Welcome to the November 2007 issue of the monthly newsletter for the National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®)
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.

November 2007 News Summary

Member News

–– Welcome New Members!

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

–– NAWBO®-SF Member of the Month

–– NAWBO®-SF Members in the News

Ideas, Inspiration and Opportunities

–– Beyond Clothes and Cosmetics: Priorities for the Woman Business Owner, by NAWBO®-SF Member Mary Janaitis, MSJ Consulting

–– California Legislature Continues to Grapple with Healthcare Issues, by NAWBO®-SF Member Susan Shargel, Shargel & Co. Insurance Services

–– NAWBO®-SF Launches Mastermind Series and New Entrepreneurs Program for 2008

NAWBO®-SF Events

–– November Dinner Event: Life in the Balance - Mastering the Work-Life Continuum, with Barbara Mark, Ph.D., Full Circle Institute, Thursday, November 8 in San Francisco

–– San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting with Linda Quinn, Linda Quinn Solutions: Wednesday, November 14

–– Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting with Susan Grant, Winguth, Grant & Co.: Thursday, November 15

–– Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting with Joan Jovan, JJovan Insurance Services: Tuesday, November 20 in Corte Madera

–– Save the Date! December Dinner Meeting: Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Omni Hotel in San Francisco - Monday, December 10 (Please note special date is a Monday instead of the usual Thursday.)

Events with Other Organizations

–– Join NAWBO®-SF at The Color Purple at a Special Rate! Wednesday, December 5 in San Francisco

Welcome to New Members of NAWBO®-SF!

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

Angela Definis - DeFinis Communications , Kentfield

Melinda Garcia - Garcia Law Group , Pleasanton

Carol Jasinski - Jasinski Law Group , San Francisco

Bevlen Klein - Norcal Moving , San Leandro

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.

Greetings Members and Friends,

As we move into the Holiday Season, which seems to be upon us earlier each year, we have so many opportunities to highlight our businesses. There is a lot of year end planning to do, a lot of financial things to settle and staffing adjustments to make to handle the demands of the season. We also want to make sure that our products and services are highlighted and available while also taking good care of ourselves.

Your NAWBO® membership affords you support and training as well as the invaluable asset of friends and colleagues to help you make it through. On November 8th we will be offering a talk on work-life balance, which I will be delivering. I look forward to seeing you and giving you some tips on how to get and sustain that sought after feeling of groundedness now and throughout the year.

Our December program will be our Annual Holiday Bazaar , which will be held at the beautiful, festive, and spacious Omni Hotel in San Francisco on Monday December 10th. Our Bazaar this year will feature a sit down dinner for both vendors and members and lots of opportunities to get a head start on your holiday shopping.

In the generous spirit of the season NAWBO® has been offered 49er tickets by our corporate sponsor, Wells Fargo. Thank you Wells Fargo! We have 20 tickets for the game on November 18th. The tickets will be offered on a first come first served basis. Please contact me directly if you are interested. The tickets are for NAWBO® members only. Let’s have a great NAWBO® cheering section for the San Francisco Team!

We have also been offered group tickets to see “The Color Purple” at the Orpheum Theatre on December 5th.

Our member of the month for November is Mary Ann Pate of A Timely Solution . Mary Ann is a long time member of NAWBO® and is the co-facilitator of our Walnut Creek Breakfast Meetings. Thank you, Mary Ann, for your hard work and dedication. Congratulations!

And, with the desire to support you in growing and sustaining your business, we will have two programs launching with the New Year: the Mastermind Series and New Entrepreneurs Program. These programs are in addition to our successful Leader’s Circle , for women with annual revenues over 2M. Leader’s Circle will be looking to expand over the next few months to offer peer support and mastermind meetings to women with businesses in the $500,00 to $2,000,000 range.

Don’t forget to get out and vote, November 6th, for Prop I to support small business in San Francisco.

I look forward to seeing you at the dinner meeting in November!

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

November Member of the Month: Mary Ann Pate
Business Name: A Timely Solution
Location: Danville CA 94506-1175
Website: www.atimelysolution.com
[email protected]

How long have you been a NAWBO® Member? 3 years

How did you become involved with NAWBO®? One of my clients was a NAWBO® member and was always telling me how much she loved the MasterMind groups and encouraged me to join.

