Corporate Partner Corner

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends,

As we step into another dynamic year, I am filled with immense pride and optimism for what we, as a vibrant community of women entrepreneurs, can achieve together. The past year has been a testament to our resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to supporting each other’s growth and success.

Our journey is not just about business growth but about elevating the role of women in the commercial sphere. We are committed to expanding mentorship opportunities, enhancing networking platforms, and fostering collaborations that will propel each of us to greater heights.

I encourage you to actively participate in our upcoming events, workshops, and networking sessions, which are open to all.

Your engagement is the key to our collective strength and progress. Let’s make the most of our diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives to empower each other.

There is nothing like the understanding, encouragement, ideas, and celebration a community of women business owners can offer you on your entrepreneurial journey—whether you are just starting out or are years or decades into it. We are NAWBO, and we are your community.

Here’s to 2024 of remarkable achievements, meaningful connections, and transformative growth!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

#NAWBOSV #NAWBO

Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends,

As we gather our thoughts for this newsletter, it is impossible not to feel a deep sense of gratitude for each of you. You’re not just readers; you’re the heart and soul of the NAWBO Silicon Valley community.

Whether you’re a new member, a long-standing one, or someone who’s been part of our events and discussions, you bring invaluable energy and insights to our community.

A big shout out to our incredible members who run diverse businesses across Silicon Valley. Your stories of innovation, resilience, and success inspire us.

To our dedicated board members and volunteers – your tireless efforts and passion are the engines that drive our initiatives and events.

Let’s also extend our gratitude to our sponsors and partners. Your belief in our mission and your support helps us to create more opportunities and resources for women business owners.

Thank you for being such a crucial part of NAWBO Silicon Valley. Here’s to advancing our mission together, empowering women entrepreneurs, and creating a platform for women in business to thrive.

May this season of gratitude bring you joy, peace, and an abundance of reasons to be thankful.

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” —Helen Keller

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I’ve just returned from the NAWBO Women in Business Conference, and I’m thrilled to announce that NAWBO Silicon Valley has been honored with a special recognition for our outstanding membership retention efforts.

We hosted a delegation from our sister organization, AMEXME, which encompasses a diverse range of businesses in technology, finance, construction, fuel & oil, interpreter service & audiovisual, medical tourism, and agriculture retail with a presence in both Mexico and Texas. NAWBO Silicon Valley remains at the forefront, distinguished as the sole nationwide chapter with an international department.

Additional conference highlights include:

NAWBO pillars: Leadership – Advocacy – Education – Wellness

NAWBO Core Values: humility, integrity, servant heart, team player, open mindedness, reliability, inspiring and community.

NAWBO Advocacy Agenda:

• Addressing the needs of the microbusiness and encouraging emerging entrepreneurs
  Workforce
• Accessing capital through increased financial literacy education and digital tools
• Caring for the business owner and caregiving flexibilities for the employee

Creating leadership for a world of change and propelling women into political, social, and economic spheres of power. At NAWBO, we’re all about celebrating amazing women and what they’ve achieved. Come join our lively community and share the excitement with a friend, inspiring them to be part of the journey with you and make the most of the NAWBO fall membership drive and seize the opportunity.

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” —Helen Keller

#NAWBOSV #NAWBO

As we step into National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are reminded of the diverse and impactful legacies of Hispanic and Latino communities. Spanning from Mexico to Central and South America, Spain, and the Caribbean, these cultures have contributed rich traditions, groundbreaking innovations, and powerful narratives that have shaped our world. This month, let’s immerse ourselves in this vast heritage, celebrating the stories, achievements, and contributions that continue to inspire.

It is only fitting to shine a light on those remarkable Latinos leading the charge into our future. It is with immense respect and admiration that I celebrate the honorees of the 12th Annual Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit this coming October 7th, 2023. This summit not only recognizes excellence but fortifies the foundation of our ever-evolving professional Latinx community. To the visionaries and pioneers making a difference: Your impact is felt and cherished.

Last month, I had the distinct honor of attending the 50th Anniversary of the County of Santa Clara Commission on the Status of Women. Hosted at the Linkedin Campus, this monumental event was further elevated by the insights and wisdom shared by our esteemed State Controller, Malia M. Cohen, who graced us as the keynote speaker. I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Commissioner Maria O’Hollearn for her gracious invitation, making it possible for me to witness and partake in this pivotal celebration.

