To safely bring shoppers to local small businesses this holiday season, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) annual Celebration of Small Business is launching a Virtual Shop Local Market, featuring some 50 local, women-owned and minority-owned small businesses that are part of the WEV community.

The 26-day, online shopping portal will be open Nov. 17-Dec. 13 and can be accessed by visiting www.wevonline.org.

Holiday shopping this year is expected to start earlier, generate more online purchasing activity, and focus on non-traditional gifts for home, health, and beauty.

“Small business owners in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties need our community’s support this holiday season more than ever because Q4 sales may determine which of our favorite local shops will survive into the new year,” said WEV’s CEO Kathy Odell.

Support from WEV sponsors, including LinkedIn, have also been key to the local business economy.

“LinkedIn believes that helping create economic opportunity for local business makes us all stronger,” said Joey Zumaya, public sector manager at LinkedIn. “We applaud WEV’s ability to educate, empower and elevate small business owners in our community.”

“Shopping small and locally is so important, this year especially,” said local businesswoman Caleigh Hernandez, founder of RoHo, who is participating in WEV’s Virtual Shop Local Market. “Consumers can buy unique, handmade and intentional gifts that support a community.”

Hernandez’s passion for social change on the African continent led her to develop RoHo, offering one-of-a-kind Kenyan beaded leather sandals, bags, African beaded jewelry, Binga Baskets, and home goods.

Through Hernandez’s partnership with artisan groups across Kenya, RoHo creates consistent, fair paying work for its artisans, most of whom are women. “We are grateful for our WEV community who has showed up and continues to support us during this challenging time,” Hernandez said.

WEV, whose goal is to create an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women, provides training, consulting and loans to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and thrive in business. WEV serves Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While WEV targets its services toward women, it helps men as well.