Welcome to the monthly newsletter for the National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®) San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. This is the newsletter for January 2013.
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Member News
Welcome New and Renewing Members!
Message from the President
Members in the News & Member Spotlight
Member Benefits & Opportunities
Ideas, Inspiration and Opportunities
Procurement Programs
NAWBO SFBA Events
NAWBO®-SFBA Networking Breakfast - Oakland: January 3 (first Thursday of each month)
NAWBO®-SFBA Monthly Dinner Event- San Francisco: January 10 (second Thursday of each month
NAWBO®-SFBA Networking Breakfast - Walnut Creek: January 15 (third Tuesday of each month)
NAWBO®-SFBA Networking Breakfast - San Francisco: January 16 (third Wednesday of each month) NEW LOCATION at SBA!
NAWBO®-SFBA Networking Breakfast - Marin: January 22 (fourth Tuesday of each month)
Calendar View
Welcome to New and Renewing Members of NAWBO®-SFBA!
New Member Reception is now quarterly. All members are welcome!
TBD 5:30 PM - 7 PM Press Club, 20 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco
*Sponsored by Manzar Azari, Azari Property Management
Have you recently decided to join our NAWBO community? Are you a member and would like to meet the new members? Don't miss this very unique opportunity to meet each other and enjoy a conversation. This is a members only event, focused on getting new members off to the right track!
Pre-register for this Free Event. Members only.
New Members
Emily Wirowek, Principal of Law Office of Emily Wirowek in Brisbane, has joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner. Emily's email address is emily@wiroweklaw.com and her telephone number is 415-470-7771.
Barbara Withers, Ducks in a Row Communications & Events, joined our chapter as an Emerging Business Owner. Barbara's email address is barb@ducksinarow.net and her telephone number is 510-919-5964.
KeAloha Couch, Owner of Couch and Associates in El Cerrito, San Francisco and Martinez, has joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner. KeAloha's telephone number is 510-558-8060 and her email address is contact@couchtaxes.com.
Renewing Members
Carolyn Goodman, President of Goodman Marketing Partners in San Rafael, renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner. Carolyn has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2009.
Sharon Miller, CEO of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center in San Francisco, renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner. Sharon has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2003.
Melissa Carver, President of Law Tyme in San Francisco, has renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner. Melissa has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2011.
Kathleen Thurmond, our current NAWBO SFBA president and owner of Kathleen Thurmond, LLC, has renewed her membership as an Established Member. Kathleen has been a NAWBO SFBA president since 2010.
Time to Join, Re-Join or Renew your membership? Simply register online www.nawbo.org
Thank you for your membership. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events, and to the opportunity to grow, thrive, and lead together!
Message from the President
 I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season. With 2013 fast approaching, there's been a lot of talk about the end of 2012 and the end of an era. Even among the more sobering news of this year, I feel like 2013 is going be an amazing year full of life, fun, and inspiration. At our Board meeting in December, we collectively agreed that we want to continue to create more of that positivity in NAWBO and in our lives. The Board celebrated our year with chocolate and wine, and we reflected on and recommitted to our ongoing vision for NAWBO-SFBA. I want to share that vision with you now.
We are women business owners working on behalf of other women business owners. In that capacity, we strive to:
- Provide access for our members to decision makers, people of influence, business opportunities, and connections with other organizations. We work to open doors for women in business
- Educate and inform each other on topics, trends, and issues, that are essential to growing a successful business
- Empower women as leaders that influence a new culture of business in a positive way
- Support the collective power of women while embracing and celebrating our diversity to create powerful change in our personal and professional lives.
I invite you to share what you would like to see in 2013 from NAWBO-SFBA, whether it's a variation of our current programs or something entirely different. The Board is committed to adapting programs and offerings for our members-- that's why we're here. We are excited to continue evolving in a way that brings you what you need to be an effective leader and create a fulfilling life as a woman business owner. We want to develop a deeper connection with you and invite you to contribute your voice as we co-create an extraordinary NAWBO-SFBA.
We also want to thank you for your participation this year! Part of NAWBO's role is celebrating member businesses, so please let us know about any awards you received and/or what you are most proud of this year. We will be featuring a special newsletter to recognize our individual and shared achievements of 2012.
Our new year of programming begins on January 10, 2013 with Carolyn Goodman. Please join us as Carolyn shares her social media insights presenting both hawk and pigeon strategies for leveraging social media that will benefit your business. “Fast-paced and chock full of ideas, you’ll leave the session with a new attitude towards this fast-growing marketplace and practical tools you can use immediately.”
