On Dec. 16, Women’s Economic Ventures graduated a class of 82 Santa Barbara County residents, 17 of whom celebrated at a ceremony in Santa Maria. The class members were fresh from 14 weeks of lessons in finance, leadership skills, marketing, and more, courtesy of the organization’s Self-Employment Training program. The graduates are now poised to launch their individual business ideas and services.
During the ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial Center Auditorium in Santa Maria, seven English-language participants and 10 Spanish-language participants were scheduled to be recognized for their achievements, followed by an expo to show off the new or soon-to-be-launched businesses.
“Economic transformation in the United States economy has historically been driven by the development of small business. They provide economic stability to their local communities by generating locally based taxes, and they help keep money in the local community,” Marsha Bailey, founder and CEO of Women’s Economic Ventures, said in a press release.
The release noted that more than 1,000 businesses throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties are owned and operated by Self-Employment Training program graduates or people who received small business loans through Women’s Economic Ventures.
The training program targets women, though men may participate, too. Classes start in February and September in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura. Applicants can sign up any time throughout the year after attending a free one-hour orientation.
For more information, visit wevonline.org.
Executive Editor Ryan Miller compiled this week’s Biz Briefs. Items for consideration should be faxed, mailed, or e-mailed to the Santa Maria Sun.
This article appears in Dec 18-25, 2008.