FocusME: Winter 2023 Cohort

The CEI Women’s Business Center and the Portland SCORE Chapter are collaborating to host FocusME, a peer group for female entrepreneurs.

FocusME is a facilitated peer group that provides a supportive network of other female business owners; a place to work on personal and professional growth, a sense of accountability, and an opportunity to learn from your peers' experiences and expertise.

Please note that in order to ensure that the group is filled with businesses that are non-competitive and in similar stages of growth the WBC will make the final recommendation with regards to participation. We will contact you to confirm your attendance and learn more about your business.

This program is only meant for female entrepreneurs based in Maine who are currently in-business.

"FocusME helped me regain focus, set priorities, share common struggles and collaborate with a wonderful group of peers to strategize ideas for future resolution."

How does it work?

A group of smart, savvy, female entrepreneurs meet ten times: eight times weekly for facilitated sessions focusing on business and personal growth, followed by two bi-weekly mile-marker check-ins. Participants lean on each other, give advice, share connections and experiences and form business relationships with each other if/when appropriate. You will be introduced to local resources that will help build your business and become connected to a broader network of services and fellow entrepreneurs.

Each session includes:

• A facilitated group discussion with a focus on personal development (topics include: goal setting, time management, pitching your business, and prioritizing)
• An opportunity to share business challenges and brainstorm solutions
• A “my turn” time which allows each member of the group to share something you’re working on and look to the group for input and accountability.
• Pairing of accountability partners to check-in with between sessions.

Program Dates:

• January 18th 8:30am-10:30am

• January 25th 8:30am-10:30am

• February 1st 8:30am-10:30am

• February 8th 8:30am-10:30am

• February 15th 8:30am-10:30am

• (Skip February 22nd)

• March 1st 8:30am-10:30am

• March 8th 8:30am-10:30am

• March 15th 8:30am-10:30am

• March 22nd 8:30am-10:30am

• March 29th 8:30am-10:30am

• (Final Session in case of snow day: April 5th 8:30am-10:30am)

• If a session has to be cancelled due to a snow day, you will receive an email from rachel.rathburn@ceimaine.org by 8am on the day of the session notifying you of the change. If so, the final session will occur on April 5th.

Who Facilitates?

The sessions will be facilitated by Leigh Tillman. Leigh works with groups facilitating decision-making, group processes, training and effective storytelling. As a female entrepreneur herself, Leigh is excited to team up with the CEI Women’s Business Center and SCORE to offer what we expect will prove to be a unique, rewarding, and candidly helpful series for all participants. You can learn more about her here.

Where will FocusME be held?

This program will be held virtually via Zoom.

Please note: We typically charge for our FocusME cohorts but, are offering our Winter 2023 FocusME programs for free.

If interested but unable to attend due to the time slot of the sessions, please let us know by emailing rachel.rathburn@ceimaine.org