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” Oprah Winfrey
Warm regards, Kathleen Thurmond, President, NAWBO-SFBA
Members in the News & Member Spotlights
 Members in the News
Manzar Azari received Entrepreneur of Year 2012 from Women's Council of Realtors , SF Chapter on Thursday, December 13. Manzar was also elected as 2013 board member for CREAA and is on the board of NAWBO SF Bay Area.
Are you a member who has news about your business? Please send your news to NAWBO SF Bay Area info@nawbo-sfba.org. "News" refers to recognition your company has received in the press, awards you or your company have won, or events that have happened. This space is not used for promotion of products or upcoming events. Thanks!
Let us know about your business NAWBO SFBA members may bring a promotion item to display on our Member Information Table at each Monthly Dinner.. info@nawbo-sfba.org
Member Benefits & Opportunities
 A New Partner and Member Benefits with Constant Contact
NAWBO SF Bay Area has become a partner with Constant Contact to provide a benefit to our members.
A discount on Constant Contact products is available to members who sign-up for Constant Contact products through our partner portal and pre-pay for 6 months (20% discount) or 12 months (25% discount).
To sign-up and receive this member discount click on our partner portal.
If you are already a Constant Contact user just give us your username and you will be eligible for the discount as well. If you have a question or would like to provide your username contact, Wendi a info@nawbo-sfba.org
Promote Your Business
- NAWBO SFBA members may bring promotional brochures or flyers to display on our members' information table.
- Attendees have the opportunity to showcase their products/services with a marketing table. Cost for members is $50, non-members is $250. Contact Wendi info@nawbo-sfba.org to arrange.
- Submit your event to our online calendar. Click here to suggest an event.
San Francisco Business Times - NAWBO Member Subscription Discount.
Get Involved!
The best way to benefit from your membership in NAWBO®-SFBA is to get involved! You'll also continue to enhance your leadership skills and gain increased visibility for your business.
- Attend events (monthly mixers, networking breakfasts and special events)
- Give feedback & share your thoughts
- Join the board
- Chair or join a working group (working groups information)
- Marketing, Social Media, Public Policy, Affiliates, Programs & Membership
- Become a program facilitator (breakfasts or brown bag lunches)
- You can select your own location!
- Offer your time and your talent in anyway you can imagine
- Social Media maven, E-publications editor, Breakfast Co-Coordinator Walnut Creek, maintain online calendar
Grow, Thrive and Lead!
Contact info@nawbo-sfba.org to share your interest in being an active volunteer member of NAWBO SFBA!
Second Thursday
Location: Sir Francis Drake Hotel
January 10 Networking Dinner 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
 SOCIAL MEDIA IS FOR THE BIRDS - ARE YOU A HAWK OR A PIGEON?
Our Speaker: Carolyn Goodman, President/Creative Director, Goodman Marketing Partners
When it comes to your social media strategies, are you hawk-like - making sudden dashes from a concealed perch?
Do your efforts leverage your superior perceptive acuity, allowing you to spot an opportunity and act on a moment's notice?
Or are you more like a pigeon, operating from a flimsy nest, perched precariously on a ledge? Do you feast on the scraps leftover by others?
Discover both hawk and pigeon strategies for leveraging social media that will benefit your business.
Fast-paced and chock full of ideas, you'll leave with a new attitude towards this fast-growing marketplace and practical tools you can use immediately.
Come for networking, excellent content and lasting friendships over wine and dinner with like-minded women business owners! Click here for more details or Click here for flyer.
Pre-register for the networking dinner by January 8 and save.
NEW NAWBO COMMUNITY SERVICE RAFFLE
NAWBO is proud to announce a new monthly community service raffle to benefit one organization annually. This year the board has chosen Girls, Inc.
Calling all donations: Mark a donation. Win a raffle prize.
Each month we invite NAWBO members to donate a raffle prize that has a value of $25* or greater that will be given away to people who buy raffle tickets. Tickets will be sold each month at $5 for one ticket and $20 for five chances to win. Cash donations are also accepted to benefit Girls, Inc. through our NAWBO foundation, EEI (Entrepreneurs Economic Institute) which is our non-profit 501c(3) entity. More information.
Let’s grow NAWBO-SFBA and we’ll grow our own businesses in the process.
Third Tuesday 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Il Fornaio, 1430 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Walnut Creek
Free parking at rear of building
Next Networking Breakfast Forum: January 15
Legal Landmines of Social Media
What every business owner must know before you tweet, blog or post.
