WOBmedia.com

Step No. 1: Setting up the legal structure of your new business

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:54:00 +0000

You may have a million-dollar idea -- maybe it's the next cupcake, or a new app. Whatever your product is, before you take it to market, it's important to determine the legal structure of your company. And that can be complicated. Should you incorporate? How about forming an LLC? What if you want to start as a sole proprietor? And what kind of liability do you exposure your personal assets to under each?

For those in Orange County, CA, there is an affordable seminar (just $25) this week, sponsored by the Orange County Small Business Development Center and held at Rancho Santiago Community College District in Santa Ana. Here are details.

Legal Do’s and Don’ts for Small Business
Event Status:	Open	Event Fee:	$25.00
Event Date:	6/19/2013	Register By:	6/19/2013
Time:	6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Contact:	Elizabeth Arteaga, (714) 564-5200
Center:	Orange County SBDC
Event Location:	Rancho Santiago Community College District, 2323 N. Broadway Rm 107, Santa Ana, CA 92706-1606
Description:	The workshop covers basic legal issues faced by small businesses in California. You will learn the most common costly legal mistakes that most small business owners make. We will discuss how to determine the best legal structure for your business, the pitfalls to avoid in contracts, partnership agreements, and leases, employee versus independent contractor, and how to protect your brand and much more. Here's your chance to get answers to your business legal questions.
Topics:	Legal Issues

Trademark tips to consider before you open

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Thu, 30 May 2013 21:49:00 +0000

Had to share this great post that appeared on ocfamily.com. For all the women who fantasize about success as an entrepreneur, read this post first. The last thing you want is to hang the "open" sign and then be told to close up shop.

http://blogs.ocfamily.com/top-3-trademark-tips-before-opening-your-doors/

IPSY: You want to be her.

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Wed, 29 May 2013 21:52:00 +0000

Estrogen may finally win over testosterone in business world

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:30:00 +0000

For generations women have been thought of as the "softer" sex. We are inherently more compassionate, more collaborative and more nurturing. Men, on the other hand, are known to be more aggressive and more competitive -- all traits prized in the corporate world. The skills women possess have been undervalued. But that may be changing.

Futurist and author Ian Pearson, who wrote "You Tomorrow," says that as technology replaces humans in the workforce, the world will seek more eye contact, more touch, more care. In fact, following the "knowledge" economy may soon be the "care" economy. Women are well positioned to succeed.

Take a look at the Harvard Business Review's post by John Baldoni on the differences between men and women, related to self awareness. A Hay Group report from 2011/2012 says that women far outperform men in "empathy" (33% vs. 15%); "conflict management" (52% vs. 29%); "influence" (32% vs. 21%) and "self awareness" (19% vs. 4%).

The blog post suggests that in order for women to succeed in business (a.k.a. the corporate world) they must demonstrate both feminine and masculine traits, while men need only show masculine characteristics.

It's no wonder women are opening their own businesses! Why play the game! While just 4 percent of women are at the helm of the Fortune 500, that may not matter in the care economy. Those women launching their own businesses may soon make up a large percentage of the Fortune 500, wiping out the stereotypical lone woman at the top syndrome.

Eva Longoria testifies in front of U.S. Senate on behalf of Latina businesswomen

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Sat, 11 May 2013 03:48:00 +0000

This week the U.S. Senate held a hearing called "Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Minority Women," chaired by United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La. Among those testifying in a bid to reauthorize the Women's Business Ownership Act was actress Eva Longoria of "Desperate Housewives" fame. The actress-turned-activist is founder of the Eva Longoria Foundation.

According to a release issued by the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Longoria said, “Since 1988, the Small Business Administration has offered training and financial assistance programs through their Women’s Business Centers. However, without reauthorization from Congress, funding for this program is stuck at the 1999 level. If Congress really wants to create jobs and increase our global competitiveness, it needs to invest in programs like the Women’s Business Centers, which give Latinas the resources they need to create thriving small businesses.”

Longoria shared details about a project on which she has partnered with Howard Buffet, Warren Buffet's son, to fund more than $2 million in microloans to Latina entrepreneurs.

The goal of the Senate hearing was to reauthorize the Women's Business Ownership Act - last done in 1999. The act provides increases in access to capital and credit to women business owners, as well as access to federal contracts and extra funding for technical assistance and business counseling programs.

Watch Longoria talk about Latina entrepreneurship at the Women in the World Summit.

