Ready, SET, Go… Thrive!

Dear Friend of WEV,

Please enjoy this newest installment of WEV Got News.

-The WEV Staff

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Summer Lovin’ for Your Business

WEV’s 2011 summer calendar has a program to support your business, from pre-launch ideas to veteran entrepreneurs.

READY…

Do you have a brand new business idea or desire to be self-employed? WEV is launching a 10-hour Business Ready workshop packed with helpful activities and info so you can develop a clear business concept and make sure you have what it takes, before launching a business.

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 For the first time ever, WEV’s curriculum will be taught in the summer. If you have the motivation and drive to work at a fast pace, and need capital quickly, enroll in our Business Plan Intensive (BPI) course, offered June 7-July 21 in Ventura. 

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 New Offering: Have you missed the structure and support of your WEV course since graduating? Join a WEV Roundtable group in your area and meet with your peers and a WEV instructor monthly!

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  What could your existing business achieve with one-on-one, customized support from a team of WEV professionals? We’re currently recruiting for our next cohort of Thrive in Five!

For questions or interest in any of these programs, please contact our staff in Santa Barbara (805.965.6073) or Ventura (805.667.8004). If you’ve never attended an orientation, sign up today!

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Are You the Next Client of the Month?

WEV wants to celebrate you! We’re always searching the community 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! If your business has benefited from the support of WEV, send an email to Leah Gonzales at lgonzales@wevonline.org

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Empowerment is Priceless

  WEV would like to express our special thanks to the generous sponsors of our May 24th Empowerment Is Priceless fundraising breakfast. We couldn’t have done it with you.

• Bank of America
• Boone Printing and Graphics
• Limoneira
• Matthew I. Berger Law Group
• Montecito Bank & Trust
• Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co., LLP
• Northern Trust
• Santa Barbara Bank & Trust
• Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
• ZBE, Inc.

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Graduation Inspiration
  
The 87 graduates of WEV’s Spring Self-Employment Training (SET) and Business Plan Intensive (BPI) courses graduated on May 17th in an event that included inspiring graduate speeches, a bustling expo and the proud support of friends, families and the local community.

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WEV Survey

  Attention WEV 2009 clients – we want to hear from you! WEV is embarking on its annual summer outcomes survey process, where we learn what kind of impact our programs and services have had on you and your business. By collecting this data, we’re able to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs and improve our services for you and future clients. This year we’ll contact clients who participated in our services during 2009 to request a confidential phone or in-person interview.

If you were a WEV client during 2009, a staff person will personally follow up with you over the next few weeks to set up an interview time that’s convenient for you.

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The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program allows contracting officers to set aside specific federal contracts for certified women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). Find out how you can take advantage!

Intro to Federal Contracting Workshop:

• June 21st, 9am-12pm, Ventura; Register, 916.334.9388

Project Management Workshop:

• June 28th, 9am-12pm, Santa Barbara; Register,
  
  

  916.334.9388

Workshops are offered in collaboration with the Federal Technology Center (FTC)

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The one thing standing between you and your success is your ability to negotiate – to know your value, speak up, ask for what you want and get it.

In this retreat you’ll learn how to remove the barriers that stand between you and your success with the guidance of negotiation experts Lisa Gates and Victoria Pynchon, as well as special guest Gloria Feldt, feminist activist, Former CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Federation and author of “No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power.” More info.

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Job Acts Tour

  The Job Acts Tour is coming to San Diego on June 3rd. With only one California destination, this opportunity is not to be missed. Meet with leaders from the SBA, give input on new regulations and learn how to take advantage of new tools coming out of the Small Business Jobs Act. Read more.

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In This Issue

• Summer Lovin’ for Your Business
• Client of the Month
• Are You the Next Client of the Month?
• Empowerment Is Priceless
• Graduation Inspiration
• WEV Survey

 

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Resources

• New Client for Your Business: The Government?
• She Negotiates Leadership Retreat
• Job Acts Tour

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Last July, 1993 SET graduate, Debra Tollstrup, opened a successful, upscale donut shop – Dazzle’s Donuts – in Mariposa, CA. Some 17 years after completing the SET program Dazzle’s is thriving in the Sierra Nevada Mountains… and proof that it’s never too late to become an entrepreneur. More info.

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Early WEV Client, Michele Zuzalek, owner of Michele Zuzalek Fine Art, is displaying her gorgeous art at Fresco Valley Cafe in Solvang. Fresco Valley Cafe is a franchise of Fresco – headquartered in Santa Barbara and the product of another WEV client! Swing by before June 1st and see Michele’s enchanting tribute to Buelton’s historic dining cars.

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June 11th

Shopping in Santa Paula now means shopping in all of Ventura County due to the opening of SET Graduate Talia Wunder’s new storefront, Best of VC Marketplace. Come out for an official ribbon cutting ceremony, plus local musicians and lots of fun!

312-1845

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Let us know! At WEV, our goal is your success. Help us highlight your achievements. Email news@wevonline.org by the 25th of the month with client achievements or announcements! 

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WEV Got Business
  
Start or renew your WEV Got Business membership today!

WEV welcomes its newest WEV Got Business Members:

Debbie Belardino
Nivia Duarte
Jennifer Friedman
     Jennifer Friedman Studio
Nannette Keller
Naomi Kovacs
Elise McConeghy
Carissa Revell
Wanda Sakai
Christina Schlenk
     Truly Botanic
Corinna Schmidt
     Maharani Ayurveda
Jane Ward-Torres

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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

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

Ventura County
374 Poli St., Suite 207
Ventura, 93001
805.667.8004

Kern County
P.O. Box 5477
3717 Mount Pinos Way,
Unit A
Frazier Park, 93225
805.667.8004

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