The presentation will cover the up to date legal rules/cases for social media from privacy to liability. This benefits women business owners as a precaution to posting/blogging/tweeting.. and helps to minimize confusion and lawsuits.
Jessica Braverman, Esq., principal of Braverman Mediation & Consulting, is the alternative dispute resolution resource for mediation and consulting in civil and business disputes.
Our morning breakfast forums provide a comfortable place for businesswomen and entrepreneurs to gather monthly, exchange ideas and discuss business challenges. The Networking Breakfast Forums are a dynamic, informative and productive way to start your day!
Cost:
Members registered by Friday: $12; at the door $15
Non-Members registered by Friday: $20; at the door $25
First time guests: same as members for first three months when you register as a Guest.
Pre-Register by January 11.
Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!
Third Wednesday 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
NEW LOCATION: Small Business Administration SFDO 455 Market Street, Suite 600 San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 744-6777
Networking Breakfast in January16.
 Meaningful Social Media: How to Share Your Authentic Voice Online
Here's the beauty of social media: you are your own content executive, and the tools to share your brand are literally at your fingertips. Still, getting your foot in the door can be overwhelming and time consuming. Come to this NAWBO breakfast to learn about how to build a manageable and meaningful social media presence, as well as practical tips for navigating the 'noise.' We'll focus on guiding principles for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinteres, and blogs, and alk about cross-platform management tools for experienced social posters. Bring your handles and hashtags if you have 'em, and we'll grow your audience and social media confidence together!
Stephanie Murphy, founder of Smurk Media, believes in fostering healthy communities with new technologies. Stephanie works with forward-thinking local businesses to plan and write high-quality social media campaigns. By prioritizing authentic messaging and genuine relationships, Smurk takes social beyond the shouting and into meaningful conversation.
Our morning breakfast forums provide a comfortable place for businesswomen and entrepreneurs to gather monthly, exchange ideas and discuss business challenges. The Networking Breakfast Forums are a dynamic, informative and productive way to start your day!
Cost:
Members registered by Monday: $12; at the door $15
Non-Members registered by Monday: $20; at the door $25
First time guests: same as members for first three months when you register as a Guest.
Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!
Learn more and register online by Monday, January 14
Fourth Tuesday 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Il Fornaio Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera
Next Networking Breakfast Forum is January 22
 Optimal Health for a Successful New Year
The beginning of the new year is an excellent time to assess the state of our health. As busy women, we often get used to feeling just "okay" and we put off the need for our regular physical exams, blood tests and other evaluations of our health.
Even when we do take time for these appointments, we are often told that our test results are "normal" and that we are "perfectly fine" even though we suspect otherwise. Alternative methods of interpreting symptoms and test results can often reveal subtle imbalances that are at the root cause of our diminished vitality.
Join Dr. Brent as she discusses the ways that naturopathic and Chinese medicine can diagnose and treat the obstacles to our optimum health. Women business owners, especially, will benefit from her suggestions for managing stress and maintaining sanity through the hormonal changes of mid-life.
Our morning breakfast meetings provide a comfortable forum for business women and entrepreneurs to meet monthly, exchange ideas and discuss business challenges. The Networking Breakfasts are a dynamic, informative and productive way to start your day!
Cost:
Members registered by Friday: $12; at the door $15
Non-Members registered by Friday: $20; at the door $25
First time guests: same as members for first three months when you register as a Guest.
Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!
Learn more and register online by 11:59 PM Friday, January 18
First Thursday 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Oliveto Restaurant & Cafe 5655 College Avenue, Oakland
January 3 - Five Key Financial Decisions That Will Define Your Fiscal Health in 2013 and Beyond
As business owners we are often so focused on the road to success for our businesses that we forget to take care of our personal finances. Julie Baeder will offer actionable ideas for us to begin our year keeping our whole financial well being in mind.
Julie Baeder, CIMA, CDFA is a Vice President at Morgan Stanley. Julie has 21 years of experience helping people manage their assets and plan for their futures. Julie and her team manage over $500 million dollars for their clients offering a broad range of expertise to help simplify their lives.
Our morning breakfast forums provide a comfortable place for businesswomen and entrepreneurs to gather monthly, exchange ideas and discuss business challenges. The Networking Breakfast Forums are a dynamic, informative and productive way to start your day!
Cost:
Members registered by Friday: $12; at the door $15
Non-Members registered by Friday: $20; at the door $25
First time guests: same as members for first three months when you register as a Guest.
