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Farid Ali and George Constantinou, Bogota Bistro
"There was always someone to pick my brain and make me think. The volunteers pushed, probed and questioned me about my business goals. For us, we have a special situation because one of the volunteers used to own a restaurant. So, we had a special connection with her."

Ce Ce Chin, 80%20 Shoes
"I am definitely glad I completed the WIBO course. I remember when the Workgroup Leader asked us to give our quick pitches to the rest of the students. It was a bit nerve-racking but in real business you have to do this all the time. I also feel the Break Even exercises were very important for realistic financial planning. I suggest WIBO graduates take advantage of WIBO’s Business Advsiory Service. It can feel isolating running your own business so it helps to have someone to coach you along."

Nancy Colas, Simple Gifts and Goodies
"After many years of dreaming and saving, I finally opened my business 'Simple Gifts and Goodies,' located in Newburgh, New York. I must say that all the things that I learned from WIBO have been invaluable in my success. We have been open since February 13, 2004. Being in business is difficult, but you just have to hang in. I have seen other businesses open and close with in three to four months. And I know that all the nights that I spent at the 116th Street location has made all the difference. Not only has WIBO helped me develop my business sense, but it has also helped me to become a home owner. All the steps that you take in developing a business are the same in planning and purchasing a home. Listen, observe, ask lots of questions, and learn everything that you possibly can about what you want to pursue. Thank you again!!!!"

Shanica M. Dash, Mother Nature's Belly
"I took the WIBO workshop in February of 2007. I had my business for seven months with no clients and therefore no income. I just couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong.
During the workshop, I learned not only more about myself, but how I could turn my then failing business into a success. I graduated from WIBO in June of that year. By August, my Harlem business was beginning to take root. In January 2008, the Harlem site was doing very well. I began to think of ways to duplicate my program in another urban area.
On June of 2008, I welcomed the second location of Mother Nature’s Belly in Atlanta, GA. Since WIBO, my business has grown 110%. With two thriving locations, 5 employees, an exclusive contract with the nation’s largest breast pump manufacturer and a pregnancy and birth related expo scheduled for Spring 2009, I can truly say that WIBO has walked with me down this path to success.
WIBO is a must have for aspiring entrepreneurs. The program is for those who are presently in business or those who are seasoned business owners ready to take their business to the next level. All should attend this workshop. The benefits are too many to list!"

Christine Dimmick, The Good Home Company
In a 2002 Time Out NY article, Christine recommended WIBO as the workshop that helps entrepreneurs learn "how to get people to buy from you."

Nikima Frenche, Le Chateau de Frenche Day Spa & Private Tea Room
"The WIBO workshop helped me to create a business plan good enough to receive two loans for my business. I tell people all the time, if you are not willing to take WIBO and write a solid business plan, then you are not ready to go into business."

Barbara Garelick, Barbara Garelick Enterprises
"A typesetter friend asked me to go to a free business workshop in Brooklyn with her. I was living in Queens and working in Manhattan, so it didn't seem like something I truly wanted to do at the time. However, she was determined, and offered to drive me home after the class every week if I would go with her. She had a dream of starting her own typesetting shop, and I lived her dream.
The energy and enthusiasm drew me in immediately. I started my business during the first several weeks of taking the workshop, and I became a volunteer the very next semester. I was hooked and became quite active, from Workgroup Leader, to coordinator, started up a class in Queens, then became a board member. I lived, breathed and worked WIBO. I was inspired and I loved being someone else's inspiration. It made me feel good about myself."

Charlene Heyliger, Gourdchips, Inc.
Charlene Heyliger is the founder and owner of Gourdchips, Inc., a retail women's boutique specializing in personalized shopping, Gourd jewelry, (Girlfriend pins), Contemporary African Fashions, Designer's Wearable Arts, custom-made dolls, figurines, and Gourd-geous You Cosmetics. Charlene's business has serviced the Downtown Brooklyn community since 1989.
Because of the uniqueness of her art form, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indiana, The Weeksville Museum of Brooklyn, New York and the DuSable Museum in Chicago have purchased Gourd pieces for their permanent collection. The Studio Museum in Harlem displayed Charlene's Gourd Crafts Art in its Gift Shop and Mail Order Catalogue. The Amsterdam News, Brooklyn Trend, New York Recorder, Class Magazine, American Visions magazine, Black Elegance Magazine, and Newsday have published articles on her.
Some well-known artists who have purchased or received Charlene's jewelry as gifts are: Rita Moreno (screen artist), Jackie Jackson (wife of Jessie Jackson). Betty Carter (jazz vocalist), Pattie LaBelle (soul vocalist) and Winnie Mandela.

Princess Jenkins, The Brownstone
"I think that what WIBO does for small businesses is give you an edge up. I would have loved to send everybody who ever partnered with me to WIBO. Those 16 weeks would have revolutionized their business. They would have come to me better businesspeople and better partners."

Suzanne Meehan, Crossroads To Go
Crossroads To Go is a takeaway coffee and food stand established by Yasmin Gur and Suzanne Meehan. Crossroads To Go bakes all of its muffins, cakes, cookies, brownies at its flagship store, Crossroads Cafe, located in Windsor Terrace Brooklyn.

Carl Nurse, Security Intercoms Protection
"WIBO has assembled a team of experienced professionals who clearly conveyed each lesson plan in an easy to understand format. As a result of these classes, I am developing a new business plan. WIBO has helped me to crystallize how to take my vision for Security Intercoms Protection to the next level."

