Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to the economic empowerment of women – cultivating the power within each woman to realize her dreams, achieve financial independence and succeed on her own terms.

WEV is a business resource network for anyone looking to start a business, grow a business, or improve their business skills. WEV provides small business consulting, funding, and classes, as well financial empowerment and professional development programs and networking opportunities in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Submit a complaint of discrimination, by mail to U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20220, (202) 622-1160 (phone), (202) 622-0367 (fax), or email crcomplaints@treasury.gov (email).

Yes, while WEV’s focus is on women, it welcomes people of all gender identities into the WEV community.

WEV offers classes, consulting, funding, networking opportunities, and other resources in both English and Spanish.

Visit Events to see a calendar with WEV’s upcoming classes, networking events, webinars and special events.

Visit WEV’s Business Directory to search local businesses whose owners are part of the WEV Community. Support your local economy and fellow WEV community members by searching the directory before making purchases of goods and services!

WEV is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Women’s Business Center (WBC), as well as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

While we prioritize serving clients in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, many programs are available to those who live outside the area. See each program’s details page for more information and fill out an interest form to learn more from our staff.

Please click the link to search for an association in your state who can direct you to an organization in your area:

California
California’s Women’s Business Center Network
California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO)

National
Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC)
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
SBA District Offices & Resource Partners

As a non-profit corporation, WEV is supported by a variety of funding sources including grants, donations, and program fees. WEV offers some free services and charges a nominal fee for two reasons:

1. We believe that clients are more committed to their success in our programs if they invest their own money in their training, and
2. Program fees are an important component of WEV’s sustainability. The funding allows us to continue serving our local business community.

Several local photographers (including WEV client businesses), as well as WEV staff, took the photos you see on our website, including:

• Willa Kveta Photography, willakveta.com
• JNorth Productions, jnorthproductions.com
• Nick Ouellette, npophoto.com
• West Coast PhotoBooth, wcbooth.com
• Sarita Relis Photography,  saritarelis.com
• Pure Light Photography, purelightfoto.com
• Madeleine’s Photography, madphoto.com
• Theresa Gingras-Barns Photography, SYV Imaging
• Ashly Othic, Livin’ the Dream Photography
• Linda Blue Photography, labluephotography.com

Some photos are also included on the site courtesy of WEV community members.

If you would like to share your photography on our WEV website, please Get in Touch.