Wells Fargo pledges $55 billion in loans to women-owned businesses by 2020

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Mon, 06 May 2013 05:05:00 +0000

Wells Fargo has always been a big supporter of women- and minority-owned businesses. Many other banks boast the same kind of support, but Wells Fargo is committing to that statement in a big way, by pledging some $55 billion in loans to women business owners by the year 2020. The company made the announcement in early March.

This is a cumulative amount dollar figure that has been adjusted over the years as the burgeoning market of women business owners has evolved. The bank first established a $1 billion-over-three-years lending goal 18 years ago but soon after increased their targeted lending amount. To date the bank has funded more than $38 million in loans to WOBs.

The San Francisco bank is the nation's fourth largest.

The SBA is making it easier to fund your great business idea

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:51:00 +0000

The U.S. Small Business Administration has pledged to streamline regulations and cut the red tape of applying for an SBA loan. Greater access to capital with less paperwork is the goal, says outgoing SBA administrator Karen Mills. (Mills has announced she will be stepping down from the post to which she was appointed in 2009). The following changes have been proposed and may impact 504 program loans:

The Personal Resource test to be eliminated
Borrowers won't have to reach maximum levels of personal financial resources to qualify.

Revised Rule on Affiliation
Those businesses that are affiliated with another company and don't currently qualify as a small business, may be categorized as such under the new plan.

Elimination of 9-month rule
Removes the mandate that only expenses incurred during the last nine months before a loan application is submitted may be counted.

Want to know more about SBA loan options? Here's an easy-to-understand guide.

http://www.abcbizloans.com/unsecured/sba-loan-programs/

A profile of America's women business owners

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:22:00 +0000

If you are a company who has targeted the nearly 10 million companies owned by women as potential purchasers of your products, it's worth your time to take a closer look at who they really are. They are a mighty niche market interested in buying everything from office supplies and equipment to marketing services to employee benefit plans. One of the commonalities is that women support companies that support causes important to them. Some 75 percent of women-owned businesses also support charitable causes through their company's revenues.

WOBmedia.com, under its former name of Wobwire.com, published its survey of women business owners in 2012. The results are worth reviewing. In its "Share Your Woman-owned Business Story" survey, more than 150 women responded from the following states: California, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, Texas, Oregon, Georgia, South Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Florida, Washington, Alabama, Arizona, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Colorado, Nevada and Louisiana. Their companies ranged in size in terms of numbers of employees and annual revenues.

Like any marketer, the more you know about your prospect, the better your chances of adding them to client roster.

Click here to read the entire survey results.

LOVE THIS!: Milk & Honey lets you design your own shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Part of my pledge to my blog followers is to share products I love. I'm not a product reviewer, so it's not a pay-to-play thing. I just like to share really innovative and unique concepts, created by women business owners. Here's my latest...

Have you searched high and low online for the right pair of shoes for yourself? Ever wish you could just design the perfect pair? Well now you can. At Milk & Honey, you pick the heel height, the material, the color -- it's all up to you. It's the ultimate experience for shoe lovers. And when they ask you where you got them, you can simply say, "I designed them myself."

Check out the Milk & Honey website. I've also included a video in which the CEO and co-founder, Dorian Howard, shares what it was like to launch her company.

Read about my first "LOVE THIS!" product here.

Don't forget to like us on facebook and follow us on Twitter. And, of course, check out how you can post your own headlines to WOBmedia.com!

Think INSIDE the box

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:36:00 +0000

Creative thinking results in business expansion for interior designer Hillary Nichols

Hillary Nichols, Hillary Nichols Interiors

You’ve heard the advice on how to think more creatively: “Think outside the box,” experts advise. Hillary Nichols, owner of Costa Mesa-based Hillary Nichols Interiors, has turned that theory inside out with a new product her company has just launched – a brand extension for her four-year-old interior design firm, created to expand her business. For the customer who does not have the budget for a complete design consultation, Nichols now delivers her services in a most unconventional way. INSIDE a box.

“For the most part, the service that we offer,” says Nichols, “is a luxury service. While we are very fair in our pricing and we definitely try to give our clients a great value, people I’d meet would often say, ‘I’ve seen your website and your work and it’s so amazing, but I could never afford to hire you.’” Now they can.

“I came up with the idea for the Box of Design; a very turnkey solution for someone who wanted a room designed, but didn’t have that large chunk of money to invest,” Nichols says. “But they wanted the advice. They wanted the roadmap. They wanted a color palette, and a style, and an inspiration, and a floor plan.” Clients often simply want to know where do I put the sofa and where do I buy that, she says.

