April 2016 | Monthly Newsletter for the NAWBO San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
President’s Message:
Why Should You Join NAWBO!
April is the second membership drive month for the National Association of Women Business Owners. You can still join us and save!
Each local, national, past and present member has an individual NAWBO Story. That story is the reason why she joined and, for most, why she stayed. This month, I wanted to take the opportunity to share my NAWBO story.
When I started practicing law, I joined a medium-sized estate planning law firm. I had clerked with them over the summers during law school and believed this was a well-rounded, balanced law firm. When I became an associate, the dynamics changed. I suddenly realized I was the only female attorney among 10 male attorneys. Not to mention the huge generational gap between me and almost all of the male attorneys. Needless to say, we were not speaking the same language.
About one month in, the first overt sexist comments were made. Then some incredibly offensive emails were sent. Demeaning comments about my character and my “relationship-driven” attitude towards clients were made in front of staff. Four months in, I developed shingles. No one in my family questioned why I had shingles; it was clearly from the high stress and toxic environment in which I worked. When my doctor told me I needed to take at minimum one week off from work, my supervising attorney told me that if I did not come in to work, one of the other (male) attorneys would take over all of my client files. I did not want to lose my job, so I immediately went back to work.
Six months later, I realized I was the only attorney expected to be there at 6 am and stay until 7 pm Monday through Friday. I was turning on the lights and shutting them off at the end of the day. I was told that I needed to come in on weekends and holidays to “get work done.” It baffled me that these attorneys could not get their work done in the 9-5 normal business hours. So I decided I had had enough. I was done. I did not know how or when, but I was emotionally done with the discrimination.
Of course, I started interviewing at other firms. But after six months, nothing felt right. I knew I had to start my own firm where I could focus on the clients and their relationships. I have never looked back. Leaving the firm filled me with a desire to find women like me. I wanted to meet professional, kind, supportive, women who wanted to create something bigger than themselves.
The best part of being introduced to the women of NAWBO San Francisco Bay Area was that I knew I was home. I had found my tribe! I knew these women were going to support me, inspire me and push me professionally and personally. I had found the community of women who were everything I needed.
Joining NAWBO made my business more visible. I made new friends. I had opportunities for public speaking, and I had access to community leaders. Not every member is looking for that; many want one or two of those benefits or something different. NAWBO has so much to offer. I am confident every member will find what she is looking for when she engages with the community. I hope you will join us during this membership drive. There are plenty of perks to joining right now.
Take the opportunity. Get engaged. See results!
Together we are stronger.
Emily
Educational Speaker Series Workshop
Date: Monday, May 9th
Early Registration Ends: Thursday, May 5th
Registration Link: Tickets
Location: Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 450 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
Register before May 5th for early bird pricing.
https://www.123signup.com/calendar?Org=nawbo-sfba
Women, leadership and political acumen. A trilogy that can change the world.
Join us for dinner with U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier, representing California’s 14th Congressional District, which stretches from San Francisco to Redwood City, to hear how she combined those three benefits to become one of Newsweek’s 150 “Fearless Women” in the world.
Congresswoman Speier is a tireless advocate for women’s rights, the public good, and the security of Americans. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations, and on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI).
During her 18 years in congress, she has been a tireless supporter of women’s rights:
- First member of Congress to advocate for fundamental reforms to end sexual assault in the military and on college campuses
- Leading the fight against sexism in the fields of science and technology
- Forefront of efforts to end discrimination and close the gender pay gap through ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act
- Appointed as a Democratic member of the Select Committee that House Republicans have established to attack women’s heath in order to defend women’s health and hold the committee’s leadership accountable
You’ll learn how it is critical for women to exercise their political voices to gain equal seats at the table of power and how to best make an impact.
Professional Development Forums
Oakland
Thursday, April 7
Location: Faz, 1111 Broadway, Oakland CA 94607
Google Map & Directions
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Early Registration: Tuesday, April 5
Registration Link: http://bit.ly/OaklandApril2016
A Rose by Another Name Can Cost You
Employee or Independent Contractor? And why is this question such a big deal?
The news recently has been filled with stories about the lawsuits against Uber and other "sharing economy" businesses to determine whether their workers are independent contractors or employees. Small business owners know that these issues can affect them too, but often don't know the pitfalls that can leave them exposed to significant liability.
The good news is you don't have to risk your business to get the help you need. If you are now - or soon will be - working with contractors, this presentation is for you. In this talk, you will learn how the law distinguishes contractors from employees, why that matters to a small business, and how to shape business practices to stay clear of misclassification problems.
About the Speaker
Cate Gregory is an employment lawyer who advises solopreneurs and small businesses on human resources best practices and employment law compliance. A USF School of Law alum, Cate's ten years' experience and holistic approach to problem-solving give her clients the peace of mind that comes with answers they can trust.
Tri Valley
Tuesday, April 19th
Location: Tenuta Winery in Livermore. 633 Kalthoff Common, Livermore, CA 94550
Google Map & Directions
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m
Early Registration: April 18
Registration Link: http://bit.ly/1qt30GS
Wine Tasting and Networking
Marin
Tuesday, April 26
Location: Il Fornaio Restaurant | Corte Madera Town Center • Corte Madera, CA 94925
Google Map & Directions
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Early Registration: Friday, April 22
Registration Link: http://bit.ly/MarinMarch16
10 Steps to Attracting Your Ideal Clients with Mary O’Connor
Do you feel frustrated that you have an amazing service but that no one knows about you?
