Why Buy Local?

By Noa Kornbluh, Fall Fellow

One often hears the slogan “buy local,” but I was never really convinced that buying local made a significant impact.   Why buy local when local goods are often more expensive and less convenient than products from national chains?   Not too long ago I came across a powerful economic argument for buying local.  I was told that for every dollar spent at a national store 13% goes back into the local economy and if that same dollar was spent at a locally-owned business 43% returns to the community.  That is a 30% difference made with each dollar I spend, and that is a significant impact. 

This statistic comes from a study done by Civic Economics in Austin, Texas comparing the economic impact of local versus national book stores.  Civic Economics repeated a similar study in the San Francisco area.  The San Francisco study produced the same striking results, indicating that local businesses contribute much more to the local economy than national chains.  Economists found three aspects of local versus national businesses that create a profound difference in the impact on the local economy.  First, due to scale, local businesses have a higher ratio of jobs per market share.  National chains have corporate offices where they employ accountants and other administrators who work for the whole company.  Local businesses staff these jobs locally.  Second, local enterprises source more of their goods locally than national chains.  Due to convenience and scale, local business owners are more likely to buy from other local businesses instead of global suppliers.  Lastly, in local businesses a larger percentage of profits stay in the community.  Profits from small local businesses are spent by business owners in their neighborhoods on goods and services such as rent or going out to eat.  National and international businesses have stock holders located all over the world who share in profits.  Buying local may at times be more expensive or less convenient but it is an investment in the neighborhood we live in.  In the long run, the choices we make on a daily basis will shape the economic future of our community.

Women’s Initiative graduates work towards starting locally-owned businesses and in doing so they strengthen local economies.  Graduates open store fronts, provide jobs and invest in their communities.  When you purchase goods or services from a Women’s Initiative graduate you are not just supporting an incredible woman and entrepreneur, you are also investing in the local economy. 

To support both local businesses and Women’s Initiative graduates purchase tickets to the Love Local event happening at the Caine Shulte Contemporary Art Gallery in San Francisco on Friday November 16th.

Alameda County Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

By Elizabeth Lanyon, Women's Initiative Senior Grant Writer

Photos by Lily Dong, www.lilydongphotography.com

Attendees of the Alameda County Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

Every year, Women’s Initiative hosts Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrations to recognize the exceptional contributions of women business leaders.  This year was no exception as we held events in Contra Costa County, Silicon Valley and Alameda County to celebrate the success of women entrepreneurs.   Held at the Berkeley City Club on October 12 with more than 200 guests, the Alameda County celebration this year was especially moving.   

The Berkeley City Club was built by Julia Morgan and opened in 1930 as a social club and residence for women.  Julia Morgan was a leader in her own time, one of the first women to graduate from UC Berkeley with a degree in Civil Engineering, the first woman to be accepted at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris for architecture, and the first woman architect licensed in California.  

Shoppers enjoying the Graduate Marketplace

Standing in the library and balcony which held the Women’s Initiative Graduate Marketplace, it was clear that Julia Morgan had big plans for the women who would pass through those rooms.  The building design brings the outside in, creating a space for women to socialize, educate and become ambassadors for the changes that would shape women’s history.  Women’s Initiative shares many of these same values for women entrepreneurs, encouraging out clients to learn from each other and collaborate in business to leverage skills and experience that can help their businesses grow.  

Maricruz Castro, winner of Graduate Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

 Maricruz Castro, owner of Majestic Maids, was honored for her persistence and resilience in pursuing business ownership.  Despite the road blocks, Maricruz was determined to make a better life for herself. She even taught herself to drive so she could work three jobs to support her family.  She found Women’s Initiative at a difficult time in her life, and realized that she had the potential to build something for her future.  Today, Maricruz is the owner of The Majestic Maids and has five employees.  She is a proud mother and role model for any woman who was told she was never going to make it.   

DeeDee Towery, winner of Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

Deedee Towery was honored as the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. Her commitment to excellence is undeniable.  Deedee is the Founder and President of ProActiveBusiness Solutions, Inc., one of the leading IT companies in the Bay Area.  Since founding the company in 1998, Deedee now has over 200 employees throughout the United States and Canada.  

Women like Maricruz and Deedee follow the footsteps of our sheroes, who paved the way for all women to pursue their dreams, to let nothing stand in the way of their ambitions.  I definitely got the feeling that we were surrounded by generations of women who came through the Berkeley City Club; women who, just like graduates of Women’s Initiative, knew they had to overcome social challenges and stigmas to achieve their potential.  When the event was over, as the shopping at the Graduate Marketplace slowed, as everyone got back to their offices for the afternoon, Julia Morgan’s story left me with the idea that women can and will make change when given an opportunity, and that change will impact far more than those you can see.  If Julia were at the event, I am sure it would have brought tears to her eyes to see how far we’ve come and what we are truly able to accomplish – one woman, one woman owned business at a time.

