Women’s Association Supports Leading Business Women

There’s a new women’s group focused on supporting, encouraging and educating businesswomen in San Bernardino County, and it’s already growing in membership after its inaugural meeting Aug. 28. “The Businesswomen’s Association of San Bernardino County is the joining of professional and influential women,” said President Sara Hector. “Our goal is to build friendship and business and we support each other through referrals and training.” The group was founded after Hector, an entrepreneur who’s owned her own business for eight years, and member Kimberly Foglio-Walden of Budget Transmissions II, realized the opportunity for gathering local businesswomen to create a support system that would foster business growth and encouragement, explained Hector. “I wanted to make a change and help out,” Hector said. “I felt in my heart that it was time to step up to the plate and show women, ‘You can do it! You can stay (in San Bernardino County) and be successful.” The Businesswomen’s Association of San Bernardino County (BASBC) welcomed 32 women who work in and own businesses located in San Bernardino County during its first meeting in August. The group will hold future meetings at a “host business,” one owned and/or managed by a woman. Foglio-Walden said the group was all about empowering women. “We want to share our successes,” Foglio-Walden said. “As women, we have a different eye for detail and success. We’re more apt to say, ‘Try this. This worked, this didn’t work.’” But the group’s intentions expand even beyond its own membership; the women also seek to provide opportunities to young women, as BASBC members provide support and guidance to high school students through mentorship programs and will fundraise to provide scholarships to young women, and bring leadership opportunities and entrepreneurial savvy to the community, members explained. “We want to hold meetings and fundraising, and work with the schools and superintendents, on giving scholarships to young women with the intention that they will stay in San Bernardino County,” Hector said. “These are our future business leaders: doctors, lawyers, maybe even the future mayor of San Bernardino, and we want to make a difference.” Hector explained the group is in the process of becoming a certified non-profit organization, to help provide scholarships to the area’s young women who have dreams of owning and/or managing their own businesses. Mentoring opportunities include not only entrepreneurial training, explained Foglio-Walden, but also personal presentation that includes how to dress appropriately on the job. “We are very excited and just thrilled to be starting this,” said Foglio-Walden. Women interested in joining should attend a meeting. Membership is a $40 annual fee with a $10 cover charge, lunch included, for each monthly meeting. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25. More information can be found at www.basbc.org or contact President Sara Hector at 909-714-6282.