Welcome to the January 2008 issue of the monthly newsletter for the National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®)
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.

January 2008 News Summary

Member News

–– Welcome New Members!

–– President's Letter from Barbara Mark, Ph.D., NAWBO®-SF President 2007-2008

–– NAWBO®-SF Members in the News

–– NAWBO®-SF Member of the Month

Ideas, Inspiration and Opportunities

–– 2008 Leaders' Circle Launches

–– Nominations due January 10 for the 2008 NAWBO®-SF Leaders and Legends: Women Entrepreneurs of the Year

–– NAWBO® National Announces Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award Nominations Due February 1

NAWBO®-SF Events

–– January Dinner Event: The Ultimate Networking Dinner with Ann Tardy of LifeMoxie! Enterprises: Thursday, January 10 in San Francisco

–– San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Wednesday, January 16

–– Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, January 15

–– Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, January 22 in Corte Madera

–– February Dinner Event: How to Build a Fearless Brand with Robert Friedman of Wireware: Thursday, February 7 in San Francisco (please note special date - first Thursday instead of second Thursday.)

Events with Other Organizations

–– NAWBO® Public Policy Days: February 4 - February 6 in Arlington, VA

–– NAWBO®-CA Public Policy Days: April 7 - April 8 in Sacramento, CA

Welcome to New Members of NAWBO®-SF!

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new members:

Gloria Montano, Scene and Heard, Santa Barbara

Rebekka Putnam, In Hypnosis , Santa Barbara

Kathi Skow, Anderson Skow , 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

President's Letter from Barbara Mark, Ph.D.

Welcome to 2008!

As a successful businesswoman, what is on your agenda for the year? What is the vision for your business? What intentions have you set for your life? Wherever your journey takes you, NAWBO® has guidance, support, education and community for you!

This month, the NAWBO® MasterMind programs will begin.
If you have not had time to download and fax in your interest
form, please visit our home page where you can find the application and read more about the program. Don't miss this unique opportunity to harness the resources of your fellow businesswomen to grow your vision and your business! Our intention for the Mastermind groups is to support women in growing their businesses and becoming leaders in their industry and their community. Want to grow from $100K to $250K or from $250K to $750K or a million this year? Join a mastermind group and make it happen.

And speaking of success and leaders, our Leaders' Circle program is entering its third year! In 2005, Wells Fargo provided seed funding to launch Leaders' Circle, a peer-to-peer advisory group specifically tailored to women business owners with revenues at $2M and above. The formation of Leaders' Circle is a result of NAWBO®’s goal to be able to provide assistance and support women business owners with the intricate issues that they face.

We are pleased to report that we now have seven “founding” members who have been in the program for two years. This group, through the facilitated Leaders' Circle program, has reached a level of amazing sophistication and savvy that serves them in profound ways.

I am excited to announce the formation of another Leaders' Circle in 2008. If you are interested in joining or in finding out more about Leaders' Circle, please feel free to contact me or Diana Kimbrell of Kimbrell & Co. With the tools and resources that NAWBO® provides to you, I hope that you will continue to grow your business so that you can be a part of Leaders’ Circle soon!

Our first dinner program this year is our annual favorite – the Ultimate Networking Dinner. Join us in welcoming Ann Tardy of LifeMoxie to get the year off to a great start.

In past years many of our members have experienced a great leadership development opportunity in attending NAWBO® Public Policy Days both in Washington, DC and in Sacramento. Mark your calendars and give yourselves the chance to learn more about Public Policy and to influence the future of women and their businesses.

Make 2008 a great year for your business and your life! Take risks – shake up your spirit and invite courage. Live right to the edge of your possibility and Let NAWBO® be your peer group! We are a visionary and action oriented community of professional women - join us!

Warm regards,
Barbara Mark, Ph.D.
President NAWBO®-SF

NAWBO®-SF Members in the News

Member Margo Souza, President & CEO of Circle H Dairy Ranch, was featured in an interesting story in the San Francisco Chronicle on December 16, 2007. The story covered the rise of cattle rustling in California. Read more here.

Barbara Mark, NAWBO-SF president, and founder of Full Circle Institute is quoted in this article in the San Francisco Chronicle on December 23, 2007, about Ladies Who Launch, a lifestyle and business-focused media company that provides a social network for entrepreneurial and creative women.

Member Helen Russell, co-founder and CEO of Equator Estates Coffee and Tea was featured in the Entrepreneur Profile in the San Francisco Business Times, December 21-27 issue (subscription required.)

