Check out this free workshop from the SOU Small Business Development Center to make sure you've got all your bases covered.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

1/11 - 3:00 to 4:00 PM

2/8 - 3:00 to 4:00 PM

Get the important information you need to know before you start or grow your business. This 1-hour free orientation provides the "nuts and bolts" and more to help you succeed. All materials will be provided. The only thing you need to bring are your questions! Space 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. 

All meetings are held in room 130A at RCC/SOU HEC 101 S Bartlett Street in Medford (cross streets are 8th and Riverside)

You must pre-register as class size is limited.

October's Domestic Violence Awareness month is a way to educate and connect in our community around the efforts to end domestic violence.

For more information on local events, find Jackson County Council Against Domestic and Sexual Violence on Facebook at facebook.com/JCoDVAM.

Also, WESO supports our local Community Works - Dunn House Shelter which provides a safe refuge and support services for women and children to help them escape from domestic or sexual abuse, stalking, trafficking and date violence.  Adults with or without children who are in fear from their intimate partner or family member may need to stay in a safe place while figuring out a longer term plan for safety, or have time to rest and learn about options.

Dunn House Shelter is a large home where several families reside. Food, clothing, and personal care items are provided and the services are free and confidential. Children at Dunn House Shelter have a safe place to play, to spend time with their mothers and to be involved in age appropriate activities. Advocates work with families to provide information, referrals to community services, and needed support.

To find out more and make a donation, go to Community Works - Dunn House Shelter.

Come to the sixteenth annual Rogue Valley Business Resource Forum, a free information event for small business owners and those thinking about becoming entrepreneurs. This is a special opportunity to get free consultations and attend seminars on topics critical to small businesses. Information booths will be staffed by representatives from banking, insurance, and government as well as local trade organizations. WESO will be there!

Get more information or register HERE.

Volunteers are also needed to help before and during the event.

They need help with:

• Assembling packets of information for attendees   
  
• Decorating
• Guiding Exhibitors to their tables for setup
• Monitoring rooms and gathering presentation evaluations
• Helping presenters
• Greeting attendees at the welcome/registration table

Include "Volunteer Interest - Forum 2018" in the subject line and your preferred task(s) and a little about you, with any relevant skills or previous volunteer work.

Hello, WESO Members, we have 3 Business Spotlight months available.  It costs $20.00 and can be paid online but you must reserve it in advance with me (Joyce Crain). You get your own 6 ft table to display your business, talk for 10 minutes before the speaker and can put information on each table to advertise.  Great advertising opportunity!!!

Three dinner meetings in 2019:

Apr 11

May 9

June 13

*** please note September's networking event is Sept 20th AND February's is Feb 7th a change from our normal 2nd Thursday evenings.

*** the Expo next year is March 9th, a Saturday 12p - 4p. Members can sign up early. Watch the website. (Vendor set up will start at 8:30am)

See you all at the September networking event. Fun games and ice breakers. Bring a friend.

Joyce

YPN's mission is to connect, develop and empower Young Professionals across Southern Oregon to become the region's future business leaders.

If you are passionate about making an impact on our community and your career, please join us for the next opportunity to connect with like-minded peers. Bring a guest and plenty of business cards for networking, light food, and fun!

Our focus is on helping individuals aging 21 - 40(ish). Drinks will be available for purchase.

Brought to you by: The Chamber of Medford/Jackson County YPN Committee, True South Solar, The Southern Oregon Poker Club & SkyOak Financial

Watch for more details on this event or go to http://web.medfordchamber.com/events

It's All About The Sales,

'Bout the Sales

Whether you are selling yourself, your business concept, products, or services, it's all about the sales. Join past SOU SBDC director Jack Vitacco as he presents "Essential Selling Skills" on Thursday, July 19, 2018, from 12:00 - 1:00 PM. No charge to attend.

Location: Southern Oregon University SBDC, Higher Education Center Room 132, 101 S. Bartlett, Medford

REGISTER

Hello, I have joined the Plexus team to meet my goal of weight loss and get healthier numbers on my blood tests. 

Plexus has various products that can help you what ever your goals might be. See my website plexusworldwide.com/joyceacrain and let me know if I can help in any way with information. joycecrain14@gmail.com

See you at the dinner meeting next week.

Joyce Crain

2018 Governor’s Marketplace | Southern Oregon Edition (Josephine County)

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Affirmative Action is delighted to announce a local edition of the Governor’s Marketplace to support Oregon small businesses.

They have partnered with the Secretary of State, Department of Administrative Services and the Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity, to bring opportunities for businesses to meet directly with procurement professionals from state, federal, private and non-profit organizations who will share tips, tools, resources and strategies to aid in business growth, more successfully navigate contracting processes and nurture ongoing relationships.

They give a warm thank you to Oregon SBDC and Taprock Events Center for hosting the day. Also, a thank you to the sponsors who bring this edition at no cost to you!

All businesses within the state of Oregon are welcome. These events are held in different parts of the state solely to make the resources available to all.

REGISTER

Date: May 23, 2018

Time: 7:30am to 1:00pm (Check in begins at 7:00am)

Location: Taprock Events Center - 940 SE 7th Street, Grants Pass OR 97526

NEW! Earn CE Credits. Through partnership with CCB, Contractors can now earn up to 4 CE credits for attending this event. If you only attend certain portions, your earned CE credits will reflect the hours of participation.

Lunch will be provided to all registered attendees.

REGISTER

Questions? Please contact Eloisa Miller, Economic & Business Equity Manager at eloisa.miller@oregon.gov

745: AM to 6:00 PM

Ashland Hills Hotel, 2525 Ashland St, Ashland, OR

Register for a powerful day filled with passionate keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and panel workshops which offer a variety of topics designed to meet all levels of leadership—from those you are currently undertaking, as well as challenges you may face in the near future.

Thought leaders and co-creators gather together for an entire day to inspire and be inspired, to move and be moved, at our annual Women’s Leadership Conference of Southern Oregon (WLCofSO). Guest keynote speakers and breakout sessions focus on a particular theme, providing engaging content for attendees to share and champion.

This year, we tackle Leadership in Action. Each keynote speaker and breakout session topic is intended to invoke action. We invite you to consider in a word what motivates you to take action in achieving your goals. What word represents what you want to manifest over the next 12 months? If you don’t yet know, we invite you to attend the conference to discover your word and see what unfolds!

This event always fills up early so check it out and register now.

https://www.womensleadershipconference.net/conference/sessions/

Sign up now to attend SOREDI's First LAUNCH & Tech Symposium on April 19 where we will hear from experts about how to bring the assets and expertise together to build an ecosystem where new companies, new products, new talent can thrive.

Speakers:

Mary Hebert of WAVTEQ: How Your Community Can Attract & Retain Tech Employers and Workers

Dara Macan of SourceLink: Creating Ecosystem Assets that Connect an Entrepreneurial Community

Vince Anewenter of the University of Milwaukee, School of Engineering: New Technology Related to Prototyping and its Role in Building Business

Participate in Round Table Discussions to brainstorm on how to apply those best practices in Southern Oregon. 

Registration begins at 8:00, program begins at 8:45. Your registration includes coffee, light breakfast, mid-morning break and lunch. 

$75 for Members & $100 for Non Members
Buy your tickets today!

SOREDI LAUNCH and Tech Symposium Info and Registration