Always dreamed about opening up your own business or being your own boss? Women’s Economic Ventures is starting self-employment training classes in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in September.
The classes are part of a 14-week, 56-hour program targeted at women (but also serving men) that provides guidance on how to start, operate, or expand a business.
Participants leave the program with a business plan, including a marketing plan, a cash flow projection, an operations plan, and a core network of fellow entrepreneurs to help sustain their businesses.
Classes are offered in both English and Spanish. Topics of study include finances, marketing and managing a small business, public relations and advertising, legal and insurance issues, record keeping, and how to write a business plan.
Potential participants are required to attend a free one-hour orientation workshop, which gives an overview of the program and services.
Upcoming workshops in Santa Maria will be held on Aug. 13, 19, and 27 from 6 to 7 p.m. (English) and 7 to 8 p.m. (Spanish).
According to a press release from WEV, there are now more than 1,000 businesses throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties owned and operated by graduates of WEV’s Self-Employment Training program.
For more information about Women’s Economic Ventures, call 965-6073 or visit www.wevonline.org.
This article appears in Aug 7-14, 2008.