NAWBO®-SF Member of the Month: Joanna Smith

January Member of the Month: Joanna Smith
Business Name: Health Care Liaisons
Location: Berkeley, CA
Website: www.healthcareliaison.com
[email protected]healthcareliaison.com

Joanna Smith is the Principal of Health Care Liaisons (HCL), which provides health care consultation. The company helps clients with answers to health care questions concerning treatment options, providers, insurance coverage, resources
available in the community and more.

Health Care Liaisons is just finishing its third year in business and Joanna is proud to say that they are unique in providing individual health care advocacy, delivering services “face to face and on the ground”, serving clients at home, in the hospital or in a facility. They serve all ages -- children through adults.

Joanna had the idea for this type of company in the back of her mind for many years. While working as a medical social worker she noticed huge gaps between discharge plans and the reality once a person arrived home, where there was no one to help.

Joanna created sole proprietorship with the goal of first becoming financially viable, and then arranging micro financing to help others access health care around the world. She was able to begin this effort last year and finds it immensely rewarding.

HCL created a certification program for people to do what Joanna is doing. It has been thrilling to share what she has learned with other professionals, even though she never planned this part of her business. Joanna enjoys taking risks that she never thought she could or would take. She also likes being able to tweak her business as needed, getting support from others and using advisors.

For Joanna, the most challenging part of being a business owner is keeping her eye on where she is going and not getting overwhelmed by the day-to-day steps, thus losing site of her overall vision. Being a business owner can be stressful but she tries to maintain balance.

Joanna joined NAWBO® because she kept hearing from other business women about the organization. Like all new business owners, she was interested in building connections. People kept recommending NAWBO®, and when she checked out her first meetings, she liked the range of people, businesses and expertise, so she joined.

Her advice to new members in NAWBO® is to circulate among the meetings -- both dinner and breakfast -- as each one is different. She suggests becoming a regular at NAWBO® meetings to become known, be recognized and develop connections with other NAWBO® members. Finally, learn how to find resources by asking other members.

2008 Leaders' Circle Launches

I would like to highlight and honor the success of the NAWBO® members and exceptional women entrepreneurs who have worked hard to make our chapter's Leaders' Circle such a success:

Susan Shargel, Shargel & Co. Insurance Services
Donna Barron, Barron Mortgage
Margo Souza, Circle H Dairy Ranch
Judy Lee-Strain, Lautze & Lautze
Susan Magley, Magley & Associates
Linda Leary, Reliable Caregivers, Inc.
Robin Azevedo, McRoskey Mattress

We celebrate their leadership!

The concept of Leaders' Circle is to have leaders of
industries come together to act as each others’ Advisory
Boards to address some of the more intricate issues they face. The formation of Leaders’ Circle is a result of NAWBO®’s goal to provide assistance and support to women business owners at all stages of their business. To that end, Leaders' Circle is focused on those women with businesses which have annual revenues exceeding $2M.

Leaders' Circle meetings are held monthly at the offices of Wells Fargo in downtown San Francisco and are facilitated by Mary Janaitis and Gussie Stewart of MSJ Consulting .

In a confidential environment, the group discusses issues that are taking place in their businesses, with topics such as:

Employee, payroll and insurance issues
The rising cost of worker’s comp
How to finance your business through a quick growth
Engaging the emerging workforce
Increasing company value to support an exit strategy
The One Minute Business Plan – simplify objectives, accelerate growth
Making a strategic plan happen
Protecting your business capital and proprietary information
Using vendors and hiring consultants – legally
How to recruit and retain good employees
Structuring performance-based compensation and benefits
How to create an ESOP program for your employees
Creating a succession plan

If you are interested in joining or finding out more about our 2008 Leaders’ Circle, please email me or Diana Kimbrell for more information.

Warm regards,
Barbara Mark, Ph.D.
President NAWBO®-SF

2008 NAWBO®-SF Leaders and Legends Nominations Due Now - Deadline is January 10!

We are looking for two outstanding women business owners to be honored at our 24th Annual NAWBO®-SF Leaders and Legends: Women Entrepreneurs of the Year awards luncheon on May 2, 2008. A Trailblazer is a seasoned woman business owner (10 years + in business) who has learned how to compete, has created a solid, successful business, and acts as a role model for others. A Rising Star is a new woman business owner (less than 10 years in business) whose business is in the purest entrepreneurial stage - growing, succeeding and prospering.

Please take a moment to think of a woman business owner whom you would like to nominate as a 2008 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (or nominate yourself).

Click here to download a nomination form.

Nominations must be received by January 10.

For more information, contact Jeff Scanlan at 415.576.2992 or email: [email protected]

NAWBO Wells Fargo Trailblazer Nominations
Due February 1, 2008

In 2002 Wells Fargo and NAWBO National launched the NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award to celebrate the
enormous role women play in driving the American economy.
This year, they are looking for women business owners who have successfully developed unique products, services or delivery channels in their businesses.

