Since 1991, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has served women and men in both Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Through the economic empowerment of women, WEV seeks to create a society where women and men can succeed in the business world. Aside from providing business training and consulting, WEV has loaned more than $4 million in support of more than 4,000 businesses in town. Next Thursday, April 28, some of those businesses will join WEV at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center for the Santa Barbara County Client Business Expo, which is honoring WEV’s quarter-century of work.
“We hope the community will join us not only to celebrate WEV’s 25th anniversary but also to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions that small businesses make to our local culture and economy,” said WEV founder and CEO Marsha Bailey, who will speak at the free and open-to-the-public event. Below are a handful of businesses who have received a helping hand from WEV over the years:
Chocolats du CaliBressan: Jill-Marie & Jean-Michel Carré spend their days making delicious artisan chocolates that appeal to even the most esteemed chocolatiers, from champagne truffles to Earl Grey bonbons to blood orange soft caramels.