I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new members:
-- Janaki Bakshi, Coaching From The Heart, Emeryville
-- Pamela Lyons, Queen of Quickbooks, Greenbrae
-- Susan Sharman, Sharman Studios, Martinez
-- Caitlin Stewart-Jones, Wright Stewart Jones Design Studio, San Rafael
-- Valerie Villaraza-Steele, TRI Commercial Real Estate Services,
San Francisco
-- Elizabeth Alice Weeks, Calistoga
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
Message from a NAWBO®-SF Member
|
 Why I joined NAWBO®-SF:
As a business owner I am always looking for ways to help my business thrive and grow. I have been and continue to be a member of a variety of industry and business-related organizations but started to attend NAWBO®-SF meetings regularly about a year ago. I admit, I was lurking, checking it out, getting a feel for the members and the organization as a whole. As I attended dinner and breakfast events I was consistently impressed by the women (and men) I met who were deeply committed and engaged in their businesses ... whether they were just starting out or had been
thriving for many decades. This level of commitment is what drew me to join NAWBO®-SF. I have been a business owner for 15 years and I joined NAWBO®-SF
as a way to honor my own commitment to my business
as well as meet others with a similar outlook. I look
forward to being part of such a dynamic group of women
business owners. Susan Sharman
Sharman Studios |
Spotlight On Leaders' Circle Member: Robin McRoskey, McRoskey Mattress Company |
 Spotlight on Leaders’ Circle Member
Robin McRoskey Azevedo
McRoskey Mattress Company
www.mcroskey.com
McRoskey Mattress Company manufactures and retails comfortable, high quality mattresses and box springs in San Francisco, with an additional retail store in Palo Alto. Robin McRoskey Azevedo began ownership in the 109-year-old family business in 1991, which currently has 45 employees and an annual revenue of $8.2 million.
What sets McRoskey apart from its competition?
Something that is unique about us is that we manufacture what we retail. We bring in the raw materials – the wood, wire and fiber, and then make all the separate components – the box spring on a wood frame with wire coils, the mattress with its innerspring unit and its fiber filling material and cotton cover. Our team has a real emotional attachment to each product that we present.
What was your profession prior to starting your company?
Insurance agent with the mortgage banking industry.
Why did you get into the family business?
I wasn’t available to work full-time when I became a mother, so I approached my dad about working part-time in the business. I was in the company for about 10 years when I approached my father about getting involved in ownership and he was thrilled, so eventually I bought out the shares, and now I am 100% owner.
What was the most difficult part of taking over a family business?
The installation of current “best practices” that apply to our type of business. Most of the challenges came out of being naïve about how to run a business - not knowing what to think about and what challenges to expect ahead. Things just get more complex the more involved you get into the business.
What is the biggest plus of owning your business?
Being able to enjoy the respect that the business has garnered in the community over its 109-year history through delivering a quality product that has stayed true to construction techniques and materials. We have not followed what our industry has done in terms of cutting corners to turn out product more quickly.
The biggest drawback?
The day is never done.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about your business?
The biggest misconception is that mattresses should last forever.
What is your greatest business strength?
Delegating to others. It’s not something that I’m always good at, but I’ve found that when certain responsibilities are delegated to others, they often do a very good job.
Your greatest weakness?
Over-analyzing and dwelling on issues, which leads to procrastination.
What has been your smartest move so far in business?
Putting a marketing program in place. Before we operated on an “if we build it, they will buy it” basis, and the business was not growing. By actively entering into a marketing program, we are learning how to better stay in the minds of the existing customer and how to reach out to new customers.
What do you get out of participating in Leaders’ Circle?
You learn to have the courage of your convictions, because you hear what other women business owners are doing, how they handle problems and how they wring their hands going through issues. You learn what works and what doesn’t – but just because it might not work doesn’t mean it’s a failure.
What is your favorite task?
Being on the sales floor and getting to know the customers. Customers are our best advocates and building long-term relationships with them is the key to marketing the product. Often customers end up loving their mattresses and if they move, they take them with them. So even though we are a local company, we do have customers across the country and even internationally.
Your least favorite task?
Financials!
What is your biggest frustration in business?
Not ever quite having the sense of being totally on top if it, but then again, who IS on top of it all?!
What is a goal that you’ve yet to achieve?
