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A Message from the President . . .

I trust the New Year has started well for everyone.

Each month there is a woman stepping into a powerful level of leadership, i.e., Janet Yellen, Mary Barra, and Janet Napolitano.  On January 15, President Barack Obama nominated Maria Contreras-Sweet to lead the U.S. Small Business Administration. Contreras-Sweet is, a former NAWBO LA member, the executive chairwoman and founder of ProAmérica Bank, a commercial bank focusing on small to mid-sized businesses and previously served as the California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing.

Thank you to all these women and those who came before them. Women stepping into roles of leadership inspire other women to open our minds and see leadership opportunities.  Leadership is one of the core values of NAWBO.

This month, the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) released their 2013 report.  NWBC was established by HR 5050 legislation created in 1988 by the leadership of NAWBO to recognize women-owned businesses. 

In their 2013 report NBWC identified four pillars of focus and essential for the growth of women business owners:

• Access to capitol
• Access to markets
• Job creation and growth
• Data on women business owners 

The issues facing women business owners are numerous, including:

• Our priorities and values are different than men’s.  We value flexibility and independence. Money is not our primary driver. 
• Federal contracting is not as available to women.  We receive fewer and smaller contracts.
• Women receive fewer and smaller loans. 
• Differences in expectations, competitiveness, and negotiation tactics are factors that contribute to these disparities.

Locally NAWBO works to promote women-owned businesses, to educate about issues unique to women, to open doors for you and address these challenges.  This year we are promoting the idea of Doing Business with a NAWBO Member. We are speaking on your behalf, raising awareness of women business owners, etc.  How can we support you?  How can we promote you?

NAWBO CA is hosting the annual Propel Your Business Conference on March 10th and 11th, 2014 in Sacramento, CA. Register to attend this popular event created by and for women business owners.

Join our programs – Lean In Circles, Leaders’ Circle, and Networking Breakfast Forums. Learn about other businesses. Be informed. Get involved. Meet our members, our guests, and our affiliates to create a network that supports your success.

Join us Thursday, February 13th for our next Educational Speaker Series and Dinner. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you and what you do.

Best wishes in your success,

Kay Robinson
President, NAWBO SFBA

NAWBO-SFBA MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL SPEAKER SERIES & DINNER . . .

When: Second Thursday, Monthly
Time: 5:30PM - 8:00PM
Where: Sir Francis Drake Hotel | 450 Powell Street • San Francisco, CA 94108
Google Map & Directions
REGISTER | FLYER

Developing And Using A Powerful Voice
with Bill Lamond

Ready to move up? ‘Voice’ is the power to present yourself with authority, to honor and express what is important to you and to make your own unique contribution to any conversation. Developing Voice is a learned skill. It requires discovering who you are and honoring your perspective. ‘Voice’ allows others to have confidence in you that supports your advancement in business and your professional and personal relationships.

About Bill Lamond
Mentored by a woman who is a renowned global leader and strategist, Bill Lamond is the creator of a unique model of personal strategy based on each person’s natural genius and their full pleasure in life. For over 25 years, Bill has coached thousands of women in business to lead with authority and grace and to develop a powerful Voice for their own, unique personal genius and point of view.

Top

MARCH SPECIAL EVENT . . .

MEMBER IN THE NEWS . . .

FEATURED MEMBER . . .

How/Why did you start your business?
My partner (Maureen Bogue) and I created this boutique (small and specialized) employment law firm to provide business-savvy employment law advice and counsel, as well as dispute resolution services to our clients. We provide advice and counsel, conduct investigations, and defend our clients in front of administrative agencies and courts. We are excited to be partnering together to bring our clients responsive client service and thoughtful business-oriented legal advice at competitive rates. We both have large law firm backgrounds and have both been in-house attorneys for corporations. We wanted to build something together and for ourselves and also have the opportunity to work with businesses large and small, from the corner store to the Fortune 500’s, and everything in between. We love being able to provide our services to small businesses, helping them comply with local and state employment laws to ensure that they are preventing issues in the future.

How long have you been in business?
We opened our firm on December 1, 2013, but I have been practicing employment law for 12 years and my partner Maureen has been practicing for 20 years.  

To what do you attribute your success (in the business)?
I attribute my success to listening to my clients, providing excellent legal acumen with fair and competitive pricing, and being business-savvy in my advice.

What do you enjoy most about your business?
Meeting new business owners and helping them navigate the myriad challenges associated with owning a business in California. 

What challenges have you faced? And overcome?
Most recently, the setting up of a brand new law firm! Having your own firm is always a growing and learning process, though, and you have to be both flexible and nimble to face various challenges that will inevitably arise daily and weekly, as well as longer-term, larger challenges.

