I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new members:
-- Erin Foxworthy, Mass Mutual, San Francisco
-- Linda Hothem, Pacific American Group, Oakland
-- Pamela Isom, ICE Safety Solutions, Fremont
-- Stacie Martinelli, Petaluma
-- Amelia Moran Ceja, Ceja Vineyards, Napa
-- Cathy Murphy, Home Instead, San Francisco
-- Judy Peck, Building Care Systems, Novato
-- Patricia Reilly, PR and Company, San Francisco
-- Susan Ross, SR International, Oakland
-- Laura Van Galen, Bleu Marketing Solutions, San Francisco Thank you to all of you - we look forward to seeing you at upcoming events, and to the opportunity to grow, thrive, and lead together! Barbara Mark, Ph.D., NAWBO®-SF President |
 Dear Friends,
Happy first quarter, Ladies. I hope it has treated you well.
A great way to begin Q2 is by attending NAWBO® Public Policy Days in Sacramento, April 7th and 8th. You have the opportunity to make your voice heard and impact the economic and political environment you live and do business in. If it isn’t your voice, whose will it be ... and will you agree with that voice? Information is knowledge and knowledge is power. Take action and help create the future.
And, happy Spring to you! What better way to celebrate than to join us in honoring the brilliant and talented women entrepreneurs at NAWBO®-SF’s 24th annual Leaders and Legends Luncheon on Friday, May 2nd? Again this year, Jan Wahl will MC the festivities with the theme of Hats Off to Women at the beautiful Westin St. Francis Hotel in Union Square, San Francisco. Our keynote speaker is San Francisco District Attorney, Kamala Harris. Ms. Harris is the first female District Attorney in San Francisco history, the first African American female District Attorney in California history and the first Indian American elected to the position in the United States. She has served as a role model for women of color throughout the country.
We will be inspired by the successful careers of four powerful and influential businesswomen in the San Francisco Bay Area: Cindy Fassler, Jesse Ziff Cool, Laura Van Galen and Mimi Silbert. You will not want to miss this incredible event! Click here right now and get your ticket – or better yet, buy a table!
See you soon!
Warm regards,
Barbara Mark, Ph.D.
President NAWBO®-SF NAWBO®-SF Members in the News |
... NAWBO®-SF Member Joanne Black is featured in the Member Spotlight on National NAWBO website. See the Member Spotlight here. ... WIPP President and NAWBO®-SF Member Barbara Kasoff has been appointed to a 3-year term on the National Women’s Business Council. The Council is a bi-partisan federal advisory council that serves as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the President, Congress, and the US Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners. Barbara was sworn in at the NWBC Town Hall Meeting in Columbus, OH on March 12. Congratulations, Barbara! |
 Education, inspiration and fabulous hats will be the themes of the day as NAWBO®-SF holds its 24th Annual Leaders and Legends Luncheon and 4th Annual NAWBO-University on May 2. Be sure to mark your calendar, select your favorite hat in honor of the “hats off to women” theme, and join hundreds of community and business leaders for the NAWBO®-SF chapter’s premier event! Learn more here.
NAWBO®-University
Real Women. Real Stories.
Join us for our fourth annual NAWBO®-University. Every year our attendees give high marks for NAWBO®-U’s panel of experts, for both their professional experience and their honesty. This year’s sessions will be interactive and engaging, with audience members asking direct questions of the panelists. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the right size business for them and how to authentically market themselves and their businesses.
Is Bigger Better? What is the Right Size Business For You?
It seems that we are always being encouraged to strive for the million-dollar mark. But is it really right for you? Oftentimes when our businesses grow, we see rewards, but also more complex challenges. Hear from a panel of distinguished women business owners who are all at different levels in their businesses - one who is satisfied under the million dollar mark, one who aspires to make that mark, one who has crossed that mark and come back again, and another who has gone far beyond the million-dollar benchmark.
Marketing Mavens Share Their Secrets – Learn Their Unique Marketing Techniques!
This symposium of women panelists will each discuss how they target their markets and communicate with them. Each panel member will discuss their unique marketing techniques, including using technology, strategic alliances, grassroots marketing, guerilla marketing, traditional marketing and more. Whether you are a one-person business or a multi-million dollar business, you will walk away with specific tips that will apply to you.
