Institute for Women Entrepreneurs Offers Business Survival Solutions

Santa Ana, CA, November 05, 2008 --(PR.com)-- In a down economy, small businesses are often the first to feel the pinch. In February, a National Small Business Association poll revealed that 55 percent of the respondents had been affected by the credit crunch. By August, that number had jumped to 67 percent. The turmoil on Wall Street is felt acutely by small business owners who don’t often have significant cash reserves to see them through.

To give small business owners strategies and practical tools, the Institute for Women Entrepreneurs (IWE), an economic development program of Rancho Santiago Community College District Foundation, will present a panel of business experts, “Business Survival Toolkit—2008,” on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Sam’s Club Training Room, 629 South Placentia Avenue, Fullerton. Cost is $39 per person and includes dinner, business giveaways, as well as free on-site counseling from business experts. Registration at the door is $45. Pre-registration is required as space is limited; call (714) 480-7455 or visit www.ociwe.org. The event is sponsored by Sam’s Club.

“Business owners are struggling during these challenging times. The IWE felt the urgent need to respond and provide business owners relevant tools, information and resources to sustain their businesses through collaboration with agencies, associations and leading experts in their fields,” said Sallie Salinas, director of the IWE.

The evening’s speakers and topics include:

The housing industry and its effect on small business: Andrea Arciga, Revolution Investment Group and president, NLBWA-OC
Alternative sources of business funding: Stacey Sanchez, executive director, Southern California Reinvestment CDFI
Tax credits, tax reduction strategies, identity theft, and more: Maria Jaramillo, Internal Revenue Service
Business in default and the impact of a home foreclosure/short sale on taxes:
Carlos Salazar, CPA

For more information and to pre-register, call (714) 480-7455 or visit www.ociwe.org.

About the Institute for Women Entrepreneurs
The Institute for Women Entrepreneurs (IWE), an economic development program of the Rancho Santiago Community College District Foundation, broadens the reach of business training and consulting to help women start, grow and expand their small businesses. The IWE supports local businesses through one-on-one business consulting services, key business workshops geared to the needs of women entrepreneurs and network-building opportunities. While welcoming men to its programs, the IWE caters to the needs of women entrepreneurs.

About the Rancho Santiago Community College District
The mission of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is to respond to the educational needs of an ever-changing community and to provide programs and services that reflect academic excellence. Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of RSCCD, which serve the residents of Anaheim Hills, East Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and Villa Park. Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, customized training for business and industry, and programs to train nurses, firefighters and law enforcement personnel.

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