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A Message from the President . . .

Dear NAWBO SFBA Community,

The big news this month is Maria Contreras-Sweet was confirmed as head of the Small Business Administration.  Women moving into leadership roles will change everything!  Maria is a former NAWBO member showing her commitment to women owned businesses. Congratulations!

NAWBO SFBA was included along with many other outstanding women and organizations in the first San Francisco edition of The Women’s Book. As a representative of NAWBO, I attended both the Women's Book Launch Reception, then their Luncheon with Arianna Huffington. The goal of The Women’s Book is to connect women locally and nationally.

Less sexy but still very important was a meeting with the National Ombudsman on regulatory relief for small business owners.  Obama has directed all federal departments to review regulations for impact on small businesses. I presented several stories from our members, who have been impacted by regulations designed to solve issues with much larger public businesses.

The NAWBO SFBA Board of Directors would like to thank our April Educational Speaker Series speaker, Deborah Merrill-Sands. She led a lively discussion on the impact of gender that was intelligent and informative for those who were in attendance.

Did you miss the application date for the first round of CalCompetes Tax Credit?  It will re-open in this Fall for 2015, then twice a year for the next five years. Don't miss this opportunity! Learn More

American Express released their 2014 State of the Women Business Owner. The reports state that California has the most women-owned businesses by far, with over 1.1 million women businesses. San Francisco has over 154,000 women-owned businesses and is rapidly growing. One-third of American-owned businesses have a woman as the majority owner. But, we still have a long way to go in terms of gross revenue and numbers of people employed. This year, the NAWBO SFBA Chapter will be creating programs to support women business owners in their business development.

On May 14, 2014, NAWBO SFBA is co-sponsoring an event with Bank of America during San Francisco Small Business Week from May 12 - 17, 2014. This is a great opportunity to meet other business owners within the NAWBO SFBA community and beyond. Business owners, both men and women, are invited to meet other business owners, who are not in their usual network and to hear from LinkedIn.

Our next Educational Speaker Series and Dinner is Thursday, May 8, 2014 with guest speaker, Tara Sophia Mohr, who will speak on "Quieting Your Inner Critic". Studies show that 30% of women feel truly confident -- truly confident at their core. Join us to explore this for yourself - Register Here!

NAWBO is a community of women business owners, who want to connect, stay informed, find resources and more. Be part of this community of women, who are moving the economy forward locally and nationally. Be a leader in your home, community, and business!

Best wishes,
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

Quieting Your Inner Critic
We all have one, right? That critical voice in our head that says things like"who do you think you are?" "you don't know enough to call yourself an expert" or "how can you be so stupid". It the voice that's never satisfied and that drains the enthusiasm and life from our efforts.

A 2011 study conducted by the Institute of Leadership found that while 50 percent of male professionals exhibit high levels of self-confidence--only 30 percent of women do.

In this presentation, Tara Sophia Mohr, founder of the Playing Big women's leadership program and author of the forthcoming book, Playing Big (Penguin,October 2014), will teach you how to manage your inner critic to access and convey greater confidence.

You will walk away with an understanding of how the inner critic works and may be limiting your effectiveness and advancement in your business, as well as simple tools you can begin using immediately to reduce its negative impact.

About Tara Sophia Mohr
	Tara Sophia Mohr is the founder of the global Playing Big leadership program for women and author of the forthcoming book, Playing Big, to be published by Penguin in October 2014. An expert on women's leadership and well-being with a deep commitment to amplifying women's voices, Tara empowers women to play bigger in their work and in their lives.

THURSDAY, May 8th
5:30PM-8:00PM

View Pricing and Location

REGISTER NOW! | Remember Bring Extra Business Cards!
How To Register:
• Go to the Month Calendar View
• Select the Link on the Event Date
• Start your Registration

Special Thanks to Our ESS Sponsor!

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SPECIAL nawbo sfba highlight

MEMBER IN THE NEWS . . .