Learn more and register online by Monday, December 31
Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!
NAWBO National & NAWBO CA
NAWBO National - CEO Update
NAWBO® is proud to be a part of the large role that women business owners are playing in jump-starting our economy. Women are expected to generate more than HALF of the 9.72 MILLION new small business jobs expected by 2018, accounting for nearly ONE-THIRD of the total projected 15.3 million TOTAL new jobs and ONE-THIRD of the total new small business jobs in the next 7 years. Read more.
NAWBO CA About NAWBO California - NAWBO California represents the issues and interests of more than 1.3 million women business owners in the state. California ranks no. 1 nationally in the number of woman-owned firms, number of employees (1.9 million) and revenues generated ($318.2 billion annually). NAWBO California provides support to the nine California chapters and multiple satellite groups of the National Association of Women Business Owners, which are located in Sacramento Valley, Silicon Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara, Ventura County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Orange County and San Diego. For more information, visit http://www.nawbo-ca.org.
 Corporate Partners: Low-income Business Women Get a Hand Up, Thanks to US Bank
150 low-income women business owners from the Bay Area will attend business educational programs provided by NAWBO SF Bay Area, thanks to valuable scholarships from US Bank.
The business educational programs will be in effect through June, 2013.
150 women from vital, non-profit, community programs will be selected through partners of NAWBO SF Bay Area, including the Renaissance Center, Women’s Initiative and Working Solutions.
US Bank recognizes that an investment in women is an investment in the communities around them. US Bank’s scholarships help ensure that women have the tools they need to be entrepreneurial leaders who will develop financial stability and stimulate the economy in their communities.
Affiliates and Partners
Women's Initiative - A New Partner
NAWBO SF Bay Area is pleased to announce a new partnership with Women's Initiative in support of women business owners.
For nearly 25 years, Women's Initiative for Self Employment has provided high-potential, low-income women with the training, funding and ongoing support to start their own businesses and become financially self-sufficient. The women who go through our program significantly increase their income and assets while launching businesses, stimulating the local economy and creating jobs. In 2011, recent graduates of the program created and retained more than 5,500 jobs in the Bay Area!
Graduates of Women's Initiative are attending NAWBO SF Bay Area events thanks to valuable scholarships from US Bank.
Procurement Programs
Supplier Diversity Programs in corporations are a way for women owned businesses to secure contracts.
The first step is to become a certified Women Business Enterprise. Contact Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) to begin the process of being certified. http://www.wbenc.org/
Public Policy
The Do-Something Congress?
Gun Control, Fiscal Cliff, Global Warming, massive debt, aging demographics - the list goes on. While the problems facing our country continue to grow we head into another year with a chance that something might actually get done in terms of legislation that points us in the right direction.
The term Do-Nothing Congress was coined by Harry Truman after the 80th Congress passed 906 bills in two years. The current congress has passed a whopping 196 bills in comparison.
Partisan politics and a system that continues to be controlled by big money and laws written by lobbyists have all but erased any resemblance of a government that is for and by the people.
As we head into 2013 let’s hope for representation that will do the right thing on behalf of the American people. Make your voice heard. It does not serve to wait for congress to take action.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/us/politics/congress-nears-end-of-least-productive-session.html?_r=0
http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/28/15518240-congress-to-make-history-but-for-the-wrong-reason?lite
 Join Deborah Lardie, NAWBO SFBA Public Policy Chair, in informing and advocating for our members.
NAWBO Advocacy Partners provide NAWBO with more opportunity to speak to decision makers on behalf of our members and all women business owners in general on issues that are most important to women entrepreneurs today. These issues include health care, procurement opportunities, access to capital, fair and equitable tax treatment for small businesses and more. For details on NAWBO’s public policy platform and legislative highlights—and to get involved to make sure your voice is heard—please visit our site’s Legislative Action Center. We invite you to get involved and make your voice heard.
Key Dates: Mark Your Calendar
Suggest an event to be added to our calendar.Suggest An Event
If you would like to submit stories, news, events, or happenings for the next issue of NAWBO®-SFBA's e-news, please send to info@nawbo-sfba.org.
We invite anyone who is not already a member to join NAWBO®SF Bay Area. Take advantage of a growing package of member benefits and activities. To learn more, visit our website: www.nawbo-sfba.org/membership.php.
To subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) this newsletter, contact Wendi Moradian at 415.333.2130, or email: info@nawbo-sfba.org.
© 2010 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. |
