Women's Business Bootcamp to Help Entrepreneurs Build an Online Presence

CANTON, NY (09/22/2014)(readMedia)-- The SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be hosting its Fall Women's Business Bootcamp Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the SUNY Canton Campus Center's Conference Suites. Keynote speakers Megan-Jean Manson and Molly-Jean Manson, of Immortal Phoenix Studios in Malone, will discuss "Building a Strong Online Presence."

Many small businesses are starting out with their first websites or looking to redevelop an existing one to better reach their market. At the Bootcamp, women will learn the best practices and dodge certain pitfalls that come with being on the World Wide Web. They will also learn how to tie their website to their social media accounts and apply content marketing to their sales plans. Women business owners can develop effective strategies for building up their business' online persona. Megan-Jean and Molly-Jean will show Bootcamp participants how to get out there and be found online.

The Mansons will share their vast experience and expertise in design, public relations and online marketing to those who attend the Bootcamp. Megan-Jean, creative manager of Immortal Phoenix Studios, is a graduate of Cazenovia College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications. She is the winner of the Excellence in Visual Communications and the Excellence in Art and Design Awards among her graduating peers for her passion and ambition in the field of graphic design. Originally a gifted illustrator, Megan refocused her career in 2010 to become a more rounded designer, independently learning how to create and design websites to broaden her portfolio. In 2012, she struck out as an independent freelancer and began working full time on her design business.

Molly-Jean, social media manager, joined Immortal Phoenix Studios in 2014. She started offering marketing and public relations services in the fall of 2012, managing local business' Facebook and other social media pages. She also provides marketing consultations to business owners beyond the realm of the World Wide Web. In addition, Molly manages the execution of advertising campaigns and manages several websites for her clients.

The Women's Business Bootcamp Luncheon will feature a delicious luncheon and the popular Mini Marketplace, a display area that allows attendees the opportunity to sell their products or educate participants about their organization or business in a small and intimate forum. The participants in the Mini Marketplace will have a small table for product displays and materials.

The Women's Business Bootcamp is sponsored by SUNY Canton, the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency, Clarkson University's Reh Center for Entrepreneurship, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The cost is $30 per person and pre-registration is required. The fee includes the luncheon and panel discussion as well as a table for the Mini Marketplace (on a space-available basis) and plenty of networking opportunities. To register, contact the SUNY Canton SBDC at (315) 386-7312 or sbdc@canton.edu.

About the Small Business Development Center

The SUNY Canton SBDC offers free direct counseling and a wide range of management and technical assistance services. Small business advisors help start-up companies develop business plans, assist existing businesses prepare to expand or offer resources for industry-specific topics. Business planning services are provided free of charge. It is one of 1,000 Small Business Development Centers to provide no-cost business consulting and training to more than a million existing and startup small businesses each year, creating and retaining 156,000 jobs. More information is available at www.canton.edu/sbdc.

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor's degrees. The college's 14 athletic teams compete as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

-www.canton.edu-