Welcome to the first 2009 issue of the quarterly newsletter
for the National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®) San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.

First Quarter 2009 News Summary

Member News

–– Welcome New Members and Renewing Members!

–– Member Profile: Sue Schleifer, Oak Communications

–– President's Letter from Barbara Mark, Ph.D., NAWBO®-SFBA President 2008-2009

–– Member of the Quarter: Anna Scott

–– Member Outreach Announcements

–– Calling All Marketing Mavens! A Message from the Marketing Committee


Ideas, Inspiration and Opportunities

–– NAWBO®-SFBA Leaders' Circle Spotlight: Carolyn Goodman, President/Creative Director, Goodman Marketing Partners

–– Introducing Arienne Landry, Public Policy Chair

–– Sign up for NAWBO®-National's "Smart Brief"

–– How to Attract New Clients During a Recession, by Joanne S. Black, No More Cold Calling®


NAWBO®-SF Events

–– Make me a Match! Procurement Summit: Friday, May 15 in San Francisco

–– 25th Annual Leader and Legends Luncheon: Friday, May 15 in San Francisco

–– Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, March 17 (These meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.)

–– San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Wednesday, March 18 (These meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month.)

–– Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, March 24 in Corte Madera (These meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.)


Events with Other Organizations

–– Madam C.J. Walker Business & Community Recognition Awards Luncheon: Friday, March 20 in San Francisco

–– 3rd Annual Invent Your Future Conference for Women: March 31-April 1 in Santa Clara


Save the Date!

–– NAWBO®-SFBA's 25th Anniversary Event and Make me a Match! Procurement Summit: Friday, May 15 in San Francisco

Welcome to New and Renewing Members of NAWBO®-SFBA!

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

-- Claudia Bauer, I. Claudia Inc., Oakland
-- Lisa Bromma, Wise Women Investor, Oakland
-- Katy Fraser, Katy Fraser Consulting, Danville
-- Joanne Hernon, Sales Solutions, San Francisco
-- Nadine Johnson, Sous Kitchen, Inc., San Carlos
-- Arienne Landry, Just For You Bakery and Café, San Francisco
-- Liz Menkes, Xmei International, Walnut Creek
-- Jeannette Modena, United Concrete, San Gregorio
-- Kathy Prestigiacomo, Citi Smith Barney, San Francisco
-- Ann Rea, Ann Rea, Inc., San Francisco
-- Katherine Shepard, Canfield Design Studios, Berkeley
-- Katherine Stickley, Arterra Landscape Architects, San Francisco
-- Emily Wilska, The Organized Life, San Francisco
-- Kim Woodhouse, Woodhouse Interiors, Oakland
-- Carolyn Goodman, Goodman Marketing Partners, San Rafael
-- Lori Katz, Lori Katz Group, San Francisco
-- Simonida Cvejic, Bay Area Medical Academy, San Francisco
-- Barbara Elwick, United California Technologies, San Francisco

And thank you to our members who have recently renewed their memberships:

-- Angela DeFinis, DeFinis Communications: Member since October 2007       
-- Kathleen Courtney, XDM Corporation: Member since September 2007       
-- Helga Grayson, Thinknicity LLC: Member since September 2000       
-- Linda Hammond, Bay Area Move Management: Member since October 2007
-- Barbara Kasoff, Women Impacting Public Policy: Member since July 1994
-- Kim King, King Security Services: Member since June 2005
-- Jaclyn Reimann, SGC Financial & Insurance Services:
    Member since July 1994
-- Joanna Smith, Healthcare Liaison: Member since September 2006       
-- Karen Trilevsky, Fullbloom Baking Company: Member since July 2002
-- Donna Aldrich, Certified Mortgage Planner: Member since July 2007
-- Frances Ann Doherty, Doherty Painting: Member since December 1994
-- Bevlen Klein, Norcal Moving: Member since October 2007
-- Stacey Lapuk, Stacey Lapuk Interior Design: Member since July 1994
-- Sharon Miller, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center:
    Member since December 2003
-- Linda Quinn, Quinn Solutions: Member since August 2006
-- May Pon, M.Butterfield Brown and Associates: Member since December 1995
-- Barbara Gilliard, Emeritus Investment Management, Inc.:
    Member since July 1994
-- Laura Van Galen, Bleu Marketing Solutions: Member since February 2008

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®-SFBA President

Why I joined NAWBO®-SFBA:

I enjoy meeting new people and learning about their lives, their work and what is important to them. Through NAWBO-SFBA, in the short time that I have been involved, I have met so many talented, articulate, engaged and diverse businesswomen (and men). I am confident that I will learn not only from the individuals that I meet at NAWBO meetings, but also from the speakers and from the national NAWBO organization. This will contribute to my growth as a businessperson.

