February 2011
Dear Friend of WEV,
We hope you’ll enjoy this newest edition of our newsletter!
-The WEV Team
Join WEV at the 2011 Women’s Festival! As a co-founding partner of the Women’s Festival in Santa Barbara, WEV is proud to announce the 2011 Women’s Festival to be held March 4-5th at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara! General admission is $25 to browse the expo and participate in break-out sessions, or you can join WEV as an exhibitor. If interested in discounted admission tickets, OR free or discounted exhibit space, contact Program Coordinator Finley Balma at fbalma@wevonline.org.
It’s Tax Time
Take Advantage of 2010 Tax Breaks for Small Business Owners
2010 was a banner year for small business owners as it relates to tax law changes and tax law no-changes. The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 provided a number of key tax changes designed to benefit small business while the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 kept a number of key tax items the same. At any rate, prior to preparing 2010 tax forms, the self-employed and micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees) should be aware of tax law changes.
Click here to read a complete article written by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE).
And check out this helpful Fact Sheet created by the SBA to learn how you can take advantage.
New Artist in Ventura
Susan Lorenzana, BPI Graduate
 WEV is honored to display the stained-glass mosaic art of Susan Lorenzana. Susan completed the Business Plan Intensive program in the Fall of 2010. Since then, she has dedicated herself to her art on a full-time basis with plans to start her own small business. Read more about Susan; stop by the office to see her breathtaking pieces; or visit her online gallery at susanlorenzana.com.
Study Seeks Women Entrepreneurs
Telephone interviews with graduates of WEV’s SET and BPI courses will be conducted as part of a doctoral study regarding experiences during entrepreneurial trainings in Southern California. The purpose of the study is to identify the perceptions of women entrepreneurs who have completed entrepreneurial training programs that assist women in developing various strategic business skills that include development, finance, marketing, operations and leadership to start or manage a business. For more information about participation, please contact Paula Whitehead, M.B.A at 213.200.2997 or paulayw@email.phoenix.edu.
Resources
Opportunities for Women-Owned Small Businesses
As of February 4, 2011, women-owned small businesses may begin taking steps to participate in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program, which allows contracting officers to set aside specific federal contracts for certified women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). Click here for more information.
Also, check out the FTC workshops below to learn how you can get started with government contracting.
Get Started with Government Contracting
Want More from Your Business?
Do You Want More Clients, More Sales and More Profits? Invest In Your Greatest Asset – Your Employees!
WEV graduate, Lisa Champagne-Minyard of Achievement Resources can help. Since 1997 she has shown business owners just like you how to vastly improve the performance of their teams and organizations.
Click here to learn more.
Ever Feel Like It’s Lonely at the Top?
Attention CEOs, Presidents and owners of businesses between 15 and 100 employees! The Triumvirate – comprised of WEV graduates Lisa Champagne-Minyard and Karen Bogner; as well as WEV contributor, Harriet Cohen – is currently accepting applications for their next CEO RoundTable group launching in February.
Click here to learn more.
EDGE Hosts Inaugural Seminar & Trade Show
April 9, 11am-8pm Poinsettia Pavilion, Ventura
Do you want to be on the cutting edge in your business? EDGE Seminars & Workshops presents a seminar focused on the latest trends and technologies for business development and marketing. Speakers from the worlds of branding, internet marketing and social media; local press; and nationally recognized experts will lead a day full of information that will keep you a cut above the competition. More information and tickets on sale now.
This event is being organized by frequent WEV contributor, Sam Benner, of WSI Global Solutions.
Free Tax Preparation Through VITA
If your family earned less than $49,000 in 2010, you are eligible for FREE tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County and the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara each administer the VITA program in their respective areas within Santa Barbara County.
- Santa Maria/Lompoc: Call 805.922.0329 x103 for an appointment
- Solvang: Call 805.686.0295 for an appointment
- Santa Barbara: Two locations open with walk-ins welcome; 1st come, 1st served. View flyer for Santa Barbara in English or Spanish.
Smart Women, Smart Business Workshop
February 11, 8:30-11:30am
Join WEV graduate, Olivia Alvarez, to learn the top 10 critical mistakes business owners make and how smart business women avoid them. When you leave this workshop, you’ll know:
- The current health of your business
- Practical tools and resources to address your financial, marketing and sales issues
- What action steps you’ll need to take to move your business forward
Prudential Realty Community Room, 204 E. Enos Street, Santa Maria
View the flyer and click here to register
Learn to Write Grants
Grants To You trains volunteers to research and assist grant writers to win the funds that Non-Profit Agencies desperately need. Spaces are available in their next two-day class:
Session 1: February 19, 9am-12pm, St Johns Cancer Center, 1600 N Rose Ave #145, Oxnard, CA
Session 2: February 26, 9am-12pm, St Johns Cancer Center, 1600 N Rose Ave #145, Oxnard, CA
Instructor: Elaine Aldrete, MBA
The cost is $25. All students must have an organization that they will be volunteering for and attend both days. Click here to sign up
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In This Issue
- 2011 Women’s Festival
- Tax Time
- Featured Artist
- Study Seeks Women Entrepreneurs
Resources
- Opportunities for WOSBs
- Government Contracting
- More from Your Business
- Lonely at the Top?
- EDGE Seminar & Trade Show
- Free Tax Prep
- Smart Women Workshop
- Learn Grant Writing
WEV Client Achievements
Blu Dress Boutique and Devone Design Hosting Santa Paula Chamber Mixer
Sunday, February 16 5:30-7pm
SET grads Talia Wunder (Devone Design) and Cheri Iadevaia (Blu Dress Boutique) will host the next Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce Mixer at Cheri’s trendy downtown location.
Admission is $5 and includes a free drink ticket!
More info. View flyer.
925 E. Main Street
Santa Paula
Have an achievement to share?
Let us know! At WEV, our goal is your success. Help us highlight your achievements. Email news@wevonline.org by the 28th of the month with client achievements or announcements!
WEV Classifieds
Seeking New Products
Heart Celebrations Floral Design
Heart Celebrations is inviting WEV graduates with rare containers, gifts or handcrafted products for sale to contact Millie with your product information and/or pictures. heartcelebrations@ gmail.com, 805.204.8843
Free
Chiropractic Services
February 19
-Patient Appreciation, 9-11am
-Open House , 12-6pm
Visit WEV client, Crystal Galvan, at Crystal Chiropractic in Goleta for free exams for new patients; free treatments for existing patients; and 15 free counseling consultations. Enjoy live music, light refreshments and office tours. –> 805.687.8900
For Sale
Conference Table, $150
Solid, 8′ x 3.5′, minor cosmetic repairs. Contact Carol at chmack47@yahoo.com
WEV Discount
Sama Ayurveda
Check out the new location at Touch 16 W. Mission, Suite M in Santa Barbara, neighboring the Buddhist Center.
Love is in the air…. Self LOVE that is! WEV grads, clients and members receive 10% off the most requested bliss spa treatment, Ayurvedic Healing Facial Rejuvenation and 10% off Introductory Ayurveda Lifestyle Consultation.
samaayurveda.com
Maria Carbonell 805.570.2692
Contribute to the Classifieds
If you’ve got something for sale or rent – or a special deal to share with the WEV community – let us know at news@wevonline.org
Contact WEV
Santa Barbara County333 S. Salinas St. Santa Barbara, 93103 805.965.6073
Ventura County
374 Poli St., Suite 207
Ventura, 93001
805.667.8004
Kern County
P.O. Box 5477
3717 Mount Pinos Way,
Unit A
Frazier Park, 93225
805.667.8004
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