Tune in to KZYX/Z (90.7FM, 91.5FM, 88.1FM) for the New Normal Radio Hour on alternate Wednesdays in March at 7PM for a series of interviews hosted by West Center’s CEO Mary Anne Petrillo. Mary Anne and her guests tackle some of the challenges women face when opening businesses, staying in business, and a look at what lies ahead.
On March 3, 2021, Mary Anne hosted a one-hour show with three veterans of women’s business in Mendocino County. Sheilah Rogers, West Company’s founding CEO, was joined by West alumna and fiduciary Maggie Watson, and artist/illustrator, Erica Fielder, who has adorned many of our parks with interpretive displays. The lively conversation ranged from the founding of West Company in the late 1980s to a visit to the renowned Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and to attitudes toward wealth, and a host of other topics! Listen to the March 3 show here.
On the March 17 New Normal Radio Hour, Mary Anne Petrillo spoke with a younger generation of woman business owners to explore crowdfunding, today’s challenges when opening a new business, and how this generation uses social media to promote their brands and sell products. Guest Anna Birkás had some stories about her new apparel line Chickfly – pants with a fly for women on the go – and how crowdfunding helped her launch her brand. Joining her was Alison Smith Story who, with her business partner and husband Eric, founded Smith Story Wine Cellars. Ali spoke about the challenges that Covid presented to the wine industry and how she and Eric have pivoted their business model to enable them to stay in business. She also touched on her pet project, Socks for Sandwich!
Listen to the March 17 show here!
For our last show on March 31, Mary Anne discussed policy matters affecting women-owned businesses, gender equity, and women’s perception of wealth. Mary Anne’s guests were Surina Khan, CEO of the California Women’s Foundation, and Claudia Viek, former CEO of CAMEO and current CEO of Invest in Women Entrepreneurs Initiative.
Listen to the March 31 show here!
West Business Development Center is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) funded non-profit business development center that provides reliable no-cost confidential counseling and relevant training programs to entrepreneurs throughout Mendocino and Lake County. West Center hosts the Mendocino Small Business Development Center and the Mendocino Women’s Business Center.
