February 2012, Issue 1

February 9, 2012 In this issue: Client of the Month: Barbara McCarthy, BPI Class – 4 Seats Left!, Thrive in 5 Partners with Coaching Program, Free Tax Preparation, Filing with H&R Block?, Expert Organizer Book Signing, Tips for Starting a Business Web Chat, Financial Advisor Recruitment, Government Subcontracting Workshop, Grant Writing Workshop, Advertising Deals through ParentClick, The Story Exchange

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Dear Friend of WEV, February is off with a bang! And this issue is proof of that fact… with OVER 15 incredible resources and events right around the corner. Read on to find the one that’s just right for you. Or spread the love and share this issue with a friend. -The WEV Staff Client of the Month  Barbara McCarthy Two years ago, Barbara McCarthy didn’t know what a frozen yogurt shop was, but she did know that she needed a new job. Barbara took the BPI course and is now the proud owner of Bliss Frozen Yogurt in Ojai. Read more. BPI Class – 4 Seats Left!  Have you been considering WEV’s Business Plan Intensive (BPI) course? If so, now’s the time to act. The class begins February 28th in Ventura, and only four spots remain open for this rigorous, ‘write-a-plan-now’ training. More info.  NEW! Thrive in 5 Partners with Hudson Institute Coaching Program  We’re excited to announce our new affiliation with the Hudson Institute, a Santa Barbara-based national training ground for leaders and professionals seeking certification in the art of coaching. This partnership now means that all Thrive in 5® clients will have access to 10 coaching sessions with a Hudson Institute coach… at NO additional cost! Another value added to the already robust Thrive in 5 program! For more info on Thrive in 5; the Hudson Institute; OR coaching and how it can make a lifelong effect on your ability to work effectively and achieve goals, follow the links here and contact Thrive in 5 Program Manager, Lisa Champagne-Minyard at lminyard@wevonline.org or 805.667.8004 Resources Free Tax Preparation Through VITA If your family earned less than $50,000 in 2011, 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. • Northern Santa Barbara County: Call 2-1-1 or 805.922.0329 x114 for an appointment, or visit www.taxhelp211.org. View flyer in English/Spanish. • Southern Santa Barbara County: Two locations open with walk-ins welcome; 1st come, 1st served. View flyer in English/Spanish. Filing Taxes with H&R Block? Raise money for WEV by using H&R Block. In the midst of tax season, we’ve partnered with H&R Block to raise money through their non-profit referral program. For each new client referred to have their taxes prepared, H&R Block will send WEV $25! Give back to WEV and have your taxes prepared at the same time by bringing in the referral form to your nearest H&R Block today! *This does not constitute an endorsement of H&R Block. WEV Contributor & Expert Organizer Hosts Book Signing TONIGHT  Eve Briere will be signing her book, 31 spaces 31 days, tonight at Tecolote Book Shop from 5-6pm. She’ll also be discussing the concept of mindfulness and how it comes into play with organization, as well as why she sees organization as a lifestyle choice. Come out to learn some quick fixes for instant organization and space saving ideas. More info. Advice and Tips on Starting a Business Free February 16th Web Chat through SBA Janice Washington, state director of the Arizona Small Business Development Center Network, will host the February web chat on “New Year, New Business: How to Start it Right.” An experienced business consultant and former business owner, Washington will answer questions about the early steps to take when starting a business, and the tools and resources that can help to get a small business idea off the ground. Participants can join the live web chat and post questions beforehand, by going online and clicking on the web chat event under ‘What’s New.’ Financial Advisor Recruitment Put your entrepreneurial skills to work. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (MSSB) is actively searching for women interested in Financial Advisory roles. Qualified candidates will possess a minimum of two years experience; preferably in sales, management or within an entrepreneurial endeavor. Qualified candidates will be invited to an exclusive event which will provide an overview of financial advisor opportunities at MSSB for women. Please join us as we celebrate Women’s Heritage Month by spotlighting our extremely successful women Financial Advisors. To learn more about Financial Advisory roles and read insights on our careers, click on the following links: Financial Advisory Associate (FAA) Role & Women’s Financial Advisory Forum For consideration, please email your resume and brief statement of interest by Wednesday, February 29th to emma.bridges@mssb.com. Attendees will receive an invitation and full event details on Wednesday, March 7, 2012.    Sell to the Government    Government Subcontracting  February 28th, 9am-12pm, WEV’s Santa Barbara office, More info. 