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August 2012, Issue 1

Home Past Newsletters August 2012, Issue 1

August 2012, Issue 1 In this issue: Client of the Month: Teresa Sat, WEV Connects at Goodland Kitchen, Thank You, Volunteers!, Summer Sizzlin’ Cooking Demo at Goodland Kitchen, 2011 WEV Annual Report, Now Hiring: Spanish Program Specialist, WEV Features Annual Success Stories, Orientation Schedule for Fall Courses, SET and BPI Now Enrolling!, Call for Business Development Specialist, WEV Concludes Annual Client Outcomes Research Project

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Dear Friend of WEV,

We’re excitedly enrolling handfuls of entrepreneurs into WEV’s Fall business training courses, and our glee has spilled over! In this issue, join us in applauding client achievements, as well as appreciating the 100+ volunteers who have contributed to their successes. Thanks to the WEV network; you’re an incredible group to work with!

-The WEV Staff

Client of the Month: Teresa Sat

Even though Teresa always dreamed of owning her own shop, her business idea grew out of frustration: the difficulty of finding clothes and accessories for plus size women inspired her to create Xclusive, a boutique that specializes in fashionable and feminine apparel for plus size women. Visit Xclusive’s website to preview styles, find outfit ideas, and read about upcoming events. Read more.

WEV Connects at Goodland Kitchen!

You’re invited to connect with the WEV community of business owners, donors, volunteers and staff. Build your business network while exploring our host and WEV client business, Goodland Kitchen & Market- a vibrant commercial kitchen space and the most delicious grab-and-go eatery in town. Congresswoman Lois Capps will be a special guest at the event.

When: Thursday, August 9th, 6-8pm
Where: Goodland Kitchen, Old Town Goleta
Event Page: Click here!

The Details: FREE to attend; open to the public; RSVPs encouraged but not necessary; bring along your friends; doorbuster prizes for the first 10 to arrive.

Thank You, Volunteers!

This month, we want to take the time to recognize our talented volunteers. their participation is essential to the quality of WEV’s programs. Thank you for all that you do!

Check out our Volunteer page for more information on the experts who give classroom presentations, consult with clients one-on-one, and generally make our world go ‘round! Here’s just the start of a list that includes more than 100 volunteers who shared their time and expertise in the first half of this year:

Alvarez, Olivia Defined Business Solutions

Cruz, Marisol Mission Community Bank

Jakkola, Suzanne Owens & Jakkola Tax Professionals, Inc.

Click here to view the entire list of 111 volunteers.

Would you like to get involved as a volunteer or know someone who would? If you’re in Santa Barbara county, contact Karly Dowling at (805) 965-6073 or kdowling@wevonline.org.If you’re in Ventura county, contact Llewellyn Somers at (805) 667-8004 or lsomers@wevonline.org.

Summer Sizzlin’ Cooking Demo at Goodland Kitchen!

Looking for a fun way to support WEV? Join us on August 16th for this intimate summer fundraiser with chef, owner of Goodland Kitchen & Market and graduate of WEV’s BPI course, Julia Crookston. With over 30 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry, Julia will demonstrate the creation of a locally sourced summer-time meal that you can then cook at home. Don’t miss this fun, lively, and incredibly delicious evening with proceeds directly supporting WEV’s programs. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

Hot Off the Press!

Be one of the first to check out WEV’s 20 Year

Retrospective & 2011 Annual Report. Catch up on the history of WEV and revel in the outstanding success of our clients in 2011. A special thank you to Idea Engineering for designing the report! Read Annual Report here.

Now Hiring: Spanish Program Specialist

WEV is looking to fill a new position – The Spanish Program Specialist position serves WEV’s Spanish-speaking business clients in Santa Paula and throughout Ventura County by working closely with the program team to establish and grow WEV’s training and lending programs. Provides Self Employment Training, evaluates potential borrowers for suitability and eligibility, and ensures clients have resources to complete loan applications. Cultivates and maintains positive relations with the public, the press, and target communities. This is a full-time position. For more information, please check out the job posting here.

WEV Features Annual Success Stories

Each year, WEV interviews and photographs a select number of clients who have made incredible achievements in their businesses. To view the new WEV Success Stories, click here for Santa Barbara County or here for Ventura County. Stay tuned for featured clients in upcoming issues of WEV Got News.

Orientation Schedule for Fall Courses

Get a move on starting or growing your business, and attend an orientation to familiarize yourself with the resources available to you as an entrepreneur. Check out upcoming sessions, and sign up here! (Or pass this on to a friend!)

SET and BPI Now Enrolling!

Over 40 entrepreneurs have already taken the first step of jumping into the wild world of entrepreneurship by enrolling in our Fall 2012 Self-Employment Training (SET) and Business Plan Intensive (BPI) courses.

If you’ve already been to an orientation in the last year, schedule an enrollment appointment soon by calling (805) 965-6073 or by emailing kdowling@wevonline.org. Classes are filling on a first-come-first served basis! If you haven’t been to an orientation yet, sign up here.

EXPERT’S CORNER

Take steps to recovery by adhering to the prescription of Marketing Therapist, Lorrie Thomas Ross of Web Marketing Therapy. You can help yourself and your business by reading on to find her expert advice on success!

Call for Business Development Specialists!

