Generally selling out to an audience of over 525, the East Bay Women’s Conference includes presentations by Lori Nader Gray, author of “From Cover Girl to Cookie Queen” and Christy Kaplan, director of the John Muir Women’s Health Center. Breakout sessions focus on contemporary issues and includes exhibitor booths, a bookstore and book signings. Experts will speak on such topics as personal development, communications and relationships; business leadership; balance and organizational effectiveness; health and nutrition; and money and finance.
There will be free John Muir Women’s health personalized assessments and health tips; refreshments, meals and reception; and prize drawings, according to organizers.
“We are proud to again be a co-sponsor of this stellar conference,” said Angela De La Housaye, founder of the
De La Housaye & Associates is a law firm active with women’s organizations. Founder Angela De La Housaye is a winner of a Women’s Initiative Pacesetter Award and is sponsoring the EBWC for the third consecutive year because of its impact on the
Registration for the all-day EBWC is $165 and pre-registration is required. For more information about the Conference, contact Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, 925.934.2007; www.walnut-creek.com.
· March 7, 2010, Walnut Creek, CA – The
June 30, 2010, Walnut Creek, CA – The Contra Costa Council honored Angela De La Housaye, business attorney and founder of the Walnut Creek law firm De La Housaye & Associates, with the Outstanding Task Force Chair Award at the Council’s annual dinner on June 2. De La Housaye is co-chair of the Contra Costa Council’s Small Business Task Force.
Over the past year De La Housaye and her committee developed a new mission statement, focusing on revitalizing awareness of small business issues in cities throughout the county. She worked with Chamber of Commerce executives from Contra Costa County cities to engage them in the Council’s efforts to advocate for small business and included representatives from state and national legislators who have a stake in Contra Costa County.
“We reached out to the Chamber Executives and the legislators and explained the concept. All of them saw a value to what we were doing and committed to come to a quarterly meeting with our committee,” explained De La Housaye. “It is important to get everyone’s perspective, share ideas and hear their perception of the issues that are critical to small business. This way we were able to vet them and get them out in the open and fully discussed. Each organization and each local community have different priorities and concerned about different problems. By discussing those issues in a constructive forum on a regular basis, we can accomplish a lot.”
“The Council appreciates Angela’s vision for the Small Business Task Force and the award recognizes her excellent leadership over the last months heading that group, bringing her vision to reality,” said Linda Best, Contra Costa Council President.
The Contra Costa Council is a private sector, public policy organization with a membership that includes business, government, education and labor. The Small Business Task Force provides a forum for communications to promote increased participation of small business in the development of public policy. The task force aims to identify and understand the issues facing small businesses and explore potential policy solutions.
In addition to this important Contra Costa Council award, Angela De La Housaye was recently interviewed by womenlawyersonline.com, discussing the many challenges that exist in balancing work and family for women attorneys today. The interview will appear in the online publication after June 19.
· February 23, 2010, Walnut Creek, CA – The fifth annual East Bay Women’s Conference (http://www.walnut-creek.com/ ), entitled “Navigating Change – Facing Forward,” will take place Monday, March 1 at the San Ramon Marriott from 8AM to 5PM. The conference, presented by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and The PMI Group, Inc. in association with Chevron, will be keynoted by award-winning journalist and host of National Geographic Explorer, Lisa Ling.
The acclaimed conference typically sells out to an audience of over 500 attendees and will feature other prominent Bay Area speakers: Kathy Buckley, known as “America’s First Hearing Impaired Comedienne”; Lorrie Sullenberger, fitness expert and founder of Fit and Fabulous (and wife of local hero airline pilot Sully Sullenberger); and Sunne Wright McPeak, president and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund and former Secretary of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency among other government and non-government organizations.
The conference breakout sessions will be presented by industry experts in subjects such as personal growth, business leadership, professional development, women’s health, and financial planning among others. There will be over 40 exhibitor booths, an end-of-day reception with entertainment, refreshments and surprises, according to organizers. In addition, John Muir Women’s Health will offer screenings for cholesterol, bone density and blood pressure.
Among the sponsors of this year’s event is De La Housaye & Associates, a Walnut Creek law firm active with women’s organizations. Founder Angela De La Housaye is a winner of a Women’s Initiative Pacesetter Award and she elected to sponsor the EBWC for two consecutive years now because of its impact on the East Bay and the opportunity for women business owners to gather and collaborate.
