FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 7, 2008
Local CONTACT: LINDA WOOD, SBDC, (812) 265-3127, EXT. 228 Media Contact: JENNIFER STEVENS, OCRA, (317) 232-8832, jstevens@ocra.in.gov

Lt. Governor Skillman to Host ‘Advancing Hoosier Women in Business’ Seminar at VOBC

MADISON, Ind. – Lt. Governor Becky Skillman will host a seminar for business women at the Venture Out Business Center on Tuesday, July 22.

The “Advancing Hoosier Women in Business Seminar” will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The seminar targets business women in rural Indiana and will provide technical assistance, motivation and networking opportunities.

Lt. Governor Skillman is partnering with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and the Indiana Small Business Development Center Network to host the event.
“Building on the success of last year’s women in business series, this year’s events will highlight even more women entrepreneurs and continue to stimulate an interest in entrepreneurship throughout our state,” said Lt. Governor Skillman. “The women in business seminars provide participants with excellent networking and educational opportunities with a local emphasis. I encourage any woman interested in entrepreneurship to attend.”

Lt. Governor Skillman will kick off the event as keynote speaker. The morning will
include a panel of six successful women entrepreneurs from southeastern Indiana. In the afternoon, a panel of six women will speak about resources available to business people. For a complete list of speakers please visit www.in.gov/acroa/2341.htm.

The luncheon speaker will be Sharon Rivenbark, founder and owner of For Bare Feet, a Nashville, Ind., company that manufactures novelty socks. A former teacher, Rivenbark established the company as a creative project for her mentally handicapped son. The company now has 150 employees making novelty socks that are sold at shopping mall kiosks and retailers nationwide. Rivenbark’s very personal story of starting and growing her family business is sure to strike a chord with business women.

Registration for the event is $20. Please log on to www.ocra.in.gov or call the OCRA at (800) 824-2476 to register for the Advancing Hoosier Women in Business seminars.