June 1st, 2011

Women's Economic Ventures (WEV) Fundraiser at the Montecito Country Club

by r.s.thurston photography

It's been an absolute joy becoming involved with local non-profit WEV. Created twenty years ago by Midwestern raised (woohoo!) and Santa Barbara local Marsha Bailey, WEV has provided loans and support to thousands of men and women business owners who have flourished throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura County. Together these businesses have created countless employment opportunities throughout the area and enriched businesses with steady support in our community.

To say I'm proud to be a part of the WEV community is an understatement. During a recession, organizations like WEV are more important than ever as they play an essential role in supporting small business owners to not only survive but to thrive and prosper. This past week they held their annual fundraiser breakfast at the ever-so-posh and gorgeous Montecito Country Club. Gorgeous! The main ballroom was bursting with an extraordinary group of men and women as Marsha presented awards to two of WEV's latest stars. Gail Zannon (former Board Member, Major Donor and Entrepreneur) was honored with the Trailblazer Award and Jill-Marie and Jean-Michel Carre (owners of Chocolats du CaliBressan) were given WEV's Business of the Year Award.

My mother who was visiting from Flagstaff, Arizona for the week was blown away by the inspiring stories that many WEV alumni shared with the audience about their personal trials trying to get their businesses off the ground. Many of them would not have survived or been successful without the support of WEV.

I am grateful to Marsha Bailey for sticking it out through two recessions in the past twenty years since WEV's inception and to the many extremely hard-working staff members who have worked their butts off to provide this beacon of hope and inspiration for so many local entrepreneurs.

We are truly blessed to have WEV in our midst here in Santa Barbara!

Enjoy the slideshow! I

*If the music doesn't come on when the slideshow begins, try "refreshing" your webpage and clicking "play" again.

WEV'ing Up For 2011!

r.s.thurston photography exhibition

Santa Barbara, CA

For years I've been wanting to blow up (no fire needed) a bunch of my favorite images from over the years and do a show. Woohoo! It's finally happened. Women's Economic Ventures (the cool non-profit which features an entrepreneurial course twice a year) has asked me to be their Featured Artist this spring.

R.S. Thurston Displayed in WEV's Santa Barbara office: March - May 2011 R.S. Thurston is a travel, food and fine art portrait photographer who has traveled to six continents. Her love for movement and natural light infuses her photography with a whimsical, fantasy-like air. Over the years her photography has been featured in theLos Angeles Times, Santa Barbara Magazine and Food and Home Magazine. One of her greatest joys in photography is creating intimate connections with her clients who have described their time with her as “phenomenal,” “magical” and “beautiful.” A WEV graduate, she loves creating connections with her clients and making the process of taking the photos as much fun as receiving the final outcome – the images. Whether you’re looking for beautiful new portraits of you and your loved ones or wanting to create a fresh new look for your website and business cards…..R.S. Thurston is your go-to gal! R.S. Thurston's work includes ”Goddess Photography,” in which she celebrates women of all ages, shapes and sizes in helping them feel radiant, beautiful and strong; lifestyle photographs of you and your loved ones, including babies, pregnancy, families and couples; promotional photographs of dancers, artists and musicians; sumptuous food photography for chefs, caterers and restaurants; event photography; travel photography from six continents available in prints and notecards; and so much more. View her work or contact her at rachel@rsthurston.com

http://www.wevonline.org/success-stories/featured-artist

*Many of you may know that I took their course last fall....it's a great opportunity for business owners (both men and women) to hone their skills in writing a business plan, doing cash flow projects, and becoming more savvy at pitching their business ideas. I've made some good friends in the program with whom I continue to meet regularly for a little mutual cheerleading.

February 25, 2011

Sitting in a coffee shop in Santa Barbara, CA

Reflecting on Travels in Tasmania, Australia

Wow. It's truly amazing how long it takes to feel like you've caught up with work after being out of the country for five weeks! I'm not quite there yet but I'm at least coming up for air, taking a huge gulp, and telling myself..."Yes! This feels amazing! I live in California and at some point in the near future I'll have an inbox with less than 100 emails in it!"

Ahh, the sweet smell of 21st Century Bliss!

I've been working on a photo exhibition that will be showing at Women's Economic Ventures for the next three months and blowing up some of my favorite travel, food, and portrait photographs. I've just begun dipping into editing my Tasmania pics but wanted to share one of my most favorite ones that was borne from a truly beautiful moment.

These are the words I've used to describe it on my FB Page:

"This was one of those magical moments that happens when you're traveling along a country road just riding the "flow"....a storm had recently come through and these horses were standing beneath this gorgeous, old tree as the wind whipped their manes...we literally screeched to the side of the road and watched them in awe...it was one of those moments that you know at the time will always stay with you."

Check back in a week or two and I'll have more of my blogs up from Tassie....good times and lots of catching up to do! Year of the Rabbit...HERE I COME!