West Company has been a Mendocino fixture, providing business advice, for more than thirty years. We started in the 1980’s as a place for women to learn job skills and start their own businesses, and we were one of the very first federally funded Women’s Business Centers in the U.S.
https://www.westcenter.org/2019-1-30-open-the-doors-up-and-running-in-the-food-service-biz/
Whether you just bought a food truck or you’ve had an idea for a restaurant business for years, now’s the time to learn everything you can about opening up your own food services business.
Our first workshop this year on food service in our Food for Thought series, is Thursday, February 21st in Ukiah. Julia Siderakis, former owner of Ukiah’s beloved Garden Café and instructor at Mendocino College, and Steve O’Mara, entrepreneurial expert, will teach you all the basics you need for getting up and running in your culinary business.
If you’ve had a brick and mortar business, or are thinking of starting an online business, this is the workshop for you.
Join Veronika Monell, the CEO of JumpStartNOW in Fort Bragg or Willits, February 13th or 14th or 15th to learn everything you need to know about going online. This dynamic workshop will cover why eCommerce is a huge opportunity to increase your profits, what to consider before you start, how to identify customers and creating your online marketing strategy.
https://www.westcenter.org/2019-1-30-be-ready-emergency-preparedness/
Living in Mendocino County most of us are familiar with basic earthquake and fire safety, but preparing your business is entirely different proposition. Advance planning for disasters is a way to safeguard the years of work and love you’ve put into your business, and protect both your people and your assets. plan.
https://www.westcenter.org/2019-1-7-new-workshops-for-2019/
We’re celebrating the new year by offering a whole new slate of exciting workshops this year on everything from how to use Instagram to turning your passion into profit. We’ll also be partnering with Visit Mendocino for a workshop series on Hospitality in the Digital Age and, offering a full program of workshops on Culinary Entrepreneurship called Food For Thought and more.
https://www.westcenter.org/2018-10-24-ukiah-daily-journal-shares-the-news-about-our-name-change/
Our local paper is getting the word out about our name change:
[CEO Mary Anne] Petrillo says that now is a very exciting time for small business. “Technology is allowing entrepreneurs to live where they want and still access global markets.” With the new name, new website and expansion of services, she hopes to send the message that WBDC is moving with the times. She says, “We’re still here. Changing, growing and making a difference. We are in a new economy and even established small business owners are facing new challenges every day.
West Business Development Center (formerly West Company) announced today that it has received a grant of $50,000 from Wells Fargo to help small businesses in Mendocino and Lake Counties that are suffering from the impact of recent fires in the region. The funds will allow West Business Development Center to create a natural disaster preparedness toolkit for small businesses. The toolkit will include a workbook, videos and workshop curriculum designed to help get businesses back up and running after a disaster strikes.
https://www.westcenter.org/2018-10-21-west-company-new-name-same-mission/
You know them as West Company and if you don’t, now is a good time to learn about this dedicated organization. After thirty years of providing free services and support to small business owners in Mendocino County, the non-profit organization is changing their name to West Business Development Center (WBDC).
Like so many other places, California has experienced historic natural disasters in the past few years. Rachel Clark discusses the important steps you need to take to safeguard your business in case a catastrophic event affects you. Her article “Are You Prepared For A Natural Disaster?” is important advice for all business owners for, as she points out, “emergencies happen, things don’t go as planned and life changes on a dime.” The sooner we accept that and take the necessary measures to protect the businesses we’ve worked so hard to build, the better off we will be when disaster strikes.
https://www.westcenter.org/2018-8-28-msgshpujdabw14qr9bogic4rw1eozq/
Amy Collins wants to see you smile. She’s new to Mendocino and the owner of The Village Sock Shop, where functional is fun and business meets whimsy.
https://www.westcenter.org/2018-9-1-september-24th-back-to-business-mendocino-roadshow/
West Center is participating in the Back to Business Mendocino Roadshow. Come find out how to recover from unexpected business impacts or do business with federal and state agencies during this morning event, hosted collaboratively with the U.S. Small Business Administration, West Company, the Northern California Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and The Veteran’s Business Outreach Center.
A large part of recovering from the fires our area has endured includes home reconstruction. In the Ukiah Daily Journal, Carole Brodsky examines a new program at Mendocino College designed to support people in creating their own construction business. The program will address the housing crisis and provide employment opportunities for skilled locals while keeping everyone compliant with building laws.
https://www.westcenter.org/2017-5-1-a-look-at-how-west-company-got-started-and-where-it-is-today/
The Mendocino County business environment has changed a lot over the past decades, and West Company has changed with it. Learn about the inspired beginnings and enduring vision that gave West Company its start, as well as their ongoing work to support the local economy while honoring the unique nature of our community.
https://www.westcenter.org/2017-2-1-after-time-away-hometown-kids-return-to-find-their-niche/
Real Estate Magazine takes a look at a number of entrepreneurs who grew up locally then sought life’s adventure elsewhere, only to return and set up shop in the very town they thought they’d left for good. From catering to fitness training, retail operations selling beauty products, books, and bacon, these young go-getters have come home to build businesses that sustain them and enrich the community they love.
