VCEDC launches Women in Business Program

Judith Munson

Contributor

April 13, 2026

VILAS COUNTY – A single social media post inspired the creation of Vilas County’s first program for women business leaders.

Launched by the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC), Executive Director Kathy Schmitz said the Women in Business Program is designed to provide networking, mentoring and educational opportunities to help women “start and grow really successful businesses.”

“If you think about it, women are central to our economy here,” she said. “Fifty-five percent of businesses in Vilas County are owned or co-owned by a woman, and yet, women lack access to financing, mentorship and professional networks. We can’t afford to ignore this demographic.”

Schmitz said the program is a comprehensive, county-wide initiative that provides women with practical tools to grow and manage their businesses.

Filling a need

The need for such a program, Schmitz said, became clear about three years ago when a woman in Vilas County posted a simple question on social media: “Are there any networking opportunities for women in business here?” 

At the time, Schmitz said the answer was unfortunately “no,” so the VCEDC responded by hosting their first Women in Business Networking Brunch.

“The event sold out immediately,” she said. “We had more than 80 ladies attending, with still more on a waiting list.”

Interest, Schmitz said, continued to grow over the next two years, with annual networking events continuing to sell out.

Eventually, she said the VCEDC applied for and secured two grants that will enable the organization to broaden the program far beyond these gatherings.

“The program is funded by two major grants: One from a private foundation for $35,000 and a second grant for $66,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation,” she said. “The funding will allow us to really scale from a single annual event to a comprehensive year-round program.”

Schmitz said the Vilas County Women in Business Spring Networking Brunch, set for April 25 at Indian Point Manor in Eagle River, marks just one component of the expanded program, which will now also feature year-round networking, personalized business consulting and women-specific educational webinars through the VCEDC’s “Lunch & Learn” series. 

“We’re going to be covering topics such as personal branding, building wealth, wealth management, work-life balance and financing,” she said. “We’ll be talking with women business leaders about lessons they’ve learned over the years. One of the speakers represents a Wisconsin business with a global reach who will address personal branding.”

Schmitz said the program aims to help women set goals, plan strategically, grow their businesses and tackle challenges effectively.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our tourism economy in Vilas County, and many of these businesses are run by women,” she said.

Dedicated program manager

Schmitz said the grant funding has allowed VCEDC to hire a dedicated program manager, Lisa Myszka, to lead the program and provide heightened small business support across the county. 

“I was really drawn to this role because of the opportunity to work alongside individuals who are pursuing their dreams of entrepreneurship,” Myszka said. “Having been involved with the women’s spring networking brunch committee over the past few years, I was already familiar with the VCEDC and the positive impact it has on women in business.”

Myszka said she understands the start-up experience, having run her own health and leadership coaching business.

“This experience has strengthened my leadership and communication skills and my ability to guide others through meaningful change,” she said.

Myszka said her primary goals for the program “are centered on supporting and empowering women in their business journey.”

As the sold-out networking events have proven, Myszka said women in business across the county are craving connection.

With the program’s expansion, Myszka said the next step focuses on moving beyond meet-and-greets to relationship building, fostering meaningful connections between experienced business owners and those just starting out. 

“I’m also committed to listening and understanding what women in our community truly need so we can provide relevant resources, encourage collaboration and help them grow,” she said. “I’m very excited about building and launching our mentorship programming. Mentorship has played a significant role in my own journey, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact it can have.” 

Mentorship

As part of the program’s mentorship component, Schmitz said newer entrepreneurs will be paired with experienced business leaders, providing guidance and support as they grow their businesses.

“We’re looking to have between eight and 10 mentors,” she said. “They will provide one-on-one business support regularly throughout the year.”

For a lot of women launching a business or navigating career decisions, Schmitz said having a mentor can make all the difference – but finding the right person isn’t always easy.

One of the first volunteers to serve as a mentor for the Women in Business Program, Schmitz said, is Bobbi Fields, vice president of academic affairs at Nicolet College. 

“I thought it was such a great opportunity,” Fields said. “I’ve had some wonderful and strong female mentors over the years who have really helped to shape and guide my own career pathway and trajectory.” 

Fields said she credits one mentor from early in her career for helping her realize her potential. 

Like many people, she said knew she wanted to advance her career but wasn’t sure exactly how.

“She served as a vice president at the healthcare system where I worked,” she said. “She was not my direct boss, but she took the time to sit down and talk with me and gave me some very valuable feedback. She allowed me, which was a little outside of my scope, to show her what I could do. So, that meant a lot.”

Fields said one of her college teachers also played a pivotal role in her life, encouraging her to push beyond what she thought was possible, challenge herself and step out of her comfort zone.

Years later, Fields said she and her former teacher became colleagues at the same college, both serving on the faculty.

“She talked me into applying for an associate dean role,” she said. “I think that was what really got me onto a leadership trajectory and led to where I am today.”

Now, Fields said she is excited to work with other women and help them realize their own potential and serve as a source of moral support.

“I think one of the things I can do, especially with my background in higher education, is to help guide individuals in their journey to see opportunities and how they can leverage those opportunities – either through education, through experience or, perhaps, even through just networking,” she said.

Fields said everyone faces career setbacks at some point – whether balancing work and life, navigating difficult coworkers or confronting the unique challenges women encounter while trying to do it all.

“So, being an ear and making suggestions is also really important for people starting out,” she said. 

Fields said the key to success is to emphasize collaboration versus competitiveness, which is often an obstacle to giving and getting good advice in the business world, especially for women. 

“This is a bit of an elephant in the room, but I do think women tend to be more competitive,” she said. “But programs like this show that we can help each other grow and learn from one another.” 

Schmitz said each mentor will be assigned someone based on the mentor’s strengths and experiences and the mentee’s needs.

Mentoring topics, she said, cover a wide range of business specialties, including starting a business, business planning, pricing, marketing and branding, sales, customer discovery, hiring and team management, financial management and legal basics for small businesses.

“I’m thrilled and honored I was asked to be a part of this,” Fields said.

Schmitz said mentors will represent several business sectors, from banking to restaurateurs. 

She said the VCEDC has created a digital business toolkit for program participants, which will serve as an online resource with templates, checklists and other tools for business planning, marketing and other areas of operations. 

When the first year starts to wind down, Schmitz said participants will be surveyed about the program’s impact on them and their business.

“Were they able to be successful in a certain area where they were looking for growth opportunities?” she said. “Did they learn what they needed?”

This feedback, Schmitz said, will help guide improvements and shape the program in future years.

“I think we’ve uncovered something really special here,” she said. “I am completely inspired by my own women colleagues. They’re managing their families; they’re managing children; they’re managing their jobs – like we all are while we’re trying to manage our health in the process.”

Schmitz said the program has brought area women together, creating a supportive network where they can connect, share resources and feel comfortable seeking guidance.

“Women are so busy, but they need a place to share with other women in business their struggles and their successes, so they can support each other in their business journey,” she said.

For more details, head to vilascountyedc.org.