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Hello WEALF Friends!

I am writing to update you on WEALF’s lending progress and to announce the kick-off to our Fall fundraising campaign. More and more women are applying to our program, and existing participants need additional funds to grow.

Our latest cohort of 5 microloan recipients is an example of the talented women who are joining the WEALF family. Each of these extraordinary women impressed us with her fortitude and adaptability in facing business and personal challenges. New participants gain access to a mentor to support them and our community of more than 50 like-minded entrepreneurs.

The new businesses focus on body positivity, personal style, beautiful designs and healthy products. Several businesses offer head-turning fashion in the form of swimwear, hats and street fashions and table accessories. Another offers premium pet care and hygiene products to keep pets happy and healthy. We can’t wait to help them grow.

With nearly $1 million in loans and a decade of experience, we are confident that WEALF’s model works.We are proud to have helped more than 150 women grow their dreams and businesses through microloans combined with mentoring and peer support.

Why does WEALF’s model work? Our women are talented, resourceful, and creditworthy. Our mentors’ commitment and our entrepreneurs’ impressive repayment rate of more than 95% means that a single loan to one businesswoman starts a cascade of repayments that supports the promising women who follow for several years. WEALF mentors continue to be the lynchpin of our program. We are happy to announce that Judy Stewart, a successful businesswoman and passionate mentor for promoting entrepreneurship has joined our board. Her bio is included in this issue.

That first loan starts with you!

WEALF is kicking off our Fall fundraising campaign now. Our first goal is to expand our funding capacity; so that we can offer more loans to a greater number of determined women entrepreneurs who do not yet qualify for traditional sources of capital. Our second goal is to raise the limit on second loans to existing participants to accelerate their growth opportunities.

Please, take a moment to consider beginning, renewing and increasing your commitment to WEALF this year. Please DONATE ([link removed]) and/or introduce us to a potential new sponsor.

The impact of your contribution will resonate far into the future and be felt in the growing economic empowerment of women across New York’s five boroughs.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Vicki Weiner
Founder


** NEW ADVISORS ENHANCE MENTORING POOL
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[link removed] Stewart is a proven Senior Executive in the world of fashion marketing and branding who has worked at top levels of retail and manufacturing companies. Currently she coaches business planning to entrepreneurs and underserved high school students while serving on several community and performing arts boards.

For the past several years she was the Executive Business Consultant to Hanky Panky, LTD., where she helped lead this exciting international fashion lingerie brand.

Creative Sense, Inc. is her management consulting business where she developed specialized profit enhancing brand growth strategies for over 30 businesses ranging from Polo Ralph Lauren to Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Retail, to Coty Beauty, and The Rockefeller Center Group.

Earlier she was the creator and CEO of Kids “R” Us/ Babies "R" Us, the children’s apparel subsidiary of Toys “R” Us and the President of August Max, a women's sportswear specialty store chain. She started out her career as a sportswear buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue and then Bloomingdale’s.

Judy's philanthropic activities are diverse and impressive.
Read Judy's Full Bio ([link removed])


