Women entrepreneurs
of southern oregon

Manage Your Business to Achieve Your Goals.

Our Small Business Management program is a combination of in-class participation and customized advising solutions to uniquely improve your results in business areas.

This 9-month course meets once per month, starting Thursday, September 25, from 2:00 -5:00 PM at the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center in Medford.
 
The program provides a combination of classroom learning and one-to-one confidential personalized guidance, and allows for intensive networking between the businesses in attendance. Since its start in 1985, the program is widely acclaimed as the most comprehensive small business development course on the market.

The program has the goal of helping business owners and operators develop strategic business skills on topics such as finance, marketing, operations and overall company management.

Click here for the course schedule, topics and other info.

Questions? Call SBDC at 541-552-8300 or email at: sbdc@sou.edu

Request an application at

https://sbdc.sou.edu/programs/

As part of the Rural Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program at the Jackson Country Library, Roslyn Donald, JCLS Business Librarian (and WESO VP!),  has recruited two successful business owners to share their local expertise with others.  The Entrepreneurs in Residence are Don Tipping, owner of Siskiyou Seeds, and Colene Milligan, owner of Sweet Colene Arts.  They will be mentoring a select group of Applegate entrepreneurs this fall.

Don and Colene will also be hosting business workshops this fall focused on rural business. All workshops will take place in person at the Applegate Library in September and October. See below for more information and to register for workshops.  All workshops are free and open to the public.

The EIR program is a partnership between A Greater Applegate (AGA) and Jackson County Library, who work jointly to connect rural entrepreneurs with the information they need to start or grow their businesses.

Thanks go to the Oregon Community Foundation Thriving Entrepreneur grant and the Jackson County Library Foundation for their generous support of the Rural Entrepreneur in Residence project.

Learn more about the Rural Entrepreneur in Residence program
For a full list of workshops, click here

Check out this workshop from the SOU Small Business Development Center to make sure you've got all your bases covered. Even if you've been in business for awhile, you may learn about something you've missed in your plans.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

9/5 - 2:00 to 3:30 PM (Zoom)

10/3 - 10:00 to 11:30 PM (Zoom)

11/7 - 2:00 to 3:30 PM (Zoom)

12/2 - 10:00 to 11:30 AM (Zoom) 

Get the important information you need to know before you start or grow your business. This 1 1/2 hour orientation provides the "nuts and bolts" and more to help you succeed. Bring your questions!

Classes are offered virtually via Zoom. You must pre-register as class size is limited.

Click here for more information or to register!

Topics include:

• SBDC Services - Tools, resources and services.
• Feasibility - Evaluating your business idea and doing the research.
• Legal Structures - Which one is right for you and your business?
• Registration & Licensing - State and Local Rules, Regulations and Licensing Requirements.
• Business Plan Basics - Where to start with writing your business plan. 

Fee is $25

Want to let others know about your business events, sales or other news of interest to the local business community?

First, login to your WESO account. Then, select the "About Us" tab and select "WESO News Blog" to add your post. It's easy and posting is only available to WESO members.

If you want to add a link, make sure to select the link icon.

To be happy - one must find one's bliss.

--Gloria Vanderbilt

Power is not given to you. You have to take it.

--Beyonce

Nikki is the owner of Green Top Planning, Development, Research — a multidisciplinary land use and geographic information systems consultancy specializing in complex, long-range planning and land development. She works with private and public clients to identify innovative solutions for challenging real estate development.

She loves working with diverse stakeholder groups to identify shared goals and build consensus around projects that benefit our communities and clients.

"Build your team, especially if you are a solo business owner. Surround yourself with experts in the parts of your work that can be outsourced. Focus on the things you deliver that are unique to you and that you can do better than anyone else. Let an outside expert handle those tasks that take time away from the tasks that you are the expert in."

Nikki Hart-Brinkley was raised in a family jewelry business and is certified to grade diamonds. She has a degree in anthropology and worked as an archaeologist after college. She worked in human resources until taking time off to be home with her youngest child. When he was old enough to enter preschool, she pursued a career in GIS, fulfilling a lifelong love of all things map-related.