The celebration continues with our most recent joint event with the Dynamic Women’s Council of the Silicon Valley Capital Club – Empowering Together: Unleashing the Force of Community Involvement. A special thank you to the panelists Harbir Bhatia, CEO of Silicon Valley Central Chamber and Rotarian Hung Wei, Mayor and Councilmember with City of Cupertino and Rotarian, Gabriela Chavez-Lopez, Executive Director of the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley and Mary Hughes, Political Strategist and Consultant, and moderator Glora Hoo, League of Women Voters.

At NAWBO, we uplift and champion the successes of remarkable women. Be part of our vibrant community and inspire a friend to join the journey with you!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead

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We hope this message finds you rejuvenated and ready to conquer new horizons after a well-deserved summer break. As the days begin to transition towards the crispness of fall, we’re thrilled to welcome you all back to NAWBO Silicon Valley.

The upcoming months promise exciting opportunities for growth, learning, and achievements. Let’s harness the energy of summer’s optimism and channel it into our business endeavors, turning challenges into stepping stones to success.

This summer we had a successful board retreat and created an eventful calendar of events for the year which include monthly mixers, virtual and in-person educational programming, collaborative events with our community partners, and a second annual fashion show.

I was honored to participate as a panelist and speak about NAWBO and community engagement at the LATINA Style, Inc. Business Series held in Stanford. The “Entrepreneur of the Year” awards ceremony highlighted numerous outstanding women, many of which attended our recent Strike Up A Conversation in the Taproom mixer.

Our friends at the Mexican Consulate in San Jose held a successful pitch contest. Their Consular Entrepreneurship Program for Mexican Women Abroad (PCEME) awarded a ten thousand dollar grand prize. Read more about it below.

Celebrating the achievements of other women is what NAWBO does. Join us and bring a friend!

“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” — Serena Williams

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Dear NAWBO Silicon Valley Members & Friends,

Join us in celebrating our 35th anniversary milestone and the conclusion of our fiscal period spanning from 2022 to 2023 this month. It fills us with immense excitement to share the milestones and achievements we have attained.

The NAWBO Silicon Valley Chapter, recognized as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, has ingeniously crafted enjoyable and engaging activities both in-person and virtually.
The Education Group under NAWBO Silicon Valley, our non-profit 501(c)(3), carried on with its educational initiatives. These included an in-person event titled “Marketing Your Business for Success and Growth”, and a virtual gathering with a topic on “Make Time for Your Goals”.
Additionally, fundraising activities were organized at Kendra Scott and the San Jose Sharks – Women of Teal.

Why do we do this?

Our mission is to empower a diverse group of women to attain self-reliance and autonomy. We aim to inspire, bolster, and impart knowledge to women who are running their own businesses.

We persist in our efforts to construct collaborative relationships with various organizations and companies. This is part of our ongoing commitment to augment the benefits we extend to our members through community partnerships. Some of our new partnerships include:

1. Rotary International District 5170
2. Macy’s Valley Fair
3. Latinas in Tech

At our 5th Annual Crystal Chair Awards, we had the honor of acknowledging the remarkable contributions of three women from our community. We encourage you to mark your calendars for the forthcoming 6th annual event scheduled for March 2024.

As I enter my final year as President, my dedication remains unwavering in propelling the Silicon Valley Chapter towards novel frontiers.

I wish to express my deep gratitude to my outstanding Board of Directors, committee members and chapter administrators for their dedication and commitment.

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” — Maya Angelou

#NAWBOSV #NAWBO

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, the Women’s Business Ownership Act was passed into law in 1988.

Women in business today are shaping industries, driving innovation, and challenging traditional norms. Through their resilience, determination, and achievements, they are inspiring future generations and transforming the corporate landscape. By continuing to break barriers, advocating for gender equality, and supporting one another, women in business are creating a more inclusive and equitable world, where talent and opportunity know no gender boundaries.

In addition, we have created the 4 Cs of the NAWBO network for women entrepreneurs to lead their communities and create business opportunities for others:

Capital – Education and resources you need to choose the best financing options for your business.
Confidence – Leadership training and tools necessary to grow personally and professionally.
Community – A community of women who support women and provide the catalyst for change across the country and the world.
Capitols – An advocate for you and your business with elected officials from the nation’s capital to your state capitol.

We are creating leaders for a world of change, join our leadership and be a part of history in the making.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

#NAWBOSV #NAWBO

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 for an aging parent or eventually to retire. We’re talking about building a business that can run successfully without you involved in day-to-day operations and surviving unforeseen circumstances.

At our recent Business Journeys virtual event we heard from NAWBO member, Diana Dibble, president/co-founder of Design To Delivery Inc, and the CEO of Tripod Coaching & Consulting LLC™. Despite facing major health issues, Diana was able to not only maintain her existing business but also start a new one. This demonstrates the power of entrepreneurship and the ability of small business owners to adapt and thrive in difficult circumstances. Her story also underscores the importance of community and support networks for small business owners like NAWBO and serves as an inspiration to other entrepreneurs who may be facing their own challenges and struggles.

