Welcome to NAWBO-SF's last e-newsletter of 2004. You can also read this online at: www.nawbo-sf.org/enews/december_2004.html.

The NAWBO-SF website is growing and changing . . .

• We just launched a searchable member roster! You can now look up other NAWBO members by industry, name, company, or city.
  Check it out!
• Upcoming changes and benefits include a "Marketplace" section where NAWBO members can post opportunities, classifieds, and events; a new and improved e-newsletter design; and a new website home page.
• And remember - you can always register online for NAWBO-SF events: www.nawbo-sf.org/register.html

Have a safe and happy holiday season, and we'll see you on December 6th at the World Trade Club to celebrate!

UPCOMING NAWBO EVENTS

• December 6 - Annual Holiday Party and Gift Bazaar
  Come celebrate with us as we combine a sparkling view of the Bay Bridge, the festive decorations of the World Trade Club, an elegant sit-down dinner, and a full and exciting gift bazaar.
  Find out more about this event
   
• December 14 - Relationships and Referrals (East Bay)
  Join us in Oakland one week earlier this month (and at our new venue) for our regional networking breakfast where we explore just-in-time topics, and foster relationships that establish ever-widening circles of influence.
  Find out more about this event
   
• December 21 - Relationships and Referrals (Marin)
  Join us this month, one week earlier than usual, to build business, grow relationships, and meet and discuss important topics at our regional networking breakfast in Marin.
  Find out more about this event
   
• January 13 - "The Power of Connections!" - Progressive Networking Dinner Event
  Don't miss this one! Mark your calendar to attend NAWBO-SF's most popular program where we'll guarantee that you will have a chance to promote your business to at least twenty other business owners and entrepreneurs.
  Find out more about this event
   
• February 10 - "Flying with Eagles", February Dinner Event
  Join us to learn how successful women business owners market their business for profit and strategic growth. Speaker panel features Sylvia Kwan, Karen Neuburger, and Cindy Wilson; moderated by Clothilde Hewlett.
  Find out more about this event

GROW, THRIVE, LEAD
by Sharon Gadberry
of Power Transitions
(www.tmgoi.com)

NAWBO-CA FLEXES MUSCLE

On November 2, NAWBO-SF helped defeat a San Francisco tax increase proposal that would have disproportionately harmed small business. SF-based businesses with revenues over $500,000 per year have NAWBO and the Small Business Network to thank for heading off a ballot proposition which was supported by some very powerful players in town including the Committee on Jobs, SPUR, labor unions, and the Mayor.

NAWBO-SF wrote a ballot position explaining that while we are committed to supporting the City, we are opposed to the doubling of our taxes without significant reform to a taxation system which is inherently unfair. (Editorial from SF Chronicle, October 2004). We spoke to numerous voter groups around the City, pointing out that the proposed revenue tax would be paid by a business, whether or not the business was profitable, and pointed out the very real possibility that many small businesses could fail because of the added tax burden in a difficult economy.

Small businesses owners have done their homework, including studying reasonable cost-cutting in various City departments and researching other cities, such as Los Angeles, who have taxing structures that are more equitable for businesses of all sizes. We will be meeting with the Mayor and his staff in order to recommend these reforms.

DYNAMIC DUO THRILLS NAWBO-SF AUDIENCE

Our November dinner meeting, on the staid corporate topic of landing large business clients, was an unexpected blockbuster. The room rocked with laughter as Jinsoo Terry and Kerry Weiner Elkind literally belted out their stories of struggle and success.

Kerry recounted a career counselor who said that despite the fact that she was "short and Jewish" she would probably succeed on the basis of her considerable CHUTZPAH. She actually developed this theme into the marketing strategy of THINK TALL, incorporating forest rangers' advice to hikers who encounter large bears on the trail.

It has been proven that if you wave your hands above your head and make noise, the illusion of size will make the bear respect you, and could save your life. Kerry's stories demonstrated creative ways that small companies can successfully compete against huge corporations by "looking tall." Kerry also very generously gave copies of her latest book, Free Agents: People and Organizations Creating A New Working Community", to several lucky audience members.

Then Jinsoo Terry literally leaped up, immediately demonstraing that CHUTZPAH can be Korean as well as Jewish. I never thought anyone could make a business presentation this hilarious and better than most professional stand-up comedy routines. She even sang us a few lines from her new rap CD ("Song for Sisters") on the topic of how non-natives can be successful in US business.

