VENTURA COUNTY — Women’s Economic Ventures will present free Spanish self-employment training orientation in Ventura County. Have you wanted to run your own business, but don’t know where to start? Or do you already own a business and want to expand?…
Category: Business
Commentary: June is a time for new faces at two area nonprofit organizations
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 While change is in the air for two 805 area nonprofits, the new faces of those organizations will be quite familiar to local residents. Marcos Vargas has left his position as executive director of…
Local news briefs
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation awarded more than $563,000 in scholarships to 284 Ventura College students in May, the organization reported in a media release. Awards ranged from $500 to $9,500 and were presented by the foundation to recipients…
Finance: Consuls general from Asian countries to visit CSUCI
Panel talk to focus on how local businesses can trade with emerging Asian markets CAMARILLO — Small and medium-sized businesses in Ventura County can and should be trading with emerging Asian markets, according to CSU Channel Islands (CI) economic expert…
Local business information
> The Maritime Advanced Systems & Technology (MAST) will hold an open house and technology expo starting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 10 at the Port of Hueneme, 333 Ponoma St., Port Hueneme. MAST fosters leading-edge technological innovation and integration…
SBCC MESA Program’s transfers surpass 100 mark
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College’s MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Program reached a milestone this spring surpassing the 100-student mark for members who successfully completed their studies at SBCC and will or have transferred to four-year colleges or…
May cover story: Helping youth make the right lifestyle choices
Santa Barbara Healthy Futures program seeks to improve health options for Latino, other youth in the region By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 One in five children between the ages of 6 and 17 is now considered overweight in the…
Commentary: El Concilio Family Services to present Latino Leadership Awards
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 From a university professor and a Vietnam veteran to a successful high school senior, El Concilio Family Services will honor a wide variety of deserving community leaders and programs as it presents its annual…
Local news
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, a nonprofit organization seeking to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold, recently hosted its Eureka! College Road Trip, with a group of local eighth-grade students spending Spring Break exploring college campuses between…
Finance: Household budget building how-to
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) The majority of families must live on budgets. Heads of households where money is no object may be able to spend at will, but many men and women must develop budgets so their families’ everyday…
Local business information
> The CLU Center for Entrepreneurship will presernt “Startup Weekend Conejo Valley” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 1 at the Huddle Campus. The day after the Cal Lutheran New Venture Competition finals, the first Startup Weekend Conejo Valley will be…
Local business information
> The Economic Development Collaborative — Ventura County has launched its “Virtual Business Advisor,” a web-based economic development tool at http://www.qlbs.com/Qonline/EDC/ The free assessment and business assistance program is for businesses of any size, in any industry. EDC-VC is hosting…
Local news briefs
CARPINTERIA — Girls Inc. of Carpinteria has announced that Arianna Lopez, an 18-year-old senior and a long-time Girls Inc. of Carpinteria participant, has been selected as a 2015 scholarship winner in the competitive Girls Inc. National Scholar Program. She was…
Finance: Rebounding from a late start to retirement savings
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Some people do not have the ability to begin saving for retirement early on. Others may have brushed retirement savings aside for so long that they are now worried that it’s too late to begin…
Local business information
> The Office of Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, District 44, has announced a regional workshop designed to help business owners understand the application process to apply for the “California Competes Tax Credit” from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 6 at…
First CEO of Homeboy Industries to speak at CLU’s Corporate Leaders Breakfast on March 3
THOUSAND OAKS — Thomas Vozzo of Thousand Oaks, the first CEO of Homeboy Industries, will discuss his efforts to make the nonprofit more self-sufficient at California Lutheran University’s Corporate Leaders Breakfast in Agoura Hills at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 3 at the…
February cover story: Season of love — and money
Tax season is upon us. Time to gather documents, look at filing options By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 Yes, February is here. Time to start thinking about getting that Valentine’s Day gift or even last-minute planning for that spring…
