#NAWBO CALIFORNIA NEWS
President's Message
Dear NAWBO leaders, members, and friends,

I would like to give thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of our NAWBO community. Without your businesses, your sponsorship, and your support, we would not be able to advocate for women owned businesses across California. 
 
I recognize many of you are traveling, cooking, or preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving in your own way. I will keep this month’s letter short and express my gratitude and one event that’s right around the corner. 
 
Please register to attend the virtual Resources to Develop Your Business this Tuesday, November 30th. Read more below and be sure to register to share any holiday offerings you would like to showcase. We will be launching a pop-up NAWBOutique to share our members holiday products and services. Please be sure to submit your information with your registration.
 
I am thankful to continue to work with and support our NAWBO community and grateful for all that we’re doing together. Happy Thanksgiving!

In sisterhood,

Amber Wallace
NAWBO-CA President
President & CEO, Dowitcher Designs
Past President, NAWBO Santa Barbara
November 30 | 12:00 - 1:30 | Zoom | Please register in advance

Join NAWBO-CA for a unique virtual pop-up event! Learn how to leverage PG&E’s resources to grow your business; PG&E representatives will teach us about their Supply Chain Responsibility Program, Inclusive Supply Chain, Technical Assistance Program, Online Learning Management System, and more.

Round out your afternoon and check some names off your holiday shopping list by visiting our online Holiday NAWBOutique that debuts directly following the event! 
PROPEL 2022 IS COMING!
Please circle May 16-17, 2022 on your calendars for Propel 2022!

More information will be available as the date approaches.
NAWBO-CA Advocacy & Public Policy report
 
We have a month and a half before the legislature returns from its interim recess on January 3, 2022 to resume the second half of the 2021-22 session. The Senate and Assembly are already putting together their bill packages for introduction in the new year.

In the discussions with the Governor’s office, his priorities for the new year will include pandemic and wildfire recovery, relief, and resilience for California’s small businesses. The Governor’s office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is preparing the protocols for the various grant programs that will be offered to small businesses in the first quarter of 2022 in an effort to assist small businesses as they struggle to build their base to pre-pandemic standards. Additionally, the Governor is also planning to provide new ideas to address our state’s increasing homeless crisis.
Meet an inspiring 2021 Pathways Program graduate!
Angela DePaoli founded Bargas Environmental Consulting in 2012 to combine her passions for natural sciences and for sustainable development and growth in California. As its sole proprietor and leader, she brings her experience in managing complex projects for the gas and electric transmission energy sector, residential and commercial land development, as well as state and federal transportation projects to guide timely innovative solutions for Bargas clients.

Under Angela’s leadership, the company has expanded from the headquarters in Sacramento to include five offices throughout Southern California. In addition, Angela serves on the Sacramento Ballet Board and the Breathe Southern California Board. She is Immediate Past President of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and is a member of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; a mentor for the Association of Women in Water, Energy and Environment; and received the Latina Excellence in Business Award in 2015; the Women on the Way
Courageous conversations are the start of any healing process. Join NAWBO and the National Federation for Just Communities (NFJC) of WNY, Inc. for a monthly virtual series of DEIB Circle events starting in November designed to empower, encourage and support you in your diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) journey.

We’ll explore:
  • Ways we communicate with one another
  • How to become better listeners (a skill we need now more than ever!)
  • Social issues that impact our ability to empathize
  • How to understand our differences

Become an active participant in overcoming the many divides that separate us! Each session will bring our community closer together in a DEIB Circle format for respectful dialogue with the goal of learning from and with one another. Sessions begin with large group discussions followed by facilitated small group conversations.
SESSION  DATES
Times: 3:00
Click on the dates to register
On October 28, the San Diego chapter virtually celebrated the 2021 recipients of the BRAVA
awards. Chapter President and President/Founder of HERA HUB Felena Hanson announced winners in 6 categories, leaving some recipients literally speechless as they accepted their awards. Entering its second decade, the BRAVA awards celebrates the accomplishments of
female entrepreneurs in San Diego County. And the accompanying silent auction assists women supporting NAWBO San Diego’s initiative to empower and amplify the voices of diverse women business owners through our Diversity & Inclusion Membership Scholarships.

Congratulations to the BRAVA! Awards 2021 Winners
Corporate Leader Award: Michelle Vargas, Illumina
Resilience Award: Kelly O'Hara, Uplift Accounting
Women's Advocate Award: Samara Hakim, CultureGrit
Rising Star Award: Mehran Sorourian, Khoshhaulam
Trailblazer Award: Rema Abedkader, Aparellel
Woman Business Owner of the Year: Angel Mason Broadus, Puzzle Pieces Marketing
San Diego: A Gatsby Holiday Party | December 9 | San Diego

SFBA :: How to Get Contracts with Large Corporations | December 14 | Virtual 
The NAWBO-CA office will be closed on November 25 and 26. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!