Dear Friend of WEV,

Happy New Year! We hope that 2012 is full of health, happiness and progress for yourself... and for your business!

-The WEV Staff

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On December 15th, nearly 100 proud graduates -- from Santa Maria to Kern County to Thousand Oaks and in between -- gathered at the Montecito Country Club to celebrate their completion of WEV's Self-Employment Training (SET) class.

As their time in the WEV classroom ends, a new group of fresh entrepreneurs are eagerly attending orientations in anticipation of WEV's February Self-Employment Training (SET) and Business Plan Intensive (BPI) courses.

If you or a friend are considering WEV's classes this season, reserve your spot in an orientation  today. Several classes are filling fast!

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Roundtables began this week in both counties. We're sorry you missed them, but don't worry, you can still join next month. Here's what our Ventura Roundtable tackled last night at their first meeting:

Ventura Roundtable Agenda, 1/11/12

6-6:15pm - Welcome
6:15-7:15pm - Presentation by Zhena Muzyka of Zhena's Gypsy Tea, 'Overcoming Barriers and Fears'
7:15-8:00pm - Goal Setting
8:00-9:00pm - Peer Accountability & Group Discussion

Schedule and Price:
Roundtables meet once a month and will continue to enroll at a pro-rated amount. Click here for a detailed schedule in your area. 
  

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Join WEV at the 2012 Women's Festival

As a co-founding partner of the Women’s Festival of Santa Barbara, WEV is proud to announce the 2012 Women’s Festival to be held March 9^th & 10^th at SBCC West Campus in Santa Barbara. Mark your calendars and register here.

 

Exhibitor Opportunity: We have a limited number of FREE (regularly $595) exhibitor spaces for WEV alumni, Thrive in 5 clients and WEV loan recipients. If you are interested in an exhibitor space please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Catering Opportunity: The Women’s Festival is seeking a variety of local restaurant, specialty food or catering businesses to donate their food for the Friday evening VIP reception. With your donation you will receive recognition as a sponsor of the festival. This is not restricted to WEV clients. If interested please email Tracy Beard at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by January 20th.

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New Business Entity: B Corp

That's right, there's new business entity, and it's called a 'Benefit Corp' or 'B Corp.' Who was the first? Patagonia; a company with a reputation for giving. Learn more in this informative article.

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Bring Exposure to Your Artwork

If you're an artist -- as well as a WEV client or a supporter of our organization -- we want to feature your artwork in our office. For more information on this incredible opportunity to bring exposure to your work, contact Karly in Santa Barbara at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Llewellyn in Ventura at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Learn how to research these codes and numbers - and why you need to - in an introductory workshop that teaches about...
 
  Getting Started with Government Contracting
January 31st, 9am-12pm, WEV's Ventura office, More info. WEV hosts free workshops in collaboration with the Federal Technology Center (FTC). Register online or call 916.334.9388.

Want to know more? Check out 'Should I pursue government contracting?' to understand how government contracting opportunities are everywhere locally for your product or service.

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Client of the Month

Julie & Michael Crookston

BPI graduates Julia and Michael Crookston reworked a jam business to include a shared kitchen and café. The result? Goodland Kitchen and Market. The unique space was recently host to WEV's December 8th 'FoodStuff' Event. Read more.

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ParentClick.com is excited to be a Media Sponsor of Women's Economic Ventures! ParentClick has been an online publisher for the past nine years providing centralized resources for parents within their own communities while creating affordable marketing packages so that both businesses and non profits can reach the family demographic. This online community and parenting resource has grown from a handful of parents to more than 40,000 parent members with more joining daily.

ADVERTISE & LIST YOUR BUSINESS ON PARENTCLICK.com - SPECIAL RATE FOR WEV CLIENTS

BASIC PACKAGE - $60/year
• contact information, website link, tagline
• ability to post on calendar, chatter, submit press releases, etc
• option to register for an exhibitor table at the annual ParentClick Kids Expo in March
• option to attend our annual Business Mixer in January
• WEV CLIENTS will receive [1] 180x150 NEWSLETTER AD with their BASIC Package [$100 value]

PREMIUM PACKAGE - $360/year
• all the benefits of the basic package PLUS
• increase visibility with a profile page that includes rotating images and logos
• display logo on all postings [chatter, perks, calendar, etc.]
• invitations to use ParentClick tables when we host them at events throughout the year
• WEV CLIENTS will receive [2] 180x150 NEWSLETTER ADS with their PREMIUM Package [$200 value]

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The Story Exchange

WEV clients have an exciting opportunity to gain internet exposure through The Story Exchange, a forum for inspiration and encouragement with videos of women who have overcome tough odds and achieved success.

Fill out this brief survey and your story could appear on The Story Exchange. Each week one woman will be blogged about and all entries will be used to find candidates for future films.

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In This Issue 

• One Group Graduates, Another Begins
• Roundtables Launch, Feature Zhena
   
• Join WEV at Women's Festival

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Resources 

• B Corps
• Artwork Exposure
• DUNS, NAIC, SIC, Oh My!

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In Our Last Issue

• Client of the Month
• Advertising Deals through ParentClick.com
• Story Exchange

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WEV's Thrive in Five client, Alethea Paradis of Friendship Tours World is bringing an incredible speaker to the Santa Barbara community for a unique event:

Friendship Tours World Travel presents: A Conversation with Kim Phuc "The Girl in the Picture" 40 Years of Forgiveness

Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara on Thursday, January 19th, 2012 at 7:00 pm

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SET grad, Arturo Hernandez, took the Self-Employment Training  course to roll out Rocksteady Fitness, which his wife Melissa, a personal trainer, is the face of. All the hard work is paying off, as their company was recently featured in the Ventura County Star's 'Who's New in Business' section! Check out the article here and start making your fitness resolutions for 2012!

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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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Represent Yourself and Your Business With a Compelling and Confident Presence Through Public Speaking Coaching

Join Santa Barbara's only public speaking group coaching program, starting January 25 and running six weeks until February 29. Facilitated by local public speaking coach Lisa Braithwaite, public speaking group coaching emphasizes building skills and confidence, and includes exercises, discussion, opportunities for practice, and videotaping of presentations. For more information and to register, visit online or call 805.699.6408 

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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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