Wednesday, October 25, 2006
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Oakland Marriott

7:30 am
Registration Begins
Join our Sponsors and Community Partners for a Small Business Resource Fair.

7:45 am - 9:00 am
Making Connections Breakfast
Guy Kawasaki, acclaimed author and venture capitalist, will kick-off the breakfast and engage you in ways to grow your business. We will also honor Graduate Volunteer of the Year, graduate Louise Bartlett, owner of Beatnik Bags.

9:15 am - 10:30 am
Session 1 - Conference Breakout Sessions Begin
Register online for a complete seminar listing.

Transform Your Personal Finances
Healthy personal finances directly influence business financial health. Discover useful techniques for personal financial management that will transform your money relationship and skills. Annette Brinton - Mosaic Financial Partners, Inc.

Direct Mail Delivers on Your Marketing Dollar
Learn new ways to get your business at the top of the mail pile. Carol Koch – The Kessler Group

Business Certifications: Your Strategic Advantage
Certifying your business - as woman-owned or "green" - to distinguish your business from competitors. In this information-packed workshop, you'll explore the types, benefits, process, and costs of third-party business Donna Bletzinger – DyerStephenson Strategic Marketing Consultants – Moderator
Sandra Lyu - Northern California Supplier Development Council
Susan Sakaki, Sustainable earth Initiative, PEER Director, Consultant to Alameda County GSP
Jen Armstrong – JAK Designs, Women’s Initiative Graduate
Ari Derfel, Co-founder, Back to Earth Catering, a green certified company

Known Secrets to Managing a Business and Marketing on a Shoestring
How to get unstuck and take your business to the next level. Learn how to get positive recognition and exposure, identify power partners and increase your bottom line. Paula Welsh - The Welsch Marketing Group

Keeping it Simple
Taking care of business doesn't have to be complicated. Find out how to make a One-Page Business Plan your most important planning and management tool. Jim Horan - One Page Business Plan Company

Location, Location, Location
Everyone knows this real estate mantra. But what does it mean for your retail establishment? Walk through the process of researching, evaluating and obtaining the best space for your business. Robert Hernandez - Amigo Hospitality Services

Create an Advisory "Dream Team" for Your Business No one can take care of business all alone. That's why having the right advisors is essential to your start-up and growth. Learn how to recruit and work with the advisory team of your dreams! Cindy Mascheroni - TEC International

There's a Millionaire Inside Every Woman! Secrets for Abundance, Prosperity and Wealth! There's a song that says, "Money makes the world go round" and it certainly makes life a lot easier. Learn tips and strategies for greater abundance, prosperity and how to bring more money and richness into your life. Ouida J. Cooper- Rodriguez, MA - Founder/Owner, "Step Into Your Greatness!"

Come hear answers to Common Legal Questions Related to Your Business
Be prepared! Know the law! Learn about entity formation, trademarks, copyrights and commercial leasing! Learn what you need to know when hiring. Beatriz Esparza Dueñas - Legal Services for Entrepreneurs, a program of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights

Where the Dollars Are!
Not enough cash can kill a business that would otherwise take off. Yet financing options can be overwhelming. What to think about to find the right financing strategy that matches your risk profile and meets your business need. Guy Kawasaki - Author and Managing Director, Garage Technology Ventures

10:45 am to 11:45 am

Get Connected Session I
Get Connected sessions are action-oriented meetings with influential business women arranged for you through Women's Initiative. You can ask business questions and get direct feedback that will ensure success!

Tradeshow & Resource Fair
The Tradeshow will highlight our clients' products and services. Come prepared to peruse a wonderful assortment of businesses! The Resource Fair will connect you with important tools for you and your business.

12:00 - 1:45 pm
Leadership Luncheon
We will honor Oakland entrepreneur Ana Chretien, CEO of ABC Security Services, Inc. Special speaker Terry McMillan, author of Waiting to Exhale and The Interruption of Everything, will be sure to inspire! Connect with hundreds of the most influential people in business and network with other graduates who are growing their businesses and becoming leaders in the community.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Get Connected Session II
Utilize another Get Connected session to meet more fantastic business people and get second opinions. The Tradeshow and Resource Fair are also open.

3:15 pm - 4:45 pm
Session 2

Sales Success: The Life Blood of Your Business
In many companies the biggest challenge faced, is not developing the product or services, but selling it. Learn how to present your product or service, uncover objections and overcome them so customers buy from you. Discover the beauty and utility of the sale! Jim Healy - LogicVision, Inc.

Doing Business with the Biggies
Supplier diversity programs are a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to expand their client base, secure larger accounts, and stabilize cash flow. In this session, buyers for large companies and government agencies share the secrets to accessing bigger markets and business owners will share their successes. Donna Bletzinger – DyerStephenson Strategic Marketing Consultants – Moderator
Bernida Reagan - Director of Social Responsibility, Port of Oakland
Tita Gray – Sr. Supplier Diversity Consultant, PG&E and liason to Women’s Initiative
Jugmar Bora, Co-founder, Luitporia Software, SBE supplier to PG&E

Pump up the Passion!
Embracing your uniqueness will separate you from the rest. There are talents you were born to utilize, enjoy, and share. In this lively seminar you will learn why it's important to discover what sets you apart and how to harness your talents to develop your business. Kennette Reed - Kennette Reed & Associates

Conscious & Amazing Bookkeeping Understand how bookkeeping can be fun and support you in manifesting your vision for your business and personal life! Explore your relationship with money while learning to set up and maintain a bookkeeping system. Bari Tessler - Conscious Bookkeeping

It's Easy to Walk a Straight Line with the IRS!
Find out all you need to know! Learn to keep the IRS happy without paying more than your have to! And do it all online! Xavier Guerrero and Patrick Brown - IRS Representatives

Entrepreneurship as a Life Calling: Stories of Entrepreneurs and CEOs
They didn't like having a J-O-B. They had a vision for a different world. Join us for an inspiring look at what makes great CEOs tick and how to live your values as owner of a company. Maureen Taylor - President, SNP Communications
Diana Kimbrell - Kimbrell & Company
Jim Horan - One Page Business Plan

How to Make a Living Selling Jewelry
Learn about the various aspects of starting and running your own jewelry business. Find out what it takes to start a product line, manages customers and increase sales. There will be a long question and answer period for people for anyone who is already in the jewelry business or thinking about starting one. Liza Sonia Wallach - LizaSonia Jewelry & Accessories for Men and Women

You Deserve Credit!
Credit is an important tool when starting and/or expanding your business. and sometimes it is not perfect. But there is hope! Learn tips to refresh and rebuild your credit so you can have access to the resources you need. Ouida J. Cooper-Rodriguez, MA - Founder/Owner, "Step Into Your Greatness!"

Be Well at Work!
When you're a business owner, taking care of yourself means you're taking care of business. Learn new ways to put yourself first so your business can thrive. Asara Tsehai - Speaker, Trainer, Author

Take Flight With Microsoft Training & Certifications
Find out what a Microsoft Office Specialist certification can do for you! Join us at the Take Flight event for a special training session to learn tips and tricks with the Microsoft Office Suite that can take your business to the next level. Use the tips learned and the MS Press Study Guide provided at the training to prepare for the Microsoft Office Specialist certification. When you become a Microsoft Office Specialist, you can empower your credibility and tackle the challenges that lie ahead. Microsoft Office enables the strengths important to your business collaboration and proven desktop skills to help your business soar. Angela Johnson – Microsoft Corporation and Debbie Collins - Certiport

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Closing Ceremony