NAWBO Member in the News: Robin Azevedo, McRosky Mattresses, was interviewed by Al Jazerra American in a feature about the American Express report on 2014 State of Women Business Owners.

Are you a member of NAWBO SFBA? Have you or your business been in the news? Let us know! We want to share your success with the rest of the NAWBO SFBA Community. Send your "Member in the News" to Kay Robinson, President NAWBO SFBA

FEATURED MEMBER . . .

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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
Dr. Doris Bersing, with Living Well Assisted Living at Home in Sausalito, joined our chapter as an Emerging Business Owner. Dr. Bersing's contact details: doris@livingwellah.com | 800-805-7104

Jennifer Bradley, with JBradley & Assoc in Emeryville, has joined our chapter as an Emerging Business Owner. Jennifer's contact details: bradley_jennifer@yahoo.com | 800-339-7701

Vivian Dai, Owner of Stella Carakasi in Berkeley, has joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner. Vivian's contact details: vivian@stellacarakasi.com | 510-525-1100

Sydni Craig-Hart, Owner of Smart Simple Marketing in Emeryville, joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner. Syndi's contact details: syndi@smartsimplemarketing.com | 510-601-0470

Stephanie Johnson, with Zephyr Real Estate in San Francisco, joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner.  Stephanie's contact details: sjohnson@zephyrsf.com | 415-217-9479

Jill C Williams, President of Silver Sexy and Strong in San Rafael, has joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner. Jill's contact details: jillw@jcwilliamsgroup.com | 415-717-3046

Gina Zappariello, with Pathfinder Professional Coaching in San Francisco, has joined our chapter as an Emerging Business Owner.  Gina's contact details: gina@pathfinder-coaching.com | 415-902-4977

Re-Joining Members
Julie Brown, Principal of Julie Brown Associates in San Mateo, has re-joined our chapter as an Established Business Owner. Julie’s contact details: julie@juliebrownassociates.com | 650-571-6690

Olivia Herriford, Principal of Herriford Consulting in Walnut Creek, has rejoined our chapter as an Established Business Owner. Olivia's contact details: dro@herrifordconsulting.com | 925-930-7137

Renewing Members
MS Hunter, Owner of Hunter Hawk Inc in Concord, renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner. MS has been a NAWBO SFBA member since 2013 | View Profile

Michelle Lerman, Attorney with Lerman Law Partners in San Rafael, has renewed her membership as an Established Business Owner.  Michelle has been a NAWBO SFBA Member since 2007 | View Profile

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: 8:00AM - 9:30AM ***Note Start Time***
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, May 1, 2014

Lisa Pepper-Satkin, MFT is our Spotlight Speaker This Month!

Mind-FULL-ness....What it really means in your business!
Four real steps to understand what might be getting in your way of getting ahead in your business, be true to yourself and attract what you want, and thus live a life you LOVE!

About the Speaker
	Lisa Pepper-Satkin, MFT is a licensed psychotherapist and therapeutic life coach guiding people in understanding the layers involved in making decisions which can have positive lasting impact. She creates a safe space for clients to explore what is getting in their way. She leads delicious and effective workshops and retreats.

REGISTER ONLINE BY MONDAY, APRIL 29, 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, may 21st, 2014

Michelle Lerman is our Spotlight Speaker This Month!

The Five Essential Ingredients to a Meaningful Life
An interactive discussion on attitudes and strategies to live fully and create a vibrant and balanced life. How to take simple and easy steps to add more meaning in your life Why being “happy” isn’t enough for a meaningful life? How to change your attitude about stress (Hint: It’s not stress that’s bad for you, it’s something else)? How women connecting with other women makes us healthier?

About the Speaker
	A guest on radio and TV, Michelle C. Lerman is certified by California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California as a Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Michelle has juggled her career while raising 4 children with Jeff Lerman of Lerman Law Partners.

