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Dear Friends,

Is there anything better than New York in fall? The humid days of summer are replaced with crisp air. The sky is so blue. And there's a deliberate and brisk momentum that carries us in everything we do with renewed enthusiasm.

New York is called the Empire State for good reason. No other place is as vibrant, has more of a talented workforce, or as large a customer base as New York. Whether the women entrepreneurs in our program aspire to build their own empire or are happy to keep their business small, we support them in a big way here in the Big Apple. Women's Enterprise Action Loan Fund (WEALF) has chosen to focus on the New York area to implement our mission because it is rich in opportunities for entrepreneurs, and the influx of applications to our fund this year has indicated there is a real need in our own backyard.

New York’s diversity shows in the entrepreneurs and businesses we have worked with over the last ten years. While many of the women in our program were born within the five boroughs, several have come from very far away to pursue their dreams including two recent women we welcomed and who are profiled in this newsletter: Natalia Jacobs from Argentina of Two Kids and A Dog in DUMBO, and Alexandra Charpentier from France of Winemak'Her Bar in Park Slope. Our experienced mentors understand the uniqueness and diversity of the ecosystem that fuels innovation and growth in this city.

Have you and your business made it here and know you can make it anywhere? If so, we invite you to take a New York minute now and spread the WEALF by encouraging a woman entrepreneur you know to apply for our no-interest loan, making a tax-deductible donation, or becoming part of our WEALF family as a mentor.

Sincerely,
Vicki Weiner
Founder, WEALF

P.S. Being an entrepreneur takes hard work, dedication and can be a lonely route. Receiving recognition that what you are doing is valued can make it all worthwhile. We are very proud of one of our own, Rowena Scherer of Eat2Explore who received this letter from a parent about what a difference her company's Explorer Boxes has made in the education of this parent's child. READ THE LETTER

“One’s life and passion may be elsewhere, but New York is where you prove if what you think in theory makes sense in life.” – Miuccia Prada

WEALF'S FOUNDER VICKI WEINER TO SPEAK AT WE NYC WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEUR CONFERENCE

On November 13, WE Headshot of Vicki Weiner WEALF founder on wood background

ALF's Founder Vicki Weiner will be a speaker at the WE NYC Women's Entrepreneur Conference, an initiative of NYC Small Businesses Services. Vicki will join a panel with other community leaders and representatives from lending institutions to speak with aspiring women business owners on the successes and challenges of obtaining financing for their business.

The conference committee invited Vicki because they value WEALF's mission and her commitment to helping women entrepreneurs become self-sufficient through their business and feel their audience will appreciate the candid insight and advice that she gives.

For more information on the virtual WE NYC Conference, please visit WE NYC's WEBSITE

THE FASHION CLASS

Ready, set, sew at the Fashion Class. Founded in 2010 by WEALF entrepreneur and Visionary Award Winner Kerri Quigley, The Fashion Class is the perfect place for kids and adults to learn to sew and make their own clothes. The Fashion Class located at 307 East 84th since March 2022, offers sewing classes for all ages and hosts special events including birthday parties and mother/daughter sew days. NBC's “New York Live” host Joelle Garguilo described The Fashion Class as “Project Runway” for the little ones. Kerri graduated from Parson's New School For Design and worked in the fashion industry before founding her company. She emphasizes she is teaching more than sewing; kids are learning how to be entrepreneurs by building and marketing their brands. REGISTER FOR CLASSES

MEET WEALF'S NEWEST ENTREPRENEURS

This summer WEALF welcomed four new entrepreneurs into our growing family.

NATALIA JACOBS - TWO KIDS AND A DOG

Natalia Jacobs, co-founder of two kids and a dog

Two Kids and a Dog is a children’s store that features toys, clothing, and accessories for kids ages 0-12 years. Natalia, a retail veteran, and her partner Kip, an artist and designer, watched their two kids play and learn, and built Two Kids and a Dog for them. The two curate and stock the stores with products for every occasion. Whether it is a day at the beach or a rainy day at home, customers will find the perfect items to suit their child's needs. Items include educational games, science kits for explorers, whimsical handmade puppets and role-playing games for drama majors, building kits and giant blocks for budding engineers and architects, and classic games and puzzles. Two Kids and a Dog has two locations, Dumbo and Lower Manhattan, and an online store. Visit the website to learn more. SHOP NOW

KATRINA MILES - INKYVERSE

Inkyverse Media Group is a creative management agency focused on the fields of fine art, illustration, editorial, gaming, film and television, technology, and publishing. Based in Harlem,Inkyverse represents the most diverse and inclusive generation of illustrators and content creators. Founder Katrina is dedicated to curating and developing a diverse talent pool within the art, tech, and publishing industries. Inkyverse leverages relationships within the industry to provide greater visibility of their artists, thereby increasing their market value. Learn more about Inkyverse, the talent they represent, and meet Katrina on the agency website. LEARN MORE

ALEXANDRA CHARPENTIER - WINEMAK'HER BAR

Alexandra Charpentier founder of Winemak-her sitting in her wine bistrot in prospect park

Winemak’her is a wine bistrot in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The bar serves wines produced by women winemakers from France and other countries of origin. "Women winemakers are so kind. They take care of the environment and the soil, and it shows in their wines," explains founder Alexandra.

