National Association of Women Business Owners Getting Active Here

Three years ago, a group of Santa Barbara businesswomen came together for the purpose of opening a chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). By April 2007, the group had 25 members attend its first official meeting. Today in 2010, it has 85 members, 19 of whom have joined in just the last few months. Asked about the surge in membership, Santa Barbara’s NAWBO Executive Director Cathy Feldman said the organization “has a lot to offer. It took a little while for things to get focused, but now the rise in membership should be expected.”

One of the perks of membership is a card conferring discounts at office suppliers and restaurants, Feldman said, but more important is the members’ mutual support. The Santa Barbara chapter hosts two socials each year, one in the summer and another around Christmas. These, she said, are opportunities to meet fellow business owners who may have similar concerns and can offer advice or opportunities. NAWBO also hosts several seminars each year that anyone may attend. A recent seminar discussed the incorporation of Facebook and Twitter into business, and how to get started with these programs. At the end of this month, the chapter will host an event sponsored by MarBorg Industries, educating the audience on how to save money through eco-friendly practices.

For more information on NAWBO-SB or its seminars, or to join, visit the Web site.