REGISTER ONLINE BY MONDAY, APRIL 14TH, 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, May 27, 2014

Pragito Dove is our Spotlight Speaker This Month

How To Be Grateful For People We Don't Like in Our Business & Personal Lives Gratitude is the foundation of abundance. It is the cornerstone of living a purposeful, rewarding, fulfilled life. Gratitude activates the positive law of attraction vibrations. If there are people in your life that you don’t like, the negative energy vibrations you transmit toward them drag down your positive vibes. In this ground-breaking seminar, Pragito shares five ways to transform your perspective so that you understand how to transform dislike into gratitude, no matter how difficult your antagonist. With these secrets, you can raise your positive vibrations to attract the abundance of love, money,health and vitality that you deserve. Pragito shows you how building the inner resources of mindful self-awareness, compassion, and positive emotionality can help you make your business, and life, an expression of your best self, while growing your profit, relationships and influence.

About the Speaker
	Pragito Dove,M.A. shows women how to build thriving businesses, and lives, by increasing mindful self-awareness,and self-confidence. She is a master trainer in personal transformation, international speaker, and meditation expert with over 25 years of experience. A best-selling author in seven languages, Pragito is a featured columnist on The Huffington Post.

REGISTER ONLINE BY FRIDAY, MAY 2, 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

When: Fourth Monday, Monthly
Time: 7:30AM - 9:00AM
Where: Sunrise Bistro | 1559 Botelho Drive • Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Walnut Creek Breakfast Facilitator
Kim Miller-Hershon

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

REGISTER HERE NOW!

NEXT FORUM: MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014

Laura Renner is the Spotlight Speaker this Month!

Three Secrets to Making Hiring Easy
Hiring can be a daunting and time consuming experience. Making a bad hiring decision can be a costly one.As a result business owners often put off hiring, which can stunt the growth of their business. But it doesn't have to be this way.

Laura Yang Renner, founder of Hiring Coach, will give you insight to take control and make hiring easy. The presentation will cover: 1) Common hiring mistakes 2) Costs of hiring mistakes 3) Three secrets to making hiring easy 4) Steps you can begin using today! After this presentation you’ll have the confidence and know how to build the strong team you deserve. Hiring will no longer be daunting; Instead the possibilities will excite you!

About the Speaker
	Laura Yang Renner is the founder of the Hiring Coach. The mission of which is to help business owners make smart hiring decisions through creativity, deliberation and cons is tency. She founded Hiring Coach after working in Human Resources where she was responsible forhiring nearly 500 people a year.

REGISTER ONLINE BY THURSDAY, MAY 00, 2014 FOR EARLY PRICING!
How To Register:
• Go to the Calendar View
• Select the Link on the Event Day
• Start your Registration

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

To join the Leaders' Circle Program, contact Jacqueline Yau, Leader's Circle Facilitator.

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Local Lean In Circle groups

Read the NAWBO National, Chapter News Article, Lean In Circles Comes to NAWBO, which highlights the NAWBO SFBA Lean In Circle Program.

Interested in Joining A Circle?
Get Added to Our Wait List:

San Francisco Circles: Email Laura Russell-Jones
Oakland-East Bay Circles: Email Jo Ilfeld
Marin Circles: Email Laura Russell-Jones

The East Bay Lean In Circle, located in Oakland, is launching and needs a few more fabulous NAWBO women to complete the group circle. Contact Jo Ilfeld to learn more.

How To Become A Lean In Circle Member:
Circle enrollment is on a first-come, first serve basis and open to NAWBO Members Only. Each group has 8 up to 10 women maximum, who agree to meet monthly. After your registration is confirmed, you will receive Kickoff Meeting materials. The venue will be decided by the group, but will likely be at a restaurant in a central location.

Once a group meets the maximum number, the registration closes for that group and a wait list is created for the next Circle. Once enough women express interest for another Lean In Circle Group, registration opens for the next 8 up to 10 women.

Interested women contact Laura Russell-Jones and register on the NAWBO-SFBA website. If you are interested in a NEW location, please let us know.

Visit the the Lean In Page for More Information

new! Success Circles

NAWBO SFBA is starting Success Circles, a facilitated Peer Support Program. One Circle is for women business owners with annual revenues between $500K to $1.5M, and the other Circle is for women business owners with annual revenues between $250K to $499,999. 

