Women

Free Counseling Services
One-on-one counseling sessions are available free of charge for both new and seasoned entrepreneurs and small business owners. Customized, ongoing counseling programs utilizing the individual expertise of our entire team are also available to qualifying residents of San Diego County.

Counseling Procedures: Participants are required to first meet with Gabriela Contreras-Misirlioglu, Director of Counseling, for a comprehensive intake analysis and needs assessment.

¡Servicios disponibles en ingles y español!

Just have a quick question? Many times questions can be easily answered outside of a full formal session. Quick questions can be addressed by email or phone, but email is preferred.

How To Receive Counseling

Click here to to request counseling by email with Gabriela for both our counseling program and quick questions. Please include the following:

Name, Address, Phone, Email
Topic you wish to discuss
Indicate if currently in business
* If so, send relevant info such as business name and type, website, nature of the business, etc.
* If not, indicate plans
Indicate if you prefer an initial consultation via email, phone, or in-person; or let us know if your question is a "quick question"
Include any other information that would help us serve your needs
If email is not available or convenient, call 619-921-6881

Instrucciones en español: Haga click aquí para solicitar conserjería / asesoría por correo electrónico (email) con Gabriela. Incluye el siguiente:

Nombre / apellido, dirección, número de teléfono, correo electrónico (email)
Tema para discutir
Indique si usted tiene un negocio
* Si es así, incluya información relevante como el nombre, tipo de negocio, pagina en el internet (website) etc.
* Si no es así, indique sus planes para comenzar un negocio nuevo
Indique si prefiere una consulta inicial vía correo electrónico, teléfono o en persona; o si tiene una "pregunta rápida"
Incluya cualquier otra información que nos auxilie a responder a sus necesidades.
Si no es conveniente contactarnos vía correo electrónico, llámenos al 619.921.6881

WBCC Counselors and Advisors:
Below is a list of the WBCC team of counselors and advisors and their areas of expertise. Click on counselor/advisor name to download PDF of full bio. Note: Advisors may not be contacted directly

WBCC STAFF COUNSELORS:

Gabriela Contreras-Misirlioglu
WBCC Director of Counseling, experienced small business owner, consultant, non-profit manager
Expertise: General, business planning, technical assistance, analysis

Michelle S. Butler
WBCC President/CEO, experienced entrepreneur and small business owner
Expertise: General, market and industry analysis, strategic planning, business plans, marketing materials and content, international trade, financing

WBCC COMMUNITY ADVISORS:

Karen Bates
CPA; President/Founder, Military Home Programs, Inc.; Visit Online
Expertise: General, Small Business Accounting, Accounting Practices

Patricia Hughes-Raber
Senior Finance Officer, City of San Diego Office of Community & Economic Development; Visit Online Expertise: How to Fund your Business; Loan packaging for the small business; government loan resources; gap financing; business plan development; financial projections

Cecile J. Bereal
President/CEO of RMA Management Alliance, Inc.; Visit Online
Expertise: Becoming an entrepreneur/small business owner; review of and assistance in creating business plans; Human Resources, problems with & planning for employees, staff & legal obligations

Amanda Mineer
Owner/Operator of the Legal Center for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs, Inc.; Visit Online
Expertise: Business entities, legal structures, marketing

Sharon Gray
Small Business Regional Manager/Vice President Union Bank of California Visit Online
Expertise: Consumer and commercial lending to individuals and businesses

Bonnie Shaw
Co-founder of the Clearpoint Agency; Visit Online
Expertise: Marketing and Public Relations, getting your message out there, how to get noticed by the media, effectively communicate your message, how to promote your business; Starting a Business, what you need to do, staying the course

Oreda Chin
President, National Association of Women Business Owners San Diego Chapter Visit Online
Expertise: Structuring a business, Contracting & procurement/Supplier Diversity

Margaret Oppliger
Vice President/Relationship Manager at Discovery Bank Visit Online
Expertise: Prepare to meet with a loan officers, communicating with lenders; lending do's and don'ts

Claudia Pires Klaus
Partner, Pacific Advisors, Inc. Visit Online
Expertise: Small Business: financials, cash flow, profitability, strategic planning, exit strategies, ownership; Investing; Tax-Advantaged Planning; Retirement Planning; Goal Planning; Cash Flow Planning; Asset Protection/Planning & Gifting; Coaching

Jaymee Lomax
Supplier Diversity Manager, Southern California Gas Company/SDG&E Visit Online
Expertise: Contracting; the importance of certification and what Fortune 500's look for in contracting with small business

Nicole Anderson
Vice president of Marketing at USA Federal Credit Union Visit Online
Expertise: Marketing and Public Relations, find your purple cow, discover your niche, define your message, media and advertising

Lorise Maynard
Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunity Program, San Diego County Water Authority Visit Online
Expertise: The process of doing business with public agencies such as the San Diego County Water Authority, how the process works, what you need to do to prepare