Jinsoo started out in Korea. Employers rejected her by politely explaining that although she was eminently skilled and qualified, they unfortunately could not possibly hire a woman. Moving on, she immigrated to the US but was unable to get promoted here because of a lack of language and cultural skills. Then she described how she Americanized herself: watching TV, going out to dinner, getting a personal trainer, joining Toastmasters, and more.

The training course Jinsoo sells and delivers to large organizations is based on numerous unorthodox but highly effective strategies she has created to help the business' employees quickly and immediately be, feel and act American. As member Margo Souza said afterwards to program chair Donna Bletzinger, "If all the programs are like this, I'll come every time."

Our thanks to Jinsoo Terry and Kerry Weiner Elkind for a truly terrific program, and to moderator Valerie Camarda and program committee member Judith Stark.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS FROM OUR WEBSITE

This month we are unveiling our new Member Roster section of the NAWBO-SF website. This section features a searchable directory listing each NAWBO-SF member's contact information, business name, and a description of the type of service or products she provides. We plan to market and advertise this directory to corporate customers.

Please take a look at the new directory and be sure to check your own information (clicking on your name is the fastest way to check). If you have changes to make, or if you do not want your name listed, please contact Rhoda Singer by email at singerr@pacbell.net.

CAN YOU HELP?

Here are a few items where we could use volunteer help. Please let me know at sharon@tmgpm.com if you are interested in helping with any of these items.

• Bring a camera and take snaps at NAWBO-SF breakfast meetings, dinner meetings. We need them for our newsletter and website postings. Amateurs welcome. (Digital images preferred.)

• Provide me with an inspirational quote, to help spice up the President's message. I will credit you as a source.

• Volunteer to coordinate a new "mentoring circles" program pairing up experienced business owners with new business owners. There is a great demand for this program, which was developed by Mentoring Circles. If our organization has enough volunteers to run this program, we will incorporate into our NAWBO-SF chapter.

WOMEN AND BUSINESS IN THE NEWS:

• Most women business owners are optimistic about their businesses and about their personal finances, according to a recent survey by Wells Fargo Bank.

• On October 29, the US Women's Chamber of Commerce filed suit against the US Small Business Administration. According to the plaintiffs, the agency is failing to implement a mandated program to fill the procurement gap for government contracts. The program was mandated in order to increase the percentage of women-owned businesses who win government contracts. The percentage is currently less than two percent and shrinking.

• As the US Senate re-convenes, they are proposing raising the ceiling of the debt. California Senator Dianne Feinstein opposes this move.

• The National Women's Business Council has published some a Fact Sheet [PDF] with interesting data on the rapid growth and success of Latina-owned companies.

• NARAL is a NAWBO-SF partner in the Women's Leadership Alliance. They are currently leading the efforts to head off governmental efforts to reverse women's freedom of reproductive choice. Here is their latest update. Not a pretty picture!.

Wishing you a joyous Holiday Season!

Sharon Gadberry, Ph.D.
President, NAWBO-SF

Each month we present an award for "Member of the Month," who is selected by the NAWBO-SF Board of Directors. The purpose of the award is to express appreciation for volunteers who have helped NAWBO to Grow, Thrive, Lead.

CLAUDIA VIEK

Congratulations to Claudia Viek, NAWBO-SF's member of the month for December.

For the past four years, Claudia Viek has run a consulting practice whose mission is to build equity and assets in low income communities, by using entrepreneurial strategies, real estate acquisition, and by providing access to growth capital. Claudia works with both nonprofits and small business owners to assist them to grow in a strategic and socially responsible way.

Previous to launching Claudia Viek Consulting, she served as President of the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, an award winning training, business incubation and financing program for new entrepreneurs—many of whom have become NAWBO members! Claudia has long been a pioneer in community economic development, advocating the proposition that communities are strengthened and sustained by stimulating local business ownership.

Claudia served on the Board of NAWBO-SF Bay Area Chapter for four years and as President during 2002-03. As a result of her leadership, both the membership and budget expanded, a new corporate partnership was formed with Citibank, and the Chapter was able to increase the diversity of its membership while expanding programs.

Claudia can be reached at:
Phone: 415.824.5228
Email: cviek@sbcglobal.net

December's Dinner Event

HOLIDAY PARTY AND GIFT BAZAAR

At a loss for what to get your friends, family and clients for the holidays? Don't worry! There will be lots of vendors from which to choose at this year's Gift Bazaar. Artisans from our NAWBO membership will be there with jewelry, silk scarves, and other fine gifts just in time for the holidays. Bring cash, credit cards and your checkbook and get ready to shop!