** MEET THE WOMEN OF OUR FALL 2024 COHORT
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[link removed] DAVIS & DANASIA JENKINS, THE VVS ([link removed])
a premier luxury swim and vacation wear brand, to the WEALF Family. Founders Deja Davis (left) and Danasia Jenkins (right) started their preimer luxury swim and vacation wear brand with a mission to solve the industry's lack of inclusivity and limited options for diverse body types. The VVS is committed to enhancing the natural beauty of every individual. The brand is rooted in celebrating diversity and promoting body positivity. The company caters to customers who value inclusive sizing, stylish and comfortable swimwear, and sustainable production.
Full body photo of Carlotta Shelton, founder of Lotta Hats wear one of her hats at her booth in a street fair summer 2024
CARLOTTA SHELTON, LOTTA HATS
Carlotta Shelton is the founder of Lotta Hats, maker of one-of-a-kind sized hats for women and men. With a BS in textile and clothing design from Iowa State University and as a former sales representative for Burlington Industry, Carlotta knows fabric and design. Her hats are constructed from a mix of up-cycled home decorating fabrics. Carlotta prides herself on making hats that fit perfectly, so she sells them at events where they can be tried on. Along with year-round designs Carlotta manufactures a seasonal, ethnic hat line with Mudd Cloth from Mali and African print fabric, and a children's hat line available in the summer only. In addition to participating in the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market in Dilworth Park from November 15, 2024 through January 1, 2025. Carlotta sells regularly at street fairs throughout New York City
[link removed] WIGGINS, KENGE KOUTURE ([link removed])
Nkenge founded Kenge Kouture to create clothing for every body type from plus sizes, celebrating curves, to petite women who may have trouble finding clothing from major labels. Kenge Koutre’s luxury tailoring, alteration, and custom design services creates haute couture designs at affordable prices. Using modern technology, cutting edge techniques and high-quality materials Nkenge works with a team of experienced designers to produce unique clothing that looks great and feels even better. As creative director Nkenge sketches and creates all the designs in her collection and directs the company’s fashion shows. She shows her commitment to her community by donating the profits of 10% of her sales to it each year.
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TANYA CHOI, DIVINE CANINE ([link removed]) Tanya, founder of Divine Canine is a beauty industry veteran with a passion for pet care. The brand is on a mission to elevate dog wellness and skin health and is proud to be the only pet brand that uses advanced, natural formulations with human-grade ingredients ensuring that dogs receive exceptional nourishment, protection and care. The products are made in the U.S. in an FDA-approved lab with PhD scientists leading the team.
[link removed] FAIMAN, VON GERN HOME ([link removed])
Founder, Kira Faiman, believes every day is a special occasion. That’s why she works with interior designers to create a line of playful, practical, and chic accessories for the table. The placemats, coasters, napkin rings, trays, tissue box covers, and decorative objects are inspired by fashion, architecture, and global cultures. Kira founded her company in 2019 with her first accounts being Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and luxury stores in Monte Carlo. She launched her e-tail business in 2020.
SHOP WEALF WOMEN AT HOLIDAY MARKETS Don't miss your chance to shop and meet our entrepreneurs in person at holiday markets. AR PONCHOS ([link removed]) , founded by Aya Ran will be at The Bryant Park Winter Village, October 25 - Jan 5 and the Union Square Holiday Market Nov 16 - December 24.EAT2EXPLORE ([link removed]) , founded by Rowena Scherer will also be at the Bryant Park Winter Village December 2 - 18 as part of Bank of America Small Business Spotlight. Lotta Hats, founded by Carlotta Shelton, will be at the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market in Dilworth Park from November 15, 2024 through January 1, 2025.

OB NWAOGBE ACCEPTED TO THE GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 BUSINESS FALL 2024 COHORT As part of this cohort Ob, founder of OH BE YOU FACIAL BAR ([link removed]) , was awarded a $60,000 scholarship to attend 14 weeks of in person classes designed to teach her the tools to help her small business grow even stronger.
AUNT ETHEL'S POT PIE FOUNDER ON QVC Sasha Millstein appeared on QVC’s holiday show on October 9, showcasing AUNT ETHEL'S ([link removed]) mouthwatering Pot Pies. During her appearance Sasha discussed with host Alberti Popaj how she founded the company using her aunt’s pot pie recipe while he tried the three varieties: Coq Au Vin, Roasted Chicken, and Shrooms Gone Wild.The pot pies are sold out on QVC but watch the clip by clicking here ([link removed]) and order your pot pies from the company website or look for them in one of over 100 Wegman’s supermarkets nationwide.

MONDAYS NEW MOON VASE FEATURED IN OCTOBER'S ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST The vase is part of the magazine’s 37 Elevated Halloween Decoration Ideas for the Spooky Sophisticate article. Click here ([link removed]) to read the article. Authors Amelia Mularz and Yelena Moroz Alpert's take on why the vase is a way to make your flowers look supernatural and order the vase from the MONDAY’s site ([link removed]) . MONDAY’s is founded by WEALF entrepreneurs Jennifer Fiore and Nina Lalli.
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DONATE ([link removed])
We have supported more than 150 businesses on their way to success, with countless more to follow Please consider DONATING ([link removed]) and introducing us to potential new funders.

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