If you’re interested in guiding business owners through the

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wild terrain of entrepreneurship, or if you are a stellar specialist who is changing the business world as we speak, consider becoming Thrive in Five’s new Business Development Specialist (BDS).

Business Development Specialists provide one-on-one support for Thrive in Five Clients during their initial assessments, monthly check-ins, and quarterly mentoring meetings. For more information, contact Program Manager, Lisa Champagne-Minyard at lminyard@wevonline.org or 805.667.8004.

WEV Concludes Annual Client Outcomes Research Project

Earlier this week WEV wrapped up our annual client outcomes research project. In all, we interviewed 214 clients about their experiences since coming to WEV. Over the next few months we’ll be analyzing the data in order to determine our impact and improve programs for future clients. All participating clients were entered into a drawing for prizes donated by several local businesses (many of whom are WEV clients), including:

A Blissful Place Wellness Spa

Thank you to these wonderful donors and to every client who took time out of their very busy lives to give us their feedback!

Resources

WEV’s Small Business Loan Fund for Holiday Season

Are you gearing up for the holiday season? Do you need capital to ensure you have adequate inventory? You might be thinking, “It’s only August!”, but now is the time to assess your needs and begin the loan process. If you’re thinking of applying, don’t wait until the holidays are upon you. The loan process can take 4-8 weeks…so don’t delay. Get organized. Apply now.

For an overview of our loan fund and the application process, please visit our Loan Fund page.

Women’s Conference in Long Beach

Learn life & business lessons for entrepreneurs at the

California Women’s Conference (the largest Women’s Conference in the U.S!). The event will be held in Long Beach on September 23-24th, and is expecting 20,000-30,000 people this year. Tickets and booths will sell out, so reserve your spot now!

Enter discount code: LAJOIE and get 10% off!

EXPERT’S CORNER

The following tip comes from Lorrie Thomas Ross—one of WEV’s guest speakers, Marketing Therapist, and founder of Web Marketing Therapy:

“Success comes in CANS, failure comes in CAN’Ts!”

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What does outrageous success for your business look like? Those outcomes depend on your skills and abilities…and (more importantly) they depend on you constantly affirming those skills and abilities. So, for maximum success, reframe your thinking: Yes, you CAN!

…Don’t believe you can? Perhaps you need a little therapy from Lorrie. Visit her here. Thanks for your insight, Lorrie!

What wisdom could you share with the WEV community? Establish yourself as an expert in your field by writing a quick tip to news@wevonline.org. Spread the wealth of knowledge!

In Our Last Issue

Buellton Success Story!

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Julie opened Cornucopia soon after graduating from Self-Employment Training (SET), armed with the confidence and skills she had developed through the course and in her previous career. After eight years with her family and seasonal part-time employees by her side, Julie continues to successfully redefine the concept of gift baskets in Santa Barbara County. Read more.

Conejo Success Story!

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Karen opened HR Business Solutionz in the same year she completed WEV’s Self-Employment Training course. Karen began sharing her expertise by giving presentations on human resources to WEV’s business plan classes and as an expert for WEV’s Thrive in Five® clients. After two years on her own, she joined the Thrive in Five® program herself to reach her goal of ten employees and over $1 million in revenue within the next five years. Read more.

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August 8th, 2012

In This Issue

Client of the Month: Teresa Sat
WEV Connects at Goodland Kitchen
Thank You, Volunteers!
Summer Sizzlin’ Cooking Demo at Goodland Kitchen
2011 WEV Annual Report
Now Hiring: Spanish Program Specialist
WEV Features Annual Success Stories
Orientation Schedule for Fall Courses
SET and BPI Now Enrolling!
Call for Business Development Specialist
WEV Concludes Annual Client Outcomes Research Project

Resources

WEV’s Small Business Loan Fund for Holiday Season
Women’s Conference in Long Beach
Expert’s Corner

In Our Last Issue

Buellton Success Story!
Conejo Success Story!

Follow WEV

Support WEV

Client Achievements

Publicize Your Business Achievements

We’re always on the lookout for a new Client of the Month, Success Story, Featured Artist or additions 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 news@wevonline.org

WEV Classifieds

Beauty From the Inside Out Event

A Blissful Place will be hosting a pampering event, Beauty From the Inside Out! The wellness

spa and learning center will treat attendees with clothes fittings, endermologie, makeovers, and skin analysis… all for free! Click here to visit the website of SET graduate and spa owner, Maria Wagner.

Date: Saturday, August 11th, 10am-4pm

Location: 1607 Mission Drive, Solvang 93463

Questions? Call 805.691.9233

Commericial Kitchen for Rent by the Hour

Goodland Kitchen is a commercial kitchen owned and operated by BPI graduates Julia and Michael Crookston, that can be rented by the hour. Food artisans can rent space and prep

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their products in a

licensed facility. Rent exactly as many hours as you need, so you can meet your business goals and keep costs low. Additionally the kitchen is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Old Town Goleta.

Contribute To the Classifieds

If you’ve got something for sale or rent – or a special deal to share with the WEV community – email news@wevonline.org

Contact WEV

www.wevonline.org

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

Hours: M-F, 9am-5pm

Ventura County
374 Poli St., Suite 207
Ventura, 93001
805.667.8004

Regular Hours: T-F, 9am-5pm

August 2012, Issue 1

Resources

In Our Last Issue

Contact WEV

Santa Barbara County Office

Ventura County Office