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. Grant Writing Workshops Is your business venture a non-profit? Grants To You trains volunteers, primarily senior citizens, high school/college students and other computer orientated individuals to research and assist grant writers to win the funds that non-profit agencies desperately need. Upcoming classes: Session 1: Friday, February 24, 1-4pm St John’s Cancer Center Session 2: Friday, March 2, 1-4pm St John’s Cancer Center Center Instructor: Elaine Aldrete, MBA The class is 2 days. All students must have an organization that they will be volunteering for and attend both days. The cost is $25. Click here to sign up. In Our Last Issue  Advertising Deals for WEV Clients through ParentClick.com 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] 180×150 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] 180×150 NEWSLETTER ADS with their PREMIUM Package [$200 value] 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. Forward this message to a friend. February 9, 2012 In This Issue  Client of the Month: Barbara McCarthy BPI Class – 4 Seats Left! Thrive in 5 Partners with Coaching Program Resources  Free Tax Preparation Filing with H&R Block? Expert Organizer Book Signing Tips for Starting a Business Web Chat Financial Advisor Recruitment Government Subcontracting Workshop Grant Writing Workshop In Our Last Issue Advertising Deals through ParentClick The Story Exchange Follow WEV     Support WEV   Client Achievements Santa Barbara Aesthetics Academy Opens When WEV client Melissa Broughton opened Santa Barbara Aesthetics Academy (SBAA) last November, she answered the prayers of many newly graduated aestheticians seeking to bridge the gap between vocational training and real-world experience. Read more about this fantastic new local business in a recent article in the Independent. Contact: 26 West Mission Street, Suite 3, Santa Barbara 805.280.2688 Visit online. SET Grad Verity Somers Shares Fitness Advice in VC Star SET grad Verity Somers is establishing herself as a fitness expert in Ventura County. Just check out her extensive article in the Ventura County Star’s 2012 Fitness, Health and Beauty Guide (p. 18) for info on how to kick-start your exercise routine in the new year and how Verity’s Business, Raw Workouts, can help. Share Your Success 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 news@wevonline.org WEV Classifieds Valentine’s Day Party & Sale at Ventura Boutique TODAY Be sure to stop by WEV Client Harper Blue in Ventura TODAY between 6-8pm for their Pre-Valentines Day Party & Sale. Other WEV clients will have their goods there as well including Kama Sutra Closet and Shell’s Petals Florist. There’s nothing more romantic than shopping local for your special someone!! WEV Office Tables For Sale WEV is selling two tables (pictured below) from our Ventura office. Table, $40 Seats 5-6 Small Side Table, $10 Approx. 2.5′ x 2.5′ Or purchase both for $45. Purchaser must be able to pick up items from office. Please contact Llewellyn (805.667.8004 or lsomers@wevonline.org) with interest. Valentine’s Day 10% off Flowers This Valentine’s Day get that special someone a gift they won’t forget. Come in to Shell’s Petals for a beautiful arrangement, gifts and more! We’re offering 10% off so don’t miss out. Shell’s Petals Florist 7820 Telegraph Rd. Ventura, CA 93004 805.659.4449 Attention Handmade Crafters & Artists Booth Space Available in Ventura Arts & Crafts Marketplace! SET grad Michelle Nosco seeks 25 individuals to lease booth space in prime ‘500’ block retail space in Ventura (near theater & Starbucks). Starting March 1st. Hurry, signups limited. Arts, crafts or hand-crafted products must be juried in. Your unusual product may qualify. $225/month with 3 month commitment. $200/month with 6 month commitment. Vendors pay 18% commission from sales revenue to cover cost of bookkeeping, credit cards, website and sales clerk expenses. BONUS: First ten vendors waive first month commissions. For more info, call: (661) 803-7744 or email Michelle at ArtsForEarth@ hotmail.com Tame Your Email Have you thought lately “I can’t continue to spend this much time on my email! What I’m doing isn’t working”? If this sounds familiar, take WEV contributor Maura Raffensperger’s free online assessment & learn the #1 tip to control your email. Cameras for Sale WEV Client selling 2 Bronica Cameras Large format cameras, in excellent condition. I have been the only one to use them all these years, but I’ve gone digital. One is a Zenza with a portrait lense and the other also has a good lense. I have the bags and all the goodies as well. Contact Evvy Boggess at Conceptual Photoimaging 805.938.1340 or  805.801.6107 (cell) 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, 9 am -5 pm  Ventura County 374 Poli St., Suite 207 Ventura, 93001 805.667.8004 Hours: W-F, 9 am – 5 pm (Appointments Preferred) Kern County P.O. Box 5477 3717 Mount Pinos Way, Unit A Frazier Park, 93225 805.667.8004 Open by appointment only