As a Personal and Career Coach and Management Consultant, my clients often ask me for referrals to other professionals. Through my associations with NAWBO business owners, I will be able to make referrals with confidence. I am also looking forward to sharing my work with NAWBO members, as I have a deep commitment to my coaching and consulting practice and the services I provide to others.

Sue Schleifer
Oak Communications
Email me

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

Dear Friends,

Happy "Almost Spring", Everyone!

 What a year it is going to be. I know that we are facing economic challenges and the best thing we can do for ourselves is to think positively and visualize our desired success. People are doing business and now is a great time for creating connections that will blossom into business opportunities both immediately and when the economy turns around.

Being around other women business owners is a great way to get support and insight into how others are creating success and facing challenges.

 We have exciting news for you at NAWBO®-SFBA. As you know, we will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary Leaders and Legends Luncheon. It will be held on May 15th at the beautiful Westin St. Francis Hotel here in San Francisco. Mark your calendars and invite your friends. It will be a stellar event! As always we had an enormous number of candidates for our awards this year. Come join us in honoring and being inspired by their achievements.



More news is that we will be having a NAWBO®-SF Bay Area Procurement Summit on the morning of our Leaders and Legends Luncheon. What is that, you ask? It will be a groundbreaking event designed to help you get business! With the generosity of our primary sponsor for the Procurement Summit, Union Bank of California, we will be creating opportunities for you to connect with large corporations and their prime suppliers. This process will culminate in a morning of “Make Me A Match!” meetings with the goal of creating connections and contracts.
 
Visit our website for more information about the unfolding of the events that will lead up the Procurement Summit. 


In order to make it easier for women to join NAWBO® San Francisco Bay Area (NAWBO-SFBA), we are updating the application and renewal process. You will be able to access the application on the website and join through the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter directly, insuring that your information gets up onto our website roster right away. We then forward the membership on to NAWBO National.



I look forward to seeing you at a meeting soon!

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

NAWBO®-SFBA Member of the Quarter
Anna Scott
Anna Scott Consulting
Oakland
www.annascottconsulting.com
Member Since: 2004
 
What product or service do you provide?
Leadership development and training and personal development.
 
How long have you been in business?
4 years.
 
What makes your business different?
I work with people’s energy as well as their beliefs and thought. Energy occurs before thought and emotion. When you work with someone’s energy you are working with what is really true. I hold up a mirror to my clients so they can become more aware of who they are and how they really do what they do. The more aware you are of what is really true the more power you have. I also help people trust themselves. I am committed to people's truth and their beauty.
 
Why did you decide to start your business?
I started my business because I love the work. I saw the difference the work made in my life and I wanted to be able to share it with others. I also wanted to be able to design a life that enabled me to take care of myself and my family while earning a sustainable income doing work I loved in the hours I wanted.
 
What do you like about owning a business?
Getting to do the work I love and be able to pick up my children from school at 3:00pm and put them to bed each night.
 
What are some of the challenges of business ownership?
Some challenges are making sure that I keep a full pipeline of business and not isolating myself.
 
Why did you decide to join NAWBO®-SFBA?
I wanted the support of other women who were building a business. I am now continuing with NAWBO® to have the support of like-minded women.
 
What advice do you have for new members of NAWBO® to get the most from their membership?
The advice I would give other women of NAWBO® is that there is an amazing group of women in this organization who are more than willing to help you grow and develop. To get to know the women, you have to show up and then show up again and again. The help and support that these women have to offer is as valuable as any business you may gain through the organization.
 
Who do you most admire?
Wendy Palmer, Morihei Ueshiba (the founder of Aikido), Dipa Ma, Eleanor Roosevelt, my children Mattie and Cylus Hindman, and my mother, Carolee Katskee.
 
