As of the end of 2002, there were an estimated 6.2 million majority-owned, privately held women-owned firms in the U.S. The power of women business owners is growing and getting training that helps women grow their companies has never been more important.

Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET) will be offering a series of Women’s Breakfast Roundtables. The format is simple: Meet a small business owner who’s been there and learn from the experts and get your questions answered. Plus, you’ll network with other business owners and have access to resources for additional counseling and training.

Geared for both men and women, no membership is required to attend any of the training sessions.

The meetings will be held at Olympic College in Bremerton. The sessions will begin with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. with welcoming and structured networking at 8. At 8:45 a.m. there will be a small business success story and the training sessions will start at 9 with wrap-up at 10:30 a.m. The schedule and classes offered are as follows:

May 8: ABC’s of Owning a Business: Start your own business by getting resources and info on obtaining licenses, setting up accounting systems, handling tax issues, and developing a business and marketing plan.

June 12: Provide Effective Customer Service: How do you keep your clients happy? Get ideas for improving your customer service so referrals pour in and complaints disappear!

July 10: Small Business Financing: Need cash for your business? Get info on financing options, including bank debt and alternative lenders. Learn what lenders look for, how to manage credit, and where to find funding.

August 14: Marketing Tips and Tools: How do you make every marketing dollar count? Get tips and ideas that stretch your marketing dollar to the max.

October 9: Take Your Business with You When You Relocate: You own a small business, but need strategies in place to take it with you when you move. Get ideas for keeping clients, finding new prospects and safeguarding your business for the day when you need to start packing.

November 13: Put Your Network to Work: Networking can have big payoffs. From getting referrals for finding advisory board members, learn how to make your networking really count.

   For detailed session information, rates and to register on-line visit www.sba.gov/wa/seattle/seawnet.html or call (206) 553-7315.