After NAWBO-U, be sure to join us in honoring four remarkable women at our Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Luncheon. Prepare to be inspired by listening to their stories of challenges and triumphs!
NAWBO®-SF Member of the Year: Cindy Fassler, TSS Personnel Agency, Inc
Trailblazer: Jesse Ziff Cool, CoolEatz Restaurant and Catering
Rising Star: Laura van Galen, Bleu Marketing Solutions, Inc
Social Entrepreneur: Mimi Silbert, Delancey Street Foundation
To learn more about our Award Winners, Keynote Speaker and to register, please visit us here.
Apply for a NAWBO®-SF Mastermind Group! |
 NAWBO®-SF Mastermind Groups
Leverage the brilliance, strengths, insights and support of others to propel your success!
The basic philosophy is that more can be accomplished in less time by working together in a small group of supportive colleagues. It's a recognized fact that when you have several people brainstorming and working on a project you get more breakthroughs and unique perspectives than you would if just one person were working on it. The collective wisdom of the group - often called "the third mind" or "synergy" moves you beyond your individual perspectives to create ideas and "Aha!" moments that will leapfrog your business to new heights of success. --Consistent system of accountability
--Fresh perspectives; brainstorming new products and services
--A sounding board of advisors; truly being heard
--Networking; sharing resources
--Group wisdom and experience
--A safe environment for sharing ideas
--Other minds focused for a period of time on your specific innovative ideas or challenges NAWBO®’s Mastermind Groups meet once a month for 6 months. Each meeting is 2 hours long and is professionally facilitated. The cost is $300 for the entire program. The NAWBO® Mastermind Groups are for all levels of business and all industries. Once you complete your application, the facilitators will review the applications and place people in groups that will support the best outcomes for each individual in the group. Click HERE to download the application and fax it in today! If you are interested please let us know and we will send you information for the next session. Financing Solutions to Meet Your Business Needs
By Sumiko Sheaffer, Union Bank California |
Special to the NAWBO®-San Francisco April ’08 newsletter
 Financing Solutions to Meet Your Business Needs
By Sumiko Sheaffer
Successful women entrepreneurs are always looking for ways to optimize cash flow to grow their businesses. Growing a business can require additional support. From working capital and tenant improvements to purchasing or refinancing commercial property, Union Bank of California offers financing solutions to help you meet your business needs – immediately or in the long-term.  At Union Bank, we can help you:
--Obtain the financing you need. Whether you’re looking for lines of credit, term loans, lease financing, secured or unsecured credit, we’ll find a plan that works for your business.
--Take advantage of financing with little or no money down. You can keep cash on hand for those unexpected expenses that arise when you’re managing a growing business.
--Accrue tax benefits. Loans, lines of credit, and equipment leases can have significant business benefits. Consult your legal or tax advisor for details.
Also, interest rates can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Before they get higher, it’s a smart idea to act now - with a commercial real estate loan from Union Bank. Whether you’re thinking of purchasing or refinancing an owner-occupied commercial property, we can offer your business a combination of competitive rates and in-depth expertise that can make a difference.
Our commercial real estate loans can help you:
--Get competitive rates and terms. Choose from a wide range of fixed or variable rates and flexible terms.
--Conserve capital. Improve your cash flow potential with low down payments and greater loan-to-value ratios - up to 90%.
--Save time. We can get most loans processed within 45 days.
--Get the expertise you need. Our relationship managers are experts in real estate lending. They can help you structure your loan to support your business growth and optimize cash flow for your business.
Our loans can help you free up more of your cash so you can focus on the things that really matter ... like growing your business.
Sumiko Sheaffer is a vice president of Union Bank of California, a SBA preferred lender, and active member of NAWBO® San Francisco. For more information, contact Sumiko at (415) 273-2403, or visit www.uboc.com. April Dinner Event: How to Avoid Legal Pitfalls as a Woman Business Owner: Thursday, April 10 in San Francisco |
How to Avoid Legal Pitfalls as a
Woman Business Owner
With a Panel of Experienced Attorneys: Lori Bien, Laura Hardy-Thompson, and Melinda Garcia
Thursday, April 10
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Omni Hotel, 500 California Street
(Valet Parking Available)
$45 members; $65 guests
Register Now!
