Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) recently celebrated the accomplishments of ten men and women graduating from the WEV’s Basic Spanish Self-Employment Training program.
Graduates left the course with an understanding of whether they are ready to take the next steps in launching their own business.
A new urgent care center, Urgent Care on Main, is now open at 2660 East Main Street, Suite 100. Hours will be noon-8 p.m. Monday-Friday (several weekdays open at 9 a.m., please call 667-8750 to confirm) and Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Urgent Care on Main’s experienced physicians and physician assistants provide care for many common illnesses and injuries including strains and sprains, burns, lacerations, bites and stings, ear infections, colds and the flu.
Visit http://www.urgentcareonmain.com for more information.
The Ventura County Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) invites you to join them as they celebrate outstanding women in business and leadership at the 17th Annual Bravo awards and luncheon on Friday, April 1st at the beautiful Serra Center in Camarillo. This is sure to be the must-attend event of the season with over 200 local business owners, executives and active members of the business community recognizing this year’s ten outstanding honorees. Early bird tickets are available now at www.NAWBOVC.org.
“We were impressed with many exceptional nominations this year,” stated Dr. Janis Shinkawa, President, NAWBO Ventura County.
Speech coach and author Mimi Donaldson will join these outstanding honorees as this year’s Mistress of Ceremonies. Mimi has authored four books, including, “Pitch Perfect: Speak to Grow Your Business in 7 Simple Steps.”
Bravo 2016 would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors, Montecito Bank & Trust and The Metropolitan Water District. Sponsorship opportunities are available at www.nawbovc.org.
NAWBO Ventura County – The local Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners is committed to strengthening the wealth creating capacity of its members while promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial Ventura County community. www.nawbovc.org.
Jo Hawthorne and Alioune Diouck have opened a new hip business in the Ventura Harbor Village.
Island Creations is a laid-back seaside boutique offering a collection of stylish, hard to find Tropical and Afro-Caribbean clothing and accessories. 1591 Spinnaker Dr. #113 www.IslandCreationsVHV.com.
Three recent graduates of WEV’s Self-Employment Training (SET) Program will join forces in a free yoga and coffee event for the community.
For those with a love for both yoga and coffee, three local entrepreneurs are hosting the perfect event. On Saturday, February 27th, WEV Self-Employment Training graduates Michelle Nouraei, Marilyn Hefferen, and Ashley Tindall will combine their passions to provide the community with a leisurely afternoon of yoga and coffee.
The event will kick off with a relaxing yoga class taught by Hefferen, an instructor at Yoga Rhythms. After the session, attendees can enjoy a delicious cup of hot coffee made from Tindall’s coffee and yoga business, Soul Bean, while shopping the latest trends in yoga apparel from Nouraei’s online yoga clothing store, Funk Zone Fashions.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: 1593 Santa Ynez Street, Ventura, CA
Cost: Free admission, RSVP encouraged but not required
For more information or to RSVP, contact Ashley Tindall at (303) 815-6265 or ashleytindall77@
About Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. WEV provides training, consulting and loans to help entrepreneurs start, grow and thrive in business. WEV serves all of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties from offices in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Santa Maria. While WEV targets its services toward women, it serves men as well, and provides many services in English and Spanish.
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).
A pioneer in the field, WEV was founded by Marsha Bailey, a nationally recognized advocate for women business owners. Marsha is the board president of the national Association of Women’s Business Centers, and sits on the National Women’s Business Council.
Consortium Media, an award-winning brand development agency for local, regional and nationally-recognized businesses, non-profits and government agencies, announces the addition of two new employees to its dynamic team.
Multimedia Specialist Briana Frank’s scope of responsibilities includes project management, public relations outreach, social media coordination and new business development. Prior to her role at Consortium Media, Frank worked as Support Service and Development Director at the Ventura Family YMCA where she oversaw donor development, stakeholder relationships, community outreach and signature events.
Melina Esparza was promoted to Creative Media Associate after completing an internship with Consortium Media. In her new position, Esparza develops web content and art graphics, manages client social media accounts, and assists with video and photography projects. You should find out more about video production if you’re interested in this line of work as it is one of the most successful forms of marketing, especially when it comes to social media, this century. The popularity of video marketing is quickly becoming the norm, with websites littered with online video promotions and ads. According to digital marketing reports, video marketing could be one of the most successful digital marketing forms with explainer videos, marketing via social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, pulling in potential customers to a business. The California Lutheran University (CLU) graduate was active in college serving as a photo editor for the Echo student newspaper, as well as a student assistant at the Pearson Library and took the position of executive marketer for the Associated Students of CLU Government.
“I’m thrilled to welcome these skilled professionals to our branding firm,” said Denise Bean-White, President and CEO of Consortium Media. “Their expansive knowledge and passion to learn will help us continue to significantly grow our clients’ brands and enhance our client services.” Enhancing brand awareness is something that all businesses are all looking to strive for. There are many different types of techniques that can be done to achieve this such as the ones that Consortium Media uses as well as creating any video content for a business. Getting in touch with somewhere like The Storyteller Studios can begin the increase of your brand awareness as soon as possible.
Consortium Media is a renowned firm known for its expertise through its Five Pillars of Marketing Success©, which strategically combines advertising, events and promotions, public relations, complementing web strategies, social media and creative design to build successful brands. Social media is a growing force for any business or production looking to reach their audience. Businesses often use social media to interact with their customer base and grow their brand. Companies similar to SidesMedia help businesses by managing and building their social media presence.
