Greetings!

I’m Headmistress Jill Miller.

I started the Finishing School for Modern Women in Wichita, Kansas in September 2015, after many years of freelance corporate training and business development consulting.  It is my mission to bring modern women together, to work on the skills we need today to be more confident and claim our power in business, finance, communication and life. Not because we need finishing, but because we’re never finished!

What We Do

These are not your grandmother’s etiquette classes! We cover a wide variety of topics. Some are designed to help with professional skills, like our class on negotiating strategies. Other classes help you get more enjoyment in life, such as how to make new friends and business connections. We also have classes on how to take control of your life, like reducing chaos by cutting out clutter, something we all battle with.  

Since we opened, over a thousand women have attended our classes, coming together, as a community to learn and share knowledge to improve our lives. It has been a blast!

Why We're Going Online

So far, people have had to come to the Finishing School location, at a specific time, to take classes. This means that women who have time conflicts and commitments, or live outside the Wichita area, aren’t able to learn with us. Friends and fans around the United States have encouraged me to explore how to offer our classes online, so they can come play.

This is a natural progression to help more women own their power. Over the past two years of doing live classes, we’ve built a community, developed our branding materials and identity, and have tested and refined the content of over 20 classes, ready to go online. These will be big advantages as we build a new way to deliver our classes to a broader market.

It is an important time for women to come together to work together to own our power. The percentage of women that hold leadership positions continues to be stuck at 10 to 20% in top leadership positions throughout a broad range of industries. The need for women in leadership positions, in business, politics and the community, has never been stronger.

I started researching how to take our classes online in September 2017, after being inspired, and pressured, at the National Federation of Press Women conference. The way we come together to learn as a community is important to our mission. I didn’t know if that was possible to do with online classes in a meaningful way.

What We’re Doing Next

Through much research and advice from people who are already experts in this field, I found there are ways to offer classes online, without having to compromise on how powerful we are when we come together as a community and share our knowledge. In fact, it will make our community bigger, giving women the opportunity to interact with other Modern Women around the world.

I plan to start offering subscription-based online classes, starting in March 2018. In January, we'll build the site and first month’s content. We’ll beta test the site with current Finishing School members the beginning of February. In mid-February, we’ll start heavily marketing the launch online and at the Wichita Women’s Fair. If all goes as planned, the first class will go live on Monday, March 5!

Online classes won’t replace live classes. I’m creating ways to make it all work together, so students get the most value from being part of the live and online experience. Some classes will be offered at the Finishing School, that won’t be online, especially our most interactive classes. All new classes will be introduced live, to give us a chance to refine them and see how much demand there is for the class before taking it online.

How Online Classes Will Work

The online classes will be offered through affordable subscriptions of one month, three months, six months or a year subscription. The longer time signed up for, the less expensive the monthly cost will be. Charter prices start at $39 for one month, and go as low as $16.99 per month for a year subscription. We will offer a 30 day, money back guarantee, so no one feels “stuck” with a subscription they don’t find useful.

Subscriptions Include:

• Class of the Month – divided into five - 20 to 25 minute self-study modules. Includes optional interactive exercises between modules and a downloadable class workbook . Delivered the first week of the month.
• Class of the Month Bonus Materials – resources, articles and other information that adds to the knowledge of subject. Delivered the second week of the month.
• Exclusive podcast - 15 to 20 minute interviews with experts and other special guests on the monthly topic. Delivered the third week of the month.
• Live monthly webinar, video conference – scheduled and recorded webinar for open discussion, Q & A, or special topics announced in second week. Scheduled in the fourth week of the month.
• Digital badge when class is completed.
• User-friendly website - personal dashboard tracks progress, makes navigation easier, and manages subscription.
• Archived content that can be referred back to anytime.
• Forum and social learning tools that make it easy to interact with students all over the world.

What we Need

To do this well, and why do it any other way, it’s not going to be easy or cheap. I’m going to need professional help to get this up and going, like my web developer. There are a lot of other expenses, like the Wordpress plug-ins I’ll need to manage the customer experience and the behind the scenes automation, video studio set-up, software to produce the classes, marketing to spread the word and much more.

In this Indie GoGo campaign, I’m working to raise $9,500 through a flexible campaign, which means I will be able to get help from the money raised through this campaign, whether I make my goal or not. I appreciate any help you can give me in taking my mission to a broader market.

We also need help spreading the word to other women, and men, you think will be interested in our classes and will support our campaign. Word of mouth and referrals are one of the best ways you can help the Finishing School for Modern Women. Your personal endorsement shows others you believe in what we're doing and helps more than you can imagine. 

Get something fabulous for your help!

Charter Memberships
Be an early adapter, and back us for a charter subscription to our online classes. If you want your perk to go as a gift to someone else, I’ll send you a bona fide certificate you can give them right away. You can also sponsor an online scholarship, for someone in need, who can’t afford the subscription and meets our simple criteria.

Finishing School Merch
Show the world you’re a Modern Women with our Finishing School for Modern Women bumperstickers, T-shirts, tote bags and more.

Lunch with the Headmistress
I love to meet my students, and am offering lunch with Headmistress Jill as a perk. We can meet for lunch remotely or locally. If we meet locally, lunch is on me.

Live Classes
Maybe online classes aren’t your thing, but you want to show your support. Locals choose live class passes, gift certificates, and memberships to the Finishing School. 

Consulting and Exclusive Classes for Your Business or Group
With 20 years of business development consulting and training, I've helped start new businesses and existing businesses grow. I have classes on a wide variety of topics for business, including customer service, sales training, team and business building workshops. I can come to your business, group, or gathering of friends to teach a class just for you.  

Thanks in advance for your help!
Headmistress Jill