Being sure that the business continues without me.
What is your favorite stress reducer?
A glass of wine or a nice meal with friends.
What is your most influential book?
One of my favorites is Angle of Repose by Stegner.
Learn About Chevron's Supplier Diversity/Small Business Program |
In July 2008, NAWBO®-SF Corporate Partner, Chevron, hosted two very successful Prime Supplier Forums and Diversity Fairs in Houston, Texas and San Ramon, California. These events were attended by over 100 prime suppliers and 50 diverse suppliers.
The objectives of these events were:
--Educating Chevron’s prime suppliers on their subcontracting process and the importance of 2nd tier reporting
--Providing overview of prime supplier reporting system
--Promoting the utilization of diverse suppliers in the supply chain
--Allowing diverse suppliers to exhibit their products and services to prime suppliers and Chevron representatives across operating companies
The San Ramon event featured presentations from Chevron Chief Procurement Officer Leo Lonergan, Global Category Manager Ronaldo Marques and Supply Chain Manager Debbie Dimuccio.
The Houston event featured presentations from Chevron North America Exploration and Production President Gary Luquette, Procurement Business Manager Laura Reiling and Supply Chain Manager Phil Durrett.
The program also provided opportunities to both prime suppliers and diverse suppliers to share their success stories.
Chevron's Supplier Diversity/Small Business program promotes an inclusive business environment for the benefit of the company and its suppliers. The program works with value-added small, minority and women-owned businesses to develop innovative, cost-effective solutions that fuel mutual growth.
The key strategies in the programs include utilization, training and education, tracking, certification management, outreach, and second tier subcontracting management. Through this program, Chevron strives to ensure that their supplier base is reflective of their customers and the markets they serve. Suppliers must demonstrate “value-added” qualities such as cost savings, competitive pricing, excellent safety record, financial viability, customer focus, and the ability to provide innovative business solutions.
NAWBO®-SF members or other suppliers interested in pursuing opportunities within Chevron are encouraged to take the following steps:
--Obtain membership and be certified by one or more of our recognized certification organizations;
--Learn more about how to do business with a large corporation by attending seminars and workshops;
--Understand Chevron’s business;
--Complete the Supplier Registration form on their website (www.chevronsupplierdiversity.com). 
Special San Francisco Business Times Advertising Opportunity for NAWBO®-SF Members |
 Lauren Dunn of the San Francisco Business Times is pleased to announce a new advertising special offer for all NAWBO®-SF members. All NAWBO®-SF members will receive $45 off of each ad they place in the Marketplace or Luxury Living classified pages in the SF Business Times. Please see the attached flier for more information.
A message from Lauren:
The San Francisco Business Times Marketplace section has a size and price option to fit every member’s budget and needs. I’m really proud to be able to offer all NAWBO®-SF members the opportunity to market their services to such a premium group of 80,000 weekly
readers. Prices start as low as $75 per ad and members
have the opportunity to save as much as $2340 annually
with this offer.
If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity,
please contact Lauren Dunn directly at 415-288-4975 or [email protected].
Reflecting on Women's Choices: "Mom and I," by Jennifer Baum, NAWBO-SF Secretary |
 My mother was 22 years old when I was born. That's not very old, and there was never much of a feeling of a generation gap between us. She worked as a teacher because that's what women of her generation did. They taught, or they were nurses, or they were secretaries. My mom taught and later worked as a social worker, another "women’s profession."
In January of 2007, in my mid 30s, I started my own business. I always knew I would, and one day I realized what my business model would be. I made it happen and my mom is a great supporter of my business. She's always talking about it and sending her friends my way, as potential clients.
I remember when mom was in her 30s. She worked at one of the local public junior high schools, teaching remedial reading to troubled teens, the "bad" kids who couldn't read. She's lucky that she really loves teaching, and is currently a docent at the museum, teaching children about art. Her employers have always been large organizations, such as schools and museums. She volunteers now because she doesn't want someone else to tell her when to take vacation.
It’s likely I would not have started my own business had I been born 22 years earlier. I would be a teacher, a secretary, or a nurse. But things have changed in 22 years. It's now acceptable for women to be business owners. It's really exciting to be at the various NAWBO®-SF events, surrounded by interesting, successful women business owners. Some of the businesses are large and thriving, some are new and struggling, others are established and humming along. I love thinking about how far women-owned businesses have come in the last 22 years. And perhaps because I am a mother of two little girls, I love thinking about where they will be in another 22 years.