What is your dream vacation?
1) One paid for by someone else, and 2) Renting a house on the beach in Maui with my family where we can sleep in, play in the water, take long hikes, read and cook amazing meals, all by the ocean.

Get Involved!
The best way to benefit from your membership in NAWBO®-SFBA is be involved! There are many ways to do this. You can offer your time and your talent in anyway you can imagine.

Our committees need your time and talent!

--Membership/Kay Robinson
--Public Policy/Arienne Landry
--Programs/Susan Ross
--MasterMind/Barbara Mark
--Leaders and Legends/Donna Aldrich
--Diversity/Barbara Mark
--Marketing/Liz Kelly
--Affiliates/Jennifer Baum
--Newsletter/Jennifer Donahue

Did your memership expire? Did time fly and you missed the chance to renew? Not a problem! You can renew your membership at any time. If you have questions please contact [email protected].

If you have any questions about membership or the membership
committee just contact Membership Co-Chairs:

Kay Robinson: 925-284-5677
Anna Scott: 510-465-4095

Calling all Marketing Mavens!
The marketing and public relations committee is looking for a few motivated members to help us strengthen awareness of NAWBO®-SFBA and tell prospective members why we are the premier organization for women business owners in the Bay Area. Marketing and public relations experience is useful but not necessary – this is also a great way to learn a few marketing basics that you can apply to your own business. Interested members can contact Liz Kelly for more details.

Spotlight on Leaders’ Circle Member
Carolyn Goodman
Goodman Marketing Partners
www.goodmanmarketing.com

Goodman Marketing Partners is a full-service, multi-channel direct marketing agency headquartered in San Rafael that serves both Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer organizations. The company was founded by Carolyn in 2002 and currently has 15 employees and an annual revenue of $7.4 million.

Why did you start your business?
I grew tired of working for someone else, and realized I had all the skill sets and client contacts to run my own direct marketing agency.

What was the most difficult part of starting your business?
I was using Quicken to run my financials; I quickly realized I needed QuickBooks and didn’t have enough time to figure out that new software.

What is the biggest plus of owning your business?
The satisfaction of knowing I control my own financial destiny.

The biggest drawback?
The risk of knowing I control my own financial destiny.

What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about your business?
Most people think that direct marketing means direct mail. For us, direct marketing defines our ability to look at a client’s business problem, identify strategic solution(s) that solve that problem, identify the most appropriate media channels to reach the target, then design innovative creative that will motivate the target to take the desired action in a measurable and accountable way. We can then test and refine those media and creative strategies to optimize each channel.

What was your smartest move so far in business?
Hiring only senior professionals who have ‘been there’ and ‘done that’, which means they can think strategically and work quickly, but aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty to get the work done.

Your biggest mistake?
Waiting 2 ½ years to hire my Controller.

Who/what is your top source of inspiration?
My husband and three kids.

Why did you decide to join Leaders’ Circle?
I needed a place where I could let my hair down and show my vulnerabilities without it jeopardizing my business in any way.

What do you get out of participating in Leaders’ Circle?
I love trying to help other business owners solve their business challenges, and I cherish the fresh perspective and innovative ideas these owners give to me about my business challenges.

What is your favorite task?
Developing creative concepts. When you hit that ‘eureka!’ moment, it’s truly thrilling.

Your least favorite task?
Writing and delivering formal employee reviews.

What is your biggest frustration in business?
When we have a technology failure and it doesn’t get fixed instantly. We are so reliant on our Blackberries and email, I feel like business comes to a screeching halt.

What is your biggest goal that you’ve yet to achieve?
Becoming a $20M agency.

What would be your biggest reason to sell your business?
After the three kids are through college, I’d like the freedom to spend more time traveling with my husband and pursuing my “bucket” list.

What would be your first choice for a new career or venture?
I’d like to write and publish a work of fiction.

Who would you most be interested in meeting?
Steve Jobs. I think he’s a brilliant marketer.

What is your favorite stress reducer?
Hiking in the open space with our dog, Casey.

What is your favorite film?
Out of Africa. I made my husband suffer through it four times.

 

We are pleased to welcome Arienne Landry, owner of Just for You Cafe in San Francisco to the NAWBO®-SFBA board as Public Policy Chair. Arienne will write a quarterly "Public Policy Corner" for this newsletter, starting in our next issue.

