In this issue: WEV Courses Start in February, WEV Alumni, Client of the Month, 114 Graduates, Thousand Oaks CDBG, Technology Guide, Improve Your Public Speaking, 2011 Women’s Festival, Payroll Reporting
Dear Friend of WEV, We wish you a happy and prosperous new year! -The WEV Team
WEV Courses Start in February
It’s that time of year again… WEV’s Self-Employment Training and Business Plan Intensive courses start next month! More than 4,000 people in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties have gone through our courses. Is now the right time for you or someone you know to enroll?
Over a dozen events throughout both counties, scores of new donors, the first-ever WEV graduate online marketplace for holiday shopping and almost $60,000 later—WEV Alumni have accomplished an incredible feat in just 3 months for WEV’s Inaugural Alumni Fund Campaign.
WEV Alumni Kristin Anderson, of Lime Green Monkey, raised over $1,600 in one night! Kristin says, “Just as it’s important to be passionate about your business, I think it’s also important to create a fundraiser that is an event you personally would want to attend, and that your friends would attend — because when it comes down to it, the majority of attendees will most likely be those from your circle of friends, colleagues and acquaintances who want to support you and something you believe in — in this case, WEV.
As a mom who spends a lot of time with her little boy, I wanted an event that would give me a break from mommyhood, give me a cultural opportunity with good food and wine, reflect my eco-friendly business values and all at a price that my friends and I could afford.” A huge thank you to all who participated, and who donated to help create scholarship opportunities for low-income 2011 Self-Employment Training clients. We cannot thank you enough. To get involved in the 2011 Alumni Campaign, contact Shana Pearson at: spearson@wevonline.org
Client of the Month
Angela Torin, Hampstead Village
Angela Torin dreamed of one day opening a store in Santa Barbara specializing in all the fine goods she once had at her fingertips in England. With retail experience in England under her belt, she took WEV’s Self-Employment Training (SET) course to gain the knowledge and network needed to transform her dream into reality. Just seven months after graduating from the SET program, Angela opened Hampstead Village in Santa Barbara’s charming La Arcada Court. Read more.
114 Graduates Ready for Business
On December 15th, 114 men and women celebrated the completion of WEV’s Self- Employment Training and Business Plan Intensive programs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. After 14 weeks of training in finance, leadership skills, marketing and more, these graduates are ready to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality.
The ceremony took place at the beautiful Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara and included an expo of client’s businesses.
Thousand Oaks CDBG Discussions
The City of Thousand Oaks invites the participation of all residents and other interested parties in discussions of how the City’s CDBG’s funds should be used. Two January events are being held for public review and comment opportunities. Click here for dates and details.
Resources
New Technology Guide Helps Entrepreneurs
A new technology tool for small businesses is now available to help them grow and create jobs. The new education resource, Business Technology Simplified, helps small business owners connect the dots between entrepreneurship and technology to give them a competitive edge. The U.S. Small Business Administration and Microsoft have teamed up to develop this free, comprehensive guide on how technology can improve the small business owner’s chances for success.
The Business Technology Simplified online course allows quick access by small business owners to learn more about basic technology tools that can help their companies run more efficiently.
Registration is now open for the 2011 Women’s Festival at the Earl Warren Showgrounds March 4 – 5, 2011.
Explore the critical paths of your life: personal, professional, philanthropic, planet and much more. Join your professional and entrepreneurial friends by attending and supporting this amazing event.
WEV Graduate Michelle Hirrell’s booming and blooming, Ventura floral business Shell’s Petals will appear in the magazine, Inspired Weddings.
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 Got Business
Welcome to our newest members!
Eileen Chambers, Montana Blue Publishing Elsa Cisneros,
Daily Greenz, etc. Ari Friedman, Auto Film Central Charlotte Gould & Mary Ballard, Dancing Shadows Laree Henning & Kelly Springer, Global Guidance LLC Jenny Johnson, The Fields of Joy Pre-School Vina Lustado, Sol Haus Design Maureen Martone, Sweet Home Coffee Cart Millie Mendez, Heart Celebrations Shanti Pincock, Brilliance in Motion Heather Sourial, Women’s Athenaeum of Santa Barbara Tom Whipple, Smartovation
Shared space. Ground floor. Possible retail use. 525 sq ft, partitioned with curtain to keep the office area hidden. Ideal for wedding industry professionals and more. Share Rent with utilities, electric, water, trash, internet = $480/mo
Folded Crane Design is looking to expand their portfolio of work and would like to focus on small businesses. They would like to offer free web design services (up to six pages) to four different businesses. If you need a website or a re-design, please contact Kathleen at Kathleen @foldedcranedesign.com
for more detailed information regarding this offer.
Public Speaking Workshop
Public speaking coach Lisa Braithwaite’s next group coaching program starts Wednesday, January 19. The program runs for six weeks and meets from 6:15-7:30 p.m. There is only space for seven people, so reserve your spot now! 20% discount for WEV grads! Click here for registration and more information.
Free Parenting Workshop
“No I Won’t and You Can’t Make Me!” – Effectively Dealing With Power Struggles
Westlake: Tuesday, January 11, 6:30- 9:30 pm Ojai: Thursday, January 13, 6:30- 9:30 pm WEV graduate and facilitator, Deborah Godfrey, has been teaching this workshop for 17 years.
Call 805.648.6846 for location and to reserve a space or register online at positiveparenting.com
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 BarbaraCounty 333 S. Salinas St. Santa Barbara, 93103 805.965.6073
VenturaCounty 374 Poli St., Suite 207 Ventura, 93001 805.667.8004
Kern County P.O. Box 552 3717 Mount Pinos Way, Unit A Frazier Park, 93225 805.667.8004