In this issue: Alumni Raise $7,000 and Counting, November Alumni Events, December Alumni Events, Smart Buys… for You and WEV, Highlighting Success, New Artwork in Santa Barbara, Save the Date for WEV Graduation, Woman-Owned Small Business Program, SBA Awards, Contract with the Government, Business Entity Advice, Employee Tax Seminar
Friend of WEV, Have fun reading our November newsletter!
-The WEV Team
Alumni Raise $7,000 and Counting
It’s no secret; WEV’s funding shortfalls threaten our ability to continue to provide program services at their current level. In order to close the $200,000 funding shortfall, our alumni have organized teams and events to meet this need. (More details in the Ventura County Star.)
So far alumni teams in Ventura and Santa Barbara have raised $7,337! Congratulations and thanks to everyone who has been a big support.
Fundraising events continue throughout the two counties. Come out to reconnect with your fellow alumni and support an organization that has made a difference in the lives of so many people.
Then… Find out what you can do to help WEV – and bring great exposure to your business – by contacting an Alumni Team Director in your county:
Ventura County Brenda Allison, brenda@allisonbroker.com
Santa Barbara County Matthew Berger, matthewb@mbergerlaw.com and Dianne Duva, dianne_duva@ml.com
November Alumni Events
Fine Jewelry & 1st Thursday
When: Thursday, November 4, “1st Thursday”, 5-8pm
Alumni: Maurice Moreno Join in an evening of art, culture, wine and a raffle of fine jewelry and other auction items! Bella Rosa Jewelry, 1103 State St., Santa Barbara
Devone Design Perfect Fit Jewelry Launch & Reception
When: Saturday, November 6, 6-9pm Alumni: Talia Wunder View
the entire exquisitely handcrafted collection and meet the artist at the Santa Paula Art Museum. 10% of all sales will be donated to WEV and the Santa Paula Art Museum. More info at www.perfectfitjewelry.com and 312.1845. See flyer. Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 N. 10th St., Santa Paula
Oreana Winery
When: November 10, 7-9pm Alumni: hosted by Kristin Anderson
Poet and musician performances. Beverages and appetizers will be served by local chef Eric Stenberg. $30, Click here to buy tickets.
Blu Dress Boutique Teen Council
When: November 11, 5-8pm Alumni: Cheri Iadevaia Blu Dress Boutique will announce the young ladies from Santa Paula High School who are chosen for the 2010-2011 Blu Dress Teen Council. There will be refreshments, give-aways, store-wide discounts and much more! 7% of sales at the event will go to WEV. 925 E. Main St., Suite A, Santa Paula
December Alumni Events
Fine Jewelry & 1st Thursday
When: December 2, “1st Thursday”, 5-9pm Alumni: Maurice Moreno Join in an evening of art, culture, wine and a raffle of fine jewelry and other auction items! Bella Rosa Jewelry, 1103 State St., Santa Barbara
Underground Dinner
When: December 4 Alumni: Lynne Castillo and Talia Wunder Location and time TBD
Women Winemakers at Jade Restaurant
When: Sunday, December 5 & Wednesday, December 8 Alumni: Kathryn Graham (C’est Cheese) and Peter Zadeh (Ethnic Breads) Dine at Jade Restaurant in a first ever celebration of women winemakers in Santa Barbara. Four local winemakers (who are also winery owners) will be featured on each of two evenings. Enjoy a four-course meal with the winemakers’ wines paired to each course. Featuring cheese from C’est Cheese and bread from Ethnic Breads. $90, with net proceeds to WEV Advance reservations by credit card required, contact Jade 805.563.2007
Smart Buys… for You and WEV
Lime Green Monkey
When: now through December 31st Alumni: Kristin Anderson Lime Green Monkey offers a line of daily-use organic cloths that help save the planet. 5% of all Lime Green Monkey sales will go to WEV. Purchase online!
Santa Barbara Axxess
Alumni: Karim Kaderali Axxess Membership features exclusive discounts at over 300 local merchants, including unbeatable savings on dining out, golf, wine tasting, home, health, car and kids! $5 will be donated to WEV per membership purchase! Click here to purchase your 12th Edition Axxess Membership (2011). Select “Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)” to ensure that WEV receives donations from your purchase.