Come celebrate with your friends at the NAWBO Holiday Party on Monday evening, December 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. This year's party will be a sit-down holiday dinner in the beautifully decorated World Trade Club in San Francisco.

WHEN: Monday, December 6, 2004
TIME: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE: World Trade Club (behind The Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street), San Francisco (click here for map and directions)
COST: Pre-registration $40/members; $50/guests. Or pay at the door $45/members; $55/guests.
REGISTER ONLINE: www.nawbo-sf.org/register.html

For more info, or to register via phone, contact:
Rhoda Singer, Chapter Administrator, 415.333.2130,
email: register@nawbo-sf.org

    

New Mastermind Series

SECOND TUESDAY - MASTERMIND™ SERIES

Mastermind is an advisory board program for women leading businesses. Participants, who commit to attending the six-month cycle, meet on the second Tuesday of each month for continental breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the office of Carlton, DiSante & Freudenberger LLP, 260 California St., San Francisco. Mastermind provides program members with an advisory board of NAWBO women who share business know-how, feedback, and insight from their own experience and it's a great way to connect with other NAWBO members in a supportive environment.

The recent Mastermind Series finished in November. Those interested in participating in the next Mastermind series beginning in January should contact Rhoda Singer 415.333.2130, email: register@nawbo-sf.org. This series fills up quickly! Call soon to join this group, or to be placed on the waiting list.

    

Relationships and Referrals—Tuesday Breakfast Meetings

This series of Tuesday morning breakfast meetings provide an efficient, comfortable forum for business women and entrepreneurs to meet monthly, exchange ideas and discuss challenges. While promoting networking, these meetings focus on just-in-time topics and encourage relationships that build ever-widening circles of influence. Unlike a leads group, these meetings concentrate on moving from casual contacts to trusted colleagues who bring a wealth of insight and know-how to motivated business women. Cost includes continental breakfast.

RELATIONSHIPS & REFERRALS (EAST BAY)

Date: December 14, 2004
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Verbena Café in Oakland, 1111 Broadway (the APL Office Building), in front of the 12th Street BART Station at 11th
Cost: $12 for members and $15 for guests
RSVP: Register online at: www.nawbo-sf.org/register.html, or with Rhoda at 415.333.2130; email: register@nawbo-sf.org

RELATIONSHIPS & REFERRALS (MARIN)

Date: December 21, 2004
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Il Fornaio in the Corte Madera Town Center
Cost: $12 for members and $15 for guests
RSVP: Register online at: www.nawbo-sf.org/register.html, or with Rhoda at 415.333.2130; email: register@nawbo-sf.org

    

January's Dinner Event

PROGRESSIVE NETWORKING DINNER: THE POWER OF CONNECTIONS!

Don’t miss this one!

Mark your calendar to attend NAWBO-SF’s most popular program where we guarantee that you will have a chance to promote your business to at least twenty other business owners and entrepreneurs. Pre-registration insures that you’ll meet a group of dynamic women offering a broad range of products and services during each course of the menu.

Come prepared with your "elevator speech," promotional information about your business, and pockets filled with business cards! The energy level of this meeting raises the roof. We’re looking forward to amping up the power as NAWBO-SF launches its outstanding 2005 programs.

WHEN: Thursday, January 13, 2005
TIME: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
WHERE: World Trade Club (behind The Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street), San Francisco (click here for map and directions)
COST: Pre-registration $40/members; $50/guests. Or pay at the door $45/members; $55/guests.
REGISTER ONLINE: www.nawbo-sf.org/register.html

For more info, or to register via phone, contact:
Rhoda Singer, Chapter Administrator, 415.333.2130,
email: register@nawbo-sf.org

    

February's Dinner Event

FLYING WITH EAGLES

Learn how Successful Women Business Owners Market their Business for Profit and Strategic Growth

Our panelists, who are all part of San Francisco Business Times' Top 100 Women Owned Businesses, will tell you what they did to build their single-woman owned business into the multi-million dollar enterprises they are today. Panelists include:

• Sylvia Kwan, owner, Kwan Henmi architects
• Karen Neuburger, owner, kn ltd
• Cindy Wilson, owner, WilsonWest
• Moderator: Clothilde Hewlett, attorney, Preston Gates

Register early. This one will be a sellout.

