January 24, 2012 Women's Economic Ventures is holding several orientations in upcoming weeks to prepare individuals to enroll in the Self Employment Training course, which beings in the second week in February. Read more.

January 19, 2012 The start of a new year is a natural time to reflect on our aspirations and goals for the coming year. For those who have ever dreamed of owning or growing their own business or for those determined to pave their own economic futures, Women’s Economic Ventures offers the tools and guidance to succeed. WEV’s core 14-week Self-Employment Training courses start in February in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Read more.

January 9, 2012 Art and business can mix — and Marsha Bailey of Women's Economic Ventures can show you how. On Feb. 13, she will discuss business plans, budgets and how to run an art endeavor like a business. $15. Free to Art Without Limits and Santa Barbara Performing Arts League members. 1330 State St., second floor conference room. Register by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Read more.

January 10, 2012 In an effort to promote greater communication between businesses and government offices, politicians from federal and local levels hosted a panel of officials on Monday at Fess Parker's DoubleTree Restort.The National Association of Women Business Owners sponsored the events, and  included  Congresswoman Lois Capps, who pointed to the successes of organizations with similar relationships such as Women's Economic Ventures. Read more.

December 31, 2011 This fall, WEV graduate Melissa Hernandez started Rocksteady Fitness with her husband, Arturo. After completing WEV's SET course, the couple felt better equipped to pursue their vision of co-owning a personal-training, group exercise, and massage therapy business. Read more.

 December 29, 2011 Eight Santa Ynez Valley residents have completed intensive courses in self-employment training and writing a business plan through the nonprofit Women’s Economic Ventures, based in Santa Barbara. Read more.

December 22, 2011 Three hundred 3rd to 6th grade students performed an array of ballroom dances including Swing, Tango, Salsa, Waltz, and Cha-cha at the “First Annual Dancing with our Local Schools” event at Los Cerritos Middle School...Maria Durant, owner of Dance 4 Wellness in Thousand Oaks, collaborated with the Fordney Foundation to provide free training in order to supplement school programs and create a positive and creative outlet for the students. Durant is just one example of a Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) graduate doing good work for our community. She took WEV’s 14 week self-employment training course and opened her company starting with only herself as the instructor. She now has a large studio in Thousand Oaks with seven instructors and growing enrollment, adding to the employment numbers in the region as well as giving back to the community. Read more.

December 22, 2011 On Thursday, December 15th, 14 women and men from Ventura County celebrated their successful completion of WEV’s Self-Employment Training program with families, friends and the community at the Montecito Country Club. The event concluded with a reception and “business expo” where graduates showcased their new or pre-launch businesses. Read More.

December 5, 2011 Yearning to bring a bit of Britain back to Santa Barbara,  WEV graduate Angela Torin opened the charming Hampstead Village in La Arcada last year: “I graduated WEV in May 2010, and in June I was in Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Bath, Manchester — all over the place finding the things I wanted to bring in,” said Torin. Read more.

November 17, 2011 If you have only 36 hours to spend in Santa Barbara, The New York Times recommends visiting C'est Cheese, a local cheese shop owned and operated by WEV clients Kathryn and Michael Graham. The newspaper suggests "pick[ing] up tins of Pasolivo tangerine-infused while nibbling on a fragrant truffled grilled cheese sandwich." Read more.