For about one-third the cost of traditional design services, clients can have access to Nichols talents. The tradeoff is that they have to pitch in and do some of the work. With instructions on exactly how to do it, clients measure their rooms, take photos of their space and answer a list of questions that help their online design team create a dream room for them.

“Four weeks later,” says Nichols, “we send them a complete interior design in the box.” It’s even tied with a bow.

Clients receive design boards with custom sketches, floor plans, color palettes and suggestions for furniture and accessories. The Box of Design also includes a very specific shopping guide on a flash drive. The entire project is also delivered digitally with active links so clients can click on a suggested item and purchase it.

What began as a strategic move to offer a different price point for customers also yielded another benefit. Because all client communication is done online, it’s not necessary for them to be local. With a single new product, Nichols has expanded her geographic footprint, and potential revenue, exponentially. She’s moved from a dedicated workspace in her home office to the co-op Design Center in Costa Mesa where a dozen or so other designers work (architects, fashion designers, etc.). The creative energy in the building fuels ideas and imagination of those that rent space.

“I don’t think interior design should just be available to the wealthy,” Nichols says. Her business now also fuels the imaginations of those who can now afford interior design services.

Here's a fun look at some of the items in her Costa Mesa office:

Nichols' Costa Mesa Office is in the Design Studio

Great chair!

Gutsy pattern combo works!

It's in the details

Style!

Nichols' Box of Design boxes ready to ship

How to hook an investor

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 04:36:00 +0000

Cari Carter’s got the product. Now she needs cash to expand.

Cari Carter, founder of Car-go Handbag Hooks

It’s one of those why-didn’t-I-think-of-that products. Cargo Handbag Hooks prevent accidents that are just waiting to happen. You stop short while driving and your purse, or your takeout dinner or your computer bag slides off the passenger seat and spills onto the floor. It happened once too often for Cari Carter and the Lake Forest, CA resident solved the problem by creating a decorative hook that holds a handbag – or any other bag – in place while one is driving.

But now she’s got another problem. The product is a winner. Between orders from retailers (her product is in more than 70 stores), sales on her website and some nice attention from the media, clearly there is demand. But Carter needs cash to take her business to the next level.

Therein lies the dilemma for most women business owners in the U.S. Of the 10 million companies created and run by women, just 3 percent reach that magic milestone of $1 million in annual revenue, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research. Most simply don’t have the capital to invest to grow. Survey after survey shows most women tap their family, their personal savings and their own credit cards to launch businesses, but few are awarded commercial credit for their ventures. In fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Santa Ana District Office just released fiscal year 2012 loan totals and a scant 196 women-owned companies in Orange County were funded. They shared loans totally a little more than $100 million. Nationally, women-owned businesses accounted for less than 15 percent of all SBA funding.

Carter is going another route. She is looking for an angel investor who will come in with the cash she needs.

“On the low end, $25,000 would open a lot of doors for me and give me the ability to do a lot of things that I feel are really important to gaining momentum,” says Carter. She adds that $50,000 would open even more doors.

So far, all she’s had to package has been her product. Now, she has to package herself. She has to convince an investor that she can make money for them both. To better prepare for the big pitch, Carter participated in Springboard Enterprises’ Dolphin Tank session at the recent California Women’s Conference. She had the opportunity to pitch her business to a “Shark Tank”-type panel that offered observations, suggestions and resources to help her win investors.

Springboard Enterprises’ president, Amy Millman, told OC METRO that the single most important thing a woman business owner can do when pitching an investor is to exude confidence.

“I find that women often don’t feel as confident about their ideas,” says Millman, who with her team has helped women win more than $5 billion in equity funding. “If a man came up with the idea,” she says, “he’d say ‘Yes, this is the greatest things since sliced bread and I’m going to do it, and I’m going to be really successful … and the women are always thinking there is something else they don’t know.”

Watch Cari Carter's segment OnlineShopTV...

LOVE THIS! The Wrapadoo

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 23:52:00 +0000

Here's my second "LOVE THIS" selection. It's the Wrapadoo - the only hair towel that doesn't require that you bend over and flip your hair, then wrap and hope the towel holds.

Cynthia Saito figured it out. She created this easy-to-use towel that wraps without "the flip." I think of my 82-year-old mother who recently fell and fractured her pelvis, and who has issues with dizziness. Bending over to wrap her hair is out of the question. This is perfect for her.