When did you join NAWBO?
I joined NAWBO last summer—I was previously a partner at another small boutique firm in SF practicing employment law. Deborah Lardie invited me to a dinner which I attended last summer, and then I joined.

Why?
I wanted to meet other women-owned businesses and stay connected with the small and mid-sized business community in San Francisco.

How has being a NAWBO member enhanced your business?
I have been attending the dinners as often as I can, and am looking forward to making additional connections and attending the breakfasts.

When not working, what do you like to do?
Eat! I love to cook, and try new restaurants. I also love to travel and read and am in a new book club that I helped start. We are on our third book (and I also try to read another book every month as well).

Any favorite reads?
I read both The Paris Wife and Beautiful Ruins recently and am currently reading The Book Thief which I really like. I am an old-fashioned book person (no Kindle).

Any favorite restaurants?
I recently ate at State Bird Provisions for my birthday. It was great! Other than that, I love all food and all restaurants and SF is a mecca for that.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am super happy to be part of NAWBO and looking forward to connecting with everyone.

If you would like to contact Danielle to have a twenty minute complimentary consultation for your business regarding your workforce, call her at 415.315.1753.
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Be a "Featured Member" in the NAWBO-SFBA Newsletter, email Melody Brumis for details.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT . . .

WELCOME NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS OF NAWBO-SFBA . . .

New Members
Lorie Corlett, with Sterling Spectrum, Inc. in Minden, NV, has joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner. Lorie's contact details: lorie.corlett@sterlingspectrum.com | 775-782-5454

Susan Fisher, with Solvatech in Novato, joined our chapter as an Emerging Business Owner.
Susan's contact details: susan.fisher@solvatech.net | 415-895-1593

Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D in Corte Madera has joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner.  Melanie's contact details: melaniegreenberg@comcast.net | 415-742-8062

Carolyn MacKenzie, Manager with Bay Rubber Company in Oakland, has joined our Chapter as an Established Business Owner.  Carolyn’s contact details: cmackenzie@bayrubber.com | 510-635-9151

Tiffany Myers, Account Executive with Fidelity Investments in San Francisco, has joined our chapter as an Emerging Business Owner.  Tiffany's contact details: tiffany.L.m@gmail.com

Mary O'Connor, Principal of The Ecstatic Entrepreneur in Sebastapool, has joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner.  Mary's contact details: oconnmar@gmail.com | 415- 609-9213

Sarah Thrift, Principal of Insight Consultancy Solutions in San Francisco, has joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner.  Sarah's contact details: sarahthrift@insightconsultancysolutions.com |
415-940-9476

Renewing Members
Julie Baeder, Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley in San Francisco, has renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner.  Julie has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2012

Deb Doyle, Owner of Stage2Marketing in San Mateo, has renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner.  Deb has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2012

Pragito Dove, Owner of Discover Meditation Training in Mill Valley, has renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner. Pragito has been a NAWBO member since 2013

Barbara Gilliard, President of Emeritus Investment Management, Inc. in Mill Valley, has renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner.  Barbara has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 1994

Bevlen Klein, President of NC Moving and Storage Solutions in Oakland,  renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner. Bevlen has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2007

Nancy Mullally, CEO of Alamo Capital in Walnut Creek, renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner. Nancy has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2012

Shannon Presson, Owner of ShannonPresson.Com, has renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner.  Shannon has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2012

Kathy Canfield Shepard, Owner of Canfield Design Studios in El Cerrito, has renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner.  Kathy has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2008

Thank You for Your Membership!
The NAWBO-SFBA Board of Directors look forward to seeing you
at upcoming events and the opportunity to meet, grow, thrive, and lead together!

Membership Expiring? Want to Join NAWBO-SFBA?
Remember to RENEW so you can stay updated on new, exciting Member Benefits OR
Start Your Membership Application at the NAWBO NATIONAL WEBSITE!

NAWBO SFBA NETWORKING BREAKFAST FORUMS . . .

NAWBO SFBA NETWORKING BREAKFAST FORUM - OAKLAND

When: First Thursday, Monthly
Time: 7:30AM - 9:00AM
Where: Olivetos Restaurant | 5655 College Avenue • Oakland CA 94618
Google Map & Directions

Oakland Breakfast Facilitators:
Jo Illfeld and Rebecca Doubledee

Cost:
Early Registration by Tuesday
Members: Advance $12 | At-The-Door $15
Non-Members: Advance $20 | At-The-Door $25

REGISTER HERE NOW!

next forum: thursday, february 6th, 2014

Spotlight Speaker is Paula Statman on The Power of Storytelling in Business:
How to Use Stories to Engage and Influence Your Customers

Paula Statman helps business people get great results by communicating effectively. One highly effective strategy is using well-crafted stories to influence people. In this session you will discover how stories have the power to connect with your potential customers on a deeper level and move them to take action. You will learn when it's OK to share a personal story, what kind of stories have the greatest power to influence customers, and when and how to tell those stories. You will leave with a template for crafting your own stories and tips for how to tell them well.