What service do you provide? I help busy people become more productive by organizing their homes, offices and lives. This often involves managing paper, space and time. I work with a wide range of clients from CEOs to small business owners and even housewives. I also work with CEOs and their assistants to organize their working together. The range is unlimited.

How do your clients benefit from your services? It is very common to begin in the office, and then move to organizing their home as they see the benefits of being organized. It is interesting that most of my clients are not disorganized people. They are mostly overwhelmed people.

How long have you been in this business? Five years this month.

What makes your business different? I am a good listener and excellent at determining the underlying problem or cause. I use no standard answers or method. It is my goal to transfer my knowledge to my client so they are able to organize independently.

Why did you decide to start your business? I spent 25 years in high tech start-ups where there were no systems and I had to create everything from scratch. When left high tech I took off for 9 months to decide "what next?" I found organizing on the internet as a new profession. I researched it thoroughly. After I attended a NAPO conference, I knew this was a perfect fit for me because of my ability to identify and solve problems.

What do you like about owning a business? I like the flexibility. I love my business in particular. It is so rewarding because my clients benefit in ways that make them better at their work. I am thrilled that I love my second career as much as I did my first.

What are some of the challenges of business ownership? You have to expect that for the first two years you will be doing nothing but networking and building your business. This can be extremely difficult and you better have some money in the bank while you go through this process of establishing your business.

Why did you decide to join NAWBO®? I liked the quality of people I met there. I wanted to be in an organization with other business consultants I could to get to know and network with. Over the years I have referred NAWBO® members to my clients and have received referrals. I have also developed friendships with some of the women I have met.

What advice do you have for new members of NAWBO to get the most from their membership? Get involved! The sooner you get involved the sooner members get to know about you and your business. They see how you operate and that is to the benefit of you and NAWBO®.

Mary Ann is a past president of the National Association of Professional Organizers and is the Co-Facilitator of the NAWBO®-SF Walnut Creek monthly meeting.

Member Joanna Smith of Health Care Liaison made front-page news in the San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday, October 18 when she was prominently featured in an article about the new profession of health care advocacy.

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay will be host to a feature on member Syndi Seid's Advanced Etiquette for the ABC7's View From The Bay , Wednesday, November 7. Check your local listings for air time.

Submitted by NAWBO®-SF Member
Mary Janaitis, MSJ Consulting

Why do women business owners seem to put their own developmental needs related to growing their business last? First they focus on meeting the needs of their employees, partners, children, parents, and community…and if there is any time remaining, they may consider spending time and money on themselves. However, the way they spend this time and money seems to be more often on personal care than on developing business acumen.

As of 2006, the Center for Women’s Business Research reported that California has an estimated 1.4 million privately held businesses that are 50% or more owned by women. These businesses generate over $297 billion in sales. Why, then, is it an easier decision for a women business owner to spend $500 on a spa day, $50 for a facial or massage, and hundreds of dollars monthly getting coiffed, manicured and shopping for clothes than to spend similar amounts of time and money investing in her own business skills? Many of us claim we want to grow beyond the one million dollar threshold, yet we seem to lose sight of the strategies that could really help us get there.

Several organizations around the Bay Area provide forums for business owners to get peer counseling and expert advice. Most are dominated by male members, and almost all of these organizations charge hefty membership fees. Their focus is on building their members’ businesses by improving their skills, knowledge and strategies to support successful growth. Men don’t hesitate to invest in their own development – and many of my own male clients claim the insights gained from outside expertise has helped them focus on what’s important to grow their businesses more successfully.

NAWBO-SF has created Mastermind and Leaders’ Circle programs specifically for women business owners. Women often tackle business problems from a more collaborative approach than men. Participating in a like-minded group produces an environment that is different from male-dominated programs as it supports the development of key business skills.

Both Mastermind and Leaders’ Circle encourage business owners to work on their businesses, not just in their business. This subtle shift can produce significant improvements in the success of a business. And so I challenge all of the talented women who are NAWBO members in the Bay Area: consider how you invest in yourself, and do this in a way that improves your business success. Who knows, you may have fewer headaches, less stress, more reasons to laugh and a more balanced perspective on life that lasts well beyond the momentary pleasure of a massage, a day at the spa, or a new sweater!

