Women’s Economic Ventures celebrates Self-Employment Training Program and Business Plan Intensive program grads with May 19th graduation ceremony and showcase.
Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, CA, May 14, 2010 – Perhaps now more than ever, amidst an uncertain economic climate, people in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties continue to believe in the powerful dream of owning their own business. After 14 weeks of training in finance, leadership skills, marketing and more, graduates of Women’s Economic Ventures’ (WEV) flagship Self-Employment Training Course are ready to launch or to grow their businesses and turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. On Wednesday, May 19th, at 6:00 p.m. 94 men and women will celebrate with families, friends and the community their successful completion of WEV’s English or Spanish language Self-Employment Training programs in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Ventura County and WEV’s new Business Plan Intensive program. The ceremony and exposition of WEV client businesses will take place at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort in Santa Barbara, 633 East Cabrillo Boulevard.
“Women’s Economic Ventures is committed to helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams no matter what the state of the economy,” said Angel Cottrell, Client Services Director, Women’s Economic Ventures. “We are extremely proud of our program graduates who have worked hard for this moment, and look forward to providing them with the tools and support they need to continue to move their businesses forward.”
Graduates range from first-time business owners to those who are turned to WEV to help them grow their existing businesses. There are 37 graduates from Santa Barbara, 37 from throughout Ventura County, and 20 from Santa Maria and the North County area.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY
WHAT: Graduation ceremony, reception and business showcase honoring 94 WEV program graduates
WHEN: Wednesday, May 19, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort, 633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara
WHO: 94 WEV graduates, graduating class speakers, WEV staff and Board Members, community partners, friends, family and invited guests
MEDIA CONTACT: Candice Tang/Juliana Minsky, 805-687-3322
During the ceremony, each graduate will be recognized for their achievements, and will share their new business venture through an “elevator pitch” that they have crafted and perfected through the course (an elevator pitch is a concise presentation of an idea covering all of its critical aspects, and delivered within a few seconds—the approximate duration of an elevator ride). The event concludes with a reception and “business expo” where graduates will showcase their new or pre-launch businesses. WEV’s latest Self-Employment and Business Plan Intensive graduate businesses include a solar electric company, a personalized computer tutoring service for Baby Boomers and seniors, a free trade coffee shop, a paralegal and translation service, a kayak fabrication company and a roller derby clothing line.
With a robust menu of training, technical assistance, networking services, and access to capital through its loan fund, WEV has helped to create or expand over 2,000 businesses since inception, creating or retaining over 3,000 local jobs.
WEV’s Self-Employment Training and Business Plan Intensive courses are part of WEV’s continuum of programs that help entrepreneurs start-up, launch, grow, and sustain a business, including business consulting, entrepreneurial coaching, advanced business training, and small business start-up and expansion loans.
WEV’s comprehensive 14 week, 56-hour Self-Employment Training (SET) program is targeted at women, (and also serves men) to provide guidance on how to start, operate and expand a business. The program is offered in both English and Spanish, and provides week-by-week training in the most important aspects of organizing, financing, marketing and managing a small business. Topics include personal leadership skills, personal finances, marketing and sales, public relations and advertising, legal and insurance issues, record keeping, cash flow projections, and writing a business plan.
Self-Employment Training courses are offered twice each year, with classes starting in September and February. The class runs for 14 consecutive weeks, one night a week for 3 hours, and includes two full Saturdays. Classes are taught in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Thousand Oaks and Ventura. Open enrollment for the course means that participants can sign up at any time throughout the year, after attending a free one-hour orientation workshop. (See below for upcoming orientation dates).
Business Plan Intensive (BPI) – WEV’s New Premiere Business Plan Writing Course
Business Plan Intensive was created specifically for the business professional that is currently in business, has owned a business, or who has work experience and/or an upper-level educational background. BPI is a 6-week rigorous course that helps entrepreneurs plan for and reach new heights of business success. Program participants also have the opportunity to simultaneously enter the SBLF (Small Business Loan Fund) pipeline while utilizing the course to write the business plan needed to qualify for business capital.
About Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
WEV is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. Since 1991, WEV has been providing self-employment training, technical assistance and microloans to primarily low-income women. Today, WEV offers a continuum of programs to help women succeed at every stage of the business lifecycle. Services include comprehensive self-employment training program, advanced training, business consulting, coaching, and networking opportunities to help individuals to startup, launch, grow, and sustain a business. WEV’s service area includes north and south Santa Barbara County and Ventura County with offices in Santa Barbara and Ventura. WEV’s Small Business Loan Fund (SBLF) provides start-up and expansion loans to pre-bankable microenterprises. WEV was designated a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in 1999 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In 2005, the Small Business Administration recognized WEV as the most productive Women’s Business Center in the nation. The WEV website is at www.wevonline.org.
June/July 2010 Self-Employment Training orientation dates:
Call or visit www.wevonline.org for details, locations and to make a reservation.
Santa Barbara – (805) 965-6073 x100 or www.wevonline.org
Tuesday, June 22, 12-1pm – English
Thursday, July 15, 12-1pm – English
Tuesday, July 27, 12-1pm – English
.
Santa Maria – (805) 965-6073 x100 or www.wevonline.org
To be determined (English and Spanish)
Ventura County – (805) 667-8004 or www.wevonline.org
Wednesday, June 16, 6-7 pm – English
Monday, June 28, 12-1pm – English