The bar also serves sweet wines, cocktails, and French aperitif alcohols such as pastis. Also available are small plates made from organic and local food. The space features an indoor pétanque track and plenty of seats to sit and share a drink with friends. LEARN MORE

BERNARDITA CALINAO - WALKSPAN

Bernardita Calinao, PhD, is Founder and CEO of Walkspan, a data-driven and location intelligence firm dedicated to advancing walkability and urban livability globally. The product is in beta version with a neighborhoods search platform to help buyers and renters find the neighborhoods they desire. Bernardita brings a strong background in environmental planning both in the US and abroad to her company. She has a PhD in Environmental Studies and Planning, an MS in Environment and Planning and a BS in Human Ecology. LEARN MORE

WEALF has provided loans to over 100 women entrepreneurs and their businesses. Meet all our women on our WEBSITE

MENTOR SPOTLIGHT

Thank you to our Board of Advisors. 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.

ANN MARIE MOBLEY LIEBERMAN

We are proud to welcome Ann Marie Mobley Lieberman to our board of advisors. Ann Marie brings a multifaceted background of entrepreneurship experience to the mentorship team. A proven project manager, a TV journalist and writer and former International top fashion model and actress, she motivates her clients to visualize the possibilities and steps needed to get there.

Ann Marie has coordinated events and charity fundraisers. Her design skills and vision have given her many opportunities to create and help others. She continues to work as a voice-over actress and enjoys singing, dancing, photography, and painting.

"I believe anyone can do anything if they believe it," shares Ann Marie. “If you can see it, you can make it happen. Women are strong and resourceful and can get anything done if they choose to. I am honored to be working with the esteemed woman of WEALF and to help other women entrepreneurs grow."

Read Ann Marie's full biography on our website

ENTREPRENEUR NEWS FLASHES

MIN SANTANDREA

This summer was a big one for Sant M and founder Min. The company returned to one of its main sales channels, appearing in several trunk shows including the Hampton's Classic in August. In addition, the company's Mary Jane velvet Furlane shoe was featured in both Vogue and People Magazine. Get a pair of Furlane slippers and shop Sant M's entire selection on their website. SHOP NOW

ROSHANAK YOUSEFIAN

Happy 10th Anniversary to Popilee! Specializing in Persian cuisine and pastries, Popilee grew out of founder Roshanak’s passion for cooking while preserving and sharing the exquisite cuisine of Iran with others. Roshanak began Popilee selling handcrafted Persian pastries and has now grown it into a full catering business, for private parties and larger events including Noruz at the Met Gala. Order pastries or book catering services on the Popilee website. BOOK NOW

RIANNA YOUNG

WEALF entrepreneurs continue to make the news. Rianna Young, founder of Happy Hounds, a business focused on selling CBD products to help pets through pain, was featured in an article on Syracuse.com discussing why she chose to launch her career in cannabis and the challenges of being a woman executive in the industry. When asked to name resources in the industry making a difference, Rianna named WEALF along with other programs that support women entrepreneurs. Rianna shares that "countless women inspire me from mentors to my fellow women-owned businesses." READ MORE

ROWENA SCHERER

Congratulations to Rowena, founder of Eat2Explore, on the approval of her company's experiential cooking kits for Step Up students in Florida and West Virginia. Step Up is a nonprofit that helps low-income and at-risk children access the best educational materials, grants and scholarships. Eat2Explore explorer boxes, bring families together teaching about different, cultures, and cuisines. With each box focusing on a different country, they are a perfect fit for Step Up. WEALF entrepreneurs are creating products that educate and make a difference. Learn more about explorer boxes on the Eat2Explore WEBSITE

Spread the WEALF!
Honor that special woman in your life by making a DONATION to WEALF. All gifts are greatly appreciated. WEALF has 501(c)(3) status through our affiliation with Accompany Capital.

Don't miss out on WEALF news! Did a colleague forward you this email? If so, subscribe yourself on the footer of our website to WEALF's email alerts.

Women's Enterprise Action Loan Fund (WEALF)

1160 Park Ave

New York, NY 10128-1212

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