Category Archives: Business

Women’s Economic Ventures training

Are you ready to become an entrepreneur, or expand your existing small business? Afraid to “go it alone,” or unsure how to proceed? WEV’s training programs guide you in taking the next step. Attend a free 1-hour orientation, where you’ll meet a WEV representative that will help you determine if Set, Explore, or another WEV program is right for you!

WEV’s business training classes are offered in English and Spanish throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Free orientations are held throughout the year and are required for enrollment in a training program.

Exact locations given at registration
Free, but registration is required

Ventura
Thursday 9/7/2017 12-1 pm
Wednesday 9/13/2017 6-7 pm
Wednesday 9/20/2017 12-1 pm

New League of Extraordinary Women kickoff unites local women

Sue Osborn, Bonnie Atmore, Judy Warner, Betsy Chess and Marsha Bailey are extraordinary women .

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) hosted a group of influential women leaders from Ventura County at the kick off of their new League of Extraordinary Women held at the Atmore Ranch on Tuesday, July 25th. More than 50 guests gathered at the ranch to hear several speakers discuss how the new group will help to strengthen women-owned businesses and elevate women in our community.

“This was an extraordinary evening for all of us,” said Citycouncil Member Cheryl Heitmann, a co-chair of the event who serves on WEV’s Board of Directors. “The outdoor setting was beautiful and the information shared was important. While women now own 36% of all businesses, 71% of those businesses generate less than $25,000 in annual revenues. We need to support women in our community so they can be more successful.”

Already including more than 40 members, WEV’s new League of Extraordinary Women will provide an opportunity for members to meet and combine their efforts and resources to help strengthen women-owned businesses and elevate women in our community.

Along, with Heitmann, the event was co-chaired by WEV board member Elena Brokaw, hosted by Bonnie Atmore and featured Penny Henschel, owner of Ever After Designs, a WEV client business. Henschel, who has been participating in WEV’s business consulting program Thrive in Five® for 3 years, is a perfect example of the type of business owner the League is working to help. “Since joining Thrive in Five® my gross income has nearly tripled” said Henschel. “I’m in my third location and have gained some really great corporate clients. I like to say this is where preparation meets opportunity.”

Marsha Bailey, Founder and CEO of WEV also spoke at the event. “Women entrepreneurs have the capacity to grow U.S. GDP by 9 points or more,” said Bailey. “Unfortunately, neither our government nor private investors are banking on women in a big way so we must find other means to get them the capital and support they need. The League provides its members a great way to lend their voice, guidance and financial support to promote women’s business success.”

The League of Extraordinary Women is for business executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, artists and philanthropists living and working in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. To find out more about how to become a member, contact Danelle Coyle at 456-2347 or [email protected].

Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and consulting to over 14,000 women and men throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and made more than $4 million in loans, assisting over 4,000 local businesses. WEV is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center, and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

Photo from left to right: Sue Osborn, Bonnie Atmore, Judy Warner, Betsy Chess and Marsha Bailey.

Bigelow Family Home Care

by Victoria Usher

If you have been searching all over for the perfect family home care agency that you know will always be there for your loved ones anytime day or night, then you should look no further than Bigelow Family Home Care. This privately-run home care agency was first started in 2010 and is dedicated to creating the best living experience for individuals with special needs all within the comfort of their own homes. It is good to find the home help care they need.

This is a place where hourly care, temporary care, short term care, long term care, and even live in care are all an option no matter what. Any person who lives somewhere in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, or Kern County is eligible for the care services that Bigelow Family Home Care provides. Home Care services are a great way to get help with taking care of your family members, especially if they need more help around the house. You might also want to look into somewhere like AHM installations, who provides mobility bathrooms if they require it.

A few examples of these specific cities include Lancaster, Palmdale, Antelope Valley, Rosemond, Lake LA, Newhall, Santa Clarita, Woodland Hills, Northridge, and many others that are also within those four counties.

If you would like to learn more about Bigelow Family Home Care you can get in touch with someone by simply calling 800-804-8845 or you can also visit their website http://bigelowfamilyhomecare.com.

La Cosecha Modern Cocina restaurant at Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel

Located at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel is the La Cosecha Modern Cocina restaurant led by acclaimed Executive Chef Luis Martinez. The new restaurant concept and remodel is part of the hotel’s recent multimillion dollar renovation. Spanish for “the harvest” La Cosecha features authentic Mexican cuisine as a visionary concept in modern Mexican food.

The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 450 E. Harbor Blvd. 652-5151.

Women’s Economic Ventures free self-employment training

Are you ready to become an entrepreneur, or expand your existing small business? Afraid to “go it alone,” or unsure how to proceed? WEV’s training programs guide you in taking the next step. Attend a free 1-hour orientation, where you’ll meet a WEV representative that will help you determine if Set, Explore, or another WEV program is right for you!

WEV’s business training classes are offered in English and Spanish throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Free orientations are held throughout the year and are required for enrollment in a training program.

Exact locations given at registration
Cost: free, but registration is required

Thursday, August 3rd, 6-7 PM, Ventura

Tuesday, August 8th, 12-1 PM, Ventura

Wednesday, August 16th, 12-1 PM, Ventura

Orientation locations are subject to change. For more information, and to register for an upcoming orientation, visit WEV’s Web site at http://www.wevonline.org/orientations.

