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Dear Friends,

When the student becomes the master, we should listen to the master, and that's exactly what we're doing with our new WEALF mentoring structure inspired by the very women we serve.

As we enter our 10th anniversary, we've embarked on a strategic plan to build a stronger and more efficient organization capable of providing our unique program to help more women. Part of our planning includes conducting interviews with our entrepreneurs. We have learned that the number one thing they value, almost as much as the no-interest loan, is the ongoing support from our community. They know they can count on us for the long run.

As our entrepreneurs grow their businesses, they need to gain new skills in a variety of areas. Therefore, in addition to our one-on-one mentoring with an entrepreneur and her relationship manager, we are adding WEALF specialists. These talented advisors will be available in two ways to our entrepreneurs. Some will be specialists with office hours to share their experiences and advice one-on-one or to facilitate a group discussion on a specific topic. Other specialists will be available for short or long-term projects to help with areas such as branding, preparing financials, social media, e-commerce setup, packaging and more. In addition to new skills, our entrepreneurs need additional capital. We are expanding our network to be able to assist our women with funding sources that have the capacity to make larger loans than WEALF. As a result, we are pleased several of our women this year have been able to gain access to needed capital.

We welcome your suggestions as we implement this new format and invite you to consider participating in our growth by being a WEALF mentor or making a financial commitment.

Thanks again for being part of our WEALF community and for helping us to usher in this exciting next phase in our work.

Sincerely,
Vicki Weiner
Founder, WEALF
WEALF'S FIRST PARLOR EVENT OPENS NEW DOORS FOR ENTREPRENEURS!

Thank you to WEALF advisor Stephanie Neville and to Alan Beller for opening their beautiful home and generous hearts to host an inspiring evening that gave us the opportunity to reach out to the vibrant Brooklyn network. Thanks also to the WEALF advisors and entrepreneurs who attended and shared their stories. We welcomed a full house of interested and diverse members of the community, including bankers, neighborhood leaders, potential contributors, mentors, and funders. We were particularly honored to have Kim Council, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President, join us.

Interested in celebrating your support of WEALF and showcasing all we have to offer women entrepreneurs? Please consider hosting a parlor event at your New York home this summer. Reach out to us today (mailto:[email protected]) .
A new champion for our mission! Deputy Brooklyn Borough President, Kim Council, (center) with WEALF advisor and event host, Stephanie Neville, (left) and WEALF's Founder, Vicki Weiner (right).

Listening to entrepreneurial dreams come true! Parlor event attendees enjoyed hearing the inspiring stories of our WEALF entrepreneurs and the ways they can personally support our important mission.

Sharing the WEALF! Sarah Frank, WEALF advisor and Chair of the Candidate Interview Committee, discussed the many rewarding benefits of being a mentor and lending her expertise as a longtime media executive to the dynamic women of WEALF.

Smile for success! Brooklyn entrepreneurs Grace Tappin, founder of Move with Grace, and Denise Bogan, founder of Breuckelen Cleaning Solutions shared how WEALF helped them through the years and continues to be a valuable resource in growing their business.

MEET WEALF'S NEWEST ENTREPRENEUR
AYA RAN - ARPONCHO ([link removed])

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Founder, Aya Ran, utilized her experience in the fashion industry to develop a silky-soft hooded rain poncho that is stylish and fun to wear while providing the necessary protection against the rain. Arponchos have fun prints on one side and a solid color on the reverse and are designed to flatter a range of customers from children to adults. Arponchos are a great addition to any wardrobe. Shop the full collection and meet Aya on the company website or at her booth in New York’s Chelsea Market. SHOP NOW ([link removed])
WEALF has provided loans to over 100 women entrepreneurs and their businesses. Meet all our women on our WEBSITE ([link removed])
MENTOR SPOTLIGHT

Thank you to our Board of Advisors ([link removed]) . These mentors are the heart of WEALF. We invite you to get to know these expert businesswomen and consultants who understand what it is to be a woman entrepreneur. Our mentors are an accessible team dedicated to working one-to-one with our program participants to create a supportive environment in which the entrepreneurial spirit can flourish. It's an exciting time to be part of WEALF and we appreciate all of you.

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AVANI KADAKIA** avani kadakia member of WEALF Board of Advisor ([link removed])
We are honored to welcome Avani Kadakia to our Board of Advisors. Avani is a business executive with over 15 years of experience in consulting, financial services and most recently online education. She has a passion for helping businesses position themselves for growth, think through how to best leverage their strengths and build an organization to succeed. Most recently, through her work with UpThink, Avani helped transform the business from one that was struggling financially to one with tremendous bottom and top-line growth and, more importantly, to one that now celebrates a positive culture and motivated workforce.

** Read Avani's full biography on our website ([link removed])

ENTREPRENEUR NEWS FLASHES

ANNABELLE SANTOS

The founder of Spadet and WEALF entrepreneur is chosen for the second year of She’s Next in Fashion empowered by Visa. Spadet is one of 50 women-owned businesses in fashion, beauty, and accessories to be chosen as part of the program and supported through grants and marketing. Spadet is the maker of olive-based, all-natural wellness products for skin concerns, beauty, body, and hair care. ** SHOP NOW ([link removed])
BRANDY WYKES

The founder of MAYES NYC and WEALF entrepreneur, was featured on Fox 5’s Good Day NYC. In the segment, Wykes talks with Fox’s Rosanna Scotto about how her friend’s inability to find clothes in larger sizes to fit led Brandy to found MAYES NYC. The interview ends with a quick fashion show of select pieces from MAYES NYC current collection. ** WATCH NOW ([link removed])
ATINUKE AKINWUNI DUROJAIYE

The founder of PurH20, adds published author to her resume. Atinuke has authored and published two books, one nonfiction: Water, the Miracle of Life, and a romance: Sweet Surrender. Both books are the first volume in series. Look for more books coming soon. Both books are available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions. ** READ NOW ([link removed])
ARIANA TOLKA

The founder of Balkan Bites, was featured on Startup CPG’s Podcast. Ariana talks to host, Jessi Freitag, about why customers love Balkan Bites bureks, and the successes and challenges of running a small business. Watch on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform. ** WATCH & LISTEN ON YOUTUBE ([link removed])
** WEALF donate graphic, hands with hearts reaching out of WEALF logo ([link removed])
Honor that special woman in your life by making a ** DONATION ([link removed])
to WEALF. All gifts are greatly appreciated and WEALF has 501(c)(3) status through our affiliation with Accompany Capital.
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Copyright © 2023 Women's Enterprise Action Loan Fund (WEALF), All rights reserved.
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