Thursday, October 23: WEALF & NYWIB Mentoring & Networking Event
Friday, October 24: WEALF Celebrates
Our First Online Silent Auction
Looking to the future
Dear Friends,
Photo credit: Claire Holt
In late October, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary with Making It: Portraits of Women Entrepreneurs & WEALF Mentors, a photography exhibit photographed by Claire Holt at Canvas 3.0 gallery in Manhattan. And celebrate we did! Thank you to all who attended and contributed to making the event a success.
The exhibit by portrait photographer, Claire Holt, was a tribute to the women of WEALF who have overcome systemic barriers to build thriving businesses — and to the mentors who have guided them along the way. Claire did an extraordinary job in capturing the spirit and personality of our women; she made them come alive and inspired us all.
At WEALF participants gain access to capital, one-on-one mentoring, and a supportive community where they feel heard, understood, and valued. To date, we have provided over $1 million in small business loans to women business owners in New York. Our approach has proven that when given the tools they need, these women can become creditworthy and unstoppable in achieving their dreams of independence and self-determination.
In a decade of funding women who were denied credit by traditional sources, WEALF has achieved a loan repayment rate of over 90% — an enviable record that allows us to redeploy funds and support more women.
We’re deeply grateful for the donations we receive that enable us to meet the growing demand for our interest-free startup loans and our 3% growth loans. We receive no government funding, so we continue to support our women in these difficult times when so many nonprofits funds have been cut.
As businesses expand, so does the need for working capital — and we’re proud to help them take that next step. Our participants are as diverse as the businesses they build. What they share is determination, grit, and resilience in navigating challenges and creating opportunity.
Each entrepreneur’s path and each mentoring relationship is unique. I am grateful for the dedication of our mentors, who volunteer their time, expertise, and heart to help these women succeed. We could not do what we do without them.
Please join us by becoming a mentor and share your expertise, or recommend a business owner who needs our support, or you can donate much needed funds to fuel our important work.
We look forward to celebrating the future with you.
Regards,
Vicki Weiner
WEALF Founder
OPENING NIGHT: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22
At the opening night of our exhibit, sponsors, donors, like-minded organizations, and friends of WEALF had the opportunity to speak with the women featured in the portraits about their businesses and entrepreneurial journeys. The program included remarks by Claire Holt, a portrait photographer, who captured the spirit and personality of the women.
Excerpt of her remarks: "When Vicki first described WEALF to me, I was immediately intrigued by the grassroots, collaborative, and hands-on approach. These same qualities perfectly describe Vicki and for me, they are some of the ideal ingredients I look for to make an impactful editorial project.
I began by meeting entrepreneurs, sometimes with their mentors, sometimes alone. I used a documentary, fly-on-the-wall approach, asking questions, then sitting back and listening, watching the depth of these relationships unfold.
One that really stood out was between mentor Sybil Wailand, who runs a global marketing consultancy, and Rianna Young, founder of Happy Hounds. Their dynamic interaction was full of laughter and insight. Sybil had at one point suggested changing just one word on Rianna’s packaging — and that tiny shift made a huge impact on Rianna’s sales.
Rianna arrived in Central Park for her portrait session with bags of sample dog treats, and business cards with QR codes. Within minutes, she had half the park engaged. I practically had to pull her away to get the portrait. That moment really captured the spirit of WEALF for me —the mix of creativity and drive that makes this organization so special.
Over the course of the year, I met more of the mentors and realized that, although many are now hugely successful in their own businesses, most had faced at least some of the same barriers their mentees are now overcoming.
And however different they are, this organization brings together people from a wide variety of backgrounds. That shared experience of navigating the challenges of being a woman trying to make it against the odds gives WEALF a collective strength that’s rare and powerful.
In many ways, WEALF operates like a large extended family —where knowledge, encouragement, and experience flow freely in every direction.”