Finance: 2015 industry outlook
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) As much of the world slowly recovers from the far-reaching economic downturn that began in 2008, the International Monetary Fund has predicted a 3.2 percent growth for the global economy in 2015. Some countries, including…
Local business information
> Anna McRoberts, president of Air Bud Entertainment, will kick off the CSU Channel Islands Spring 2015 Speakers Series at noon Friday, Feb. 6 at Malibu Hall 100. Air Bud Entertainment includes a post-production company, a visual effects company and…
Daniela Ramirez reports on fundraising campaign to launch ‘Eco AlterNATIVE tours: Indigenous Owned Business’
OXNARD — “We are excited to share with you our dream of launching Eco alterNATIVE Tours Sierra Tarahumara, an Indigenous Cultural Tour Company! We have launched a fundraising campaign to start this amazing project,” Daniela Ramirez reported in a media release.…
Tracy Perez has been selected as chair of the Ventura County Civic Alliance
CAMARILLO — Tracy Perez has been selected as chair of the Ventura County Civic Alliance Executive Committee, the organization reported Tuesday in a media release. Perez is a lifelong resident of Ventura County, born and raised in Oxnard. She brings more…
Women’s Economic Ventures to hold free Spanish-language Self-Employment Training orientation sessions in Ventura County on Jan. 17, 20 and 27
VENTURA COUNTY— Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Women’s Business Center is holding free informational orientation sessions in Ventura County to help you determine your readiness for one of WEV’s business courses, the organization reported in a media release. Orientation is required…
Bilingual commentary: The new age of marketing
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor Much…
Contributing to a successful new year
Wishing loyal Amigos805 readers a very Happy Holiday Season and a Very Safe and Prosperous New Year. The new year often brings changes so we are pleased to introduce a couple of options that will make it easier for our…
Forum on ‘California Crossroads Tour: Taking Back our Health and Communities’ to be held Jan. 14 in Oxnard
OXNARD – “When Governor Jerry Brown began his historic fourth term this month, he vowed to position California as a leader in the fight against climate change, in part by moving the state to 50 percent renewable energy by 2030.…
Finance: How senior donors can avoid scams
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Con artists masquerading as charities can victimize anyone, but seniors are especially vulnerable to such criminals. Men and women who perpetrate charitable fraud often target older men and women, feeling that seniors are more likely…
Local business information
> State Treasurer John Chiang to be keynote speaker at Economic Development Collaborative — Ventura County annual meeting from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Spanish Hills Country Club, 999 Crestview Ave., Camarillo. Chiang will talk about…
Women’s Economic Ventures honors Spanish Self-Employment Training fall graduates
Next orientation begins Jan. 6 SANTA BARBARA — A ceremony was recently held in honor of 12 new local entrepreneurs who graduated from the Spanish Self-Employment Training Course offered by Women’s Economic Ventures’ (WEV) Women’s Business Center, the organization reported…
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, USDA hand house keys to 12 Atascadero families
ATASCADERO — Twelve families who worked together to build the majority of their brand new homes under the supervision of Peoples’ Self-Help Housing (PSHH) received the keys to their homes during a ceremony held on Dec. 4, the organization reported this…
Guest commentary: Women’s Economic Ventures encourages shoppers to buy gifts from local businesses this holiday season
SANTA BARBARA — As the holidays are approaching, many are thinking of the right gift to give friends and family members. Many people plan to head to the mall or department stores to purchase this season’s hottest items, but Women’s…
December cover story: Holiday charity event ready to hit the streets
Santa to the Sea Half-Marathon on Dec. 14 to benefit numerous charities in the region By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 It’s beginning to look a lot like — breathing hard, wheezing, thirst and aching muscles. Yes, ’tis the season…
Finance: 7 tips for keeping holiday budgets (and your holiday spirit) intact
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) “No one is so poor that he can’t give a smile, nor so rich that he doesn’t need it.” — Anonymous Holidays are exciting — family visits and special once-a-year meals, celebrating traditions together…
Local business information
> Mark Sylvester, ambassador for 805connect and CEO of introNetworks, will present the talk “Do connections really matter?” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Cal Lutheran Westlake Center, 31416 Agoura Road, Westlake Village. Sylvester has been building online…
November cover story: Groups in region busy helping those in need