Sama Ayurveda Alumni: Maria Carbonell-Elliott 10% proceeds of all Ayurvedic Healing Facials from Sama Ayurveda go to WEV – including free detoxifying mustard seed foot bath for those who mention WEV. RSVP online.
Highlighting Success
19 new WEV Alumni and loan recipients are now featured as Success Story Profiles on WEV’s website.
Click on the links below to read more about the success of these entrepreneurs:
Want to be featured as a success story next year? Stay in touch! Let WEV know how your business is thriving.
Special thanks to WEV graduates Maria Carrerras and Liz McDermott for their fantastic photography that brought these success profiles to life.
New Artwork in Santa Barbara
We’re proud to feature the art of Watu World Imports in our Santa Barbara office. Watu World Imports specializes in importing handmade, ethically sourced personal and home accessories. They work with producers of handcrafted jewelry, bags, woven baskets, and original art in underdeveloped communities and help them increase their income by bringing their goods to the U.S. market. Batik and banana leaf wall art, woven baskets, and recycled paper necklaces are made by the members of Aspire Rwanda, a women’s group in Kigali, Rwanda. Aspire Rwanda provides a year-long curriculum in basic literacy, healthcare, and skills training, in order to improve the lives and economic opportunities of its members. Stacey Lydon, WEV graduate and owner of Watu World Imports, is an experienced economic development professional with personal ties to community development programs around the world.
Save the Date
Join WEV’s Board, staff, instructors and clients in celebrating the achievements of the Fall 2010 graduates of the SET and BPI classes across Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. After the ceremony, coffee and cake will be provided while guests browse the business expo!
Wednesday, December 15th, 6-8pm Marjorie Luke Theater 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara, 93103
Resources
Woman-Owned Small Business Program (WOSB)
The SBA is expanding its Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program. These procurement mechanisms are meant to increase Federal contracting opportunities for WOSBs and to assist agencies in achieving their women-owned small business goals.
The SBA Help Desk, 1-800-U-ASK-SBA, will answer questions from the public. They’ve also created a helpful Fact Sheet and FAQ’s. Refer to the NAICS Codes for Underrepresented WOSBs to learn if this is the right fit for you business.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is searching for the best businesses to honor them for their hard work and accomplishments. Nominate yourself or another business!
Awards will recognize the achievements of individuals in a wide variety of categories including women, minorities, veterans, home-based business owners and family-owned businesses. Categories will also include ‘Small Business Person of the Year,’ ‘SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year,’ ‘Environmental “Green” Conservator of the Year’ and many more.
Learn more about these classes and reserve your spot today at: www.TheFTC.org or 916.334.9388
What Kind of Business Entity Should You Be?
November 17, 11:30am-1:30pm, Santa Barbara
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
Should you set up a partnership, become a LLC, a subchapter-S? Which is right for you? And how will making a change now affect next year’s taxes? Joy Margolis and Tim Buynak of Buynak Law Firm will explain the business entity alphabet and offer practical advice on how to decide what kind of business might be best for you. View flyer.
Current and past WEV clients can contact Llewellyn Somers at 805.667.8004 or lsomers@wevonline.org for discount information.
Employee or Independent Contractor Tax Seminar
December 7, 9am-12pm, Ventura
Attend this free seminar to learn how to distinguish between an employee and an independent contractor; the basics of statutory employment; independent contractor reporting requirements; and ways to get assistance View flyer.
Last month WEV was proud to participate in the 2010 Women’s Conference through the efforts of five of its alumni. Talia Wunder, Kristin Anderson and Ana Rojas were exhibitors at the WE Invest booth at the Women’s Conference expo.
Gwendolyn Alley and Kate Dunbar, who were featured in an article in the VC Star prior to the event, received makeovers through the Style Network.
We are grateful to the Women’s Conference, Style Network and WE Invest for their help with bringing this valuable exposure to WEV and our clients.
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
Start or renew your WEV Got Business membership today before rates increase in 2011!