NAWBO® has focused on public policy issues of national and statewide interest impacting women entrepreneurs and small businesses since 1975. By attending White House events, providing Congressional testimony, holding advocacy conferences, developing reports, and educating members, NAWBO® has consistently brought the concerns of women business owners to our lawmakers in Washington, D.C. In her new role, Arienne will be our advocate for this vital aspect of NAWBO®'s mission.

Read an interview with Arienne here.  

Designed specifically for women business owners, NAWBO® SmartBrief is a FREE twice-weekly e-mail newsletter from NAWBO® National. By providing need-to-know news and information NAWBO® SmartBrief saves you time and keeps you smart.

SIGN UP TODAY to receive NAWBO® SmartBrief.
Click here to read a sample issue.

How to Attract New Clients During a Recession
by Joanne S. Black
NAWBO®-SFBA Member
No More Cold Calling

Have your phones stopped ringing yet? The economy is lagging and dragging. It’s like a roller coaster gone out of control. Financial markets are going up and down, the economy is uncertain, the housing bubble has collapsed, renowned companies are declaring bankruptcy, jobs are being lost and companies are cutting budgets. Our pipeline starts to dry up and our anxiety level goes through the roof. Many people think that since there’s nothing they can do, they should just do nothing. But “nothing” is futile thinking.

What can we do?
As business owners, we must be proactive and smart. It’s time to invest in our businesses. Yes! Economists tell us that the companies that invest in themselves will be the ones that not only survive but thrive when the economy recovers.

Here are three “Killer Steps” to accelerate your sales in a lagging economy, retain your loyal customers, and attract new business without increasing your cost of sales.

Broaden Your Perspective
What business are you in? Redefine and reinvent yourself. Build new alliances and consider alternate distribution channels. Assemble a group of advisors and get their input and creative ideas.

Dazzle Your Current Customers
Your current customers need care and feeding. Don’t ignore them at the expense of new business, because they are your best source for new business.

Become an Expert
Companies hire experts because they can’t afford to make mistakes. Position your company as the expert with a specific product or in a specific market niche.

Don’t let the lagging economy drag you down. Sell more, accelerate your “win” ratio, and take business away from the competition.

Visit here for more details on how to Recession-Proof your business.

Don't Miss this Event ...
Make Me a Match!
NAWBO®'s Groundbreaking
Procurement Summit

Friday, May 15, 2009
8:00am to 11:30am
Westin St. Francis Hotel
335 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Registration deadline is 4/1/09: Register Now!

Do you need more business?
Would you like to do business with other women business owners?

Don't miss NAWBO®-SFBA's Procurement Summit on May 15th, prior to the Leaders & Legends Luncheon at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. In this groundbreaking event, NAWBO®-SF Bay Area will match women business owners with corporations as well as their Prime Suppliers to potentially secure contracts.

This event is FREE to NAWBO®-SFBA members, $35 for Affiliate Partners and $50 for non-members. Affiliate Partners and non-members can apply the fee towards a NAWBO®-SFBA membership if they join by May 15th!

Scheduled One-on-One Appointments
Prior to the event day, registrants will be interviewed and evaluated by a diversity expert to ensure the most successful matches. The majority of the work will be done prior to the Summit, so early registration is crucial. You'll attend scheduled one-on-one appointments with your matched Prime Suppliers at the event to potentially negotiate and sign contracts.

Roundtables
Simultaneously, there will be several Educational Roundtables discussions led by experts on various topics such as capacity building, certification, and marketing.  In addition there will be Networking Roundtables specifically set up for meeting with other women business owners to discuss doing business together. All women business owners should attend the Summit for these educational and networking opportunities.

Registration closes on April 1, 2009, so sign up today! Don't forget, this event is free for NAWBO®-SFBA members, and non-members can have their registration fees applied to their membership dues when they join!

Please enter the appropriate code when registering.
NAWBO®-SFBA members: Match09
Affiliate Partner members: Partner09

Click here for more information and FAQs.

With Affiliate Partners:
ASTRA Women's Business Alliance, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, National Council of Asian American Business Associations, San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 100 Black Women, Inc., NAWBO-Silicon Valley, San Francisco Small Business Commission, City and County of San Francisco

Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast
Meeting: Tuesday, March 17

NAWBO®-SFBA - Walnut Creek Relationships
and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Tuesday, March 17
7:30am to 9:00am
Il Fornaio, 1430 Mount Diablo Boulevard,
Walnut Creek
Free parking at rear of building

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!

