March 2011 News Brief

March 2011 Volume 4 – Issue 3 Join Us!

2024 N. Broadway, Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92706 - 714-836-4042

Navigating the Seas of Investment in 2011

By Patty Homo

The National Hispanic Business Women Association held its first networking luncheon of the year this past February 10th at the beautiful Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa. Our speaker, Jeff Golan from The Principal Financial Group, presented us with key insight about the current economy and the impact on short term and long term investments. He emphasized the importance of seeking professional guidance when making investment decisions. Attendants included small business owners and business representatives.

2 1. From left to right: Board members Pat Danel, The Principal Financial Group, Patty Homo, VALPO Medios Inc., Yobany Banks-McKay, UPS, Jeff Golan, The Principal Group Regional Managing Director, board members Lilian de la Torre, Jimenez Communications and Teresa Mercado-Cota, Santa Ana College.

2. Attendees networking after the luncheon.

3. Beautiful view from the greens at Mesa Verde Country Club.

4. Laurie Beighton (left) and Shelle Kulik from Everest College

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Upcoming Events Event

Location

Date/Time

Developing a Winning Business Plan www.ocsbdc.com

Wells Fargo Bank 9550 Bolsa Ave. Westminster, CA 92683

March 3, 2011 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Orange County’s Largest Mixer www.largestmixer.com

Orange County Fair and Event Center Buildings 10 and 12 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626

March 23, 2011 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

State Labor Law and Payroll Tax Seminar www.ocsbdc.com

Mesa Verde Country Club 3000 Club House Road Costa Mesa, CA 92626

March 30, 2011 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Essential Steps to Starting a Successful Business www.ocsbdc.com

City of Mission Viejo 200 Civic Center, Saddleback Room Mission Viejo, CA 92691

March 30, 2011 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

11th Annual Awards and Scholarship Gala www.nationalhbwa.com

Doubletree Hotel 201 East MacArthur Blvd.

Santa Ana, CA 92707

May 19, 2011 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Our Valued Sponsors and Supporters!

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Did you know?  You may qualify to file your taxes for free If your household income was less than $100,000

 You also may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)  Must be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident  Must have a valid Social Security Number  Must have earned income for 2010  Must have earned less than $48,362

FREE TAX PREPARATION DAYS

 What do I bring to prepare my taxes?  Social Security Card or ITIN for each family member  W-2 forms for all jobs worked in 2010  All 1099 forms for other income  All 1098 forms for educational expenses  Childcare provider information: name, address and Tax ID number (if available)

 Picture ID  Prior Years Tax Return  Pin # to E-File

Abrazar Community Tax Days!

Dates: Time: Location: For Appointment:

Saturday, March 5, 2011 Saturday, March 12, 2011 Saturday, April 2, 2011 Saturday, April 9, 2011 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 710 Wyoming, Street, Westminster, CA 92683 Call (714) 893-3581

Expenses For Breast Pumps and Supplies That Assist Lactation Are Reimbursable Under Flexible Spending Arrangements or Similar Plans The Internal Revenue Service has concluded that breast pumps and supplies that assist lactation are medical care under Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code because, like obstetric care, they are for the purpose of affecting a structure or function of the body of the lactating woman. Therefore, if the remaining requirements of Section 213(a) are met (for example, the taxpayer’s total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income), expenses paid for breast pumps and supplies that assist lactation are deductible medical expenses.

Amounts reimbursed for these expenses under flexible spending arrangements, Archer medical savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, or health savings accounts are not income to the taxpayer.

The Service will revise Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, to include this information.

For additional information concerning this announcement, contact Amy S. Wei of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting) at (202) 622-7900.

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Member Corner Assisting Individuals In Reaching Their Dream of Owning a Business By Patty Homo Amy Loh was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and was raised by her father along with two older sisters. Amy’s father moved the family from Malaysia to Atlanta when she was eleven years old. She attended Clayton State University where she majored in business administrative management. One of the most important things Amy’s father taught her was to focus and to work hard. “He always said that you have to work hard for anything that you wish for,” says Amy. As an Agency Field Recruiter of State Farm Insurance for the Los Angeles and Orange County Market Areas, Amy focuses on helping prospective candidates determine if the State Farm Agency Career Opportunity is the right fit for them. She assists candidates through the career program to understand the opportunity and also provides the candidate resources in pursuing their dream of entrepreneurship.

Over the past four years, she has recruited many top producing State Farm Agents in Georgia and California. Amy moved to California in 2010 from Atlanta, where she lived for the past 17 years.

Amy is currently in the agency opportunity program and aspires to become a successful State Farm agent in the future. She is a member of NSHMBA-OC, NHBWA, ALPFA-LA, National Sales Network of LA, and numerous other non-profit organizations. Amy is very passionate about what she does and is determined to help others pursue the State Farm agency opportunity and assist individuals in reaching their dream of owning a business while being involved in the community and making an unlimited income. Amy adds, “I enjoy and love my job. I truly believe in helping others in achieving their dreams”. We, at the NHBWA, wish her much success in Southern California.

Scholarship Highlight

Attention Students!

If you need help to continue your education, download the 2011 Scholarship Applications and Guidelines HERE Application deadline – March 19th

Executive Board Yobany Banks-McKay Belinda de la Libertad Elizabeth Arteaga Patty Homo Teresa Mercado-Cota Board of Directors Veronica Alva-Roman Erika De La Teja Lilian De La Torre-Jimenez

Monica Estrada-Nuñez Sylvia Lopez-Navarro Sahara Navarro Honorary Board Members Marie Moreno Cecilia Novella Advisory Board Pat Danel Rossina Gallegos

Francisca Gonzales Baxa Ruth Ko Maria de Lourdes Sobrino Ophelia McNeill Diane Medina Sofía Negron-Linn Olga Niebla Emma Ramirez-Hightower Teresa Saldivar Lydia Salvetta

Adriana Spitzer Norma Parraz Isabelle Villaseñor Part-time/Seasonal Staff Francisco De Anda Carmen Castro Editor Patty Homo

"You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.“ — Zig Ziglar