Karen Van Ingen is WEALF's Newest Entreprenuer

Women’s Enterprise Action Loan Fund welcomes its’ newest entrepreneur, Karen Van Ingen, owner and founder of Kalo Karma dog biscuits. Inspired by her dog Lola, Karen researched and developed recipes for healthy, all natural treats and foods; the result is Kalo Karma. Available in cheese, peanut butter, and low-calorie training treats; all biscuits are made from all natural, organic ingredients. The cookies have received rave reviews from the dogs in the WEALF family so treat your dog today and order directly from the website.

Ashley Warmington joins CORE Real Estate NYC

Ashley Warmington, WEALF entrepreneur and owner of Cozy Oasis is increasing her ability to assist landlords by joining the team at CORE, a luxury boutique real estate firm, as an agent.  Ashley will continue to assist landlords with short-term rentals through Cozy Oasis and as part of CORE she will be able to assist landlords with long term rentals.  Congratulations Ashley on increasing your abilities in the real estate market.

SPAdet becomes a client of Columbia Business School's Small Business Consultancy Program

WEALF entrepreneur Annabelle Santos’s company SPAdet is now a client of Columbia Business School Small Business Consulting Program.  Six MBA graduate students and Annabelle will work together toward the goal of doubling her business in 1 year, by analyzing the current business model and researching potential market opportunities.  The program will culminate with a presentation to the top consulting firms in the nation.  Congratulations Annabelle on this opportunity to grow your business.  

Brooklyn Soda Works to start new venture

After 6 years Caroline Mak, of Brooklyn Soda Works, is making a big change… The Company is moving out of its production space at the former Pfizer building and hoping to open a cocktail bar!

The new project will combine Caroline and her partner's love of music with fun, boozy, carbonated cocktails (all made with the delicious sodas that Brooklyn Soda Works, has making for years). They are in the very early stages of making the bar a reality so they would love to hear from those who  want to find out more, or if you’re interested in helping with investment.  Caroline can be reached at caroline@brooklynsodaworks.com  

Brewla Bars is aquired by Ruby's Rockets

Congratulations to Rebecca Dengrove of  Brewla Craft Brewed Ice
Pops has been acquired by Ruby’s Naturals, Inc.

WEALF began working with Rebecca when she was working full time as a food chemist at a company in New Jersey, while building Brewla with her brother Dan at night. From a cart in the South Street Seaport Brewla has grown and become a leader in brewed beverage inspired ice pops, now selling to retailers across the U.S. Currently Brewla is sold in approximately 500 retail stores across the country including Mariano’s, Shaw’s, Lund’s & Byerly’s and Safeway.

Rebecca and Dan have joined the Ruby’s team. Rebecca, is Vice President of Product Development and serve on the executive team. The combination of the two companies will provide increased resources and a larger platform for Brewla and growth opportunities for Rebecca.

We are delighted that the hard work and creative talents of the Dengrove team are reaching new levels.

WEALF participants receive a one year membership to Manhattan Chamber of Commerce

Thank you to the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce for giving each WEALF participant a free one year membership.  With this membership participants, can take advantage of the many resources of the chamber including networking and educational events, as well as, having access to their help desk for personal support for their business.  We are pleased to make this opportunity available to our participants and provide another resource to grow their businesses.

WEALF participant Jean Chatman sampling at Mt. Kisco Seafood

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this Saturday, February, 11th WEALF participant Jean Chatman will be sampling her Red Velvet Cake at Mt Kisco Seafood from 11am - 4pm.  Take this opportunity to meet Jean and taste Chatman J Cakes rich, moist red velvet cake topped with real cream cheese, the perfect Valentine’s treat. Jean will be sampling her other baked goodies including her award-winning zucchini bread. Mt. Kisco Seafood proudly sells Chatman J Cakes breads and cakes every day; stop by and pick one up today or order online.  Mt. Kisco seafood is located at 477 Lexington Avenue in Mt. Kisco, New York.

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

WEALF Featured in Forbes online

In her most recent bi-weekly column for Forbes online WEALF participant Autumn Adeigbo writes about the fund. Autumn, designer and creator of MAKOKO fashions, sought a loan from WEALF to grow her business. Read about Autumn’s successful experience with WEALF and other sources of alternative funding she considered. 

Read Autumn's article

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.