By Alicia Doyle

Singer and songwriter Moxie McMahon has done more for her music business in the past 14 weeks than she has in the last decade, thanks to Women's Economic Ventures, which provides a comprehensive business training program specifically for women.

"Now that's a powerful but true statement," said McMahon, 39, of Moorpark, whose songs have been picked up by "Summerland," "Smallville" and the CBS hit show, "Numb3rs."

With the recent launch of McMahon's music publishing and licensing company, Blonde on the Roof Publishing, WEV provides her with the necessary tools to successfully run her business.

"Even if you don't know what you want to do, but you just know you want to have your own business, WEV is so supportive in every element," McMahon said. "WEV is the premier way to fast-track your business to getting started and being successful in Ventura County."

McMahon will be honored during a ceremony for 24 WEV graduates tonight at Knights of Columbus in Ventura. The graduates are among 100 individuals who will be recognized during ceremonies this month in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.

During the ceremony, graduates will announce their new business ventures. The event will conclude with a reception and "business expo," where graduates will showcase their new or pre-launch businesses.

The graduates have recently completed WEV's self-employment training course, and many are about to open businesses of their own, said Mary Anne Rooney, Ventura County regional leader for WEV.

"This is a proud time for these entrepreneurs who have worked extremely hard to complete WEV's self-employment training course," Rooney said. "We are thrilled to provide the stepping stones for women to take their business ideas from dream to reality."

WEV was founded in 1991 in Santa Barbara, and expanded to establish an office and programs in Ventura County in 2002.

Today, WEV offers a continuum of programs to help women succeed at every stage of business. Services include a self-employment training program, advanced training, business counseling, coaching and networking opportunities to help individuals start, launch, grow and sustain a business.

There are more than 1,200 businesses throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties owned and operated by graduates of WEV's self-employment training program or recipients of small business loans through WEV.

WEV is dedicated to helping women like McMahon achieve success on their own terms, Rooney said.

"Although there are challenges and approaches common to most businesses, each individual's experience is different," said Rooney, adding that a large part of WEV's success is the ability to provide key resources to the people they serve.

For instance, "individuals, such as Moxie, might have great technical skills to manage their product or service, but are unfamiliar with the business and financial aspects that are critical to the overall success and profitability of their business," Rooney said. "So women are empowered with the tools to take charge of the full scope of running and growing a successful business."

McMahon first heard about WEV about five years ago from her best friend. They attended an orientation, but McMahon didn't enroll at the time.

"Big mistake," McMahon said. "I wish I had signed up five years ago."

After reaping the benefits of WEV, McMahon is proud to spread the word to fellow female entrepreneurs. She points to an article that she read several months ago about the No. 1 reason women don't get ahead in business.

"A major institution did a study and found that when women traditionally get in positions of power in business, they don't bring other women along because of the real but unspoken-of threat," McMahon said. "I was disturbed by that."

WEV is the antithesis of that, she said.

"It is powerful, amazing, successful women who are thriving in the community and championing other women to do the same."

Women face many obstacles to economic success, Rooney said.

"Generally, they are the primary caregivers for the family, which might delay their chances for business and career opportunities until their children are grown," Rooney said.

There is also an inherent competitive disadvantage in the job market, where women are earning only about 75 cents compared with each dollar earned by men, she said.

"Our program is designed to empower women to achieve economic self-sufficiency," she said. "And we provide them the tools and resources to support their businesses and also their dreams and goals."

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/dec/13/in-tune-with-business/