Todd Pemberton, Bugs Are Gone Exterminating
"The course covers the nuts and bolts of business ownership while providing individualized attention to current and future business owners in the class. Through WIBO’s quality instruction, I have learned how to better set clearly defined and measurable short/long term goals, as well as develop and implement effective marketing strategies.
WIBO has pushed me 'to think out of the box.' I am certain that once I’m a graduate of WIBO, I will be a well-rounded, well-informed and a successful entrepreneur."

Ellen Lurie Polivy, A Family Assistance Network
"WIBO really helped my business and my future and I am glad to be at the point where I can write a check and not worry about it.
I had been fighting myself with my professional practice for 19 years because I didn't have the business know-how to make it grow. Since I took the WIBO course, my business took off. I was able to take my professional competence and imbue it with a business confidence. I made more this year than I have probably in made in the past 5 years combined.' I now understand pricing and why I need to charge what I do. It's a tremendous benefit to be able to "run the numbers" and come up with some meaningful information about costs.
Now, instead of feeling guilty having to send out bills, I am real serious about it. I know that for clients who need long term care planning and advocacy, they are not going to find a more knowlegeable, seasoned person than me, and I explain it that way. I began to request a deposit up front. Since I have explained my value, they gladly pay it.
Clients not only know that I mean business, but that I am the best value they can find. It may seem expensive to them, but they know that they will get the help and save well more than my cost in the long run. I have a mantra that I say to myself. 'Clients are clamboring to pay me,' and darned if it isn't happening. In fact, I have not had one person not pay their bills since I took your course. And they pay right away.
In fact I have gotten so busy that I took on an assistant. I had missed your class on hiring staff, so I had to go back to the workbook to see what I missed. I did everything wrong. I hired by instinct without knowing first what exactly I needed. I hired someone who was much like me.
Great with clients. Terrible at office work. It was like the blind leading the blind. But we worked it out and it now turns out that she is good enough at office work and helps tremendously with clients, so we can give our clients twice the attention, which equals more value.
WIBO really works. Too bad I've been so busy that I havent had time to get back for a refresher. I look forward to a little down time, just a little, so I can do some planning and get back to your classes."

Shannon Pridgen, Heavenly Crumbs
"WIBO made me look at how efficiently I was running my business. The workbook organized and clarified my thoughts. It changed the way I operated my company."

Nadine Matilda Robbins, Namaro Graphic Designs
"I had the creative talent but didn't know how to develop into a business. WIBO educated me on important basics such as how to distinguish myself in a tight marketplace, hire an accountant and obtain legal representation."

Tye Robertson, Especially For You Planners
"WIBO is an amazing workshop program. After graduating in January 2006, I had the opportunity to plan a client's six-figure wedding. I couldn't have achieved it without the assistance of WIBO and its volunteers. I will be forever grateful."

John Rusk and Mary Kocy, Rusk Renovations
Speech made by John Rusk of Rusk Renovations at graduation after completing WIBO's 16-week workshop on June 14, 2006:
"You know what the worst thing about WIBO is? It means my wife was right. Right about setting ourselves apart in the marketplace, Right about low cost marketing, right about figuring out our overhead to set our markup, right about recruiting personnel using job descriptions, right about record keeping, right about the benefits of keeping crystal clean, and right about how to manage our money. And right about the fact that even though I had been in business for 20 years, I still needed solid business training.
Mary joined our firm a year and a half ago after I’d been running it alone for 20 years. Mary found WIBO and I wasn’t super happy to be there that first day. But these classes and their instructors and these group leaders and this class of people so exceeded my expectations I’ve recommended so many of my colleagues who are in business to take it.
It brought the best out of me, my wife, and truly, our company. It also brought us to the same page, even if it was Mary’s page."

Jennifer Singleton, Jennifer Temps
"I heard about WIBO through a friend and decided to take the 16-Week Workshop before starting the business. It was great because it helped me organize my thoughts and put my ideas on paper. The interaction with other people was crucial because it’s great to get feedback from others. WIBO has been a positive force in my business for the past 12 1/2 years."

Gail Spann, Spanning the Globe Tours
"The WIBO 16-Week Workshop was invaluable to me as an entrepreneur. The program really concentrated on real world issues that every entrepreneur faces. I continue to use WIBO's resources to build my business. I attend the free seminars whenever I can. It helps to have such an excellent resource for answers, guidance and support just an email or phone call away."

Ellen Theg, Therapist
"Thank you for a great experience at the Washington Heights WIBO class this past fall. I am pleased to be making a donation FROM my business account which has seen increased revenues as a result of your training.
WIBO is a such a valuable and productive experience for the community. Have you considered going nationwide? I can just imagine a WIBO in every city helping to build community and small business. The need for your nuts and bolts approach is so obvious!
I commend your staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm and positive energy which is simply contagious for us small business owners."

Aricka Westbrook, Jive Turkey
"WIBO was very instrumental in establishing the foundation for my business. The workshops and workbook exercises provided me with helpful tools to create my brand and establish my business model and marketing strategy. WIBO also helped me understand how my relationships with my customers and employees shape our operating policies."

Eula M. Young, Griot's Roll Film Production & Services
"The 16-Week Workshop was a great course. WIBO taught me to regularly review my financials and make sound financial decisions. The week by week readings were invaluable. I will keep the workbook binder as a resource guide for many years to come."

Dorina Yuen, Oro Bakery and Bar
"After taking the WIBO workshop, I had the confidence to open Oro within five months after graduating from the program."





Support WIBO today!
Reach out and lend a hand to an enthusiastic, budding entrepreneur who may not have the connections, support or finances to start out in business without your help. You will be proud to support the next generation of entrepreneurs! Your donation will make a difference