Women’s Enterprise Action Loan Fund Joins the GivingTuesday Movement

WEALF is joining the GivingTuesday movement to continue aiding the success of women in business with no-interest loans and one-on-one mentoring.  GivingTuesday celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy throughout the year; we hope you will join us and give to WEALF.  Your donation will help provide no-interest loans to women business owner who haven't been able to receive funding from traditional sources.  WEALF knows it takes more than funding for a business to succeed, so each participant receives one-on-one mentoring from a successful business women.  These women are leaders in their fields and offer their expertise freely as mentors.

With your support women can build businesses that change their lives, the lives of their families, and change the lives of others by adding jobs to the work force.  Donate to WEALF today to receive regular updates on one of our companies; and see firsthand the difference your donation is making in it’s growth and success.  

Our program works. We have provided over $225,000 in loans.  Currently we are supporting 27 active businesses who are expanding and becoming recognized leaders in their arenas.  Donate today to help us support more companies and grow the success of women in business.

Click here to donate to WEALF today

Brooklyn Piggies exciting new client, the Air Force base in Okinawa Japan

This October Brooklyn Piggies, are shipping a second order of their gourmet pigs in a blanket to an exciting new client, the United States Air Force Base in Okinawa Japan.  In March, WEALF participants Missy Koo and Stacy Cole met representatives from the base at the CaterSource trade show in Las Vegas, NV.  Shipping their first order of Piggies to the base over the summer via cargo ship gave this growing business insight into the logistics behind shipping product out of the country.  Congratulations guys on growing your business internationally, we hope to see Piggies in gourmet food stores worldwide very soon.  

Brooklyn Piggies put the perfect pig in a blanket.  Piggies mission: take everyone’s favorite hors d’oeuvre and make it better.  With their gourmet pigs in a blanket, hand crafted from an all-natural sausage free of artificial seasonings, additives, fillers, or MSG, wrapped in a light and flaky pastry, they have accomplished it.  Available in four flavors: original, spicy, chicken, and veggie, Piggies are served by caterers and restaurants seeking more than a traditional  wrapped cocktail frank.  The Piggies have received accolades from a variety of sources including The New York Times, Zagat’s, Food & Wine, Cooking Light, and were featured on NBC’s the Today Show, and Oprah’s Favorite Things 2012.  Find out what why everyone loves Piggies buy them directly from their website and select gourmet food stores.     

SPAdet Selected to participate in Harlem Local Vendor Partner Program

SPAdet has been selected as one of the vendor candidates for participation in the Harlem Local Vendor Partner Program. The applicant pool was highly competitive with over 25 applications received for the Round 3 submission period. After review by Harlem Park to Park and Whole Foods Market (WFM), twelve (12) vendors were selected for the opportunity to meet with Local Forager/Buyer Elly Truesdell and her team to present their products for consideration for the Harlem store opening in 2017 as well as other NYC WFM stores. Congratulations to Annabelle, we hope to see your products in the new Whole Foods store and all their stores soon. www.spadet.com

Ana Bianchi of PaperGirl collection appears on Makers Row Live

Watch Ana Bianchi’s, founder and designer of PaperGirl Collection illustrated clothes for imaginative girls, appearance on Maker’s Row Live from August 25.  Maker’s Row Live, produced by Makers Row, is a weekly Facebook broadcast featuring an industry leader.  During the broadcast Ana demonstrated why she is an industry leader, explaining what it takes to launch and manage a successful children’s clothing line while raising a family.  Ana delighted viewers with clothes from PaperGirls current collection, and answered their questions.  Watch the video for a firsthand account of what it takes to be a successful woman in business.

WEALF Participates in the Business Financing Fair, at the New York Public Library

WEALF’s participation this Wednesday, August 17th at the Business Financing Fair, where we had the opportunity to introduce potential applicants to our program, was a great success.  Thank you Board Member and mentor Leslie Toepfer for securing our appearance at the event, held at the Science, Industry, & Business Branch of the New York Public Library.  Fund Founder, Vicki Weiner, made a brief presentation to all 120 attendees explaining how WEALF’s unique program of one interest free loan of up to $5,000 and one-on-one mentoring contributes to the success of women entrepreneurs with existing businesses.  After the presentation Vicki and Leslie met face to face with potential applicants answering their questions and detailing the specific of our loans and mentoring.  Thanks to participants Rebecca Dengrove of Brewla, Gingi McLeod of SAINTCHiC and Annabelle Santos of SPAdet for attending.  Their first-hand accounts of their experiences with the fund is the best way to demonstrate to attendees the difference WEALF’s program makes for women with growing businesses.  A special thank you to Rebecca Dengrove for being our official photographer.  

Brewla Bars lauded by the New York Times

Brewla Bars, owned by WEALF participant Rebecca Dengrove, was highlighted this week in the New York Times column Front Burner.  Column author Florence Fabricant praised Brewla’s new Barista’s ice pop.  The pop’s cold-brewed coffee taste is made from a lightly sweetened mixture of coffee and organic milk.  Congratulations to Brewla for creating a treat so delectable it impressed one of the Times top food critics.  Try Brewla’s Barista and other fruit flavored pop’s for yourself purchase a box at Union Market stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn, or order directly from brewlabars.com. 

WEALF Participant Ashley Warmington wins CUNY SmartPitch Challenge

Congratulations WEALF participant Ashley Warmington for being the first woman Grand Prize winner in CUNY’s SmartPitch Challenge.  The SmartPitch competition, in it’s fourth year, encourages students to develop their business idea through a three phase program.  Ashley’s successfully completed the first three phases of the competition using the business plan for her WEALF sponsored company, Cozy Oasis, a home sublet concierge company striving to provide five-star service for everyone involved in subletting.  After receiving a large number of mentor nominations Ashley advanced to the final round; presenting her business plan to a judge’s panel on May 20.  On that day the judges awarded Ashley the $10K grand prize.  We are proud of Ashley for demonstrating women owned business are award winning ventures.  Find out for yourself why Cozy Oasis is now an award winning company by visiting their website.  Help Ashley and other women owned businesses succeed by learning more and getting involved with the Women’s Enterprise Action Loan Fund.