, tenacity and courage during the past year. Staying closely connected to the WBDC community affords an opportunity to learn about economic opportunities available to small business owners. Women thrive when we help each other.
Q: How have you handled strategic change in your business in the past?
WBDC operates transparently. Our strategic plan is shaped by our board and staff. As WBDC progresses — as we did with our expansion to New London or when we launched our recent micro-grant fund — such changes are managed with the collective insight and respect of the entire organization.