--Mary Janaitis, MSJ Consulting

Submitted by NAWBO®-SF Member
Susan Shargel, Shargel & Co. Insurance Services

I recently led a conversation on health care policy at the NAWBO-SF San Francisco breakfast meeting on October 17th. Members at three tables shared their greatest hopes and fears for health care reform. The greatest hopes of the participants included health care for all, increasing preventive care, providing incentives for healthy living, better health at a lower cost through early detection, and preserving choice of providers. Decreasing quality of care was a deeply felt concern with increasing cost and losing choice also clear issues.

The California legislature is currently grappling with these issues in a special legislative session in which law makers and Governor Schwarzenegger are attempting to reach a compromise on health care reform. On October 9th the Governor released a revised edition of his proposal for comprehensive state reform. The major changes in the proposal are the removal of a provision that would require doctors to contribute 2% of their revenue to pay for the plan and the creation of a sliding scale for employer contribution based on payroll. The revised proposal would cost $2 billion dollars more than the original. Schwarzenegger proposes to pay for this cost increase by leasing the state lottery to a private company. On October 12th the Governor vetoed the Democrat-sponsored health care bill AB 8 which would have required all employers to contribute 7.5% of their payroll to pay for health care. This requirement was one of the most strongly opposed provisions by NAWBO members in the NAWBO CA Health Care Policy Survey.

The situation is changing daily so watch your local news for new developments.

--Susan Shargel, Shargel & Co. Insurance Services

NAWBO®-SF Launches Mastermind Series and New Entrepreneurs Program for 2008

We are pleased to announce two exciting new programs from NAWBO®-SF.

MasterMind Series
We are currently forming our 2008 MasterMind groups, which will run once a month, from 7:30am to 9:30am, for six months. We are planning for three groups (depending on demand) which will meet on 3rd Tuesdays, 1st Wednesdays and 4th Wednesdays. The cost is $300 per six month session. Each MasterMind group will be run by a professional facilitator and limited to ten people, allowing attendees to support each other on a very practical level with real-life issues relating to their businesses. Being a part of a MasterMind group is like having your very own Board of Directors!

If you are interested in this unique opportunity, please email us at [email protected] with your name, business name, contact information and type of business you are in.

New Entrepreneurs Program
Starting in January, 2008, NAWBO-SF will offer the New Entrepreneurs Program. The program will offer six sessions to educate the new business owner in developing and implementing a business plan, as well as show new entrepreneurs how to create a mission statement and how to develop short and long term goals for the business.

Each participant will:

--Develop a business plan and mission statement
--Develop specific actionable goals for the business
--Develop a time management plan that will ensure work/life balance
--Understand and Master the five “P’s” - Passion, Patience, Persistence, Positive Attitude and Practice
--The art of leading to empower rather than managing to control

Each participant will also receive one hour of individual coaching. The program will be held as a teleconference over six weeks and each session will be two hours long. The cost of the program is $299 and will be conducted by Kim Shultz of Executive Leadership.

For more information and to reserve your spot, please contact one of our program chairs Nancy Barrett or Donna Aldrich.

Life in the Balance - Mastering the Work-Life Continuum
with Barbara Mark, Ph.D., Founder of Full Circle Institute and NAWBO®-SF President 2007-2008
Thursday, November 8
6pm to 9pm
Omni Hotel, 500 California Street
(Valet Parking Available)
$40 members; $65 guests; Register Now!

Work/Life balance oftens sounds like either an impossible dream or another to-do that ends up at the bottom of our tasks list. Barbara Mark, Ph.D., will be talking about the work/life continuum and the need for personal foundational values that support congruity in our lives.

Barbara has devoted her entire adult life to the field of human potential. Starting as a volunteer peer counselor in high school, Barbara has pursued a career in helping people overcome blocks and achieve their personal best. She began her professional career in private psychology practice and over twenty years ago created her company, Full Circle Institute, to meet the needs of a broad range of clients. In the past decade, Barbara has focused her practice on leadership development and executive coaching for professional women in midlife. As a consulting psychologist and executive coach, Barbara has been brought into the confidence of hundreds of women seeking to maintain inner balance while facing the demands of personal ambition and external pressures.

