By Elaine Souza/reporter
Women open businesses twice as often as men, and owning a business can give women the freedom to work at home so they can balance work, home and family, said Toni Allison, director of Project New at the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center.
A seminar related to the upcoming Entrepreneur EXPO 2009 will take place 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Texas Room on South Campus.
Allison will provide an opportunity for students to explore new ideas about new businesses and support for those who want to own their own businesses, have an entrepreneurial personality and want to develop it or want to know how to write a business plan.
Lynda Effertz, a 64-year-old woman, has worked as a bookkeeper, waitress, legal secretary, dog groomer and realtor. Even though she liked most of those jobs, she was ready to do what she felt called to do: start her own business.
“I decided to start my own business because of the freedom it affords me,” she said.
“I get to set my own hours, work when I want to work, take a vacation when I am ready or even schedule myself in a lunch with a girlfriend when the mood strikes me.”
Effertz is now a professional counselor and a certified clinical/medical hypnotherapist. In her typical workday, she likes variety and relishes a career that allows for creativity.
“I get to set my agenda, and, of course, I work with all kinds of people with all kinds of challenges,” she said.
“And it is a challenge for me to sit with them and honor who they are and help them look at options that might be more life-enhancing.”
Effertz’s community involvement isn’t just through her self-made career. She also began the Women In New Roles art show to showcase TCC students’ use of creativity and possibility in their lives.
No matter what one’s career or level of education, developing a business plan requires many steps. In North Texas, the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center offers various consulting services.
“We are the one-stop shop for business,” Allison said.
“Our focus is on the business plan. Not only do we offer ongoing classes each and every month, we offer free one-on-one counseling forever.”
Allison is the center’s business development coordinator and oversees the staff and all programs and workshops held at the Business Assistance Center.
“I became an employee of the center after having to close my business due to 9/11,” she said.
Allison was introduced to TCC by Triesha Light, the Women in New Roles program coordinator, with whom Allison had volunteered for five years.
“It was then that Triesha had me speak to her classes, other TCC classes and then at seminars,” Allison said.
Effertz received benefits through the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center, as part of the first program promoted by WINR, in a group for individuals starting their own businesses.
“Since I had been in business for myself before, I had some knowledge,” Effertz said.
“However, it explores all areas of being in business for oneself from writing a business plan, to how to advertise, how to use your time most efficiently, etc. It was very helpful to me.”
In the WINR classes, Effertz had “the support, the skills and the belief to go forward,” she said.
“What a great program for women in all stages and ages of life. It serves as a launching pad to propel ourselves forward into the world with power and determination.”
Any student can volunteer for the April 22 Entrepreneur EXPO in Fort Worth.
Although this is an activity sponsored by Women in New Roles, a college credit program, anyone can participate.
