Women's Small Business Workshop in Missoula on Feb. 21

Montana Senator Jon Tester is bringing his Small Business Opportunity Workshop to Missoula next month. The meeting, which is set for February 21, 2012 will focus on helping Montana women get a jump-start on opening their own small business and creating jobs according to a news release from Tester's office.

The event will be held at the University Center on the University of Montana campus and will feature a discussion with some of Montana's leading female small business owners and highlight avenues women can take to get their business up-and-running.

Tester's Made in Montana Success Stories session will include Missoula's own Aimee McQuilkin of Betty's Divine and Christine Littig of Bernice's Bakery recounting how they turned their business ideas into growing companies.

The workshop's opening session, Access to Capital, will show the many available options for funding a new business, ranging from private investors to non-profits to the Small Business Administration according to the news release.

The workshop will also feature networking opportunities and information booths for attendees. Tester's workshop is free and open to the public and those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP online (http://www.kpax.com/news/women-s-small-business-workshop-coming-to-missoula/tester.senate.gov/workshop).

Tester's nine previous small business workshops have been held in Great Falls, Bozeman, Kalispell, Billings, Butte and Missoula.