Learn more about Barbara and Full Circle Institute here.

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, November 14

NAWBO®-SF - San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Wednesday, November 14
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.

November Meeting Topic: The Power of Real Property with Linda Quinn, Linda Quinn Solutions

Linda Quinn is a real estate broker who focuses on multi-units and owner user investments. She specializes in providing clients with accurate market information and advice to develop a strategic plan for exiting or entering a desired investment. Linda originally began working in real estate in 1990 as an attorney and she has over 15 years' experience in strategy, analysis and negotiations.

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: Thursday, November 15

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

November Meeting Topic:
Learn About A New Way to Sell to Pre-qualified Prospects!
with Susan Grant, Owner of Winguth,Grant & Co. , Past President NAWBO®-SF and Manager of the NAWBO®-SF Brown Bag Lunch Series

On November 15, learn how NAWBO®'s Brown Bag Speaker Lunches are a great way to test your stand-up sales skills before a small audience predisposed to the product or service you offer. If you're already a NAWBO® member or are considering joining, come and learn how to turn this free marketing opportunity into profits. Regardless of whether you simply hone your presentation skills or identify interested prospects, you'll benefit from this experience.

Susan Grant, owner of the executive search firm, Winguth,Grant & Co., is a long-standing NAWBO® member. A past president and winner of NAWBO®'s 2006 Member of the Year Award, Susan has managed the Brown Bag Speaker Series for several years. She will share insights about ideal topics and the do's and don'ts of a compelling Brown Bag Seminar.

Come prepared to collect the inside scoop on how to make the most of another terrific NAWBO® benefit that is yours for the asking!

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 $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, November 20 in Corte Madera

Marin Relationships and Referrals Meeting
Tuesday, November 20
7:30am to 9:00am
Il Fornaio
Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera

November Speaker: Joan Jovan of JJovan Insurance Services

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.

Annual Holiday Bazaar
Monday, December 10 (note special date)
6pm to 9pm
Omni Hotel, 500 California Street
(Valet Parking Available)
$40 members; $65 guests; Register Now!

Just in time for the holiday season, NAWBO®-SF presents the perfect opportunity to find unique, unusual gifts, all while networking with other fabulous women!

This year, we are happy to have the beautiful, festive, and spacious Omni Hotel as a home for our Bazaar, which will also feature a sit down dinner for both vendors and members.

Would you like to be part of the Bazaar?
Reserve Your Booth Now!

This is your chance to showcase your business!
We invite members and non-members alike to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to gain marketing exposure and sell directly to our members in time for the holiday gift-giving season.

The cost for a table is $50 for members and $75
for non-members. Registration for the dinner is also required. Limited space is available, so reserve early.

To reserve a booth: E-mail us for a registration form and payment instructions.

Make your reservations early!

Join NAWBO®-SF at The Color Purple (special rate): Wednesday, December 5 in San Francisco

Join NAWBO®-SF at
The Color Purple
Wednesday, December 5
8:00pm, Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco
Special Group Rate Tickets: $76 (Orchestra & Loge); $56 (Mezzanine)

For tickets and more info, call 510-839-0690.

Special Group Rate! NAWBO®-SF is pleased to be
associated with the hit musical, The Color Purple,
and we invite our members to join us on December 5th
to enjoy this incredible musical at a very special rate.
Call 510-839-0690 for bookng details. We look forward to seeing you there!

Key Dates: Mark Your Calendar

–– November 8: November Dinner Event: Life in the Balance - Mastering the Work-Life Continuum, with Barbara Mark, Ph.D., Full Circle Institute in San Francisco

–– November 14: San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting

–– November 15: Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting

–– November 20: Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting in Corte Madera

–– December 5: Join NAWBO®-SF at The Color Purple in San Francisco

–– December 10: December Dinner Event: Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Omni Hotel in San Francisco - Monday, December 10 (Please note special date is a Monday instead of the usual Thursday.)

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.

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