LEAP program plans January networking session

A program designed to make women entrepreneurs more successful, called LEAP, will host a free social evening for participants and those interested in joining the program.

The event will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Villager Mall, 2300 South Park St.

LEAP, initiated by the Women in Business Council of the School of Business, has garnered attention recently for helping women business owners grow their existing businesses.

The program creates advisory panels to work with female entrepreneurs on issues most crucial to their businesses. LEAP, which stands for Launching Entrepreneurial Advisory Panels, has panels of four to six members who are volunteers from the business and professional community who have an interest in women’s prosperity and economic development.

After an orientation for entrepreneurs and their boards, the panels work with the business owner over a year’s time, generally attending meetings every four to eight weeks. Many LEAP entrepreneurs have reported significant growth and progress in their businesses as a result of their panels’ advice and encouragement.

At the January gathering, current and past LEAP entrepreneurs and advisers will share their experiences on how the program has worked for them. Featured guest speaker, Larry Cox, director of the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship, will present an update on issues relevant to women’s business initiatives.

LEAP started in 2001, and today more than 30 area businesses have been involved as LEAP entrepreneurs and more than 120 men and women have served as LEAP advisers.

A new class of LEAP teams will be forming soon, with initial training taking place in February.

Immediately prior to the Jan. 19 networking event, from 4-5:30 p.m., current LEAP teams will participate in a roundtable discussion about their experience and will share ideas for enhancing the performance of their LEAP teams.

Anyone interested in serving as a LEAP adviser, as well as women interested in joining as entrepreneurs, are welcome to attend the event.

To register for the LEAP event or for more information, contact Helen Capellaro at the School of Business, (608) 262-9213, or hcapellaro@bus.wisc.edu. More information also is available at the LEAP Web site.