WHEN: Thursday, February 10, 2005
TIME: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
WHERE: World Trade Club (behind The Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street), San Francisco (click here for map and directions)
COST: Pre-registration $40/members; $50/guests. Or pay at the door $45/members; $55/guests.
REGISTER ONLINE: www.nawbo-sf.org/register.html

For more info, or to register via phone, contact:
Rhoda Singer, Chapter Administrator, 415.333.2130,
email: register@nawbo-sf.org

    

Retrospective — November's Dinner Event

Jinsoo Terry, co-founder of Advanced Global Connections, and Kerry Weiner Elkind, CEO and President of The Elkind Group, provided a lively discussion, moderated by Valerie Camarda, owner of Marketing Sense. Kerry shared her philosophy to "act like a big company, be tenacious and make yourself the expert in your field" and then become the expert.

Jinsoo deeply touched the crowd with her story of coming to America as a Korean immigrant and trying to become American. Then she had the audience laughing hysterically as she described how she transformed her own experience of learning to do business in America into a business teaching others from the Pacific Rim how to learn to be American.

The audience gave the speakers a standing ovation. Kerry brought copies of her book which she raffled to NAWBO members and Jinsoo gave away her rap CD, "Song for Sisters"

Press Release

"Election for America's Top Organizations providing Multicultural Business Opportunities"

November 18, 2004
From: DiversityBusiness.com

Southport, CT: DiversityBusiness.com's 5th annual election to determine "America's Top Organizations providing Multicultural Business Opportunities" will take place from November 29, 2004 through December 3, 2004. Fortune 500 companies and Government Agencies will be selected for the awards based on the business opportunities they have provided Women and Minority owned businesses. The election will be conducted on the Internet at the DiversityBusiness.com site.

Last year over 250,000 women and minority-owned businesses had the opportunity to participate in the election. This year over 400,000 Diversity business owners are expected to take part in the online election. The winners, collectively known as the Div50 will be recognized for their diversity efforts at an awards ceremony on April 1, 2005 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.

To cast your vote simply go to: http://diversitybusiness.com/vote2004

The election results will be officially announced on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 12:00 on DiversityBusiness.com.

About DiversityBusiness.com
Launched in 1999, DiversityBusiness.com with over 26,000 members is the largest organization of diversity-owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and service to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies and colleges and universities. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design. It is a membership-based exchange platform that facilitates contacts and communication, streamlines business processes and provides vital business news and information. DiversityBusiness.com is produced by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii.com) of Southport, CT.

Wow! We had 16 new members join in November! We would like to welcome them all:

Barbara Adams
Barbara Adams & Associates, LLC
65 Esmeyer Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: 415.860.2727
Email: barbara@barbara-adams.com
Web: www.barbara-adams.com

    

Janette Bissada
Exquistite Scarves
232 Boulder Dr.
Antioch, CA 94509
Phone: 925.754.9140
Email: exquistescarves@comcast.net

    

Stephanie Breslin
CEO, LLC
907 Fremont Place, Suite 4
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Phone: 650.473.9590
Email: stephanie@ceos-champion.com

    

Valerie Camarda
Marketing Sense
1316 67th St., Suite 4
Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone: 510.428.4077
Email: valerie@marketingsense.net
Web: www.marketingsense.net

    

Gina Crothy
Gina's Gentle Touch
1117 Sir Francis Drake, #4
Kentfield, CA 94904
Phone: 415.485.4174
Email: crdson@aol.com

    

Joanna Fritz
Mary Kay
20 Woodhaven Court
San Francisco, CA 94131
Phone: 415.661.9754
Email: belvalady@aol.com

    
Kiri Henderson
Kiri Berit Personal Style
3 Canyon View Drive
Orinda, CA 94563
Phone: 510.207.1102
Email: kiri@freemediagroup.com

    

Marilyn Hill
Artworks
6221 Bay View Avenue
San Pablo, CA 94806
Phone: 510.232.5311
Email: mh@marilynhill.com
Web: www.marilynhill.com

    

Pamela Horick
Succession
104 Caribe Isle, #1100
Novato, CA 94949
Phone: 415.883.1597
Email: horick@sbcglobal.net

    

Bonnie Levine
Naturopathic Practitioner
16 Castlewood Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 415.460.1114
castrohealingcenter@yahoo.com

    

Barbara Newell
Performance Coatings Inc
PO Box 1569
Ukiah, CA 94582
Phone: 707.462.3023
Email: mail@penofin.com

    
Diane Parente
Image Development & Management Inc. (IDMI)
40 Wellington Avenue
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Phone: 415.258.0285
Email: dparente@msn.com