Saito is competing in the Tech Coast Venture Network's pitch contest, pitching her idea to compete with others for $25,000 to help boost her business. You can see her video by clicking the link. If you like the product, help her out and vote for her.

Read about my first "LOVE THIS!" product here.

Don't forget to like us on facebook and follow us on Twitter. And, of course, check out how you can post your own headlines to WOBmedia.com!

For Tech Coast Angel attendees

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Thrilled to be a part of the panel discussion at tonight's Tech Coast Angels event, with the focus on female entrepreneurs and venture capital funding.

If you attended... here is the survey I referenced:

The Share Your Woman-Owned Business Story

While I've got you... I invite you to subscribe to my blog to keep up on the world of women-owned business.

Follow us on twitter and facebook. And you can subscribe to the WOBmedia news feed here.

Finally, take a look at how WOBmedia.com can help you get some online buzz about your company going. For as little as $3.99/mo. or $25/yr., you can post your news, new products, honors and awards, contracts, etc. on WOBmedia.com. You can post as often as you like!

Europe to support budding women business owners

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:45:00 +0000

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) yesterday announced its intention to fuel the pipeline of women business owners by supporting and mentoring Mediterreanean-based female college students about to graduate, according to ANSAmed.info. The program was announced at European Development Days in Brussels. The overriding statement was that the region has no intention of letting "the tremendous potential" of women-run business go untapped. Twenty one Mediterranean countries are expected to participate in the effort

The coalition of public and private organizations will create Women Entrepreneur Days, slated for 2013, at which a variety of services, seminars and consultants will help young women establish their own businesses.

LOVE THIS! - A new feature

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:41:00 +0000

I have been writing about women-owned businesses for years. I've even received an award from the U.S. Small Business Administration for doing what I love. With every WOB there is a story. Some are inspiring. Some are kinda scary. Some are just fun. I try to share as many as I can through this blog, through postings on WOBmedia.com and through our YouTube channel.

I've decided to start a new feature called "LOVE THIS!" A knock-off of Oprah's "Favorite Things," periodically I'll feature a product created by a woman business owner on my blog. I come across so many great products and ideas and can't write about every single one, so this is my nod to the creativity and innovation of female entrepreneurs.

Here's my first LOVE THIS! product: Lotty Dotty. I loved paper dolls as a little girl. This concept, by Lotty Dotty, allows the wearer to select the outfit their "doll" is in the mood to wear with their interactive t-shirts. The company gives back, promotes young designer talent and is socially responsible. Check them out. Great gift idea.

Subscribe to this blog | Follow us on twitter | Be a fan on Facebook | WOBmedia.com | WOBmedia news feed

The "Dolphin Tank": Springboard Enterprises

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:09:00 +0000

Here's my coverage of the California Women's Conference Dolphin Tank. I talked to the organizers of the session that allowed women business owners to pitch their companies in front of business experts, as well as those who were lucky enough to pitch. The goal was to help them hone their delivery and increase their chances of success.

The WOB Report: Oct. 12, 2012 / SBA loans $2.5 billion to women business owners in fiscal year 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 04:39:00 +0000

The pie princess: Marie Callender

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 03:46:00 +0000

Some of the pies available at Marie Callender's

I was sent a press release today for the October pie special at Marie Callender's: Choose from more than 30 whole pies to go for $7.99 each (see a sampling of the variety in the image to the right). What the PR rep didn't know, was that as I was reading the release I was actually savoring a piece of my very own German Chocolate pie, which I purchased yesterday at Marie Callender's San Juan Capistrano, CA location after seeing the TV commercial. Talk about good timing.

I decided to post a blog about this with the suggestion that rather than giving the typical turkey gift card to your staff for Thanksgiving, why not do something different and precede the holidays with an unexpected treat either in the office, or in boxes to take home to family.

Marie Callender

Then I thought about Marie Callender herself and realized that this woman was the quintessential business owner - and certainly ahead of her time. Callender started her pie business in the early 40s in Orange County, CA. But she didn't think small and just try to sell a pie here or there to customers. She went straight to restaurants, which she knew had a need. She was there to fill that need, just like she did with her flakey, buttery pie shells. Not long after, she was making and delivering more than 200 pies each day. She was a brand and she leveraged that to extend her brand by opening first a pie and coffee shop and then full-service restaurants. The company later merged with Perkins Restaurants and became Perkins & Marie Callender's, LLC.