"WESO has provided a supportive environment from which to grow professionally. I appreciate being surrounded by skilled, ambitious women and enjoy celebrating their accomplishments as they thrive in their businesses."

Nikki is relearning how to stand up paddle board, which she has not made time for in ages. She loves traveling with her family in an RV and connecting with friends over a quiet glass of wine. In the evenings, she unwinds with good books and is currently working her way through a stack of spooky folklore.

MORE INFO

greentoppdr.com
nhart@greentoppdr.com

Hi Everyone,

I'm thrilled to contribute to our local community by offering a free workshop in collaboration with The Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library's Tuesday Lecture Series.

REBOOT: The New Human Operating System For A Busy World

11/12 - 7:00pm RVML - 1757 Ashland St, Ashland

Are you feeling overloaded in our busy world? In a global gig economy, where every system is stretched and the world is upside down, humans are lonelier, more disconnected, and divided. Today’s challenges have left many wondering how we continue to exist and thrive.

Individuals yearn for something more amidst the challenges they face. However, they often struggle to pinpoint the precise questions to ask: How can I foster better relationships with others? What lies at the root of my inner turmoil? How do I effectively traverse this complex landscape? How do I not only survive but thrive in the modern world?

There’s an elusive quality to it—craving something deeper and the practical skills essential for navigating today’s world. People grapple with the biggest existential question: Who am I amidst the complexities of today’s world, and how can I navigate it authentically?

A new level of consciousness is needed, where we are aware of and take responsibility for our impact on ourselves, the environment, and others, inviting us to learn and adapt our behavior, creating societies of agile human beings. This is the new Human Operating System.

See more here: https://rvml.org/event/reboot-the-new-human-operating-system-2/ 

I look forward to seeing you there!

Abigail Stason (she/her/hers) WBENC + LGBTQ Certified

Email: abby@abigailstason.com

Website: https://abigailstason.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailstason/

The Wright Motivation provides tailored Nonprofit Advancement Strategy services designed to help nonprofits grow, thrive, and fulfill their missions. RJ Wright specializes in fundraising development, community engagement, and strategic planning, with a focus on maximizing impact through personalized solutions. Her goal is to empower nonprofits by aligning their values with sustainable, long-term success.

RJ partners with nonprofits who address some of the most complex and pressing issues in our communities. These organizations are at the forefront of finding solutions that ultimately benefit everyone.

"...it’s incredibly rewarding to play a role in advancing their missions. By supporting nonprofits, I’m helping to strengthen the core economy, ensuring that the values of caregiving, trust, and mutual support have a lasting impact."

RJ's expertise spans from rebuilding programs and exceeding sales goals to developing strategic partnerships and leading teams to success. In addition, she has provided executive coaching, project management, and fundraising strategy for nonprofits, consistently delivering impactful results.

"In addition to running The Wright Motivation, I am dedicated to serving my community through various volunteer efforts. I currently serve on the Gold Hill City Council, where I contribute to local governance."

She is trained in Restorative Justice practices and volunteers with Resolve Center’s Choice Point program to teach these important practices to 5th and 6th graders. RJ serves on the Citizens Review Board for Jackson County, Oregon, and helps review cases of children in foster care to ensure their well-being and safety. She donates her time and expertise on Catchafire.org, assisting nonprofits with critical projects.

With over 20 years of experience in leadership, business development, and organizational strategy, RJ has held roles such as Director of Customer Service, Client Solutions Executive, and Community Engagement Coordinator across various industries, including telecommunications, hospitality, and nonprofit sectors.

When she's not busy working and serving our community, RJ enjoys going to any body of water and spending the day, reading, crocheting, spending time with her dogs, and connecting with friends and family.

The Wright Motivation
thewrightmotivation.com
rj_wright@thewrightmotivation.com
541.601.9884

Feeling stressed about how to grow your business?  The SOU SBDC offers a 9-month course in small business management.  Ellen Holub, WESO member, teaches the course.

Banner Bank is offering $100 scholarship to the first 25 businesses that apply & get accepted to the program.

Check it out:  https://sbdc.sou.edu/programs/