Claire brings a gift for capturing emotions, thoughts, and the unspoken stories within her subjects. Over time, her work has evolved into a powerful form of visual storytelling where each image transcends the individual.
Her photographs have been commissioned and published by leading cultural and educational organizations, including The Wallace Foundation, Rockefeller University, Columbia University, and Barnard College. Her editorial work has appeared in numerous major outlets such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Newsday, and the Associated Press.
A graduate of Cornell University and Columbia’s School of Journalism, where she later served as an adjunct professor of photojournalism.
The crowd gathers to view the exhibit and celebrate
Sybil Wailand, Board of Advisors & Rianna Young, Founder Happy Hounds, discuss their experience as mentor and mentee
From left to right, Carolyn Mak, Board of Advisors, Claire Holt, Photographer & Kerri Quigley, Founder the Fashion Class
Vicki Weiner, WEALF founder & Maureen Cohen, Makawe Interiors who adapted the space for the exhibit
Photographer Claire Holt delivers her remarks
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23
ship Matters, more than 60 women gathered to learn the power of mentorship in growing a business. The keynote was delivered by Kara Miller, Associate Director of Innovative Learner Programs and Director of Babson College WIN Lab, who discussed the different types of mentoring relationships and what each brings to the business owner. (NYWIB) for an evening of learning and networking. At a program entitled, Why MentorNew York Women in BusinessWEALF partnered with
Following Kara's remarks, a panel including Stacy Cole and Melissa Koo, founders of Brooklyn Piggies, and Dr. Sheyi Ojofeitimi, Dance Medicine Physical Therapist, and Founder of Workplace Wellness Consultant, provided an inspiring conversation as they shared their ups and downs as entrepreneurs.
Vicki Weiner, WEALF Founder & Mary Tan, NYWIB Founder along with the panelists
Kara Miller, Associate Director of Innovative Learner Programs and Director of Babson College WIN Lab, delivers her keynote address
The Panel Speaks
A Speed Mentoring Session
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24
It was party time for WEALF entrepreneurs and mentors. The women gathered to share their experiences and celebrate their successes. The magic happens and businesses grow when the members of WEALF get together and find ways to share business ideas and make new partnerships.
Vicki Weiner, WEALF Founder & Sarah Frank, Board of Directors, pose in front of Sarah's portrait with Narell Vasquez, Founder of Full of Beans Kitchen
Roshanak Yousefian, founder of Popilee Patisserie, poses in front of her portrait
Annabelle Santos, Founder of Spadet, poses in front of her portrait with mento Avani Kadakia
OUR FIRST ONLINE SILENT AUCTION
WEALF partnered with NYWIB to do its first Silent Auction, with proceeds to benefit women-owned businesses right here in our community. Participants from WEALF and retailers contributed items, including fine jewelry, unforgettable vacations, private dinners by personal chefs, business consulting, wines, fashion items, and tickets to shows.
Every bid directly supports our programs that help women entrepreneurs gain the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to grow and thrive—especially at a time when their success matters more than ever.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
We express gratitude to all our friends and supporters who helped us reach this major milestone and contributed to our celebration. Stay tuned. This is the first of many exciting steps as we continue to help women realize their dreams.
At WEALF participants gain access to capital, one-on-one mentoring, and a supportive community where they feel heard, understood, and valued. To date, we have provided over $1 million in small business loans to women business owners in New York. Our approach has proven that when given the tools they need, these women can become creditworthy and unstoppable in achieving their dreams of independence and self-determination.
Each entrepreneur’s path and each mentoring relationship is unique. I am grateful for the dedication of our mentors, who volunteer their time, expertise, and heart to help these women succeed. We could not do what we do without them. 
One that really stood out was between mentor Sybil Wailand, who runs a global marketing consultancy, and Rianna Young, founder of Happy Hounds. Their dynamic interaction was full of laughter and insight. Sybil had at one point suggested changing just one word on Rianna’s packaging — and that tiny shift made a huge impact on Rianna’s sales.
