Finding the Finish Line

Dear Friend of WEV,

Running a business is a marathon, not a sprint.

Ask yourself, are you standing at the starting line wondering if you’re READY? SET to take off and eager to GO? Or hitting your stride and ready to THRIVE?

Reach out to WEV so we can run beside you. And read on to find out how!

-The WEV Staff

---

Business READY Workshop

Starting November 1st in Ventura, WEV will offer Business Ready. This 10-hour workshop helps you – or someone you know – identify or refine one solid business concept, while determining if you have what it takes to start your own business. Hurry and sign-up today! The workshop is filling quickly!

Orientations

WEV’s free, one-hour informational sessions are the best way to learn about WEV’s programs like our Self-Employment Training (SET) and Business Plan Intensive (BPI) courses.

Reserve your seat in our November orientations today!
  

---

2nd Annual ‘Women Today’ Expo

WEV Clients on Discussion Panel

When: Friday & Saturday, November 11-12th
Where: Ventura County Fairgrounds

Women Today returns to Ventura County for its second great year. This terrific event focuses on celebrating all aspects of a woman’s life. With exhibits, trendy fashion shows, special speakers and celebrity guests, there’s something for every woman! More info.

Plus, stop by the ‘What Women Want’ stage at 12:05pm on Friday for a panel discussion between several successful female entrepreneurs, including WEV graduates Maria Durant of Dance 4 Wellness Studio and Kate Dunbar of Petite Reve Cafe!

---

Find out how Thrive in Five can provide the accountability, guidance and “tough love” you need to push your business to the next level.

And, for the first time ever, this in-depth, one-on-one support can be accessed at any time of the year through our new open enrollment policy… no more waiting for the start of a new cohort to get the help you need!

Contact Program Manager Lisa Champagne-Minyard at lminyard@wevonline.org

---

WEV Connects at ZFolio Gallery

Join us for the last WEV Connects event of the year on Wednesday, November 16th from 4:30-7:00 pm at ZFolio Gallery in Solvang. Conveniently timed during Solvang’s Third Wednesday event, owners and WEV loan recipients, Zdena Jiroutova and Michael Mendizza welcome the WEV community for an evening of networking and exploring the featured Czeck art glass, handmade designer jewelry and professional nature photography.

Special Addition There will be a silent auction of generously donated products and services from WEV clients in North SB County with all proceeds from the auction directly benefiting WEV’s programs.

Free to attend, RSVP encouraged but not required, bring your friends and business cards!

---

Unbeatable Coupon Books Now Available

Save money AND support WEV at the same time?! Let the savings begin. Get your Ventura or Santa Barbara Axxess card today through WEV. Each card costs $30 and $10 of that amount will be generously donated back to support WEV’s programs. Get yours today!

Did you know that WEV’s Small Business Loan Fund provided SB Axxess with a loan in its infancy – over 10 years ago! And now they’ve expanded to more communities – including Ventura!
  

---

---

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

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

Marketing to Government
December 8th, 9am-12pm, WEV’s Santa Barbara office, More info.

---

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.

---

---

Brothers and SET graduates Aureliano and Gelacio Lopez not only make incredible tacos, they also run thriving businesses. They have a combined total of 14 employees at their respective taquerias in Santa Maria and Lompoc! Read more.

---

---

In This Issue

• READY to Be an Entrepreneur?
• ‘Women Today’ Expo
  
• Get Your Business to THRIVE
  
• WEV Connects at ZFolio
  
• Santa Barbara and Ventura Axxess

---

Resources

• Need New Customers?
• Bank-Hosted Business Training

---

In Our Last Issue

• Client of the Month

---

---

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.

---

Business Plan Makeover Workshop

Special Offer for WEV Graduates

Is your business plan collecting dust? Does it need a makeover? Get ready for 2012 at this Business Plan Makeover Workshop.
 
Saturday, November 12th, 9-1pm in Camarillo

In this hands-on session facilitated by Gloria Miele, Ph.D., Business Coach and WEV SET Instructor, you’ll work on and revise your business plan with up to 10 other business owners. Gloria is offering a special price of $49 (half-off the full price of $99) for the first two WEV graduates who register. More info. 

Contact Gloria directly at gmiele@optimal
development
coaching.com or 805.482.1625

---

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

---

---

---