These are exciting times for women-owned businesses! October Dinner Meeting - Harnessing the Power of Social Networking for Your Business: Thursday, October 16 in San Francisco
|
 Harnessing the Power of Social Networking
for Your Business
Panel Discussion
Thursday, October 16
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Omni Hotel, 500 California Street
(Valet Parking Available*)
$45 members; $65 guests
Register Now!
Mystified by MySpace and Facebook? Wondering what's the point of a blog? And just what do any of these have to do with marketing your business? As it turns out, a lot - and best of all, putting social networking tools to work for your business won't cost you a dime.
Join NAWBO®-SF for a free-flowing panel discussion about social networking tools, including MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and others. Part of NAWBO-SF's Recession Busting Series, our panel will demystify the various options available and tell you how you can use them to attract new customers and enhance the visibility of your business.
Get answers to these questions and more:
· How can social networking tools improve my business?
· What is my business missing if I do not use social networking tools?
· How do I decide which tools are most effective for my business?
· What are the risks/legal implications of social networking tools?
· Where can I find practical reference materials about these tools?
Panel of experts will include:
--Blogging: Sarah Browne
--FaceBook: Hazel Grace Dircksen
--LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor
(Please see our website for more about our panelists.)
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! *Inexpensive parking is available at two garages on Kearny Street, which are both close to California Street and a short walk to the Omni Hotel: St. Mary's Square Garage at 443 Kearny, and Portsmouth Square Garage at 733 Kearny.
*Public Transportation: About 5 blocks from the Montgomery BART station. |
 NAWBO®-SF - Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Tuesday, October 28
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!
October Speaker: Michelle C. Lerman,
Voted #1 Favorite Attorney in Marin/Sonoma
by the J Weekly
Topic: Essential Tips for Planning Your Estate
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.
Helping Employees Navigate the Health Care System
While Maintaining Productivity, with Joanna Smith, LCSW,
MPH - CEO, Healthcare Liaison, Inc.: Thursday,
November 13 in San Francisco |
 Helping Employees Navigate the Health Care System While Maintaining Productivity
with with Joanna Smith, LCSW, MPH
CEO, Healthcare Liaison, Inc.
Thursday, November 13
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Omni Hotel, 500 California Street
(Valet Parking Available*)
$45 members; $65 guests
Register Now!
Join us on November 13, 2008 to understand how you can help employees manage complex health issues while also maintaining productivity levels. Joanna Smith
will discuss these issues and provide information
for business owners and employees.
Joanna Smith is the founder and CEO of Healthcare Liaison, Inc, a private healthcare advocacy practice focused on complex medical case management, located in Berkeley CA. She founded Healthcare Liaison in 2005 as a social entrepreneurship after a 25-year career working in San Francisco Bay Area healthcare systems as a medical social worker and hospital discharge planner. Smith is an active proponent for the advancement of the emerging profession of private healthcare advocacy, and is a leader in the development of professional standards for practitioners. In 2007, Healthcare Liaison established the nation’s first accreditation program for private healthcare advocates.
Smith received her undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont; a master’s degree in social work from Tulane University; and a master’s degree in public health (maternal and child health) from UC Berkeley. She is licensed as a clinical social worker by the State of California. Smith is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the California Society for Clinical Social Work; the Society for Social Work Leaders in Healthcare; the UC/Berkeley Entrepreneurial Forum; National Association of Women Business Owners; The Society of Professionals in Healthcare, the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and The Hastings Center.
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!
*Inexpensive parking is available at two garages on Kearny Street, which are both close to California Street and a short walk to the Omni Hotel: St. Mary's Square Garage at 443 Kearny, and Portsmouth Square Garage at 733 Kearny.
*Public Transportation: About 5 blocks from the Montgomery BART station.
December Dinner Meeting - Shop for the Holidays and Support Local Businesses at the NAWBO-SF Annual Holiday Bazaar: Monday, December 8 in San Francisco |
 Annual Holiday Bazaar
Shop for the Holidays and Support Local Businesses
Monday, December 8
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Omni Hotel, 500 California Street
(Valet Parking Available*)
$45 members; $65 guests
Register Now!