Amazon.com: Your new banker?

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 20:18:00 +0000

If you're one of the more than 1 million sellers on Amazon.com, you may soon also call the online retailer your banker. According to an article in yesterday's Wall Street Journal, the "world's biggest bookstore" (remember that tag line from Amazon's launch some 18 years ago?) is now offering loans to its sellers.

The idea, according to the article, is to help improve cash flow to small businesses who may be gearing up to buy more inventory for the holiday season. Loans from $1,000 to more than $30,000 have already been funded, with varying interest rates assigned to borrowers. More cash, Amazon theorizes, means more purchase orders for inventory, which of course means more sales. And that means more cash for Amazon.

Because the company takes a hefty commission on products sold through its platform, sellers need to put the pencil to the paper to add in the interest expense on the loan into the merchandise price. One can project that in the end, costs will increase for buyers.

** I personally invite you to subscribe to this blog by clicking on the "subscribe link," upper right. And check out our news hub for women-owned businesses at WOBmedia.com.

Wobwire.com is now WOBmedia.com

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 23:07:00 +0000

Four years after launching Wobwire.com, a newswire for women-business owners, and a blog by the same name, we have rebranded. Welcome to WOBmedia.com. The rebranding better represents the mission of this blog and related website: to spotlight female entrepreneurs.

For those of you who have been following me over the years, you know this all started with the idea for a social network just for women business owners. I created MyWomanOwnedBusiness.com and welcomed women to share their challenges and successes with others. The site was a free membership site that grew every time I logged in to check on it. First there was one new member, then a dozen, then women from India and Africa and Egypt, then several hundred more. Some women used the site the way it was intended to be used - by searching for others in the same business or industry and asking questions that would help them grow their own businesses. Others used it strictly as a promotional tool.

After watching the site gain traction, it occurred to me that women needed more resources through which to distribute their news. They needed a place to announce their new products, woman-owned certification, contract awards, etc. Most of the available means were too expensive. BusinessWire, for example, though a wonderful wire service, is just too expensive for the average woman business owner. I then formed Wobwire.com, a newswire for women business owners. I'm happy to say that many took advantage of the low cost alternative for spreading their news.

What has given me the greatest pleasure, however, is meeting and writing about women-owned startups to multi-million ventures. My blog, which started as a print-only effort, then included radio spots and now has lots of video, has been the best forum through which to share their stories. It will be the focal point of our new site, WOBmedia.com, but will appear along with other carefully curated WOB headlines, video and more.

** I personally invite you to subscribe to this blog by clicking on the "subscribe link," upper right. And check out our news hub for women-owned businesses at WOBmedia.com.

Here's what you missed at the California Women's Conference held at the Long Beach Convention Center 9/23-23

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 03:13:00 +0000

If you were among the estimated 5,000 or so that attended the California Women's Conference on Monday, here are some great pics of those on stage. Enjoy.

The CWC Opens its doors

Helen Reddy sings "I Am Woman"

EventComplete CEO and CWC Executive Producer Michelle J. Patterson addresses an estimated 5,000 attendees

Gloria Allred addresses conference attendees

CWC speaker Fran Dresher

Women from "The Waltons" TV show

Melissa Manchester débuts “Beloved”

Speaker Marcia Cross addresses the crowd

JoAnne Worley, Erin Murphy, Tippi Hedren, Lee Purcell and Kate Linder

Michelle J. Patterson thanks the Legend Ladies panel members, Rose Marie, Tippi Hedren, Carol Channing and JoAnne Worley

** I personally invite you to subscribe to this blog by clicking on the "subscribe link," upper right. And check out our news hub for women-owned businesses at WOBmedia.com.

Amy Millman's BEST success tip

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 02:55:00 +0000

Amy Millman is president of Springboard Enterprises, an organization she co-founded that is dedicated to helping women business owners find equity capital. Hundreds of women have raised more than a billion dollars to help with product development and expansion, thanks to the counseling, resources and support they've received from the nonprofit.

I caught up with Amy at the California Women's Conference today where she was the facilitator for a breakout session for female entrepreneurs called "Dolphin Tank," a lighter and more positive version of ABC's "Shark Tank." Here's what she said when I asked her what her single most important piece of advice is for women business owners.

** I personally invite you to subscribe to this blog by clicking on the "subscribe link," upper right. And check out our news hub for women-owned businesses at WOBmedia.com.

