Dear Friend of WEV,

WEV clients have been busy this Fall! Their successes fill the articles of this issue. Read on to get inspired and find the resources you need to create your own achievements.

-The WEV Staff

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Each year the VC Reporter tallies thousands of votes to give us the best of Ventura County. This year we were blown away by the number of WEV Clients and volunteers awarded! Congrats to all!

Best Gourmet Store & Best Wine Tasting - 1st Place
Paradise Pantry

Best Dance Instructor & Best Dance Studio - 1st Place
Louise Bretz of Connexions Dance Studio

Best Adult Store - 3rd Place
Kama Sutra Closet

Best Accountant/Tax Preparer - 1st Place
Danielle Brinkman of Brinkman and Company

Best Dessert - 3rd Place
Petite Reve Cafe

Children's Clothing - 3rd Place
Little Birdy Lane

Home Cleaning - 2nd Place
Stel Housecleaning

Noodle House - 1st Place
Mai's Café Aloha

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WEV's 6-week Business Plan Intensive (BPI) course begins Monday, October 3^rd in Santa Barbara. If you or someone you know needs to write a business plan and a) are already in business, b) plan to apply for a loan within the next few months, or c) have the time and commitment to succeed in BPI, please contact your local WEV office to find out if the course is right for you.
  

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Contact Program Manager Lisa Champagne-Minyard at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to find out how Thrive in Five can provide the accountability, guidance and "tough love" to push your business to the next level. Enrollment for our next cohort ends September 30th, so act now!

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 Join us for the first WEV Connects event in Ventura County on Thursday, September 29th from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Best of VC Marketplace. Owner and SET graduate Talia Wunder welcomes WEV and its supporters for a night of networking and browsing Ventura County's "hidden" treasures.

Don't miss the free prize drawings every 15 minutes. Grand prize will be a gift basket of products from The Best of VC Marketplace valued at over $85! A percentage of proceeds from the evening will benefit WEV's programs.

It's free to attend, but please RSVP so we can estimate snacks and beverages. Bring along some friends and remember those business cards!

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 Starting in October in Santa Barbara and November in Ventura, WEV will offer Business Ready. This 10-hour workshop helps participants identify or refine one solid business concept, while determining if one has what it takes to start their own business. Hurry and sign-up today! The workshops fill quickly!
  

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 After a successful summer session, Roundtables will start again in October. These Pre-Launch Roundtables provide continued accountability and guidance for WEV’s Self-Employment Training or Business Plan Intensive graduates as they prepare to launch (or have recently launched) their business. Contact our Ventura office to learn more about this offering.
  

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Try government contracting! Need to know more? Check out this helpful resource: 'Should I pursue government contracting?' WEV will be host two upcoming free workshops in collaboration with the Federal Technology Center (FTC). Register online or call 916.334.9388

Responding to RFPs (Request for Proposal)
October 21st, 9am-12pm, WEV's Ventura office, More info.

Project Management
November 8th,  9am-12pm, WEV's Ventura office, More info.

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Save 15% on the cost of an exhibitors booth or tabletop at the 2012 Santa Barbara International Women's Festival. Coupon expires 9/30/11 Use Promo Code: WF15 More info.

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Montecito Bank & Trust is offering a series of Business to Business (B2B) events to help you grow your business. Beginning in late September, the series will cover a wide range of topics, from surviving the current economy to effectively using social media. More info.

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Amy Chalker always knew she wanted to run her own business, even before knowing the definition of "entrepreneur"! With the knowledge she gained from WEV's 14-week SET course, Amy was able to double the income from her massage and nutrition practice in less time than it took to complete the course!

Read more about Amy's success...

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In This Issue

• VC Reporter's Best of Ventura County
   
• Last Chance: Write a Business Plan
  
•  One-on-One Support
  
• WEV Connects in Santa Paula
  
• Have What It Takes?
  
• Roundtables Return

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Resources

• Need a New Niche?
• Women's Festival Booth Discount
• Bank-Hosted Business Training

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In Our Last Issue

• Client of the Month

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Saturday, October 1st, 4-7pm

Enjoy wine, light appetizers and a chance to win a variety of relaxation treatments, including one hour in the Life Vessel, at this celebratory grand opening of BPI graduate Stephanie Badasci's Life Vessel Santa Barbara.

5350 Hollister Avenue, Suite C Santa Barbara

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Saturday, October 8, 11am-6pm


Join local artists and the public for a celebration of culture and creativity! FREE giveaways, snacks, face-painting, massage and art sessions! At SET Graduate Marisa Lopez's Downtown Sol, you'll find quality, handmade art, home accessories and gifts... AND learn from local artists and wellness instructors.

Historic Lopez Building, downtown Oxnard, 805.240.7SOL

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Congrats to SET Graduate, Verity Somers, of Raw Workouts on her feature in the VC Star. Raw Workouts "provides personalized fitness strategies for individuals looking to improve their health, their lives or those simply wanting to look great naked!"

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Congrats to SET Graduate, April Lemly on her delightful profile in VIV Mag's 'Featured VIV Moment'. Her story and spirit - and the mission of her company Anchor Girl - are a breath of fresh air amidst the whirlwind of competitive business. Well done!

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We're always on the lookout for a new Client of the Month, Success Story, Featured Artist or addition to the Client Achievements section of the newsletter. But don't wait for us to find you... let us know how you're doing now! Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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 Start or renew your WEV Got Business membership today! Benefits include an online business directory listing, 1 free hour of consulting, 10 free hours of coaching and more!  All for only $125!

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Aloha WEV Fans and Entrepreneurs, I'm looking for a health conscious creator of yummy meals to prepare 3 dinners on a retreat in Hawaii. Interested?
Jan. 20-26, 2012. More info, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

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Tuesday, October 18th, 7–9pm

This spooky tour with Richard Senate starts at the Best of VC Marketplace, 108 N. 10th, Santa Paula. Reservations required. Click here to buy tickets.

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If you've got something for sale or rent - or a special deal to share with the WEV community - email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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www wevonline.org

Santa Barbara County
333 S. Salinas St.
Santa Barbara, 93103
805.965.6073

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