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 $16 for members and $20 for non-members. After the Friday before each meeting, the price is $20.

Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!

Learn more and register online here.

San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast
Meeting: Wednesday, March 18

NAWBO®-SFBA - San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Wednesday, March 18
7:30am to 9:00am
55 2nd Street at Market - Harvest & Rowe
Introductions begin at 7:45 sharp.

Directions from San Francisco:
1: Start out going NORTHWEST on 11TH ST toward MARKET ST.
2: Turn RIGHT onto MARKET ST.
3: Turn RIGHT onto 2ND ST.
4: End at 55 2nd St

There is parking in the building

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.

Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, March 24 in Corte Madera

NAWBO®-SFBA - Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Tuesday, March 24
7:30am to 9:00am
Il Fornaio
Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera

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.

11th Annual Madam C.J. Walker
Business and Community Recognition Awards Luncheon
Friday, March 20
San Francisco Marriott
55 Fourth Street, San Francisco

Don't miss this great event, hosted by the Oakland/Bay Area Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.

Learn more and register here.

March 31st – April 1st
3rd Annual Invent Your Future Conference
for Women
Innovation & Leadership: Breakthrough Strategies for Uncertain Times
Santa Clara Convention Center
www.inventyourfuture.com

The Invent Your Future Conference for Women is full of fresh voices and perspectives on leadership and entrepreneurship which are even more urgent in these turbulent times. The conference features nationally-recognized keynote speakers, best-selling authors, thought leaders and business experts who offer informative seminars, tools, and techniques to accelerate your business.
 
Join Conference Keynote Speakers: Cokie Roberts, Veteran NPR and ABC news analyst, Rachel Maddow, host of the nightly Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC; Dr. Bertice Berry, sociologist and best-selling author and Cynthia McClain-Hill, Partner, Strategic Counsel LLC and National President, NAWBO.

Entrepreneur Track Sessions are geared towards established and emerging women entrepreneurs. Speakers include Nell Merlino, Co-founder and CEO, Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence; Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, President & Co-Founder, Berkhemer Clayton, Inc.; President, NAWBO California; Sam Horn, President, Action Seminars; Speaker; Consultant; Originator and Author, Pop! Stand Out in Any Crowd; Hannah Kain, CEO, Alom Technologies and Cecelia McCloy, President, Integrated Science Solutions

Plus hear from local thought leaders, Judy Estrin, CEO, JLABS, LLC; William D. Watkins, former CEO, Seagate; Elisa Camahort Page, Co-Founder, BlogHer

Community Partners include NAWBO Silicon Valley, The Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, NBC Bay Area, KBAY and Mix 106.5., Corporate supporters include, Robert Half, Northrop Grumman, Sutter Health, SAP Labs and Symantec Corporation.  Plus visit with Procurement officers from Apple, Brocade and more!
 
While many businesses are cutting back, research has shown that staying visible is even more important in uncertain times because it lets your clients and potential clients know that you are in business and here to stay!

For exhibitor and registration information visit www.inventyourfuture.com or call (408) 554-4249.

Make a commitment to re-energize your business and register for the conference today!
 

Key Dates: Mark Your Calendar

–– March 17: Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting

–– March 18: San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting

–– March 20: 11th Annual Madam C.J. Walker Business and Community Recognition Awards Luncheon

–– March 24: Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting in Corte Madera

–– March 31: Invent Your Future Conference for Women in Santa Clara

–– May 15: Make me a Match! Procurement Summit in San Francisco

–– May 15: 25th Annual Leader and Legends Luncheon in San Francisco

Thank you to our Corporate Partners:

If you would like to submit stories, news, events, or happenings for the
next issue of NAWBO®-SFBA's e-news, please send to the newsletter editor,
Jennifer Donahue, at [email protected].

We invite anyone who is not already a member to join NAWBO®-SFBA. Take advantage of a growing package of member benefits and activities. To learn 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].

The NAWBO®-SF Quarterly Newsletter is designed and edited by NAWBO®-SF member
Jennifer Donahue Communications.

© 2009 The National Association of Women Business Owners® - San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (NAWBO®-SFBA). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of NAWBO®-SFBA is prohibited.

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