 Learn how to avoid employment issues, protect your intellectual property, the elements of well conceived contracts, and which business and tax structures are best for you. Lori Bien, J.D., has more than 17 years of experience as an employment law litigator and counselor. Her San Francisco-based practice, the Law Office of Lori Bien, focuses on keeping employers litigation-free by developing legally compliant workplace policies, effectively handling employee relations issues, and training managers and employees on all aspects of employment law. Lori also conducts workplace investigations. Laura Hardy-Thompson is the owner and principal of Hardy-Thompson, a business law firm committed to responsible and creative solutions tailored to the needs of those seeking to position, protect, transact and maximize their entrepreneurial assets from inception to actualization, and beyond. Hardy-Thompson consults, negotiates, drafts and facilitates a variety of transactions with the benefit of more than ten years of intellectual property experience supporting portfolios and product/service launches on a global scale. Melinda Garcia, Esq. is known for her keen business sense and her ability to provide creative effective legal solutions for both businesses and individuals. She has educated business owners all over California with her popular lecture, “The Ten Things Every Small Business Owner Should Know.” She has also taught continuing legal education courses on the formation, taxation and operation of Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships in California. NAWBO®-SF monthly dinner events provide exciting opportunities to grow, thrive and lead: --Socialize and network with other women business owners and professionals
--Learn about opportunities to get involved at the local, state and national level
--Be inspired and educated by our featured speaker(s)
--Engage in stimulating conversations with our monthly "Table Topics"
--And much more to come!
Register now!
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 NAWBO® San Francisco, NAWBO® Silicon Valley and Jones New York Event
Live in the East Bay?
This one's for you!
Thursday, April 3, 6 pm - 8 pm
After a long, hard day at work, join NAWBO® Silicon Valley, NAWBO® San Francisco and Jones New York on Thursday, April 3, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, at Macy's Pleasanton (1300 Stoneridge Road, 2nd floor) for a private evening featuring food, wine, fashion, and networking.
Don't miss out on this event. Register today by calling NAWBO® at
800-55-NAWBO. Also, in celebration of women entrepreneurs, bring a
colleague who may be interested in joining NAWBO®.
This fabulous evening will begin with a fashion presentation by a Jones New York style expert and then participants can network and shop!
Don't delay, register today by calling NAWBO® at 800-55-NAWBO and asking to speak to our Member Services staff. We want to make sure we have enough refreshments and give-aways for all to enjoy! NAWBO®-CA Public Policy Days: April 7 and April 8 in Sacramento, CA |
 NAWBO®-CA Public Policy Days
in Sacramento
April 7 and April 8
Every NAWBO® member and business owner in the
state of California is invited to Sacramento in April!
If you have never visited your state legislator, come to learn how from NAWBO®-CA leaders. This event will empower you and provide you with the tools and information necessary to navigate through the many legislative issues that impact your business and bottom line on a daily basis.
YOU have the power to change opinions. YOU have the opportunity to meet with your legislators!
Join NAWBO, as well as Women's Caucus leaders at this high-energy event!
Summit Topics include:
• Health Care Insurance
• Independent Contractor Issue Status, and how to protect your business
• Workers Compensation
• California Budget Crisis and its impact on business
• Water Crisis in California and what this may mean to your business
• Utility increases, transportation, taxation, and more!
Walk the Capitol - visit with your legislators and let them know how these issues are impacting your business!
JOIN US -- Let your voice be heard! Click here for the registration form.
Visit www.middleastwomen.org NAWBO® Welcomes the Disney Keys to Excellence: Friday, April 11 at Menlo College in Atherton |
 Join your local business community as we welcome the world-renowned Disney Institute to the San Francisco Bay Area on April 11, 2008, for an incredible day of learning, insight, and inspiration.
A One-Day Workshop: This is a rare opportunity to take an exclusive look at the “business behind the magic.” Participants will learn business best practices from Walt Disney World® insiders, and discover ways to adapt and apply those best practices to their own organizations.
Registration and Information:
Phone: 877.544.2384
Fax: 913.712.9247
Online: keysSanFran.com
Email: [email protected]
Pricing:
Receive a discount of $50 off the standard fee by using this promotional code: NAWBONWSE. The program fee includes registration, program materials, breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Join us for a day of excellence!
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NAWBO®-SF - Walnut Creek Relationships
NAWBO®-SF - San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
NAWBO®-SF - Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
