Women’s Economic Ventures’ 14-week Self-Employment Training program helps individuals start, operate or expand a business; enrollment is now open for September classes
Santa Barbara, CA, May X, 2008 – Thanks to a lot of hard work and dedication, close to 140 individuals in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Santa Maria are set to graduate from Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) intensive Self-Employment Training course. After 14 weeks of classes in finance, leadership skills, marketing and more, these proud graduates are ready to energize the business community with their unique ideas and services.
On Wednesday, May 21st, 26 individuals will graduate from the program in Santa Maria. The ceremony will take place at the Veteran’s Memorial Center Auditorium. During the ceremony, each graduate will be recognized for their achievements, and will announce their new business venture. The event will conclude with a reception and “business expo” where graduates will showcase their new or pre-launch businesses. Santa Maria’s latest WEV graduate businesses include Dancing Flame Glassworks which specializes in unique handmade glass jewelry and Coast Computer Solutions a company which designs and implements technology services for business owners.
“These graduates, through their commitment to their dreams, will serve as a vitalizing force in the Santa Maria business community and beyond,” said Judy Hawkins, Executive Director of WEV. “We are proud of each graduate’s accomplishments.”
There are now more than 1,000 businesses throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties owned and operated by graduates of WEV’s Self-Employment Training program or recipients of small business loans through WEV.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY
WHAT: Graduation ceremony & reception honoring WEV’s Self-Employment Training program graduates
WHEN: Wednesday, May 21, 6 – 8 pm
WHERE: Veteran’s Memorial Center Auditorium, 313 West Tunnell Street
WHO: WEV graduates, WEV executives and staff, community partners, friends, family and invited guests
MEDIA CONTACT: Marjorie M. Wass/Juliana Minsky, 805-687-3322
WEV’s comprehensive 14 week, 56-hour Self-Employment Training 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.
The Self-Employment Training course is 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, Oxnard, 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 orientation dates). English and Spanish language orientations are held in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, and Thousand Oaks.
Self-Employment Training courses are part of WEV’s continuum of programs that help women entrepreneurs start-up, launch, grow, and sustain a business, including business counseling, advanced business training, quarterly conferences and small business start-up and expansion loans.
About Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
WEV is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women across the globe. 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 counseling, coaching, and networking opportunities to help individuals to startup, launch, grow, and sustain a business. WEV’s service area has grown to include north and south Santa Barbara County and Ventura County with offices in Santa Barbara and Oxnard. 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.