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Advisory Groups

About the Advisory Groups


This model has proven its value over and over again in markets across the country.


How it works

The Advisory Groups specifically serve entrepreneurs and partners who own or have an equity position in a business or practice. The Advisory Groups are year-long, membership-only groups, starting in September and running for 11 consecutive months (through July) or 12 consecutive months (See below for a description of each of the four Advisory Groups and the time frames for each group).

Each group is confidential, and peer-to-peer meetings, facilitated by our group mentors that have skills-sets specifically needed for the development of your business during your current phase of growth. Being a part of your special cohort group will allow you the opportunity to share issues and concerns—and obtain real world ideas and solutions. Each Advisory Group is comprised of women whose businesses do not compete but are similar in size, revenues, number of employees, and other key characteristics.

Meetings take place monthly. Based on the needs of your Advisory Group, round-table discussions may be supplemented with expert guest speakers.  Your Advisory Group trainer is specially trained to elicit the most creative thinking and strategic problem solving. Confidentiality agreements are maintained.

What you will talk about

Your group will identify its own critical issues, needs and goals to develop a specific annual work plan to address them. Topics could range from sales, marketing, public relations, finance and information technology to more complicated matters such as strategic planning, organizational development, delegating and chain of command, human resources, ethics and international trade.

How will you benefit

Each group will be large enough to assure diversity of background and experience, and small enough to promote meaningful interaction. You learn best practices and form a network of referrals and resources. You gain insight, support and confidence from women who know exactly what you’re going through. Most importantly, you take the time to focus on strengthening and growing your business.

Application process

We encourage all our applicants to schedule an Ignite Session, our free, 60 minute, one-on-on business consulting session.  Click here to schedule your Ignite Session.

2023-24 applications will be available mid-summer.  Place your name on our “Notify Me” list by completing this short online form.

PLEASE NOTE: Only a specific number of slots are available and slots fill up quickly.   Openings in each of the programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis based on the date your completed application is received.

The Advisory Groups are divided into four categories based on specific stages of business development.

Launch (September – July)

Launch Advisory Group is for those women business owners within their first year of business and launching ideas phase.

Recurring: First Tuesday of every month

Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm

2022-23 cost: $650 reduced to $150 with First Niagara Foundation scholarship award

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Grow (September – August)

The Grow Advisory Group is for entrepreneurs who are up and running, to focus on growth strategies to continue on your business success track.

Recurring: Second Tuesday of every month

Time: 8:30am-11:00am

2022-23 cost: $750 reduced to $400 after a First Niagara Foundation scholarship award

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Elevate (September – August)

The Elevate Advisory Group is for business owners who have worked through the challenges of the early years; typically have employees and HR demands.

Recurring: Third Tuesday of every month

Time: 8:30am-11:00am

2022-23 cost: $600 (reduced from $750 last year)

Master (September – August)

The Master Advisory Group are for established businesses; typically at a later stage in the business cycle and have employees and HR demands.

Recurring: Fourth Thursday of every month

Time: 8:30am-11:00am

2022-23 cost: $1,000

Member Benefits

Advisory Groups are considered “WBC Members”, and as members, you will receive added benefits beyond the programming you sign up for, including:

  • Being a part of the WBC community—filled with inspiring and motivated women business owners
  • Your business and contact information listed, with a searchable function, and mapped on our WBC website
  • Opportunity to be paired with another member as an accountability partner
  • Discount to attend or sponsor our Annual Ignite Awards Luncheon
  • Opportunity to have your business successes, employment needs and events posted on the WBC social media sites
  • Discounted fee to a 1 hour one-on-one business development consultation
The Women's Business Center