Haas Automation Inc. senior-level manager Peter Zierhut was installed as 2016 chair of the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s board of directors at the organization’s 19th Annual Meeting on Jan. 21. He is joined on the executive board by city of Ventura Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann as vice chair and secretary/treasurer Roseann Mikos, Ph.D., a member of the Moorpark City Council.
Zierhut joined the board of the EDC-VC in 2012. He is responsible for oversight of Haas Automation’s motorsports programs, including sponsorships in NASCAR and Formula 1 racing.
Heitmann was first elected to the Ventura City Council in 2011. She was appointed mayor in December 2013, and served as deputy mayor prior to that. Heitmann served as the executive director of the Ventura Music Festival from 2006-2012.
EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center and loan, manufacturing outreach and international trade programs, contact Bruce Stenslie at 384-1800 ext. 24, or [email protected]. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.
For those with a love for both yoga and coffee, three local entrepreneurs are hosting the perfect event. On Saturday, February 27, at 1pm WEV Self-Employment Training graduates Michelle Nouraei, Marilyn Hefferen, and Ashley Tindall will combine their passions to provide the community with a leisurely morning of yoga and coffee.
The event will kick off with a relaxing yoga class taught by Hefferen, an instructor at Yoga Rhythms. After the session, attendees can enjoy a delicious cup of hot coffee made from Tindall’s organic roasted beans while shopping the latest trends in yoga apparel from Nouraei’s online yoga clothing store, Funk Zone Fashions.
The event takes place at 1593 Santa Ynez Street, Ventura. Free admission, RSVP encouraged in case of location change.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Ashley Tindall at (303) 815-6265 or [email protected].
Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. WEV provides training, consulting and loans to help entrepreneurs start, grow and thrive in business. WEV serves all of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties from offices in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Santa Maria. While WEV targets its services toward women, it serves men as well, and provides many services in English and Spanish.
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) provides business training to women and who want to start or expand an existing business. WEV is holding free, 1-hour informational sessions for their English course in Ventura County. Orientation will cover class details and help you determine readiness for the next Self-Employment Training (SET) course beginning in February. (SET courses are offered in English and Spanish in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.)
Orientations are offered throughout the year and are required to enroll. Location will be given at RSVP. Thursday Feb. 4 , 6-7 p.m. in Ventura
WEV’s Women’s Business Center offers a comprehensive 14 week, 56-hour Self-Employment Training (SET) program for women and men who want to start or grow a business. Programs are offered in both English and Spanish in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, and provide week-by-week training on topics including finances, marketing and sales, public relations and advertising, legal and insurance issues, and record keeping. After the 14 week course, WEV SET graduates emerge with a completed business plan and the most important tools and resources they need to start a new business or grow their current business.
WEV is a nationally recognized, local non-profit that provides business training, small business loans, and many other resources. Since 1991, WEV has served over 12,000 clients, made over $3.5 million in microloans, and helped start or sustain an estimated 3,000 businesses supporting more than 4,000 local jobs.
Orientation location is subject to change. To find out more information or to register for the orientation, call 456-2342 or visit the website at http://wevonline.org/orientations. For more information about Spanish programs contact 456-2319.
2016 Executive Committee members James Perero, Steven Brown, Jeff Hata, Charnell Smith, Greg Van Ness, and Greg Gillespie. (Not pictured: Sam Benner and Matthew Graczyk)
The Ventura Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting and Board Installation on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at The Pierpont Inn. The event was attended by business members, City officials and dignitaries including Ventura City Council Member Cheryl Heitmann; Brad Hudson, Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s Office; Angelica Cisneros, Assembly member Das Williams’ Office; Michael MacDonald, Senator Hannah‐Beth Jackson’s Office; and Steve Offerman, Supervisor Steve Bennett’s Office.
Outgoing Board Chair, Saurabh Bajaj presented an overview and highlights of the Chamber’s many programs and accomplishments over the past year, thanking the Chamber members, Board, and staff for their support and contributions.
During the year, the Chamber increased its value in the business community through focus on partnerships with a variety of organizations and enhanced the visibility of the Chamber in the business community through increased attendance at Chamber and community functions. The Chamber became more proactive in advocacy for business and grew its focus on economic development. Education partnerships continued to be a source of pride with the Chamber’s Teacher of the Month and Principal for a Day programs, and through Leadership Ventura.
Bajaj also highlighted some key numbers which included the organization’s success in recruiting 120 new members, attracting nearly 2000 attendees to its major functions, and offering more than 170 opportunities for business networking and connections.
During Bajaj’s term, the Chamber also experienced a leadership transition with the hiring of the new President and CEO, Stephanie Caldwell, who began her tenure in late April.
James Perero, incoming Board Chair, presented his vision and the Chamber’s theme for 2016 – “Advocating for Business; Helping Ventura Thrive.” Perero outlined the four key focal points of the Chamber as he addressed the goals for the coming year. Perero’s plan includes working with the City of Ventura to improve the development process; increasing diversity and engaging with businesses in all areas of the city geographically, ethnically and by industry sector; recruiting hyper‐growth entrepreneurs to start, grow and expand here in Ventura; and finally engaging with on the homeless issue. Outgoing Chamber Senior Director, Randy Hinton, installed the new Chamber Board Directors. Among the newly installed Directors were James Perero, Sam Benner, Steven Brown, Matthew Graczyk, Greg Gillespie, Jeff Hata, Charnell Smith, Greg Van Ness and Saurabh Bajaj.
Some Ventura Chamber businesses were also recognized for being long‐time members, including Ventura Trophy Company, member for 50 years, and 25‐year members Anchor Printing & Graphics, Assistance League of Ventura County, Gold Coast Recycling, Kiwanis Club of Ventura, Nicoll Insurance and Financial Services, and Whisenhunt Communications.