“Two years ago I met a woman at the conference, who later became an employee at our firm just by sitting next to her and striking up a conversation,” De La Housaye recalls. “The caliber of business owners and speakers at this conference is practically unmatched. We are very pleased to be one of the sponsors at this East Bay event, anticipated all year, and which continues to sell out, in a compromised economy, because women want an uplifting and positive experience where they can collaborate with like minded business professionals."
Other sponsors of EBWC are The PMI Group, Inc., Chevron Corporation, AAA, AT&T, Artesa Vineyards & Winery, Broadway Plaza, Bay Area News Group, Business Point Impressions, Diablo Publications, Graphics Girl USA, John Muir Health, KGO Newstalk, Miller Starr Regalia, PG&E, Raymond James & Associates, Inc., San Francisco Business Times and Wells Fargo Bank.
About the East Bay Women’s Conference
The East Bay Women’s Conference provides women an opportunity to come together and participate in a program of personal and professional enrichment, development, and networking activities; and to provide women the tools they need on the journey to their personal best as individuals, team members, and leaders in family, community, political, and business arenas. For more information about the Conference, contact Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, 925.934.2007; www.walnut-creek.com
· March 22, 2010, Walnut Creek, CA – The Walnut Creek law firm De La Housaye & Associates announces its solo sponsorship of the East Bay Women’s Conference (EBWC) sponsor dinner “An Evening with Lisa Ling” which took place Sunday, March 21. The dinner honors Lisa Ling and the sponsors of East Bay Women’s Conference held on Monday, March 2. Lisa Ling, the acclaimed award-winning journalist and host of National Geographic Explorer, addressed the challenges facing women in the workplace today.
The invitation-only dinner was held at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The EBWC,
entitled “Navigating Change – Facing Forward,” was tremendously successful last month with all events sold out. Lisa Ling was a keynoter at the event which was held at the San Ramon Marriott and also featured information sessions, other celebrity speakers and networking opportunities for the more than 500 women in attendance.
Angela De La Housaye, founder of De La Housaye & Associates, is very active in local organizations supporting women. She is a winner of a Women’s Initiative Pacesetter Award and has now been one of the EBWC sponsors for two consecutive years because of its impact on the East Bay and the opportunity for women business owners to gather and collaborate. “I think the EBWC has a tremendous impact on the East Bay and is an excellent way for women business owners to effectively network with like-minded business professionals. I’m honored to be the sponsor of the EBWC Sponsor Dinner this year,” De La Housaye said.
A highlight of the day is the Leadership Luncheon during which Women’s Initiative will honor women-owned businesses who embody the Women’s Initiative philosophy of leadership, entrepreneurship and giving back, with the prestigious Pacesetter Award. One business from each of the Bay Area Counties that Women’s Initiative serves will be honored. In addition, one graduate of the Women’s Initiative program will be presented with the Giving Graduate Award, recognizing her tireless support and volunteer work on behalf of the organization.
Additional speakers at the event include Amilya Antonetti, founder of natural cleaning supply company SOAPWORKS, who is the keynote speaker at the conference breakfast, and Kira Villanova, host of Univision’s Al Despertar program, who is special guest host at the Leadership Luncheon.
“This conference started at the request of our program graduates who wanted a way to reunite with classmates, network with peers and give back to their sisters,” said Julie Castro Abrams, CEO of Women’s Initiative. “With the country in economic turmoil, we’re thrilled not only to be hosting this conference for our graduates, but also to be part of building the local economy by helping propel lower income women into business.”
For twenty years Women’s Initiative has supported more than 16,000 women to explore their dream of business ownership and financial freedom. “Small business creativity can lead us out of the current economic downturn,” offered Mark Quinn, district director of the Small Business Administration. “Investing in entrepreneurial women and the organizations that help them succeed is a strategy built on talent and ideas, and needs only opportunity and support to make it happen.”
To find out more about Women’s Initiative and the Live Your Dreams Business Conference for Women Entrepreneurs, go to www.womensinitiative.org. More information on award recipients follows.
