September 2012, Issue 1 In this Issue: Client of the Month, Help WEV Win a Portion of $5 Million, Thank you, Rabobank!, Call for Business Development Specialists!
This issue of WEV Got News is all about support! We’re asking for your generous support in our endeavor to win a portion of a $5 million grant from Chase Giving, and we’re offering you ample support in our Resources section. Enjoy!
-The WEV Staff
Client of the Month: Alethea Tyner Paradis
As a high school history teacher, our September Client of the Month, Alethea Tyner Paradis, witnessed first-hand how the interest and performance of students inreased with experiential learning. What began as her classroom experiment, has now grown into an enterprise- Friendship Tours World Travel. With the help of Thrive in Five, she has created a saavy educational travel program! Read more.
Help WEV Win a Portion of $5 million!
Please take a few moments to vote for Women’s Economic Ventures in the Chase Community Giving contest.
Voting is open until September 19th, so now is the time to cast your vote and spread the word about this opportunity to your friends, family and clients.
Click here to vote on Facebook. Allow the application, search for “Women’s Economic Ventures” and then vote! We’re in the running for a $10,000 grant!
Thank you to Rabobank, N.A. for their ongoing support! Frank Bravo, VP and Community Development Finance Manager stopped by the WEV office to present a check to WEV’s CEO, Marsha Bailey. We’re grateful for the support of our donors– both big and small. We couldn’t do what we do without your support. Thank you!
EXPERT’S CORNER
In light of support, take a second to think about your current network. In this issues’s Expert’s Corner, Paul Burri advises on how and why to create your own support system. Keep reading!
Call for Business Development Specialists!
If you’re interested in guiding business owners through the wild terrain of owning and operating a business, or if you are a stellar specialist who is changing the business world as we speak, consider becoming Thrive in Five’s new Business Development Specialist (BDS).
Business Development Specialists provide one-on-one support for Thrive in Five Clients during their initial assessments, monthly check-ins, and quarterly mentoring meetings. For more information, contact Program Manager, Lisa Champagne-Minyard at 805.667.8004 or lminyard@wevonline.org.
Resources
To Blog or Not to Blog…That is the Question
Join us for networking and a panel discussion, To Blog or Not To Blog…That is the Question. Whether you are a seasoned blogger or a novice who is wondering if you really want to start blogging, this program will answer your questions. The program is free to members of the Association of Women in Communication Santa Barbara Chatper and $20 for non-members. Light appetizers will be served and wine will be available for purchase.
Date: Wednesday, September 12th; 5:30-7:30pm
Location:Antioch University Community Hall, Santa Barbara, on the corner of Anacapa and Cota downtown.
At A Woman’s Power Retreat (hosted by Zhena Muzyka–long-time WEV contributor and Board Member), you will learn to put yourself first in order to feed and grow your business and cultivate your dreams into reality.
Embody your feminine power in your business and your personal life with other successful and ambitious women in this unprecedented, private and confidential spa-like setting in the gorgeous, healing, Ojai Valley.
Date: November 9-11th, 2012.
Location: Villa Ojai Retreat Center, Ojai, California
Space is limited! Scholarships are available, and receive $100 off if you register before September 20th!
Let Your Voice Be Heard!
The County of Ventura is currently soliciting feedback from citizens to help identify future funding priorities for several grant programs. WEV has received funds from these programs in the past and is asking all of our clients who live or work in one of the County’s entitlement areas (Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Port Hueneme) to respond to this brief survey about the County’s most pressing needs. The survey will be active through September 28, 2012.
Cultivating Opportunities in the Biobased Marketplace
Business opportunities abound in the manufacture and sale of biobased products. Learn about Federal programs that assist you in meeting your business goals by attending this FREE, online training seminar. Cultivating Opportunities in the Biobased Marketplace is ideal for small businesses, entrepreneurs, agriculturally based organizations, U.S. manufacturing companies, and Federal agencies that support these endeavors.
Southern California Business Development Conference 2012
Participants at the Southern California Business Development Conference 2012 will have the opportunity to learn the latest trends in business development, network with outstanding business professionals, and gain insights into growing and maintaining a successful business. Register now!
Date:October 12, 2012; 9-4pm
Location: Hotel Maya 700 Queens Way, Long Beach, CA.
Are you gearing up for the holiday season? Do you need capital to ensure you have adequate inventory? You might be thinking, “It’s only September!”, but now is the time to assess your needs and begin the loan process. If you’re thinking of applying, don’t wait until the holidays are upon you. The loan process can take 4-8 weeks…so don’t delay. Get organized. Apply now.
For an overview of our loan fund and the application process, please visit our Loan Fund page.
Montecito Bank and Trust Hosts Business 2 Business
Montecito Bank & Trust is hosting its Annual Business to Business (B2B) Series, which includes events that provide business owners easy access to experts on a variety of topics. Events will take place on Tuesday, October 9th, Thursday, November 1st, and Wednesday, November 7th; times and location vary.