Food banks, private businesses, others lending aid this holiday season By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805 While hunger and finding a safe and warm place to sleep remain year-round challenges for many people in the 805 region, the need is…
Local news briefs
SAN LUIS OBISPO — SLO RISE (Respect, Inspire, Support, Empower) has announced a change in office hours to meet funding cuts and increasing demand, the organization reported in a media release. “This decision was made after much deliberation,” Jennifer Adams,…
Business: Career opportunities abound in the nonprofit sector
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Nonprofit organizations require the talents of many different types of workers and not just those looking to volunteer. According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, more than 1.4 million nonprofit organizations operate within the…
Local business information
> The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) will present its next “Hispano Mixer” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at the Heritage Cultural Center, 141 W. Fifth St., Suite E, downtown Oxnard. Patty Centurion of Surepath Financial…
Local news briefs
SANTA BARBARA — Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is seeking produce donors and volunteers for the Foodbank Backyard Bounty Day on Saturday, Oct. 25. Foodbank is calling out to community members with harvest sites (orchards or gardens) in south Santa…
Guest commentary: From Selena to Cristela: Our moment is now
By Miguel Orzoco / Guest contributor Nearly 20 years ago the Latino community lost one of its greatest performers. Selena Quintanilla Perez, the embodiment of our aspirations and dreams, was tragically taken away. She was only 23 years old. We…
Bilingual commentary: Trust, permission and sales
Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor As…
Business: The benefits of business podcasting
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) mall businesses, understand the importance of establishing an online presence. Identifying new content strategies can help keep a company’s name and business motto fresh in the minds of consumers. Search engine optimization, or SEO, and…
Local business information
> The California Employment Development Department will present an “Employee or Independent Contractor Seminar” from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the EDD Tax Office, 4820 McGrath St., Suite 200, the organization reported. The seminar will include information…
Bilingual report: SCORE to present Hispano Mixer on Sept. 26 in Oxnard
OXNARD — SCORE will present a Hispano Mixer from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 at the Heritage Cultural Center, 141 W. 5th St., Suite E, Oxnard. Learn networking techniques in order to better your business and personal life,…
Ventura County Housing Trust Fund issues $900,000 notice of funding availability for farm worker housing
VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Housing Trust Fund (VCHTF) has announce the issuance of its third Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the development of affordable housing in Ventura County, the organization reported in a media release. Linda Braunschweiger,…
California EDD to present ‘Farmworker Fair — Faria Campesino’ on Sept. 7
OXNARD — The California Employment Development Department will present a “Farmworker Fair — Faria Campesino” from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 at the EDD’s West Oxnard Job & Career Center, 636 S. Ventura Road, Oxnard, the organization reported.…
Business: Start a recession-resistant business
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) The latest statistics from the Small Business Administration indicate that two-thirds of new businesses survive two years, while about 45 percent survive four years. Such odds inspire curiosity as to how entrepreneurs have the gumption…
Local business news
> The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County has announced a free listing in 805CONNECT. 805connect is a comprehensive database created to provide an official directory and networking platform to connect all businesses in the 805 area code. More than a simple…
Ventura Harley-Davidson will match every dollar donated until Friday to El Centrito STEAM Fundraising Challenge
By El Centrito Family Learning Centers OXNARD — Ventura Harley-Davidson gave El Centrito and our families a second chance to meet the $5,000 goal for our 5 Days to Raise campaign. When Ventura Harley-Davidson heard that our final fundraising total fell…
Local news briefs
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CI) hosted its second Migrant Summer Leadership Institute (MSLI) for migrant high school students and their parents from July 11-26, university officials reported in a media release. The institute, funded through a grant from the…
Business: Switch jobs with grace, decorum
By Metro Editorial Services (MS) Women leave jobs for various reasons. Some women cite disparities in pay, an inability to advance through the company or incompatibility with a particular place of business as their reasons for seeking new employment, while…