Making It

A powerful visual Narrative Celebrating 10 years of WEALF’s transformative relationships that drive entrepreneurial success

• Showcasing inspiring photographic portraits of women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds alongside WEALF mentors who exemplify the spirit of our mission

• Highlighting the unique stories of economic empowerment through social action

• Open to visitors from the business community, philanthropists, media, university students and faculty, and community stakeholders who champion women

• Portraits that capture the spirit of entrepreneurs and mentors by Claire Holt, photographer and photojournalist

On October 22-25, WEALF celebrated its 10th Anniversary with Making It: Portraits of Women Entrepreneurs & WEALF Mentors, a photography exhibit by Claire Holt at Canvas 3.0 gallery in Manhattan. And celebrate we did!

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. Clair 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.

Over a decade of funding women 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.

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.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23

WEALF partnered with New York Women in Business (NYWIB) for an evening of learning and networking. At a program entitled, Why Mentorship 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.

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.

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.