Local entrepreneur brings business innovation to like-minded women

She is ambitious yet modest, a wife and mother of two. She is upbeat, good humored and best known for her entrepreneurial spirit. Her first book is coming out next year, titled 7 Strategies to Help You Save Time, Make More Money and Have More Fun.

Today, Tera McHugh sits atop a flourishing organization that is in the business of bringing female entrepreneurs together.

In 2006, Tera founded Women Entrepreneurs of Santa Clarita Valley, an affiliate of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs. "I had just moved to the community," says Tera "and was looking to join a women's entrepreneurial organization and found out that there wasn't one in Santa Clarita."

A group that started modestly with 12 members has grown 70 strong, and is still growing, according to Tera.

 

She explains that WE is not a networking group, nor a referral group, but is primarily focused on bringing like-minded female business entrepreneurs together to focus on education, support, and motivation.

WE represents the rising trend of women entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals. According to a recent survey by The Center for American Progress, women now make up nearly half of the workforce, with 4 out of 10 families where the mother is the primary breadwinner.

The women of today have more challenges than ever: balancing work, career and family. According to Tera, WE helps support these challenges by focusing on work and family balance.

WE plays an additional role in the community. Partnered with the Betty Ferguson Foundation (which also helps to empower and develop women and youth of Santa Clarita.), Tera McHugh serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors.

Besides Tera's involvement with the Betty Ferguson Foundation, WE has a Community Outreach Director and many of its members are involved with a number of charities in SCV, according to Tera.

Tera's hope is to grow WE throughout the United States: "I would like to see 100 more throughout the country, with 20 of those being in Los Angeles County."

WE hosts multiple monthly events. The regular membership meeting, known as the Business Success Seminar is held on the 3^rd Thursday of every month at TPC, and has a featured speaker, some presenters, as well as updated information regarding WE.

There is also a monthly Lunch & Learn event held on the first Thursday of every month with proceeds going to the Betty Ferguson Foundation.

WE membership is $299 for the first year, and the monthly event is $40. Prospective members may attend two meetings at no charge before joining WE. For more information, one may call: 661-713-8907 or check out their website at: http://www.weofscv.com/

< Prev