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** In This Issue
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* Letter from our Founder
* Your chance to add to Women’s History Month in March
* Many ways our entrepreneurs define success
* Recirculating the WEALF by the numbers


Dear Friends,

We entered 2026 with a great sense of anticipation for what lies ahead. Achieving our 501(c)(3) status marks an important milestone for WEALF, strengthening our organization and deepening our commitment to mission-driven work that expands our impact. WEALF’s journey has been remarkable, and we have even more planned for the next decade. With your support, we will continue to prove that age, zip code, and ethnicity are not barriers to accessing the resources needed to grow a business.

As an organization, we are always seeking meaningful ways to measure the impact of our programs on the women and businesses we support. Some outcomes are tangible, while others are less visible, but all are equally important.

This newsletter highlights just a few examples of what WEALF women accomplished over the past year as they worked toward realizing their dreams. There is much more happening behind the scenes, and we invite you to:
* Spread the word to women entrepreneurs who may benefit from our support
* Share opportunities with business leaders interested in mentoring
* Champion our mission with a tax-deductible donation ([link removed])

Perhaps this is the year you become more involved in our work. We would love the opportunity to connect, learn about your own business journey, and hear what inspires you about the innovation of women. Let’s work together in 2026!

Regards,

Vicki Weiner

Founder

Women’s Enterprise Action Leadership Fund

Your chance to add to women's history!

Honor your champion through WEALF's Women's History Hall of Fame this March. Over the years, who was the woman, or perhaps women, who believed in you, encouraged you, and lifted you up when you needed it most? Please consider celebrating them by making a tax-deductible donation ([link removed]) in their honor and adding them to our WEALF's Women's History Hall of Fame to be featured this March for Women's History month. If someone once opened a door for you, or for a woman in your life, a donation to WEALF is a chance to open that door for another woman. Thank you for paying it forward. ([link removed])


** DEFINING SUCCESS:
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How do we measure our impact? It depends on the goal of the entrepreneur. For some it is building a profitable sustainable business. For others, the end game is to sell.

This past year several WEALF women achieved important goals and tangible measures of success.

When the Exit Is the Win

Ariana Tolka, Balkan Bites ([link removed])

[link removed] Tolka, founder of Balkan Bites, recently sold her company to Djerdan Burek, the beloved manufacturer of Balkan phyllo dough pies known as burek. “As someone who grew up eating at Djerdan’s restaurant in Astoria, this transition feels deeply personal,” Ariana shared. “They were pioneers in bringing Balkan cuisine to the U.S., and I’ve looked up to them since I was a kid.”

Ariana founded Balkan Bites to introduce Balkan food to a broader audience with a modern twist. “It all started when I asked my aunt Alida to teach me traditional Albanian recipes in memory of our late grandmother, Magbule,” she explained.

Several years ago, Ariana joined the WEALF program and went on to launch her signature mini burek in multiple flavors. “I’m grateful to WEALF, not only for providing funding at a critical time to keep my doors open, but also for the invaluable mentorship from such an accomplished group of women. I look forward to staying connected and involved in WEALF’s future.”

Building a Franchise Business

Kerri Quigley, The Fashion Class ([link removed])

[link removed] Quigley is taking a different path to success by growing The Fashion Class, an innovative sewing and fashion education business she founded in 2010, into a thriving franchise. Currently, there are three open locations, two in Manhattan that she sold last year, and one in Virginia Beach, VA. She is set to open a company-owned location in River Vale, NJ this April.

Kerri developed a love of fashion, creating her first garments from fabric scraps and a glue gun before her grandmother taught her how to sew. She later attended Parsons School of Design and worked in the fashion industry before launching The Fashion Class.

The Fashion Class offers after-school classes, summer camps, workshops, and school programs where students ages 6–17 learn to sew real, wearable clothing. Kerri recently expanded the brand to include classes and party venues for adults.

Kerri is one of WEALF’s earliest entrepreneurs, receiving her first loan in 2012 to purchase new equipment and expand into new locations. In 2020, she became the first recipient of WEALF’s $25,000 Visionary Award, which she used to further develop and scale the franchise model.

Looking ahead, Kerri plans to continue expanding The Fashion Class nationwide, with a goal of adding ten new franchise locations each year. Thanks to her vision, kids and teens can find their perfect Fashion Class—and many more soon will!

Sustainable Business

Rachel Simons, Seed+Mill

Seed + Mill founder, Rachel Simons & two employees stand in fromt of the company's kiosk at Chelsea Market holding products to celebrate the company's 10th Anniversary Rachel Simons is celebrating the 10th Anniversary in business for Seed+Mill. In 2016 Rachel Simons and two friends opened a small kiosk in New York’s Chelsea Market serving tahini and halva. Today, the company has grown nationally, and its growing line of products is available in grocery chains, including Whole Foods, specialty shops, restaurant menus, and the company website. They celebrated with a weeklong Collab menu at Seed+Mill Chelsea Market stand, featuring Black seed bagels with chocolate halva cream cheese and Doughnuttery’s mini doughnuts glazed with chocolate tahini.

Taking a Favorite Product to the Next Level

Rowena Scherer, Eat2Explore ([link removed])

[link removed] on the success of Eat2Expore for children and families, Rowena Scherer’s Company has just introduced Eat2Explore Explorer Boxes for adults. In addition to all the favorite features of the family boxes, recipes from a foreign country, a 16-page booklet about the country, a shopping list, and spices to prepare the dishes, the adult explorer boxes contain a drink pairing brochure with recipes for cocktails and mocktails, along with wine and beer suggestions making them a wonderful centerpiece for entertaining.

Expanding New Markets

Missy Koo and Stacy Cole, Brooklyn Piggies ([link removed])

[link removed] little piggy went to the market… Wegmans market!

Congratulations to Brooklyn Piggies founders and WEALF participants Missy Koo and Stacy Cole! Their gourmet pigs in a blanket are now featured at Wegmans markets—a huge milestone and a major dream realized in 2025. We’re thrilled to celebrate this success and excited to watch Brooklyn Piggies continue to grow and expand in 2026.

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