    

M. Elizabeth Sassano
Roeca Haas Hager
180 Sutter St., #200
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: 415.401.4214
Email: hsassano@r2hlaw.com
Web: www.r2hlaw.com

    

Kim Soskin
K Soskin Communications
1526 Fountain St.
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: 510.521.6523
Email: ksoskin@sbcglobal.net

    

Ann Tardy
LifeMoxie
1210 Sanchez St., #4
San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 550-0667
Email: ann@lifemoxie.com
Web: www.lifemoxie.com

    

Katherine Webster
Storytelling Media
88 King St., #703
San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415.348.8377
Email: kwebster@storytellingmedia.com
Web: www.storytellingmedia.com

    

We look forward to seeing you all at upcoming events!

WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH THE MEDIA
by Valerie Camarda
of Marketing Sense

What course of action are you planning to take to promote your company? If business has slowed a bit and your marketing budget has been drastically cut ask yourself this question: What's twice as credible as advertising, yet costs a fraction of advertising fees? Answer: Publicity, of course.

That's why, in a world littered with print ads, billboards, commercials, Web banners and junk mail, everyone from tiny start-ups to giant corporations are pumping out press releases and trying to capture the attention of the media.

Creating a buzz can be the most effective and least expensive way for an organization to create a favorable public image, showcase the company's abilities and achievements and generate sales.

Editors readily admit that most of what you read in newspapers or see on the air comes about as a result of information provided by outside sources. Some experts estimate that 70% of all news is "planted" or originates from news releases. But to be a credible news release worthy of media attention, the information within must be news—not history and not puffery.

Read full article on the NAWBO-SF website and find out more about:

• Understanding What's Newsworthy
• What Exactly is Publicity?
• When You Prepare and Send Out Press Releases
• When the Media Calls You
• What Does a Television Reporter Look for in an Interview?
• When You're Being Interviewed for TV

Valerie Camarda is the owner of Marketing Sense, a full service marketing and public relations firm located in San Francisco and Emeryville. She is currently a member of the NAWBO Board of Directors and holds the position of VP Marketing for the organization.

Read article

SHOP OUTSIDE THE BOX CAMPAIGN AND CELEBRATION

Sponsored by the Small Business Commission

Shop Outside the Box celebrates the contributions of local small businesses to San Francisco, and recognizes unique entrepreneurs who make and sell their wares locally. Shop Outside the Box supports the concept of buying local first as a way of keeping the City's economy strong and its unique flavor alive and thriving.

The December 11th celebration is the first of the Small Business Commission’s "Celebrating Small Business" events and marks the launch of the updated Small Business Commission Web site which gives small businesses like you access to support services including funding, public policy, marketing, among others.

DATE: Saturday, December 11, 2004
LOCATION: Union Square, Downtown San Francisco
TIME: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

    

SMALL BUSINESS EXPO 2005

Plans are underway for SBA Expo '05, scheduled to take place in Washington, DC on April 26-28, 2005. In recognition of the small business community's contribution to the American economy and society, the President of the United States designates one week each year as National Small Business Week. Awards are presented in the categories of Small Business Person of the Year, Phoenix Awards (disaster recovery), Small Business Champion Awards (advocacy), and Federal Procurement Awards. Nomination guidelines for the 2005 awards [PDF].

• Join NAWBO, if you haven't already.
   
• Attend one of our upcoming events.
   
• Join a committee. You can contact the committee chairs directly.
   
• Take a guest or a client to the meeting. If each member recruits one new member, we will double our membership!
   
• Visit our evolving, and expanding website:
  www.nawbo-sf.org.
   
• Let us know how you and your business are doing. Contact Donna Bletzinger: donna@dyerstephenson.com.

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
—Anne Bradstreet

If you would like to submit stories, news, events, or happenings for the next issue of NAWBO-SF's e-news, please send to: Anastasia Fuller at news@nawbo-sf.org. Copy submission deadline is the 22nd of the current month for the next month's newsletter (e-mailed out the first week of the month).

We invite anyone who is not already a member to join NAWBO-SF. Take advantage of a growing package of member benefits and activities. To find out more, visit our website:
www.nawbo-sf.org/membership.html.

© 2004 The National Association of Women Business Owners - San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (NAWBO-SF). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of NAWBO-SF is prohibited.

Clipart: ©1999-2004 www.clipartconnection.com

To subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) this newsletter, contact Rhoda Singer at 415.333.2130, or email: join@nawbo-sf.org.