WEV Spanish Self-Employment Training graduates set for business success

Business ideas include day care, landscaping, transportation, housecleaning, manicurist, and more.

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) recently celebrated the accomplishments of 17 women and men who successfully completed WEV’s Ventura County-based Advanced Spanish Self-Employment Training (SSET) course with a graduation ceremony held at Ventura Adult & Continuing Education (VACE) in Ventura.

After 14 weeks of training on topics including finances, marketing and sales, public relations and advertising, legal and insurance issues, record keeping, and how to write a business plan, these graduates completed the course with the necessary tools and support needed to start or expand their businesses. It might be helpful for a lot of these graduates to check out Landscape Software to improve the grounds of their brick and mortar offices.

“We are so proud of the dedication and passion these graduates showed in class” said Leticia Sandoval, WEV Spanish Program Coordinator. “Even though some had to travel or come straight after a long day of work, they committed to doing the work and now have graduated with more confidence and the resources necessary to achieve their dreams. We can’t wait to see how far they can go!”

The graduates range from first-time business owners to those who have turned to WEV to help expand their existing businesses. Graduate businesses and business ideas include day care, landscaping, transportation, healthy meals for delivery, restaurants, housecleaning, manicurist, and more.

WEV offers an Advanced 14 week Self Employment Training course for Spanish-speakers who wish to learn step by step how to start, improve, or grow a small business. The course is held once a week for 14 consecutive weeks. The next Advanced Spanish Self-Employment Training (SSET) course in Ventura County begins August 23rd. To qualify for the course, interested participants must set an appointment to interview with Spanish Program Coordinator Leticia Sandoval. For more information please call 456-2383 or visit www.wevonline.org/wev-en-espanol-2/capacitacion.

WEV is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. Since 1991, WEV has been providing a continuum of comprehensive services – training, consulting and loans – to help entrepreneurs start grow and thrive in business. WEV’s service area includes Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, with offices in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Santa Maria. WEV provides start-up and expansion loans of up to $50,000 to pre-bankable microenterprises. For more information, visit WEV’s Web site at http://www.wevonline.org.

Attorney John Andersen appointed to executive committee

Attorney John Andersen, a partner with the law firm Ferguson Case Orr Paterson, has been appointed to the executive committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the State Bar of California, commonly referred to as TEXCOM. Anderson is a certified specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. His appointment to the committee will take effect in September 2017 and will run through 2020.

Andersen holds a bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA and law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Women’s Economic Ventures free self-employment training orientation

Are you ready to become an entrepreneur, or expand your existing small business? Afraid to “go it alone,” or unsure how to proceed? WEV’s training programs guide you in taking the next step. Attend a free 1-hour orientation, where you’ll meet a WEV representative that will help you determine if SET, EXPLORE, or another WEV program is right for you!

WEV’s business training classes are offered in English and Spanish throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Free orientations are held throughout the year and are required for enrollment in a training program.

Orientation locations are subject to change. For more information, and to register for an upcoming orientation, visit WEV’s Web site at http://www.wevonline.org/orientations.

Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women.

Veteran traffic professional joins Hasan Consultants

Richard L. Herrera, a well-known traffic expert in the greater Los Angeles and tri-counties area, has joined Hasan Consultants. He will be in charge of the Traffic and Transportation group at Hasan. Herrera just left the County of Ventura Transportation Department, where he served as the Traffic Engineering Manager for a number of years. Previously, he worked for the City of Oxnard Public Works Department, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Herrera received his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at California State University, Long Beach. He is a licensed professional civil engineer (PE) in the state of California. He has the rare licenses and certifications of both Traffic Engineer (TE) in California and Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE). His broad experience includes all aspects of signal and roadway design, traffic impact studies, construction traffic control plans, litigation support, and supervision of technical personnel at office and in the field. His PTOE license is a powerful demonstration of requisite knowledge, skill and ability in the specialized application of traffic operations engineering.

Herrera is member of various professional organizations including the American Public Works Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Institute of Traffic Engineering. “Richard brings tremendous talent and experience to our Traffic and Transportation group, making our team unparalleled anywhere”, says Mohammed A. Hasan, principal of Hasan Consultants. “This means he’ll be an invaluable asset to the cities, counties, state agencies, transportation commissions and transit districts we serve.”

Hasan Consultants provides services in civil and environmental engineering, traffic and transportation, and surveying. More information about the firm is available at hasanconsultants.com. Their office is located at 2436 E. Thompson Blvd. in Ventura.

Ventura native Jessica Purdy is right at home

After a career in marketing and advertising, Jessica Purdy has followed her heart back to her hometown, where she is the newest member of the Ventura office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.

“I was born in Ventura and grew up in Camarillo, so I have a great deal of history and love for the Ventura County area,” said Jessica, whose passion for real estate was inspired by the real estate professionals in her family.

She has a communications degree from UCLA . Jessica loves walking and hiking around her hometown, exploring local restaurants, and enjoying the amazing climate and scenery that Ventura living has to offer.