WE360°

Entrepreneurship Program

Turn your business idea into a plan— and a plan into momentum.

WE360° is a FREE program open to ALL aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Lehigh Valley, but is designed specifically to support women, particularly women of color, to build the skills, tools, and networks needed to start and grow a small business.

About WE360°

WE360° is a national YWCA program that helps dismantle barriers to entrepreneurship by combining practical business education with encouragement, community, and wrap-around support. At YWCA Allentown, WE360° blends online learning with weekly facilitated sessions so participants can learn together and still move at their own pace.

Ready to Get Started?

If you have an idea, a side hustle, or a business you’re ready to grow, WE360° can help you take the next step.

Apply now to join our Summer 2026 Class, which runs June 15 through August 21.

Applications are accepted until June 1. Those accepted into WE360 will be notified before June 8.

Apply Now

WE360: Who It’s For

WE360° is a great fit if you are:

Exploring a business idea and not sure where to start
Already operating a small business and want stronger systems, marketing, or finances
Main street and “mom & pop” businesses
Part-timers – farmers, market vendors, online sellers
Small businesses and job creators
Full-time employees looking to start their own business

What You’ll Gain

By the end of the course, participants will have:

Clear goals and a realistic action plan
A stronger personal brand and messaging
Improved networking confidence and professional presence
Foundational knowledge across operations, marketing, and financial statements
Practical tools for business planning, growth, and funding readiness
Pitch practice and feedback to help communicate your business clearly and confidently

Course Format & Time Commitment

Course Length: 10 weeks
Time commitment: About 5 hours per week
Week 1:
Tuesday through Thursday, 6:00–8:30 PM, live, virtual classes
Weeks 2–9:
Tuesdays 6:00–7:00 PM live, virtual class
Thursdays 6:00-7:00 PM live, virtual Speaker Series
Virtual learning the rest of the week, done at your own pace and time
Week 10:
Tuesday 6:00–8:00 PM pitches, review, and wrap-up
Thursday 6:00-7:00 speaker from local SBDC

Weekly Topics at a Glance

Week 1: New Choices
Laying the Foundation for Your Business Journey
Program orientation, mindset, SMART goals, brand identity, resume/LinkedIn support, networking practice, and pitch guidelines.

Week 2: Setting SMART Goals to Start Your Business
From Idea to Action
Clarifying your vision, setting achievable goals, and taking early steps toward launching and organizing your business.

Speaker Series: Think Like a Founder

Week 3: Building the Blueprint
Business Planning for Sustainable Growth
Business planning foundations, market and problem analysis, operating plans, and financial basics— plus the processes that support growth.

Speaker Series: Choose Your Business Structure with Confidence

Week 4: Creating Value
Processes and Purpose
Customer development, scalable business models, and tools like the Business Model Canvas.

Speaker Series: Finding Your Niche

Week 5: Marketing with Intention
Reaching the Right Customers and Hitting Your Goals
Marketing strategy and messaging, plus goal-setting systems (including OKR-style planning) to stay on track.

Speaker Series: LinkedIn and Instagram for New Businesses

Week 6: Understanding Your Buyer
The Customer Journey
How to read and use financial statements, and how to map the buyer’s journey so customers can find—and choose—your business.

Speaker Series: Insuring Your Business

Week 7: Competing with Confidence
Financing, Pricing, and Standing Out in the Market
Understanding debt and responsible borrowing, plus competitive analysis to clarify your advantage. An introduction to funding pathways, and what it means to be “funding-ready.”

Speaker Series: Business Banking Basics

Week 8: Planning for Success
Finalize Your Business Plan
Complete your business plan and competitive analysis.

Speaker Series: Founder Hour Q&A with Local Business Owners

Week 9: Telling Your Business Story
Pitching with Clarity and Confidence
Use your finalized business plan to build a strong pitch.

Speaker Series: Networking for Entrepreneurs

Week 10: Reflection & Next Steps
Review, Refine, and Move Forward

Deliver your business pitch, and receive feedback to strengthen your business story.
Catch-up, review, and turn what you’ve learned into next-step milestones.

Speaker Series: Next Steps

The WE360 Speaker Series connects early-stage entrepreneurs with experienced professionals who share practical guidance, real-world insight, and encouragement for women launching and growing businesses.

These virtual one-hour sessions explore key topics that many founders face in the early stages of entrepreneurship— from mindset and legal structure to marketing and networking. Each session is designed to provide actionable tools, build confidence, and help participants move their ideas forward.

The series is part of YWCA Allentown’s WE360 Entrepreneur Program, supporting founders as they develop and grow their businesses. The WE360 Speaker Series is free and open to the public.