Participants will save an additional 15% off the registration price if they register before August 31, and an additional 20% if they are customers of Montecito Bank and Trust. Every attendee will be taking home a B2B Swag Bag, and participants have the opportunity to purchase an Expo Booth space. Space is limited!
Be sure to enter the referral code “vvachovska” in the designated section. Register online here,
Be a Contestant on Prosperity’s Kitchen Web Series!
Are you willing to go public? Get some great PR for your small business, and compete for a prize package worth $10K! The premiere season of Prosperity’s Kitchen is currently seeking applicants for 15 contestants. (Think Hell’s Kitchen meets Online Marketing minus the melodrama.) Get in the running here.
Unleashing the Power of Social Media
On Thursday, September 13th, Cal Lutheran’s School of Management is hosting a networking event and presentation from two experts in the field of Social Media Marketing. They will be sharing ways to maximize your marketing effectiveness and increase your presence online. Event will be held at Cal Lutheran Lundring Events Center from 5:15-7:00pm. Free admission! RSVP or request more information at SOMRSVP@callutheran.edu or call (805) 493-3091.
Women’s Conference in Long Beach
Learn life & business lessons for entrepreneurs at the California Women’s Conference (the largest Women’s Conference in the U.S!). The event will be held in Long Beach on September 23-24th, and is expecting 20,000-30,000 people this year. Tickets and booths will sell out, so reserve your spot now!
Enter discount code: LAJOIE and get 10% off!
EXPERT’S CORNER
The following tip comes from Paul Burri, an entrepreneur, inventor, columnist, engineer, guerrilla marketer and iconoclast. Paul can be reached at pburri@cox.net.
“Consider forming your own board of advisers early in your business. You will have a core group of experts to help and advise you. Santa Barbara is loaded with experienced business people who are willing to share their experience for free. (Although an occasional lunch is not out of the question.)”
Thanks for your insight, Paul!
For the most holistic support, create your system using a blend of the following:
Personal Support–Personal support includes emotional support that encourages you to progress past any barriers, such as friends and family.
Technical Support-Technical support includes people in your industry or a similar one. They are the ones who can answer specific questions that require an expert answer.
Mentors–A mentor is someone who is willing to make a a long-term commitment, and who is able to help you identify and solve problems by coaching you to success.
*Definitions taken from WEV’s “From Vision to Venture” Fall 2012 Curriculum
What wisdom could you share with the WEV community? Establish yourself as an expert in your field by writing a quick tip to news@wevonline.org. Spread the wealth of knowledge!
In Our Last Issue
New Featured Artist: Jen Livia
With names like ‘Sway’ and ‘Synergistic’, Jen Livia’s artwork relays “a sense of quiet movement” that is not to be overlooked. Luckily, you don’t have to, because for the next few months, several of her pieces will be on display at WEV’s Ventura office. We are thrilled to house the works of such a renowned local artist whose accomplishments include appointment to the City of Ventura’s Public Arts Commission and six (and counting) successful years as co-owner with her mother, Phyllis Gubins, of the Red Brick Gallery.The partners are also enrolled in WEV’s Thrive in 5® program. Read more.
Cultivating Opportunities in the Biobased Marketplace
Southern California Business Development Conference 2012
WEV’s Small Business Loan Fund for Holiday Season
Montecito Bank and Trust Hosts Business 2 Business Series
Be a Contestant on Prosperity’s Kitchen Web Series!
Unleashing the Power of Social Media
Women’s Conference in Long Beach
Expert’s Corner
In Our Last Issue
New Featured Artist: Jen Livia
Follow WEV
Support WEV
Client Achievements
Grand Opening of Carlyle Salon
and Style Bar!
Congratulations to SET graduate, Lisa Gaede, for the launch of her newest venture! Join us in celebrating the Grand Opening of Carlyle Salon and Style Bar on Saturday, September 15th from 9-5pm. Enjoy raffles, gift certificate specials, and a whole lot of pampering! More information here.
Publicize Your Business Achievements
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
WEV Classifieds
Desks Available
Market Ready Rx is kindly donating two commercial type desks to a new business owner that can use them. They hope this gesture will help a new business owner save on start up expenses! If you are interested, please contact Lynda Blue as soon as possible at (805) 754-9215.
Commercial Kitchen Available to Rent by the Hour
Goodland Kitchen is a commercial kitchen owned and operated by BPI graduates Julia and Michael Crookston, that can be rented by the hour. Food artisans can rent space and prep their products in a licensed facility. Rent exactly as many hours as you need, so you can meet your business goals and keep costs low. Additionally the kitchen is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Old Town Goleta.
Contribute To the Classifieds
If you’ve got something for sale or rent – or a special deal to share with the WEV community – email news@wevonline.org