Seeing the World Through New Eyes

By Ewelina Salaga, Summer Fellow

Graduates of the San Francisco ALAS class with their certificates and trainer Sandra Murillo (left)

With a smile and confidence in their faces, thirty two graduates from Simple Steps and ALAS classes from the San Francisco branch of Women’s Initiative entered the ING Direct Café on July 18th, 2012 to receive their certificates enabling them to start a new chapter in their lives. This certificate confirms their rewarding accomplishment- exciting, fascinating, and challenging at times. These women finished an eleven week program at Women’s Initiative that prepares them to establish their own business, ranging from being a math tutor to a professional health adviser. Not only does the program teach women business plan preparation and break-even point analysis but also, most importantly, confidence, self-esteem, and improved communication skills, so essential in the business world.

Proud grads share their business pitches with confidence

Indeed, remarkable achievement was seen when each of the graduates presented their own commercial of their new business. There were a lot of touching moments that show how vital it is to be comfortable speaking in public. Some women wouldn’t have been able to do it 11 weeks ago but with the Women’s Initiative program, the graduates were able to overcome obstacles. With a different level of confidence and sometimes with a little help in the form of a note, all the graduates proved that they felt comfortable in their skins and at the end they shone on the stage.

Throughout the ceremony valuable advice was given by the speakers. As Adriana Lahl, one of the previous graduates of the Women’s Initiative program currently running her own business said, by working hard, paying bills on time, improving their credit score, the graduates will get what they want to get so success is in their hands. Also, she reminded the graduates to continually invest in clients, training, and consulting. At the end, Nicole Levine, the executive director of Women’s Initiative, summarized the ceremony by highlighting importance of staying connected with Women’s Initiative and being an active member of the SuccessLink Program that connects people and businesses.

After the ceremony all the proud graduates with their families and friends mingled together around a cake and appetizers to talk about their future plans, plans that are exciting and the graduates look forward to realizing. Certainly, with greater confidence, competence, and belief in them, the graduates from now on will perceive the world through new eyes, more bright and colorful.

It's a family affair!

Crossing the Finish Line

By Amanda Putnam, Guest Blogger

Anticipation lingers in the air as smartly dressed families wait patiently for the night to begin.  Graduates clutching congratulatory bouquets and wearing ear-to-ear grins are easy to spot amidst the crowd.  Two Simple Steps classes and two ALAS classes from the North Bay branch are gathered in the beautiful Marin Civic Center auditorium to mark their achievements in finishing the business training courses offered by Women’s Initiative.

This celebration marks the culmination of eleven weeks of classes, sixty-six hours of classroom time, plus countless more spent completing individual business plans.  For the vast majority of Women’s Initiative’s graduates, these tasks are completed despite having full-time jobs & family responsibilities.  The atmosphere swirls with conflicting emotions; sadness that this marks the end of a consistent & communal class setting, but also pride that they have made it to this point.

During the evening festivities, graduates are the star of the show and are highlighted at every opportunity.  The keynote speech is presented by a successful former graduate of the program, and each class elects representatives to share their thoughts.  Speeches vary between triumphant stories about overcoming personal obstacles and proficient elevator pitches for an upcoming business venture.  Diplomas are presented individually while cameras flash around the room.

Overall, the graduation ceremony is a visible finish line that can also be touted as the start of many successful careers.  Armed with knowledge and a completed business plan under her belt, each graduate holds up her head with confidence as she speaks about her future plans.  And that alone is something to celebrate.

First Open Air Marketplace Attracts Visitors from All Over Concord

Author: Guest blogger, Mechthild von Knobelsdorff, SuccessLink Fellow

Sharon Plousha selling her delicious cookie

Sharon Plousha could not even take a small break – she had just celebrated her graduation from Women's Initiative's Simple Steps program the evening before when she sold her own cookies at the Open Air Market Place in Concord. She was one of 22 local women to exhibit the products of her local business. The range of products was accordingly broad. Visitors could buy products as diverse as sweets, wine, jewelry, special barbecue sauce or a photographer's service. Entering one of the rows of nicely decorated stands, they could already smell the beautiful bees wax candles Jan Schubert crafted. On the other side, Perry's Catering helped to keep bellies full and minds happy as the time passed by. Visitors lined up to taste some of the barbecue and potato salad prepared by the graduate. The next stand invited visitors to enjoy delicious desert of fruit salad and Mexican ice creams.

Barbeque from Perry's Catering

People from all over Concord came to attend this special event, and business people around Water World California used their lunch break to buy a nice gift for Mother's Day, wander around, and eat something. They enjoyed the experience of the market as all vendors were extremely friendly and they had the special feeling that their money would stay in their community. Moreover, the sun broke its way through the morning clouds and warmed people's souls. For Jan's bees wax candles, it almost got too hot, causing them to sweat slightly. “This will give them a nice polish tomorrow,” Jan said.

Jan Schubert's beeswax candles

Surprisingly for many visitors, the open air marketplace was the first of its kind. Very well organized and well attended, the event was a huge success. Sharon sold almost all of her cookies. Her new clients are surely waiting for the next market place already.