Each Success Circle will meet monthly for three hours. The goal is to support the success and growth of your business. Each Success Circle begins with the first ten women business owners, who sign-up to participate.  If interested, please contact  Kay Robinson, President, NAWBO SFBA at 925.284.5677 or email

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 . . .

American Express Report on State of Women Owned Businesses 2014 was released at the end of March. This report looks at the growth of women owned businesses since 2007. The number of women-owned businesses in CA has grown 59.2%, with now over 1 million currently operating in the Golden State. | Learn More

PUBLIC POLICY: LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL . . .

Federal Reivew of Regulations
President Obama ordered federal agencies to review their regulations for impact on small business. You may receive relief from regulations National Ombudsman and Regulatory Fairness Helpline, 88-REG-FAIR or email or visit the website: www.sba.gov/ombudsman Or California Small Business Advocate for state regulatory relief.

AFFILIATES AND PARTNERS EVENTS . . .

OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST . . .

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

A Special Message from the President Elect . . .

Dear NAWBO SFBA Community,

I am very excited to start my new term as President of the NAWBO San Francisco Bay Area (NAWBO SFBA) Chapter this June. Between now and then, I am actively looking for new Board & Committee Members for 2014-2015!

Our New Board Term starts June 2014. I am looking for fun, dynamic women business owners, who want to get involved, support other women business owners, and demonstrate their leadership. We have lots of exciting plans and new programs slated for next year, so I encourage you to Join, if you're not already a member, and Get Involved!

The many benefits of being actively involved with a non-profit organization include networking and making contacts, developing friendships, learning to grow your business, hearing from extraordinary women leaders, collaborating to create meaningful impact for your business and for other women business owners, entrepreneurs and the community. And, did you know, being on a non-profit Board offers great experience if you ever want to serve on paid Corporate Boards? More details are forthcoming at the June Monthly Educational Speaker Series & Dinner event.

Visit our web page to see the various Board Member positions available. Likewise, I am interested in meeting other women business owners, who can help NAWBO SFBA with Corporate Partnerships and are comfortable speaking with corporate decision makers about capital sponsorship donations to our Chapter, as well as work with Programs and Affiliates to help us reach out to other great organizations to form partnerships.

In addition to our current Board Member Positions, we have the following New Positions available:

• Social Event Chair coordinates fun, member social events, such as golf trips, wine-tasting, and other social-type gatherings.
• Leader's Circle Liaison Chair acts as the liaison between our Leader's Circle that consists of women business owners with revenues of $2M+ and our Board of Directors.
• Charitable Cause Chair, The Alliance for Girls, helps us in our fundraising efforts for a year-end donation that we will present to the Alliance for Girls on behalf of NAWBO SFBA. The Chair organizes a raffle at our Monthly Educational Speaker Series and dinner event; invites Board and Chapter Members to donate services, products and gifts to the monthly raffle and collects donations to add to this fund.
• Member Directory Chair helps launch our First printed Member Directory.
• Gala Chair helps to launch a Gala Awards Event.

If interested in any of these positions, please contact me:
Laura Russell-Jones by phone at 415-722-0566 or email

Thank you for your continued support for NAWBO and the NAWBO SFBA Chapter. I look forward to meeting and working with you during the upcoming 2014-2015 Board Term.

Warm wishes,
Laura Russell-Jones,
President Elect, NAWBO SFBA

Attend The Power of You, NAWBO's Women's Business Conference 2014!
September 8 - 9, 2014 in Indianapolis, IN -- Read the "Top Ten Reasons to Attend This Conference"

Attend the California Women's Conference from May 19 - 20, 2014 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The largest Women's Conference in the United States. NAWBO Members receive a 15% discount.

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, June 12th, 2014
Women Serving onn Non-Profit and Corporate Boards - How to Lead, Elevate Your Position
with Betsy Berkheimer-Credaire & Alison Davis
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