In this interactive presentation you will
- understand how your mindset attracts and repels clients
- the 6 steps that close the deal
- create your 30-second compelling offer
Many women start their business without any real training in how to get clients. This presentation will help you find your unique gifts in selling and transforming sales into service
About the Speaker
Mary is the founder of the Ecstatic Entrepreneur, dedicated to empowering women in business. Over the past 19 years, Mary has helped over 3500 entrepreneurs experience dramatic results in sales and profitability. She is a past adjunct professor at SSU and holds an MA in Psychology.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Annual Membership Drive! Now thorugh April 30th
Ever wondered why you should be a member of NAWBO – check out this video to learn what NAWBO means to other women around the US.
The competition is on….last year, the Columbus chapter won the annual drive for Large Chapters (more than 100 members) by adding 36 new members. Iowa won the Medium Chapter (60 – 99 members) by adding 28 new members. It’s our time to shine and we want to win.
The best (and most fun) way to grow our chapter is for you to bring the women you admire and enjoy into our group. Afterall, who doesn’t want to hang out with more women like you. So this year, in addition to the national benefits offering during the drive (waiver of 25% off the registration fee or the returning member fee), we have set up some local incentives for our existing members:
- For every new member who actively joins a committee that you refer, you get either a a free breakfast or a membership spotlight on all of our social media and refer you to NAWBO California’s monthly e-newsletter.
- For every 3 new members you register, you’ll earn a free NAWBO ESS dinner
- The member who gets the most women to join during the membership drive wins two tickets to a Giants game and dinner for two at the one of the best restaurants in San Francisco.
So, start referring your friends or encouraging new members to join. They can get started here.
Membership drive results will be posted throughout the month on social media and our Tuesday emails.
Welcome New Members
Jenn Collins, of J. Rockcliff Realtors, Danville
Jennifer Graham of Jennifer Graham Photography, Oakland You can say hello to Jennifer at our monthly ESS dinners – she will be taking photos.
Ivette Santaella of Blackwell, Santaella&Jahangiri, LLP, San Ramon
Diane Camacho of DLC Consulting Services, Concord
Sachiko Danish, Sr. Manager, Moss Adams, LLP, San Francisco
Olivia Destandau of Olivia Destandau Photography, Oakland. Olivia will be taking photographs at the Professional Development Forums.
Chrystina Gayden of Insperity HR services, Walnut Creek
Lisa Henry, Founder, Prosperity Circles, San Rafael
Norma Kaufman, Business Broker, CPA with Sun Belt Network, Oakland
Christine Lacy, Deer Hollow Financial & Insurance Services, Danville
Betty Lee, Principal Financial Group, http://www.principal.com, San Francisco
Kenya Moses, Be A Fit Mama, Castro Valley
Joanna Novelo, Gem Life Training, San Francisco
Danielle Parker DZH Phillips, San Francisco
Nati Ramirez, Don Ramon Restaurant, San Francisco
Lili Tarachand, LTD Global, Pleasanton
Judy Terry, Her Concierge, Walnut Creek
Lisa Wills, the law offices of Lisa D. Wills, Pleasanton
Public Policy
It’s Voting Season: Let Your Voice Be Heard
WE Decide 2016 is uniting women entrepreneurs across the country to raise their voices and engage in the 2016 presidential election. Make sure YOUR voice and the voice of women in business are heard this election season! Sign up to participate in WE Decide 2016 polls and surveys. Poll results will be made public, but your answers and opinions are always private in your account.
Partner Events
San Mateo Chamber of Commerce Women’s Breakfast Meeting. First Monday of each Month, Poplar Creek Grill, 1700 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo
NAWBO News
NAWBO NATIONAL
Join us at the National Women's Business Conference
NAWBO celebrated 40 years of impact at the National Women's Business Conference in San Antonio, Texas, last year. Women Business Owners from across the nation gathered for exciting networking, education and training opportunities and shared great stories and best practices. This year’s conference is Sept 18 – 20 in Columbus, Ohio for our 2016 National Women's Business Conference—Leading the Way!
For registration information, exhibitor information or to even apply to become a speaker, click here for all the details.
NAWBO CALIFORNIA
April 25th and 26th, 2016. Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sacramento
Join the NAWBO women of CA for tools to grow your business and implement immediately. You’ll Strategize, recharge, and create your NEXT BIG THING. And we will collectively voice our legislative concerns to our state leaders.
To register and learn more: http://nawbo-ca.org/events/propel-your-business-2016
NAWBO SILICON VALLEY
Thank you Corporate Partners Lunch
April 19th
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Maggiano Santana Row
http://www.nawbo-sv.org/page/events-detail?id=244
NAWBO SACRAMENTO
May Lunch & Learn
Thursday, May 4th, 2016 –12 noon – 1 p.m.
Upcoming Dates
Board Installation Dinner with guest speaker, Fiona Ma, Chairwoman of the State Board of Equalization
Wednesday, June 8th
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 450 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
Registration is open