Request for proposal: Energy company will give preference points to women-owned businesses

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:56:00 +0000

If you're in the "market research" space, here's an RFP for you to consider. You'll be given preference points in the review process because of your woman-owned status. ( Pretty sure you have to be a certified WOB. )

This was sent to me with the request to help get the word out about the opportunity. Note the Oct. 9 deadline.

Good luck! Please let me know if you're awarded the contract.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 24, 2012:

The California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE) is requesting proposals to provide CCSE with a baseline brand assessment for the state-wide energy management brand, Energy Upgrade California. All qualified market research vendors are encouraged to submit a proposal. CCSE is awarding Preference points to proposals from Women/Minority/Disabled Veteran owned Enterprises (WMDVEs).

The purpose of the assessment is to establish consumer awareness and knowledge levels for the brand, associations consumers have with the brand, consumer awareness/knowledge about energy management topics the brand covers, and consumer intent to participate in the energy management topics the brand covers.

The deadline for submitting a proposal is 5pm PDT, Tuesday October 9, 2012. CCSE is hosting a pre-bid conference call at 4pm PDT, Wednesday, September 26. A link to register for this call can be found at: www.energycenter.org/2012EnergyUpgradeCaliforniaBrandAssessment

CCSE understands that the turn-around time is aggressive for a project with this scope (roughly 8 weeks from award of contract to delivery of final report). CCSE encourages firms to consider teaming up with other firms to accomplish the work within the timeline and budget requirements. CCSE will post a list of firms it has reached out to with this RFP, on the website above. (Please note that this listing does not represent intent to bid. CCSE is providing the list to help facilitate collaboration opportunities with other qualified firms to meet the project’s aggressive deadlines.) Firms who feel the timeline is too aggressive should not be discouraged from applying.

This brand assessment is an important phase in the development of Energy Upgrade California brand, and will help inform the brand’s marketing and outreach in 2013-2014.

All RFP information, and required application documents, are posted online for immediate download at:

www.energycenter.org/2012EnergyUpgradeCaliforniaBrandAssessment

** I personally invite you to subscribe to this blog by clicking on the "subscribe link," upper right. And check out our news hub for women-owned businesses at WOBmedia.com.

The WOB Report: August 13, 2012 / California Women's Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 04:22:00 +0000

I sat down with Michelle Patterson, executive producer of the California Women's Conference (and CEO of EventComplete), scheduled for Sept. 23-24. Patterson is resurrecting the conference made popular by former California first lady Maria Shriver. The conference went dark last year as Shriver moved on, and Patterson talks about why she became involved and what attendees can expect.

** I personally invite you to subscribe to this blog by clicking on the "subscribe link," upper right. And check out our news hub for women-owned businesses at WOBmedia.com.

The WOB Report: July 27, 2012 / Teaming up to win government contracts ... and more!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberly A. Porrazzo) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 23:09:00 +0000

** I personally invite you to subscribe to this blog by clicking on the "subscribe link," upper right. And check out our news hub for women-owned businesses at WOBmedia.com.

WOBmedia.com

Step No. 1: Setting up the legal structure of your new business

Legal Do’s and Don’ts for Small Business

Trademark tips to consider before you open

IPSY: You want to be her.

Estrogen may finally win over testosterone in business world

Eva Longoria testifies in front of U.S. Senate on behalf of Latina businesswomen

Wells Fargo pledges $55 billion in loans to women-owned businesses by 2020

The SBA is making it easier to fund your great business idea

A profile of America's women business owners

LOVE THIS!: Milk & Honey lets you design your own shoes

Think INSIDE the box

How to hook an investor

LOVE THIS! The Wrapadoo

For Tech Coast Angel attendees

Europe to support budding women business owners

LOVE THIS! - A new feature

The "Dolphin Tank": Springboard Enterprises

The WOB Report: Oct. 12, 2012 / SBA loans $2.5 billion to women business owners in fiscal year 2012

The pie princess: Marie Callender

Amazon.com: Your new banker?

Wobwire.com is now WOBmedia.com

Here's what you missed at the California Women's Conference held at the Long Beach Convention Center 9/23-23

Amy Millman's BEST success tip

Request for proposal: Energy company will give preference points to women-owned businesses

The WOB Report: August 13, 2012 / California Women's Conference

The WOB Report: July 27, 2012 / Teaming up to win government contracts ... and more!