Barbara Saunders
Graphic Designer

Self-Employed Creative Professionals

Websites:

• http://www.SECPpdx.com

For more than ten years., the Self-Employed Creative Professionals have been the independent consultants providing business services such as writing, design (both print and web), photography, multimedia production, programming, and more. We create the advertising, promotional, sales, Web, interactive new media, and other communication material that makes business work. SECP fosters camaraderie, collaboration, and support for this diverse group through monthly networking events, business development workshops, and member benefit programs. We also work to educate the business community in how to work with us and we provide a showcase to market our members' services.

Our Three-Part Mission:

One--Connect: We're a resource community that shares knowledge and builds collaborative relationships to provide a fuller range of services while marketing those services to the business community;

Two--Grow: Our new Self-Employed Academy features workshops and seminars on running a business, creating multiple income streams, and being more profitable;

Three--Thrive: We're a safety net that provides guidance in business, marketing, and financial planning, benefit packages (including access to health care discounts and preferred providers), discounts on business services, and a voice in local and state government.

Get Connected SECP holds monthly events to network with collaborative partners and hear presentations by local business leaders. These events are open to anyone. We publish a free monthly e-newsletter with info on local and national events, workshops, job opportunities, member news, tips and creative industry news.

Start Growing Because business skills are not taught in our schools, SECP has launched the Self-Employed Academy which includes condensed workshops and seminars to teach in-depth business skills such as creating a useful business plan, cash-flow management, financial planning and development, marketing and PR, PLUS ways to create multiple income streams, Internet marketing and continual updates with technology and practices. The Self-Employed Academy is open to everyone interested in growing their business--but members get great discounts.

Thrive with Membership Members have access to hand-picked preferred providers specializing in law, business planning, tax preparation, bookkeeping, marketing, financial services, and other key areas. SECP maintains an online directory of members' services. We're dedicated to ongoing marketing and PR strategies to make our members even more visible to the business community in Portland /Vancouver and beyond.

Additionally, SECP has an annual trade show-- A One-Stop Shopping Mall for Creative and Technical Consultants. We are positioned to be the hub for the creative business services.

I, personally, specialize in the creation of material that is not only easy to read but draws the reader in and ushers them through. Custom publishing is about creating relationships. Newsletter Associates helps by creating the vehicle to do that.

I'm also not a bad pianist (classical and jazz - specialty is swing and big band). For a ripping good time, come by one of the retirement homes I play at!

Website Video Help! I need some help creating some video clips for our website at an upcoming group event. We can structure the event to be income-producing for the video person, but we need to connect soon.

I've got a BA in Graphic Design and Communication and a Master's degree in Multimedia and Graphic Design, plus a multitude of certifications. I've found that the most useful 'education', however is actual life experience. I don't think our education system does that very well.

I've run SECP for 8 of its 11 years.

In the design world, I served as Marketing Direct, Marketing Coordinator, and more for about 15 years before starting my own business about 8 years ago.