The Holiday Bazaar is a great event to network with colleagues, celebrate the holidays and complete your shopping. Please tell your friends and colleagues!
There are 16 tables for vendors that will be
provided on a first come basis so, register early!
Download a booth registration form here.
If you have questions, please contact Wendi Moradian or Susan Rae Ross.
Plug In/Power Up with NAWBO-Silicon Valley: Tuesday, October 21 in San Carlos
|
 Plug In/Power Up
The Largest Women’s Networking Event in Northern California
Tuesday, October 21
Registration: 5:30pm to 6:00pm
Dinner and Networking: 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Location: Domenico Wines, San Carlos, CA
PRE-REGISTER NOW
Cost increases at the door on October 21
This event combines wine and food tasting with business networking and a tradeshow, while listening
to a master musician. Janice Edwards of NBC11 will present networking exercises that teach you to be a
more productive networker.
You will also have the opportunity to speak with buyers from major corporations that can utilize your services and enjoy the dulcet tones of music by Randy Masters.
Invite Your Friends!
Download event fliers and e-mail them to your friends and business associates!
Diversity Business Mixer with the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Wednesday, October 22 in San Francisco |
Diversity Business Mixer
Wednesday, October 22
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
IBM Conference Center
425 Market Street 20th Floor
San Francisco
Dear NAWBO®-SF members,
We are delighted to announce that NAWBO®-SF members have been invited to attend the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Diversity Mixer as their guests. This is a great opportunity if you are interested in learning about procurement opportunities with corporations and government organizations. The only criteria is that we register in advance to receive no cost admittance.
If you register at the door, the fee will be $10. Below are the details. Hope to see you there!
The purpose of this innovative program is to focus on subcontracting opportunities. This is a perfect opportunity to hear from corporations who are focused on increasing small business participation at the 2nd tier level.
Guest Speaker Richard Chacon, V.P. of Supplier Diversity at Union Bank of California, will share his insights about the activities within financial institutions to increase participation. The Diversity Mixer will also give you a chance to network with members of other groups who are interested in contracting.
Enjoy lively conversation, mix and mingle, build new contacts and get reacquainted with old ones from 5:30pm-7:30pm.
Register Now!
SFHCC and NAWBO®-SF Members - Free
(if you register in advance) Register Online
Non-Members $10.00 Register online
BizTech Day/Meet Tim Ferris (Author of 4 Hour Work
Week) and Put the Internet to Work: Saturday,
October 25 in San Francisco |
Invitation to BiztechDay: Meet Tim Ferris (4 Hour Work Week) and Put the Internet to Work on Saturday, October 25th
NAWBO®-SF members are all invited as VIPs to Biztechday 2008 at a discounted rate!
BiztechDay is a no-fluff one-day technology learning bootcamp for small business owners and entrepreneurs. It is the place for you to learn how to grow your business using the power of the Internet and Web 2.0 technologies. Technology should be an easy tool to improve your business. BiztechDay is the only conference that will get down and dirty with the Web 2.0 basics you need to propel your business to the next level.
When: Saturday, October 25th, all day event
Where: Hilton San Francisco
333 O’Farrell Street,
San Francisco, CA
Admission is only $249 ($199 for NAWBO-SF Members)
REGISTER HERE: (Use Discount Code: SFNAWBO)
Why Attend BiztechDay?
* Get ideas and precise steps to take your business to the next Web 2.0 level
* Interactive workshops and panel discussion to get you up to speed on
essential tools you must have for your business
* Learn from top business and technology experts who speak your language
* Network and meet like-minded entrepreneurs and business owners
Who is speaking?
All presenters are business owners and entrepreneurs who have applied technologies to boost their revenue creatively.
* Tim Ferris - New York Time Best Seller and Author of Four Hour Work Week
* George Wright – VP of Marketing from Blendtec
* Megan Casey - Editor in Chief from Squidoo.com
* Stephan M. Spencer – SEO Guru & Founder of Netconcepts.com
* Any many more!
What you will learn?
