Join WEV's Email List



Email Marketing by VerticalResponse
Course Description

Sign up for an orientation now!

WEV’s Self-Employment Training course is 14-week course providing week-by-week training in the most important aspects of organizing, financing, marketing and managing a small business.  Participants leave the course with a complete business plan including a marketing plan, a cash flow projection, an operations plan, and a core network to help sustain the business. 

There are now more than 2,000 businesses throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties owned and operated by graduates of WEV’s Self-Employment Training program or recipients of small business loans through WEV. The Self-Employment Training course is part of the continuum of programs WEV offers to help women start-up, launch, grow, and sustain their own business.

The course is divided in to five sections:

Section Weeks  Assignment  Due 
Business Start-up Basics  1-3  Business Description  Week 4 
Feasibility and Marketing  4-6  Feasibility and Marketing Plan  Week 7 
Business Finances  7-8  Financial Plan  Week 10 
Business Management  9-10  Operations and Management Plan  Week 12 
Business Plan Writing  12-14  Submit Complete Business Plan  Week 14 

 

Logistics

The course is offered twice annually: February through May and September through December. Classes meet weekly for three hours, with two additional full-day Saturday workshops. Maximum class size is 25.

Spring 2012 Class Schedule:

City Day & Time Instructor
Santa Maria (Spanish) Tuesdays; February 14 - May 15, 6:00-9:00pm Sergio Zepeda
Buellton Tuesdays; February 14 - May 15, 6:00-9:00pm Julie Samson
Santa Barbara Tuesdays; February 14 - May 15, 6:00-9:00pm Katie Walters
Santa Barbara Wednesdays; February 15 - May 16, 6:00-9:00pm Masen Yaffee
Ventura Wednesdays; February 15 - May 16, 6:00-9:00pm Gloria Miele
Thousand Oaks Tuesdays; February 14 - May 15, 6:00-9:00pm Lisa Champagne-Minyard

Cost

The course is offered on a sliding scale based on your household income for the past year, with a minimum payment of $200 and a maximum payment of $2,500.

Prerequisites

  • Must have email address
  • Familiarity with Internet navigation
  • Computer literacy, familiarity with using Microsoft Word and Excel

Enrollment

  1. Attend a WEV orientation.
  2. Once you complete the application materials, schedule an appointment to submit your application. All course prerequisites must be met prior to enrolling.
  3. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the class fills. WEV cannot hold a space for those with incomplete applications.