Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends,There are different reasons why people join an organization. When NAWBO was founded, there were no other business groups open to women.It wasn’t until 1974 that The Equal Credit Opportunity Act allowed women to have credit cards in their name without a co-signer, and women were not allowed financing for their business unless there was a male co-signer.Thanks to NAWBO advocating for all women, [...]

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends, As entrepreneurs, our businesses are often our “babies”—we’ve launched them, poured all our passion and energy into them and watched them grow in all sorts of exciting ways. But just like children, the goal should always be to empower them to one day confidently take flight, freeing you up to step away, with little or no involvement, for a short vacation, to care [...]

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends, March is dedicated to you, the woman you are and to the men who stand by you. March is a month to celebrate the strength, resilience and courage of all women. March is a month to recognize the incredible accomplishments of women throughout history and to honor our mothers, sisters, daughters, friends and colleagues. March is a month to empower and support each [...]

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends, This Black History Month, let us celebrate the incredible women business owners who have achieved success in their respective fields. As we honor the countless women of color who have been trailblazers in business, let us use their example to inspire us to strive for greatness. Let us strive to create a more equitable and diverse business world that embraces the unique perspectives, [...]

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends, As we start the new year, I would first like to recognize the Board of Directors who contributed to our success in 2022. Their leadership and commitment is immeasurable. Flor Harris, Chair, NAWBO Silicon Valley Education Group Maxine Goulding, Communications/Marketing Director Robin Fisher, Membership Director Lauren Mader, Programs Director Wendy Roberts, Treasurer Eleonora Tomasello, Corporate Partner Director Lorena Camargo, Secretary Marina Gatto and [...]

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends, Fall is in the air, my most favorite season in the year. Thank you to our sponsors and all who attended our Crystal Chair Awards Gala. It was a special night with heartfelt recognitions. Congratulations to our awardees: Maxine Goulding, California Special Occasions – Lifetime Achievement Toni Julian, Soul Potential Institute – Businesswoman of Distinction Flor Harris, Benefits Simplified – Woman Business Advocate [...]

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends, Every year Bank of America issues a report on the National Business & Economic Outlook and in the recent 2022 Women & Minority Business Owner Spotlight, small business owners have a positive outlook for their business, as revenue expectations continue to rise and expansion plans have sharply increased. Despite the threat of inflation, supply chain and labor shortages, economic confidence has brightened since [...]

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends, Schools are back in session and our support of the Next Generation continues to expand with members and corporate partners embracing the opportunity to participate and cooperate with our wonderful affiliate organizations. The StartUp Squad, a brand and book series that promotes the belief that entrepreneurship can empower young girls to develop important life skills, follow their passions, and reach their potential. California [...]

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends, NAWBO Silicon Valley is nearing the end of the 2021-2022 fiscal year this month and we are thrilled to report on our accomplishments. As a result of our membership survey, our members indicated they are looking for both in-person and virtual networking events for collaboration, camaraderie, business development and opportunities. Working with the CDC guidelines, our robust programming included: The NAWBO Silicon Valley [...]

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends, “Women seeking to start their own businesses still struggle to access the capital they need. Not only do many entrepreneurs lack access to networks of equity investors and venture capital, but they also receive less than 6 percent of bank loans—even though 43 percent of SMEs are led by women. What steps are financial institutions taking to support women entrepreneurs? Are there new [...]