The National Small Business Week, celebrated during the first week of May every year, takes place from April 30 to May 6 this year. The aim of this week is to honor the entrepreneurs of our country, who have played their part in bringing new ideas to life and growing our economy. The goal is to encourage small business owners to learn from the marketing campaigns and operations of larger businesses, to scale up their own operations.

Join us May 2 – May 3, 2023, for the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE. Attend this free, virtual summit to learn new business strategies, meet other business owners and chat with industry experts! This 2-day, action-packed event will include educational sessions, online business resources, and expert speakers.

“The biggest mistake a small business can make is to think like a small business.” — Aruna Bhayana

#NAWBOSV #NAWBO

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 other and to recognize the ongoing fight for gender equality. March is a month to be proud of who you are and to appreciate those around you. Let’s come together to celebrate all the amazing women in our lives.

Join us on March 29th for HERstory in the Making – A Free Virtual International Summit held via Zoom. NAWBO is bringing women business owners from the four corners of the globe together for HERstory in the Making during Women’s History Month with a panel, roundtable discussions and speed networking to explore how to be part of this important transition with global opportunities and impacts.

Save the Date April 21 at 11 a.m. PT/1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET NAWBO Certification Open Forum. NAWBO Institute Certification has been up and running for months now. It’s time to reconnect and share what’s happening and what’s still to come with this program that’s giving all women business owners access to WBE and MWBE certification as a tool to grow. Come prepared to listen and ask questions as you consider if certification is the right next step in your entrepreneurial journey!

It’s important to take a break from life’s hustle and bustle to appreciate the beauty around us. Enjoy the moment, appreciate the beauty of nature, and take a deep breath of the sweet scent of the roses. Life is full of moments that are worth savoring, and stopping to smell the roses can be an opportunity to pause and reflect on the beauty in life. Happy Spring.

“Some leaders are born women.” ― Geraldine Ferraro

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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, skills, and talents of our communities. Together, we can make history and build a brighter future for generations to come.

Last week I attended the NAWBO Leadership Academy and left inspired. My take-aways:

• My vision – My story.
• Be intentional.
• Vulnerability leads to transformation.
• Ignite your vision by taking action.
• Share your vision.
• Imagine what is possible.
• Own the space that you are in.
• Never give up.

“We remember this and more so that we might imagine a day for the girl without such firsts, Where the wind opens the floodgate for the river of women behind her.” — Angela Gorman, American Poet and Activist

#NAWBOSV #NAWBO

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 Kim Ng, Public Policy Directors

With the continuous support of our corporate partners, we are dedicated to creating a robust calendar of educational, motivational, and informative events and content in 2023.

Our first event is a book launch by Toni Julian “Sacred Eating” on January 31st. Let’s support our NAWBO sister, please join me and be sure to register.

It is an honor and privilege to continue to serve as the Board President. A special acknowledgement for our back office team Amanda Holliday, Communications Committee and Chapter Administrator team at Project Pros.

Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted by the recent storms. Be safe and see you soon!

“True leadership stems from individuality that is honestly and sometimes imperfectly expressed… Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.” — Sheryl Sandberg

Wishing you health, happiness and success, Happy Lunar New Year.

#NAWBOSV #NAWBO

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 the spring, with confidence in the national economy increasing significantly.
• Inflation and commodities prices remain the top two concerns for business owners, but concern has decreased since the spring. Ripple effects from inflation have increased concerns around interest rates, consumer spending and credit availability. As the threat of a potential recession looms, business owners are confident in their ability to weather economic challenges.
• Women business owners have a positive overall business outlook, with most expecting revenue growth over the next 12 months and a majority feeling equipped to weather a downturn. At the same time, confidence levels around their business and their broader economic outlook are more tempered than their male peers.

To our sponsors and community partners, thank you for your continued support.

To our members, we strive to create powerful content with our quarterly education series and monthly networking events just for you. We are thankful for you.

To my Board of Directors and our behind-the-scenes gurus who work tirelessly to ensure NAWBO Silicon Valley preservers, my heartfelt appreciation for your dedication. In alphabetical order:

Amanda Holliday

Eleonora Tomasello

Flor Harris

Kim Ng

Lauren Mader

Lorena Camara

Maxine Goulding

Project Pros – Lauri, Katie & team

Robin Fisher

Wendy Roberts

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” –– John F. Kennedy

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

#NAWBOSV #NAWBO