Taking the High Road

At Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), we believe success isn’t just measured in profit — it’s measured in impact. Across Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, and the Central Coast, we coach and fund women-owned businesses that choose to take the high road: competing on quality, integrity, and community value rather than cutting costs at the expense of people or the planet.

What It Means to Be a High-Road Business

High-road businesses invest in their people, their communities, and their environment. They follow the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—and believe that strong values and strong performance go hand in hand.

That means:

• Paying fair, family-supporting wages and offering benefits.
• Providing training and opportunities for growth.
• Operating sustainably and minimizing environmental impact.
• Fostering inclusive, supportive workplaces.
• Building connections that strengthen the local community and economy.

These practices don’t just feel good—they make businesses stronger. Research consistently shows that high-road companies enjoy higher employee retention, better customer satisfaction, and greater long-term profitability.

How WEV Helps Businesses Get There

For more than 30 years, WEV has helped thousands of local entrepreneurs turn their vision into reality—supporting women-owned businesses that drive economic equity and community well-being across the Central Coast.

Through classes, consulting, and access to capital, we teach and coach business owners to adopt high-road strategies from day one:

• In our business training programs, entrepreneurs learn how to align purpose with profit, develop financial stability, and design workplaces that empower people.
• In one-on-one coaching sessions, WEV advisors help clients refine hiring, build team culture, and integrate sustainability into operations.
• Through loans and microgrants, business owners gain the resources they need to invest in quality equipment, better working conditions, or new green initiatives.

When a local café raises wages and creates a career pathway for baristas, or a design studio sources eco-friendly materials and partners with other women-owned suppliers, that’s the high road in action—and WEV is proud to be part of the journey.

Building a High-Road Economy for the Central Coast

WEV’s work goes beyond individual entrepreneurs. Together, we’re building a regional ecosystem where values-driven, high-impact businesses can thrive. When local companies pay fair wages, practice sustainability, and reinvest in their communities, they create ripples that strengthen the entire Central Coast economy.

By fostering collaboration and connection among women-owned and small businesses, WEV helps shape a future where doing good and doing well are one and the same.

Join Us on the High Road

Whether you’re launching a start-up or growing an existing business, WEV can help you align your mission, values, and bottom line. Let’s build a local economy that uplifts people, protects the planet, and prospers together.

Learn more about how WEV supports women-owned businesses across Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, and the Central Coast at wevonline.org.

Author

Nicki Parr

Date

October 22, 2025