* How to Use Linkedin/Facebook/Yelp to Promote Your Business (+ 20 more
websites)
* How to Collect Money Online Using Paypal, Google Checkout and Amazon
Payment
* How to Develop Your Own YouTube Video and Podcast to Market Your
Business
* How to Setup a High Traffic Business Website and Basics to Search Engine
Optimization
* How to Setup a Successful Email Marketing Campaign
* How to Create Your Own Social Network and Build Your Customer Base
* How to Promote Your Event & Get Hundreds of People
This is the first of its kind community learning event that you don’t want to miss! Some of the participating organizations include: Comcast, Microsoft, Constant Contact, Visa, Eventbrite, IBM, NAWBO®, Meetup.com, SBA San Francisco, Ladies Who Launch, Women 2.0, eWomenNetwork, B2B PowerExchnage, National Speakers Associations, POWWOW, Sandbox Suites.
Check out the biztechday website for more information.
Innovators Exchange/Jump Starting Innovation for Sustainable Growth, presented by The Learning Café and
the San Francisco Business Times: Friday, October 31 |
 It’s the economy – and clearly, it’s not business as usual.
Register now for Innovators Exchange: Jump Starting Innovation for Sustainable Growth, a top-tier CEO panel and Q&A focusing on how to master and integrate innovation – the engine of growth – to succeed in today’s business environment.
Designed for C-level and senior executives, this high-energy event is a distinctive opportunity to hear from and ask questions of the best and brightest business and thought leaders of the East Bay. The Alliance of Chief Executives, an exclusive organization for Bay Area CEOs, will lead the all-CEO panel
discussion hosted by John F. Kennedy University,
Pleasant Hill.
Get the CEO Panel Working for you! Everyone who registers for the event, will get a personal invitation via email to submit questions, issues and concerns.
If your issue is selected, we'll contact you in advance with some additional questions.
Innovators Exchange are quarterly executive events presented by The Learning Café and the San Francisco Business Times providing fresh perspectives and strategic insights on business challenges and opportunities.
Seating is limited. Pre-registration suggested.
Date: October 31, 8am-10:30am
Location: JFK University, Pleasant Hill
$68 pre-registration, or $98 at the Door.
Visit The Learning Cafe online to register or for more information.
Download a flier about this event here.
Town Hall Meeting for Women Entrepreneurs, presented by the National Women's Business Council: Thursday, November 6 in San Francisco |
 National Women’s Business Council
San Francisco Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, November 6
Hotel Nikko
222 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA
Are you a woman business owner?
If so, please join the National Women’s Business Council for a discussion of the issues and challenges you face as a woman business owner. Your participation will help the Council, a bi-partisan
federal government advisory council,
promote women’s business ownership and support
the 10.4 million women-owned businesses in the United States.
Sessions will allow participants to voice their thoughts and experiences regarding critical policy issues impacting the women’s business community.
We want to hear about the challenges that you face in attaining financing for your business, providing health care coverage for your employees, acquiring
government contracts, and managing your taxes. The meeting will be organized into breakout sessions on these topics, followed by an interactive panel discussion with leaders in the San Francisco women’s business community.
We will take your thoughts back to federal, state and local policymakers as well as leaders in the women’s business community who can effect change. Please join us!
Following the success of its previous Town Hall Meetings for Women Entrepreneurs, the National Women’s Business Council will host one additional meeting on November 6, 2008 in San Francisco. This event will allow members of the Council to hear directly from women business owners about their priorities, challenges and concerns. This dialogue will help the Council formulate future policy recommendations. Topics to be discussed include access to affordable health care, access to capital, procurement, taxes, education and workforce development, and micro enterprises.
Register here!
Download a flier about this event here. NAWBO National Headquarters on the Move
|
A Message from NAWBO® National:
We are excited to share with you that NAWBO is moving to new heights. As the premiere business organization for women entrepreneurs, we take our role in the business community seriously. To fulfill our mission, we are taking bold steps toward making NAWBO a global beacon that propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power.
Part of our transformation is to greatly improve our operations and significantly enhance our ability to serve our constituents. Please find our new contact information below:
General Mailing Address:
National Association of Women Business Owners
601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
South Building, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20004
Dues or Other Payments by Mail:
NAWBO
P. O. Box 826157
Philadelphia, PA 19182-6157
Telephone Numbers:
Tel: 800-55-NAWBO (800-556-2926)
Fax: 202-639-8238 |
Dear Friends,
New or Prospective Member?
Our committees need your time and talent!
NAWBO®-SF - Walnut Creek Relationships
NAWBO®-SF - San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
