Save
the Date: June 6, 2006!
It
is time for the year’s best party
for women in business – Women’s
Initiative’s 4th annual gala. This
morning 35 women gathered to kick off
the gala by forming the Leadership Council.
With all the creative, high-energy people
in the room, Women’s Initiative
is in for another "big buzz"
event. Those who attended the kick-off
today got a sneak preview of three potential
“Entrepreneur of the Year”
candidates. Eva Saavedra,
owner of Huarache Azteca,
who graduated from our ALAS program in
1999 and started her restaurant out of
her garage. Soon afterward she was able
to expand her business into a storefront
with the help of a $10,000 loan from Women’s
Initiative. Eva has created not only a
job for herself, but for those in the
community, including several family members.
Huarache Azteca was recently featured
in the San Francisco Chronicle (READ
ARTICLE). Debra Christian,
owner of Living Right
and 2004 graduate. In addition to running
her tax assistance business and raising
four children by herself, Debra is a prominent
community leader. She puts on community
events and supports after-school boxing
programs for children. Lastly, the group
met Catalina Baasehes,
1996 graduate of our ALAS program and
owner of Kids Cuts, a
kid-friendly, family-focused hair salon
offering services in both English and
Spanish in the San Francisco Mission District.
Since 1996 she has sold two businesses
at a profit. She is very proud of the
niche that she has found by creating Kids
Cuts.
At this year’s gala we will be honoring
Lisa Stevens, Regional President
of Wells Fargo Bank with the
Founders’ Award for her championing
of women in business and her graceful
balancing act between work and family.
She is truly a woman to admire. So mark
June 6th on your calendar now –
this event is not to be missed!
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PICK
OF THE MONTH |
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Private Collection….your
gift search ends here
Looking for the
perfect gift? You can give a gift you
can feel good about and give to yourself
or give to that special person in your
life. At the same time you are supporting
the many talented and creative women who
are making strides as Women’s Initiative
graduates.
Truly
Unique Gift Ideas:
Do you have a love
note gracefully writing itself in your
head that needs a more permanent home?
Try writing your love notes or poems of
affection on notecards and stationary
by Ishama Designs. Your
hubby will go ga-ga.
What
is more romantic than a luxurious bath
for two? You and your sweetheart can get
squeaky clean with the 5-pack soap sampler
from the Rubber Ducky Soap Co.
Or if you are craving more variety wrap
up the best to-go box ever full of lavender
scented handmade body products for dual
relaxation.
When
you aren’t around to cuddle up,
keep your beloved stylish and warm this
winter with a hand-loomed lariat scarf
from JAK Designs. This
versatile token of your affection can
be worn as a scarf, headband or a belt!
Or if you loved one has a more traditional
idea of what a Valentine’s Day present
should look like, Treasures by
Tara has jewels that will bedazzle
and adorn someone who appreciates one-of-a-kind
treasures and needs a good dose of bling-bling.
Your
valentine can keep take their treasures
on the road with distinctive, high-quality
bags and backpacks from Beatnik
Bags. The Beatnik Backpack is
made from upholstery fabrics, fully lined
with a decidedly different interior and
inside zippered pocket. Trust us, you’ll
get noticed when you are wearing this
bag as an accessory!
Visit
Private
Collection on the web and Happy Valentine’s
Day!
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A
new report estimates that women-owned firms without
employees are increasing in number and revenues
faster than all U.S. firms without employees.
According to the Center
for Women’s Business Research between
1997 and 2004, the revenues for women-owned firms
without employees grew 66% compared to 42% for
all firms without employees. |
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Let
the numbers speak for themselves
Here
are a few mid-year highlights of our program
and graduate businesses:
-
In the first half of our fiscal year, from
July 1 to December 31, our client reported
creating 90 new jobs for
themselves and others.
-
Average
client
profit margin increased from 38%
in FY05 to 67% in the first half of FY06.
- Our
clients reported starting 30 brand
new businesses
-
According
to Outcome Evaluation survey interviews
in recent months, 41% of client
businesses gross over $30K in annual sales.
To
read more about our Program Results, CLICK
HERE.
Singer/Songwriter
Anafaith Lubliner puts out
a new CD called ANATOMY OF A RELATIONSHIP.
Anafaith’s poetic sounds burst forth
in the richness of her songs on her new CD.
Congratulations on your new artistic work!
Graduates
In the News: Rene
Brice, owner of Jewels of
the Nile by Rene, was featured in
the “Faces Around the Bay” section
of the San Francisco Post. She specializes
in handbags and unique jewelry. See her collection
online at www.classiccollectionltd.com.
Calling all Connectors!
We are looking for corporate and entrepreneurial
leaders to share their skills and support new
entrepreneurs as a Business Connector. Becoming
a Business Connector is an easy way to deepen
your involvement with Women’s Initiative
and work with clients face to face. Women’s
Initiative especially welcomes Connectors that
reflect the ethnic and social diversity of the
communities we serve. We seek those who have
a passion for our mission and an understanding
of the challenges facing low-income women starting
businesses in the Bay Area. The ideal Business
Connector will have experience as a business
owner, founder or senior manager. We have a
Connect Event for graduates coming up in April
focusing on creating an image for yourself and
your business. We need marketing experts, speech
writers, image consultants, and more to make
this event successful. It would be a 1-3 hour
commitment. Contact Justina Cross, Marketing
and Communications Associate, at (510) 287-3109
or jcross@womensinitiative.org
if you want to be a connector for this event.
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Find
out what Darlene Roberts (
CLICK
HERE