March 2012, Issue 1

Dear Friend of WEV,

As we finish up the first quarter of 2012, think about where you’d like your business to be. Are you on track to meet your goals this year? Are you open to new opportunities? Be sure to utilize the resources that WEV and the community have to offer your business!

-The WEV Staff

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Sustainable Livelihood for the Mountain Communities of Kern

This month, the Mountain Communities SBDC of WEV will present a free workshop to help residents earn an income locally.

Finding a Sustainable Livelihood in the Mountain Communities:
Saturday, March 24
10:00 AM – Noon
New Frazier Park Library
3732 Park Drive

The workshop, presented by authors Paul and Sarah Edwards, will cover:

• How You Can Identify a Way to Earn a Livelihood Locally
• What It Takes to Create a Sustainable Business Locally
• Opportunity Gaps in This Community
• Tools and Strategies You Can Choose

We hope residents of the Mountain Communities of Kern County will join us. Please RSVP online or by calling the SBDC Director, Angel Cottrell, at (661) 245-1212.

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WEV Fundraising Event a Success!

Featured in the photo (from left to right): Michelle “Shell” Hirrel of Shell’s Petals, 2012 WEV Client Business of the Year; Marsha Bailey, WEV CEO/Founder; and Barbara Meister, owner of Barber Ford, Volkswagen, Subaru and RV and one of the five recipients of the 2012 Trailblazer Award.
 
On March 20th, WEV held our annual fundraising breakfast, Empowerment is Priceless, at the beautiful Sterling Hills Country Club in Camarillo. We are grateful to the client representatives, supporters, board members and staff who made the event a success. A special thanks to the generous sponsors of the event:

• Fashion Forms
• lynda.com
• Barber Ford, Volkswagen, Subaru and RV
• Limoneira
• Montecito Bank & Trust
• Myers, Widders, Gibson & Schneider, LLP

We could not have done it without you!

Photo credit: Pure Light Photography

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WEV at the 2012 Women’s Festival

Many thanks to the Women’s Festival organizers, fellow exhibitors, and participants that stopped by WEV client booths on March 9 & 10 at Santa Barbara City College, which included:

• Peggy Larned, Artemis Animal Clinic
• Karim Kaderali, Santa Barbara Axxess
• Carol Ashley, Demo2Design
• Jean Art, Don’t Kick It – Click It
• Amber Wallace & Jill Kingdon, Dowitcher Designs
• Karen Palmer, Eco Angel Enterprises
• Sara Smelt, Felt Evolution
• Irene Hoffman, Irene Hoffman Brand & Advertising Studio
• Roylin Downs, Kama Sutra Closet
• Claudia Vega, Keller Williams Realty
• Karen Czuleger, Painted Sea Star Studio
• CJ Farrar, S.O.U.L.
• Maria Carbonell, Sama Ayurveda Spa & Wellness Studio
• Denise Ludwig, The Animal Reiki Lady
• Christina Schlenk, Truly Botanic

We hope you enjoyed yourselves! Congratulations to Robbin Behrens, winner of WEV’s Fab Bag giveaway!

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Client of the Month: Meagan Scott

In March 2011, WEV graduate Meagan Scott began with three local shops carrying her swimwear line, Boys+Arrows. After just one year in business, Boys+Arrows is now sold in over 30 boutiques in the United States and five countries worldwide! Read more.

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Stay Current with WEV

Did you know you can have access to all the helpful info and updates you love in WEV newsletters — AND MORE! — by following WEV on Facebook and Twitter?

Click on the images above to join WEV’s online community of savvy entrepreneurs and local supporters!

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How Will U.S. Healthcare Reform Impact Your Business?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), passed by congress in 2010 includes several provisions for small businesses and the self employed, including a small business tax credit, health insurance exchanges, and the preexisting condition plan. Issues like premium affordability and cost control measures are also addressed by the statute. Click here to learn more.

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FTC Update

Notice: any future FTC workshops publicized by WEV have been cancelled.

Unfortunately due to a lack of funding, the Federal Technology Center (FTC) closed its doors effective March 16, 2012. WEV thanks the FTC for its partnership over the past two years.

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The Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently created a series of free online courses designed to help prospective and existing small businesses understand the basics about contracting with governmental agencies.

Take the courses at your leisure through their website.

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SBA’s March Web Chat for Women-Owned Small Businesses

March 22 at 1:00pm EST

In recognition of National Women’s History Month, SBA’s March web chat will feature an open forum on Women’s Business Ownership. Ana Harvey, assistant administrator of the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership, will host the web chat on “Ask the Expert: Women’s Small Business Open Forum.”

Registration is not required, but you can submit questions prior to the chat online.

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Bulk Subscription Rates for Pacific Coast Business Times

Would you like to have local news delivered to your door every week? The Pacific Coast Business Times is offering WEV clients a bulk subscription – the more people that subscribe, the cheaper it will be for everyone! Check out their offer and contact Linda LeBrock for the reduced rate (shipping costs do not apply).

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There’s a little under a month left to file your taxes – do them through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)!

If your family earned less than $50,000 in 2011, you are eligible for FREE tax preparation through the 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.

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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.

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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.

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Featured Artist

Karen Czuleger

Karen Czuleger’s Painted Sea Star Studio creates art inspired by nature for eco-conscious individuals who seek beauty in all things. A local Santa Barbara artist, Karen founded Painted Sea Star Studio in November 2011 while taking WEV’s SET course. Her work is on display in WEV’s Santa Barbara office. Read more.

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In This Issue

• Apply for Power of One Awards
• Sustainable Livelihood Workshop in Mountain Communities
• WEV Fundraising Event a Success!
• WEV at 2012 Women’s Festival
• Client of the Month: Meagan Scott of Boys + Arrows
• Stay Current with WEV

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Resources

• Healthcare Reform’s Impacts
• FTC Update
• SBA Teaches Federal Contracting
• SBA’s March Web Chat
• Bulk Subscription Rates for PCBT
• Free Tax Preparation
• Referral Program with H&R Block

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In Our Last Issue

• Coaching through Thrive in Five
  
• Featured Artist: Karen Czuleger

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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

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Collapsible tradeshow booth for sale; traveling cases, cords and pieces are included. Contact Maile if interested.

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Join Santa Barbara’s only public speaking group coaching program and expand your comfort level, your confidence and your presentation skills. Facilitated by WEV graduate Lisa Braithwaite,
the program is offered Wednesdays 6:15-7:30pm from April 4 until May 9. For more information and to register, visit the website or call 805.699.6408.

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Daily, weekly or monthly rental in Buellton offered by WEV grad, Dawn Peters.

Contact Dawn at:
Decadence Fine Cakes & Confections
201 Industrial Way,
Suite C, Buellton, 93427 805-686-2860 kitchen 805-705-5467 cell
Online.

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WEV is selling two tables (pictured below) from our Ventura office.

Table, $40 Seats 5-6

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

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Contact WEV

www.wevonline.org

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