2nd Annual O.C. Women Business Owners Conference set for 3/22

Rancho Santiago Community College District
For Immediate Release: February 14, 2013
Contact: Judy Iannaccone, Director, Communications, Phone: (714) 480-7503, E-mail: iannaccone_judy@rsccd.edu

Orange County SBDC, IWE, SCORE, and SBA Host 2nd Annual Women Business Owners Conference on March 22

*Fast Forward Growth: Strategies to Increase Your Sales in Today’s World*

(Santa Ana)—Women are starting more and more businesses every year, according to studies conducted by American Express and The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In fact, in the last 15 years, the number of women-owned companies has increased by 54 percent and their revenue has increased by 58 percent. According to the U.S. Census, there are more than 27 million small businesses nationwide, and more than 28 percent are owned by women. Nevertheless, only two percent of women-owned businesses bring in more than $1 million in annual revenue, versus five percent of all firms.

To support the success of women-owned businesses in Southern California, as part of its women’s initiative, the Orange County SBDC; the Institute for Women Entrepreneurs (IWE); SCORE Orange County; and the U.S. SBA Santa Ana District Office have teamed up to host the 2nd Annual Women Business Owners Conference at the Anaheim Marriott, 700 West Convention Way, Anaheim, CA, on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The conference’s theme is “Fast Forward Growth: Strategies to Increase Your Sales in Today’s World.”

The full-day conference, designed especially for women business owners, will address strategies to overcome the unique challenges and issues relating to growing a business in today’s economy. Conference registration is $125. Registration includes breakfast, lunch, parking, no-charge business consulting, and full access to presentations by business experts. For more information and to register, contact (714) 480-7455 or visit www.wboconference.com.

“This very exciting event is designed to help women business owners accelerate in sales and capitalize growth. Our goal is to help women business owners grow and thrive in today’s economy,” said Elizabeth Arteaga, associate director and head of women’s initiatives at the Orange County SBDC.

“The conference will bring together more than 300 like-minded business owners to network and to learn more about social media, branding, access to capital, sales techniques, and motivation. Our goal is that our keynote and conference speakers will inspire and set Southern California women business owners on a path to even greater success,” said Kari Irwin, director of the IWE.

The Women Business Owners Conference boasts a schedule of expert speakers, including keynote speaker Lee Clow, the advertising industry legend responsible for some of the most memorable and well-known advertising
in the world, who is currently the global director of media arts with TBWA/Worldwide and chairman of TBWA/Media Arts Lab. Clow was the creative force behind the Energizer Bunny, the Taco Bell Chihuahua, and the Apple Think Different campaigns among others. Also in the conference lineup is branding guru Liz Goodgold. Goodgold’s “go to market” strategy has boosted results for Quaker Oats, Arcoa, Akzo Nobel, Times Mirror, and Univisión. The conference’s third keynoter is Tom Patty, former president and worldwide Nissan account director for Chiat/Day Advertising, who helped build the advertising agency’s revenues from $30 million to more than $100 million a year.

This conference is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Wells Fargo, SCORE Orange County, Westminster Veterinary Group, US Bank, and many others. Additional sponsorship opportunities ranging from $500 to $20,000 are available.

About the Orange County SBDC

The Orange County Small Business Development Center (Orange County SBDC), an economic development program of Rancho Santiago Community College District, is partially supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the California State University, Fullerton and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. The Orange County SBDC is a one-stop source for business development, expansion strategies, contracting opportunities and access to capital.

About the Institute for Women Entrepreneurs

The Institute for Women Entrepreneurs (IWE), an economic development program of the Rancho Santiago Community College District Foundation, broadens the reach of business training and consulting to help women start, grow, and expand their small businesses. The IWE supports local businesses through one-on-one business consulting services, key business workshops geared to the needs of women entrepreneurs and network-building opportunities. While welcoming men to its programs, the IWE caters to the needs of women entrepreneurs. The IWE is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

About SCORE Orange County

SCORE Orange County is one of 360 chapters of SCORE National. It is a nonprofit organization that provides “Counselors to America’s Small Businesses”. The Orange County chapter is one of the largest and most productive in the country. The chapter presently has over 100 trained and experienced all volunteer business counselors that offer their clients an extensive network of business knowledge and experience. The mission is to provide professional business guidance and information to the local small business community in order to enhance the economic vitality of the local economy and to be a pro-active, driving force in the development and economic success of the local small business community.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the SBA has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. SBA provides assistance primarily through its four programmatic functions: access to capital, entrepreneurial development, government contracting, and advocacy.

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