If you happen to be walking down DeKalb Avenue near Tompkins in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy, you might discover a little gem of a bakery called Ava’s Lifeline. And not just any bakery, but a Caribbean Vegan bakery! Ava Bastien is a chef and a baker and is the proprietor of this charming establishment. “I grew up
One of our ultra successful alumni, Precious Williams, is the lead instructor for an initiative called the Verizon Super Pitch, a national competition designed to give small businesses the world-class tools and capital they deserve, including a chance to win $20,000 and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final. The Clock is
Magdala Noel is a member of the Queens WIBO Cohort at the Tech Incubator at Queens College, with the encouragement of the cohort’s co-leads, Fran Holt and Ying Zhou, and the help of her follow cohort member, Magdala won $10,000 to use to build her business. Congratulations! What is your business about? Hand in Hand
Here’s What Happened at WIBO! Long before “Take Your Child to Work Day” became a tradition, six-year-old Ted Geier was already on the job, helping at the registration table during the launch of the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) in 1966, an entrepreneurship education program conceived by his father, Walter Geier, that addresses inequities in
April is Financial Literacy Month, a time to reflect on the importance of understanding money, managing it well, and using it as a tool for long-term success. At the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO), financial literacy is not just a concept we discuss; it is a core part of how we prepare entrepreneurs to build
This meeting was co-hosted by Support Center and focused on organizational life cycles for nonprofits, led by Keith Timko, executive director from Support Center. Support Center is dedicated to empowering nonprofits and social enterprises to transform their leadership and management and advance our vision for social change. The session covered different phases of nonprofit development
April is Financial Literacy Month, and for entrepreneurs, it is a moment worth pausing on. Because understanding your numbers is not a bonus skill. It is the foundation on which everything else is built. At WIBO, we see it every day. An entrepreneur walks through our doors with a strong idea, real passion, and the
Being the dedicated Communications Director that he is, Ramon Gil couldn’t stop talking about WIBO in this Canvas Rebel magazine interview. We were lucky to catch up with Ramon Gil recently and have shared our conversation below. Ramon, appreciate you joining us today. If you’re open to it, can you talk to us about the
Each year, Tax Season arrives with urgency, but for small business owners, it should also bring preparation, clarity, and intention. At the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO), we work closely with entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. One of the most consistent challenges we see is not a lack of effort or commitment; it
Twice a year, The Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) is proud to honor graduates of our 16-week workshop on how to start and run a business. This past week, we awarded certificates to our Spring virtual and Manhattan cohorts. Catered by Chef T and photographed by Duane Knight, both WIBO alumni. The event took place
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, the media is noticing that the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs is among Black women. Job cuts in federal agencies and corporate America as well as a scaling back of DEI programs are leaving many women of color little choice but to create their own jobs and start businesses.
One of the most common questions among new business owners is “What kind of business entity should I have?” Obviously the answer depends on many factors. What kind of product or service will you be providing, how many owners will there be, what kind of liabilities will you face, and many more. Luckily for us,
I had the pleasure of attending WIBO and the experience was truly transformative. From the moment I stepped into the classroom, I could feel the passion and dedication of the teachers. They were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely committed to helping each student succeed. Their guidance was always practical, actionable, and tailored to the
By Dr. Stacie N. C. Grant, Board Chair, WIBO Presidents’ Day encourages us to reflect on leadership, not just the type exercised in the Oval Office, but the everyday leadership that shapes our communities, families, and futures. At the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO), we believe that true leadership begins with economic agency. The ability
Two new groups of WIBO learners launched this week. The first one at Tech Incubator Queens College (TIQC) on Tuesday nights and a virtual one on Wednesday nights! Congrats to over 35 future entrepreneurs who have taken their first steps toward starting and building their own businesses! Big thanks to TIQC and Holt Computer Training
By Dr. Stacie N. C. Grant – Chair, WIBO Board of Directors Black History Month encourages us to honor the stories that often go untold: the narratives of families building futures, and entrepreneurs transforming vision into legacy. At WIBO, we recognize Black history not only as something from the past but as something actively being
Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant- Chair, WIBO Board of Directors As the Board Chair of WIBO, I have the privilege of witnessing something remarkable: the transformation that occurs when individuals realize they can build the life they envision through entrepreneurship, education, and community support. For more than 50 years, WIBO has guided thousands of entrepreneurs on
By Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant – Chair, WIBO Board of Directors Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we take a moment to reflect on the life, leadership, and enduring vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His vision is rooted not only in justice and equality but also in dignity, opportunity, and economic
By Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant – Chair, WIBO Board of Directors One of the greatest privileges of serving as the Board Chair of the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) is witnessing what can happen when determination meets education, and when a community supports entrepreneurs during their most challenging moments. The journey of Aniceto Charles Jr.,
Ted Geier, long time WIBO volunteer and now our Executive Director, penned an article on how to properly do an anniversary year fundraising campaign. Your organization is approaching a major anniversary year. It’s time to celebrate! Your team may be eager to pick a cool gala venue and start planning a menu. But you will
The 16-Week Hands-On Programs Launching This February In Queens, Brooklyn, And Virtually Will Help Aspiring And Small Business Owners Start And Grow Sustainable Businesses By: WIBO WIBO Spring 2026 Entrepreneurship Program MANHATTAN, N.Y. – Jan. 15, 2026 – PRLog — The Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to entrepreneurship
From the WIBO Archives is this little video about our 40th Anniversary! Then Executive Director Amini Kajunju, several board members and alumni talk about the impact of WIBO. With some rare footage of WIBO co-founder Walter Geier.
Stephen with some of our members and alumni. By Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant – Chair, WIBO Board of Directors For more than half a century, the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) has served as a beacon of hope, economic mobility, and entrepreneurial empowerment. As Board Chair, I have the honor of carrying forward a mission
At The Fortune Society, the Employment Services (ES) program equips participants with professional tools to help them successfully obtain employment and thrive in the workplace. Participants gain valuable knowledge from services like the three-week job readiness workshop, sector-based skills training and transitional work opportunities. The Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) focuses on entrepreneurship, building upon
After Building And Selling A Number Of Multi-million Dollar WCKs Mogul Stephen Jackson Reboots The Premier Business Workshop WIBO To Continue To Empower Economically In The Digital Age By Kamau Austin, Publisher of The Southeast Queens Scoop. (Southeast Queens, NYC) If you want to be successful in business it makes perfect sense to learn from
By Cuevas Peacock I fell in love with Waco somewhere in between Elm and Austin Avenue. Perhaps it was while grabbing a bite to eat at Xristos Café, and then dessert at Hey Sugar. Maybe it was while getting a hair cut at the Jockey Club before visiting Suit City in hopes of finding a
In January of 2011, Amini Kajunju, Executive Director of the Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) was invited to talk about “Education and Entrepreneurship” at the Rockefeller Center in Dartmouth College in New Hampshire supporting the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Annual Theme “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere.” The lecture was funded by