Summary of honorees to be recognized at the Live Your Dreams conference:
2008 Pacesetter Awards
San Francisco County – Sylvia Kwan, Kwan Henmi Architecture
As founder of the renowned architecture firm Kwan Henmi Architecture, Sylvia has spent the last 23 years growing the company into the multi-million dollar business that it is today. Sylvia was born in Hong Kong and moved to Los Angeles at age 8. Sylvia gives back in numerous ways to her community by serving as the Board Chair of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Under Sylvia’s leadership Kwan Hemni Architecture has become a model LEED green business and designs projects that reduce the impact on the environment. Besides being a savvy businesswoman, Sylvia also competed on the popular reality TV show, Survivor Fiji. Sylvia’s contributions to Women’s Initiative include donating in-kind architecture services to design a Women’s Initiative Silicon Valley center, as well as personally investing more than $30,000 in the agency.
Contra Costa County – Angela De La Housaye, De La Housaye & Associates
Angela De La Housaye founded the law firm of De La Housaye & Associates in 2000 with the goal of giving clients small-firm attention and large-firm expertise at competitive rates. Today, the firm has grown to three regional offices in California, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek. She serves her community as a board member of the Contra Costa Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the National Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
Marin County – Melissa Bradley, Bradley Real Estate
In addition to her role as Founder and CEO of Bradley Real Estate, Melissa is the #1 Realtor® in Marin County for number of houses sold for the past 10 years. Melissa was born and raised in Marin County and is not only committed to driving the success of the company but is also a long-time supporter of many community organizations, including Women’s Initiative.
Silicon Valley – Linda Gold, M31works
As president and CEO of M3iworks, a web strategy, design and development firm in Silicon Valley, Linda Gold forged the way for women in technology. M3iworks launched in 1981 and today Linda has built her client base to include Sun Microsystems and San Jose State University. Linda was aptly named one of Silicon Valley’s Most Influential Women in 2008 and continues to dedicate her time to community service through the Sustainable Valley Foundation, YMCA, Women’s High Tech Coalition, and Women’s Initiative.
Alameda County – Etrat and Baran Elahi, Nutty Cookie Co.
Based in Emeryville, the Nutty Cookie Co. is a local women-owned business that has brought success to mother and daughter team, Etrat and Baran Elahi. In 1984, after two decades of cooking classes in Iran, France, and the United States, Etrat decided to start her dream cookie business with a $5,000 investment. In 1986, Baran Elahi partnered with her mother in the business and launched the wholesale and online cookie business that grew out the original Albany bakery. The company stocks their delicious cookies and baked goods on the shelves of Andronico's Market, Whole Foods and Mollie Stone's, as well as to corporate clients as diverse as Charles Schwab, Marriott International, Macy's and Amtrak. The company also provides products for about 1,000 independently owned coffee houses and small delicatessens in 20 states as far away as New York.
Giving Graduate Award
Guisell Osorio, owner of Sabores del Sur, a South American cuisine catering company in Contra Costa County will receive the 2008 Giving Graduate Award for her work to support other women-business owners. Guisell grew up in rural Chile and remembers cooking with her grandmother. At a young age, Guisell sharpened her culinary talent and adopted her kitchen philosophy: cook with love. She opened Sabores del Sur, but quickly realized that being an outstanding chef does not translate into immediate business success. In 2004, Guisell enrolled in ALAS, Women’s Initiative’s business training course designed for Latina entrepreneurs. At Women’s Initiative she learned to develop a business plan with the support she needed. Today, her business is booming and she employs 16 people. Her mouthwatering alfajores are favorites in 21 high-end markets, restaurants, and popular Bay Area farmers’ markets.
ABOUT WOMEN’S INITIATIVE:
Women's Initiative for Self Employment is a non-profit organization which provides a safe, supportive environment where high-potential, lower-income women receive training, financing and support to start and grow their own businesses. The organization focuses on women because women are often those in the lowest-paid sectors of our economy. And it is women who, with the start of a successful business, spend more of their increased income on their families and provide higher paying jobs and better economic development opportunities for their communities. For 20 years, Women's Initiative has provided uniquely tailored training, financing, technical assistance, and ongoing support services — in English and Spanish — to improve the quality of life for women, their families and their communities. For more information visit www.WomensInitiative.org.
Some of Women’s Initiative’s recent results:
· Annual household income for participants entering the business program is just $14,000. Two years after training, it leaps to over $37,000.
· Women’s Initiative clients more than triple their overall household wealth and increase their business equity six-fold an average of two years after participating in the business training course.
· The women who participated in our training last year will bring in an estimated $11.7 million in 2008. Over the next five years, total gross receipts for the class of 2007 will be an estimated $78 million.
· 57% of participants reported employing others or self-employment for themselves.