About the Speaker:
Paula Statman, M.S.S.W., is a business communication and presentations skills coach. She works with TED speakers, as well as corporate clients. She also helps business owners develop and deliver articulate, persuasive messages. A professional speaker and author with a background in psychology, Paula has appeared on national media, including Oprah.

REGISTER ONLINE BY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH, 2014 FOR EARLY PRICING!
How To Register:
• Go to the Calendar View
• Select the Link on the Event Day
• Start your Registration

NAWBO SFBA NETWORKING BREAKFAST FORUM - SAN FRANCISCO

When: Third Wednesday, Monthly
Time: 7:30AM - 9:00AM
Where: Small Business Admin SFDO | 455 Market St #600 • San Francisco, CA 94105
Google Map & Directions

San Francisco Breakfast Facilitators
Elizabeth Bachman and Michelle Lerman

Cost:
Early Registration by Monday
Members: Advance $12 | At-The-Door $15
Non-Members: Advance $20 | At-The-Door $25

REGISTER HERE NOW!

NEXT FORUM: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19th, 2014

Spotlight Speaker is Nancy Lewellen on Ten Common Legal Mistakes Small Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them
Learn how to make simple changes in what you do to avoid legal pitfalls that can cost you thousands of dollars. Find the correct business entity for you, and why it makes sense to keep your business assets separate from your personal assets. Learn what agreements you may need with your business partners and the problems they help you avoid. Learn how to sign documents to avoid personal liability and much more.

About the Speaker:
Nancy Lewellen, MBA/JD, has Public Interest and International Law Certificates from Santa Clara University. Nancy is a licensed California Real Estate and Mortgage Broker, with 30 years’ banking and mortgage brokerage experience. Her practice focuses on business and real estate law.

REGISTER ONLINE BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014 FOR EARLY PRICING!
How To Register:
• Go to the Calendar View
• Select the Link on the Event Day
• Start your Registration

NAWBO SFBA NETWORKING BREAKFAST FORUM - MARIN

When: Fourth Tuesday, Monthly
Time: 7:30AM - 9:00AM
Where: Il Fornaio Restaurant | Corte Madera Town Center • Corte Madera, CA 94925
Google Map & Directions

Marin Breakfast Facilitators
Susan Berke

Cost:
Early Registration by Friday
Members: Advance $12 | At-The-Door $15
Non-Members: Advance $20 | At-The-Door $25

REGISTER HERE NOW!

NEXT FORUM: TUESDAY, february 25th, 2014

Spotlight Speaker is Mary O'Connor on The Secrets to Attracting Your Ideal Clients

Are you ready to be a powerful female entrepreneur who is transforming the planet?
Are you ready to attract high-paying clients?
Would you like to have a system for getting new clients that results in consistent income?

Imagine how good it would feel to:
• Be clear about your niche
• Have a truly compelling offer
• Create a steady stream of ideal prospects
• Know exactly how to convert your prospects into clients
• Have a clear marketing system that drives clients to YOU!

One of the biggest mistakes women entrepreneurs make is: avoiding selling! Often they don’t follow up on likely prospects, and don’t really know how to convert prospects into high-paying clients.

It can be very frustrating not to know how generate clients when you need to. In this talk you will learn a step-by-step strategy that will result in a steady stream of clients.

When you understand how to create a marketing strategy that draws people into your orbit, you will feel more confident and empowered.

Putting this system into action will give you the financial freedom to express your highest vision for the world!

About the Speaker
Mary O’Connor is founder of The Ecstatic Entrepreneur, a training company that helps visionary women entrepreneurs create profitable businesses. A national public speaker, Mary hosts the monthly Social Enterprise Networking events in Sonoma County. She is a guest lecturer at SSU and holds a masters in organization development.

REGISTER ONLINE BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 FOR EARLY PRICING!
How To Register:
• Go to the Calendar View
• Select the Link on the Event Day
• Start your Registration

NAWBO SFBA NETWORKING BREAKFAST FORUM - WALNUT CREEK

NAWBO SFBA PROGRAMS . . .

Leaders Circle

NAWBO-SFBA Leaders Circle is a facilitated program for women business owners with revenues over $2M, providing high value leadership and business skills to help grow their companies and directly impact their bottom line. | More Information

Local Lean In Circle groups

NAWBO-SFBA has created Lean In Circle Groups based on the best-selling book, "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook. We are creating a community of women to encourage and support one another to lean into our ambitions.