Three outstanding women business owners will be recognized for their
trailblazing spirit as demonstrated by their companies’ business performance,
innovation, growth, and personal service to the community.

Each winner will receive a cash grant of $5,000, nationwide recognition, and will be recognized at the 2008 NAWBO Annual Women’s Business Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in June.

Learn more and download an application here.

January Dinner Event: The Ultimate Networking Dinner, January 10 in San Francisco

The Ultimate Networking Dinner
with Ann Tardy, CEO, Life Moxie! Enterprises
Thursday, January 10
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Omni Hotel, 500 California Street
(Valet Parking Available)
$40 members; $65 guests; Register Now!

Join us for the ultimate in networking this month -- one of our most popular events! Enjoy cocktails and dinner while you meet other women business owners, hear about what they are up to in their businesses and promote your own
business. You'll get tips on network marketing and have the
opportunity to exchange information with dozens of women
business owners. Moving to different tables between courses, you'll meet a variety of dynamic women whose business offerings may surprise and excite you. Our goal is to release the creative spirit of women and help make things happen. So bring lots of business cards, polish your elevator speech and prepare for a great evening. This is always a sell-out event at NAWBO® - be sure to get your reservation in early!

This year, we are happy to welcome Anne Tardy,
CEO of Life Moxie! Enterprises, speaking on the topic: Take the ‘Work’ out of Networking - Get In, Get Out,
& Get Connected

Discover the secret to engaging people in conversation and you’ll discover the power to open any door of opportunity. Whether you’re talking to strangers or sharing dinner with other NAWBO® members, your ability to master these meetings will take the pain out of networking events. Get ready to master the art of small talk and learn intentionally networking skills that will make every conversation worthwhile. Great openings, great closings, a dose of moxie, and a bit of practice will make you someone that everyone wants to know.

Ann Tardy is the Founder and Chief Catalyst of LifeMoxie! Enterprises, the performance solutions company. Prior to launching LifeMoxie!, Ann was a corporate attorney in Silicon Valley for 12 years representing entrepreneurs, practicing at two of the largest law firms before running the legal department of a public company, and then launching her own law firm. For five of those years, Ann also served as the co-Director of the Entrepreneurial Education program at a girls’ middle school training 12-year-old girls how to start and run businesses.
Ann earned an accounting degree from the University of Illinois, a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, a CPA from the State of Illinois, and licenses to practice law in Illinois and California. Ann was honored as an Outstanding Business Woman of the Year by the American Business Women’s Association.

Ann is sought-after by corporations around the country as a speaker and expert on employee engagement and performance issues. Her first book was published this year: LifeMoxie! Ambition on a Mission - 9 Strategies for Taking Life by the Horns.

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!

San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast
Meeting: Wednesday, January 16

NAWBO®-SF - San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Wednesday, January 16
7:30am to 9:00am
55 2nd Street at Market - Harvest & Rowe
Introductions begin at 7:45 sharp.

Parking is available via Anthony Street, between 1st and 2nd; turn onto Anthony from Mission Street.

The San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Networking Breakfast is NAWBO®-SF's newest venue for building business connections between local women business owners. Meetings are held at 7:30am on the third Wednesday of each month at Harvest & Rowe , 55 2nd Street in San Francisco. Bring business cards and come prepared to meet other women business owners, make friends, exchange ideas, share leads, lend support and recommend resources.

Pre-registration is required as space as limited and our group has been larger these days than ever! We want to ensure that there is enough wonderful food and beverage to satisfy all. The cost, if you register by the Friday before each meeting, is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. After the Friday before each meeting, the price is $15 for members and $18 for non-members.

Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!

Learn more and register online here.

Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast
Meeting: Tuesday, January 15

NAWBO®-SF - Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Tuesday, January 15
7:30am to 9:00am
Il Fornaio, 1430 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Walnut Creek
free parking at rear of building

Please note our new meeting day for 2008: the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

As a new business year begins, regulars and guests attending the Walnut Creek breakfast meeting will share some of their most important lessons learned in 2007 and how these will influence plans to build their businesses in 2008. We’ll talk a little about strategic perspectives and learn how these can be useful in creating sound business plans. Please join our discussion and contribute your own ideas and know-how as we share resources and referral information and provide mutual support for a very successful 2008.

Our morning breakfast meetings provide a comfortable
forum for business women and entrepreneurs to meet
monthly, exchange ideas and discuss business challenges.
The Relationships and Referrals Breakfasts are a dynamic, informative and productive way to spend your breakfast!

Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!

Learn more and register online here.

Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, January 22 in Corte Madera

NAWBO®-SF - Marin Relationships and Referrals Meeting
Tuesday, January 22
7:30am to 9:00am
Il Fornaio
Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera

January Speaker: Anna Scott, Master Somatic Coach Topic: The Power of Presence.

Get your morning off to a great start with our monthly NAWBO®-SF Marin Breakfast Meeting. Our group continues
to grow and evolve - become a part of this unique networking opportunity now! Our monthly forum for business women to exchange ideas and discuss business challenges is a dynamic, informative and productive way to spend your breakfast.

· Join a supportive group of business women with similar experiences
· Give and receive professional support, input and advice
· Gain access to a wide array of business resources
· Discover possible collaborations and alliances
· Meet new friends who share common interests and values

Pre-registration is required as space as limited and our group has been larger these days than ever! We want to ensure that there is enough wonderful food and beverage to satisfy all. The cost, if you register by the Friday before each meeting, is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. After the Friday before each meeting, the price is $15 for members and $18 for non-members.

Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!

Learn more and Register online here.

February Dinner Event: How to Build a Fearless Brand, February 7 in San Francisco

How to Build a Fearless Brand
with Robert Friedman of Wireware
Thursday, February 7
(please note special date - first Thursday instead of second Thursday.)
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Omni Hotel, 500 California Street
(Valet Parking Available)
$40 members; $65 guests; Register Now!

Do you want your brand to be a powerful tool to
drive sales? When your brand is fearless, your
best-fit clients understand exactly what your business stands for – and why they should choose your brand over the many other options available to them.

Fearless Brands always:

--Segment their market to bond emotionally and rationally with one segment
--Speak directly to the deepest needs of their best segment
--Create an experience their competitors don’t offer.

The result is that the clients who genuinely value what you offer are loyal and pay more. A Fearless Brand stakes out a precise market position in which there are no substitutes.

Would a Fearless Brand help you sell?

In this workshop you will learn:

--How the strongest brands use the power of emotion to bond with their best clients

--That the REAL VALUE great brands provide is often unexpected

--If your business is providing important value to your clients, but failing to communicate it

--The simple formula that makes great brands work – and how you can use it in your business

--How to segment your target audience to make business development and sales more efficient

--How to develop a focused message for more effective selling

--How you can apply Fearless Branding’s Brand Vision process to your own business to position it precisely in your market – so that your best clients understand: there is no substitute for the value your brand provides.

NAWBO®-SF monthly dinner events provide exciting opportunities to grow, thrive and lead:

Register now!

NAWBO® Public Policy Days: February 4-6 in Arlington, VA

NAWBO® Public Policy Days
Voices: Rising
February 4-6
Ritz Carlton Pentagon City
Arlington, VA

Make your voice heard and increase your advocacy skills by joining NAWBO® for its 2008 Public Policy Days, February 4-6 in Arlington, Virginia at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City.

Come together with NAWBO® members from across the country to discuss and develop strategies for transforming public policy on the local and national levels.

Highlights

--Keynote remarks from Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
--Keynote remarks from Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, owner of Pace Communications and National Chair of the American Red Cross
--Election night party and PAC fundraiser
--Government contracting hall and opportunity to connect with agency representatives
--Individual and group meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill

Learn more and register online here.

Key Dates: Mark Your Calendar

–– January 10: January Dinner Event: Ultimate Networking at the Omni Hotel in San Francisco

–– January 10: Deadline for Nominations - 2008 Leaders and Legends

–– January 15: San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting

–– January 16: Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting

–– January 22: Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting in Corte Madera

–– February 4-6: NAWBO Public Policy Days in Arlington, VA

–– February 7: February Dinner Event: How to Build a Fearless Brand (please note special date - first Thursday instead of second Thursday.)

–– April 7-8: NAWBO-CA Public Policy Days in Sacramento

Thank you to our Corporate Partners:

The NAWBO®-SF Monthly Newsletter is designed and edited by NAWBO®-SF member
Jennifer Donahue Marketing Communications for Businesses Large and Small

If you would like to submit stories, news, events, or happenings for the next issue of NAWBO®-SF's e-news, please send to the newsletter editor,
Jennifer Donahue, at [email protected] . Copy submission deadline is the 20th of the current month for the next month's newsletter (e-mailed out the first week of the month).

We invite anyone who is not already a member to join NAWBO®-SF. Take advantage of a growing package of member benefits and activities. To find out more, visit our website: www.middleastwomen.org/membership.html.

To subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) this newsletter, contact Wendi Moradian at 415.333.2130, or email: [email protected].

© 2007 The National Association of Women Business Owners® - San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (NAWBO®-SF). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of NAWBO®-SF is prohibited.