Marg Newsome and Sandra Valks, co-founders, began the Women's Small Business Network in Quinte & Prince Edward County soon after Marg took up residence in Carrying Place in 2003. WSBN is modelled after RWBN (Rural Women's Business Network) which Marg co-founded and is still operating in rural Osgoode Ward (formerly Osgoode Township prior to amalgamation with the City of Ottawa). The success of RWBN indicates that there is a requirement for regular networking meetings for business women, no matter where they are.

WSBN holds quarterly dinner meetings in various locations throughout their coverage areas of Quinte West, the County and Belleville. The network dinners typically attract about 50-60 women who run small businesses. Women entrepreneurs-to-be often attend the dinner meetings to chat with their future mentors to gain insight into the pros and cons of running a successful entrepreneur operation. WSBN's mandate is to help women promote their businesses through networking, the sharing of ideas and resources and to support new and potential women entrepreneurs.

Doorprizes are a very positive element of the business dinners. The business person who donates a doorprize for the evening has the opportunity to tell the group about their business. This tends to be quite a delightful experience for most. They get lots of help from the audience, if they are feeling a bit nervous, as they are asked questions about their business and this tends to make people feel quite relaxed.

WSBN is a self-supporting, non-profit organization and dinner meetings are held on the second to last Tuesday evening of each quarter. Advance reservations are necessary to attend at a cost of $20.00 and can be obtained by calling Marg Newsome at (613) 394-1745 or Sandra Valks at (613) 967-4891.