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Getting Started
It's easy to get started creating your website. Knowing some of the basics will help.
What is a Content Management System?
A content management system is software that allows you to create and manage webpages easily by separating the creation of your content from the mechanics required to present it on the web.
In this site, the content is stored in a database. The look and feel are created by a template. Joomla! brings together the template and your content to create web pages.
Logging in
To login to your site use the user name and password that were created as part of the installation process. Once logged-in you will be able to create and edit articles and modify some settings.
Creating an article
Once you are logged-in, a new menu will be visible. To create a new article, click on the "Submit Article" link on that menu.
The new article interface gives you a lot of options, but all you need to do is add a title and put something in the content area. To make it easy to find, set the state to published.
Template, site settings, and modules
The look and feel of your site is controlled by a template. You can change the site name, background colour, highlights colour and more by editing the template settings. Click the "Template Settings" in the user menu.
The boxes around the main content of the site are called modules. You can modify modules on the current page by moving your cursor to the module and clicking the edit link. Always be sure to save and close any module you edit.
You can change some site settings such as the site name and description by clicking on the "Site Settings" link.
More advanced options for templates, site settings, modules, and more are available in the site administrator.
Site and Administrator
Your site actually has two separate sites. The site (also called the front end) is what visitors to your site will see. The administrator (also called the back end) is only used by people managing your site. You can access the administrator by clicking the "Site Administrator" link on the "User Menu" menu (visible once you login) or by adding /administrator to the end of your domain name. The same user name and password are used for both sites.
Learn more
There is much more to learn about how to use Joomla! to create the website you envision. You can learn much more at the Joomla! documentation site and on the Joomla! forums.
About The WBC
Who We Are
The Women’s Business Center (WBC) at Cornerstone Alliance has helped small businesses start and grow in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties since 2004. We open the doors of opportunity by providing targeted individuals who are interested in starting, expanding or growing their business with access to critical resources such as business counseling, financial education, and responsible financial products.
The Women’s Business Center focuses on individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional financing or resources to engage in entrepreneurship and enhance their economic well-being, particularly women, people of color, veterans, and low-income individuals. As such, the WBC promotes and assists in advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency opportunities
Developing and nurturing home-grown business is key to our community's economic future. The Women's Business Center professional staff is ready to help you turn your dreams of entrepreneurship into reality.
The WBC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration to serve Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. Contact us today to learn how the Women's Business Center can help you turn your dreams into reality.
About Us
Who We Are
The Women’s Business Center (WBC) at Cornerstone Alliance has helped small businesses start and grow in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties since 2004. We open the doors of opportunity by providing targeted individuals who are interested in starting, expanding or growing their business with access to critical resources such as business counseling, financial education, and responsible financial products.
The Women’s Business Center focuses on individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional financing or resources to engage in entrepreneurship and enhance their economic well-being, particularly women, people of color, veterans, and low-income individuals. As such, the WBC promotes and assists in advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency opportunities
Developing and nurturing home-grown business is key to our community's economic future. The Women's Business Center professional staff is ready to help you turn your dreams of entrepreneurship into reality.
The WBC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration to serve Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. Contact us today to learn how the Women's Business Center can help you turn your dreams into reality.
The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance would like to thank our funders:
Partners
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of Michigan
The Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of Michigan provide local businesses with the resources and know-how to successfully obtain government contracts. They work to help all Michigan companies successfully obtain and perform under local, state and federal government contracts. Since 1985, the PTACs of Michigan have assisted businesses in securing contract awards, and are ready to help you too.
PTAC provides no-fee, expert counseling services and electronic Bid-Match systems in addition to seminars, workshops and trade shows. They help business position themselves to identify opportunities and expand by selling to the government.
For more information, visit Southwest Michigan PTAC
Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council
The Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) is a non-profit committed to driving economic growth within minority communities. The MMSDC advances this mission by facilitating over $20 billion annually in business contracts between corporations and certified minority business enterprises (MBEs). Founded in 1977, the MMSDC certifies minority businesses, provides MBEs with access to procurement opportunities, and develops capacity for minority business development.
The MMSDC serves two distinct audiences: minority owned businesses and large, majority-owned corporations. Their work enables minority owned businesses to grow their operations, hire more employees, and create wealth in their respective communities. Visit MMSDC for more information.
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years.
Serving Southwestern Michigan, the Kalamazoo Chapter of SCORE has over 30 mentors with over 30 backgrounds. They provide one-on-one, confidential counseling at no charge. SCORE volunteers are available by appointment, at the Cornerstone Alliance office, 80 West Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI. For an appointment contact us or contact SCORE directly by visiting SCORE.
Michigan Small Business Development Center
The Michigan Small Business Development Center provides counseling, training and secondary market research for Michigan’s new business ventures, existing small businesses, expanding new businesses and new technology companies. The MI-SBDC Southwest Michigan is located at the Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business. Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access services by visiting SBDCMichigan.
Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. They recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace.
SBA's programs include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans. SBA also provides loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade. SBA's suite of tools can help you at any stage of your business venture. From initial counseling and business planning to contracting with the government and finding seminars to grow your business – there's something for every entrepreneur to get the help they need. Visit SBA for more information.
Small Business Services
The Women's Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance is a program of Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services (CASBS). CASBS is a micro-enterprise initiative designed to aid small businesses and enhance entrepreneurial development. We support our local small businesses and the important role that they play to strengthen the economic performance of Michigan’s Great Southwest.
Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services fuels the innovation and creativity of entrepreneurs and small business owners, giving you the tools and resources you need to be Open for Business! We work with you to:
- Put your innovative ideas into action
- Support existing small business growth
- Boost business expertise through customized programs and workshops designed to help small businesses succeed
- One-on-One business counseling, ranging from best industry practices to marketing and finance
- Business Wellness Assessments for existing businesses to strategize on improvement and expansion opportunities
WBC Advisory Council
The Women's Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance Advisory Council is comprised of local professionals who provide guidance, technical assistance and advocacy for the WBC.
The Women's Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance 2023-2024 Advisory Council Members are:
Rebecca (Becky) Spicer
Banking Center Manager, 1st Source Bank
Marci Taylor
General Manager, WSMK Radio
Afiya Latham
Owner, Express Employment Professionals
Ashley Stephens
CEO
N S Cosmetics
Melanie Owen
Co-owner, Lazy Ballerina Winery
Business Counseling
Business Counseling
Want to open a small business but you don’t know where to begin? Are you already in business and want to take your business to the next level? Let the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance help you to make your dreams a reality!
No matter what stage of business you are in, our free, personal and confidential, one-on-one business counseling can help you focus and plan for your future. Our goal is give you the tools and resources you need to be and stay Open for Business!
We can assist you with all aspects of owning and operating a business, from how to write a business plan to marketing your business on social media!
The first step is the process is to attend Learn, Know, Grow: Intro Small Business Orientation. This free class provides you with an introduction to The WBC and our services. The Small Business Orientation is held twice a month. Register Here