Due to popular demand, NAWBO-SFBA is pleased to announce, in addition to the San Francisco Circle, A New Oakland-East Bay Lean In Circle! Save the Date & Gear Up for Our Kick Off Meeting on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25th | Learn More

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS . . .

MEMBER BENEFITS & OPPORTUNITIES . . .

NAWBO arranged special discount pricing to the following services:

• Sage Payment Solutions
• Turbo Tax Discount
• UPS Shipping Discounts
• American Express OPEN
• PR Newswire

View the National NAWBO Website to learn more about these Member Benefits | Learn More

BUSINESS NEWS YOU CAN USE . . .

PUBLIC POLICY: LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL . . .

Minimum Wage: Cities throughout the Bay Area are addressing the issue of minimum wage, which needs to find the balance between to be able to afford to live in our community measured against the need to keep companies able to hire. Get involved in your community so that your voice is heard.

WIPP Legislative Update | Read the Report PDF

AFFILIATES AND PARTNERS EVENTS . . .

NAWBO-SFBA President, Kay Robinson, represented NAWBO at the Professional Businesswomen of California (PBWC) 2014 Partner Appreciation Luncheon with Congresswoman Jackie Speier. PBWC and NAWBO-SFBA are creating new ways to collaborate in support of women business owners in 2014.

NAWBO-SFBA Board Members, Kathleen Thurmond and Shannon Presson, represented NAWBO at the Commonwealth Club Event - "Getting & Keeping a Job You Love". Kathleen and Shannon spent time mentoring attendees on leadership.

National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) Releases Its 2013 Report
The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) released its annual report focusing on economic issues of importance to women business owners. Each year NWBC delivers its annual report along with policy recommendations to the President, Congress, and the Small Business Administration. This year’s annual report addresses 4 main areas to advance women entrepreneurs: Access to Capital, Access to Markets, Job Creation & Growth, and Data Collection.

“The National Women’s Business Council’s annual report researches cutting-edge issues, assimilates and articulates reliable data, and provides insights into our policy recommendations," said NWBC Chair Carla Harris. "Our independent and innovative research lays the groundwork for policy makers, the private sector, and the women's business community to act strategically towards advancing women business owners.”

The National Women’s Business Council continues to be a leading voice in advancing the women's entrepreneurship agenda with a strong focus on providing key insights and solutions to increasing economic gains for women business owners. | Download the Report

OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST . . .

Commonwealth Club will host Arianna Huffington and Sheryl Sandberg: Redefining Success on Thursday, March 27th | For More Info

ChallengeHER – Opportunities for Women in Federal Contracting
Wednesday, February 19 in Norfolk, VA | Register here

San Francisco Small Business Administration offers Events and Opportunities for small businesses. |
Visit the SF SBA web site

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO®): NAWBO Blog Voted one of the Best Blogs for Entrepreneurs 2013. Read the latest blog on Why Belonging is Important

Propel Your Business Conference - March 10 & 11, 2014
Join Us for the Propel Your Business Conference. Join other women business owners in Sacramento to hear from keynote speakers on topics that influence the growth of your business. If you register a group of five before January 31st, registration is $75 per person. Use the Promo Code: Group. For More Information and to Register, Visit, NAWBO-CA | FLYER

We have within us the innate ability to create and live the life we truly want…but only if that ability is developed and nurtured. If you are like most people, you have formed habits and ways of thinking that are in direct conflict with what you want. | Learn More

WHO WE ARE . . .

At NAWBO, we are volunteer woman business owners passionate about educating, empowering, collaborating and supporting other woman business owners to strengthen our collective wealth creating capacity while celebrating our diversity to propel us all forward both professionally and personally.

Not A Member Yet? Become a NAWBO Member to receive discounted rates on NAWBO Sponsored Events Nationwide and to Gain Promotional Opportunities for Your Business.
JOIN AT WWW.NAWBO.ORG

GET INVOLVED . . .

Get Involved! - Check Out the Current Opportunities at NAWBO-SFBA!
You are more than your business. NAWBO creates opportunities for you to be a leader, give back and to make a difference by being involved with a community of women business owners. We work in support of opportunities for women to become more successful and influential. Be Involved!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR . . .

Educational Speaker Series & Dinner
Thursday, March 13, 2014
"Topic"
with Speaker
5:30PM - 8:00PM
Sir Francis Drake Hotel (Union Square)
San Francisco, CA

1. Submissions, please send to: info@nawbo-sfba.org
2. We invite you to join NAWBO-SFBA and take advantage of a growing package of member benefits and activities. Learn more by visiting our membership page