Meet Nishat!

Nishat Siddiqui

For Nishat Siddiqui, it all began in the kitchen. She spent years in sales and marketing roles and wasn’t feeling fulfilled. She eventually found her fulfillment in food, Pakistani and Indian food specifically. This change came about as she cooked food for fundraising events and received many compliments on her cuisine. People even approached her asking for lessons on how to cook her dishes. As this is a part of her heritage, she began to realize her passion in creating and presenting Pakistani and Indian dishes and founded her own business, Nishat’s Kitchen.

Nishat’s Kitchen offers in-home cooking lessons and will expand to offer catering for small parties and events. Through this company, Ms. Siddiqui finds fulfillment in owning her own business and following her passion of food creation.

However, this entrepreneurial experience has had its own challenges and obstacles. Thankfully, Empowered Women International provided a platform for Ms. Siddiqui to regain her confidence, bounce business ideas off her classmates, and build her independence. She will cherish these moments and friendships and looks forward to her future growth!

- By Chelsea Collier, EWI Volunteer

Meet Gabriela!

Gabriela Garza

Gabriela Garza’s motivation behind Omani Holistic Healing came from her transformative journey through Peru.  Focused on inspiring change and encouraging mindful practices, she returned home to develop a business that would provide holistic services to help individuals release tension, find tranquility, improve their health and increase happiness and balance in their lives.

Currently, Gabriela offers guidance on health and wellness and private sessions in Yoga and Reiki, a unique type of energy healing. These are not her only services, however. She is also known for her jewelry and plans to enroll in massage therapy school to expand her business.

EWI allows Gabriela to gain clarity on how to truly create a successful and thriving business. Gabriela was especially inspired by the team from Capital One, during the Business Plan review session: “It was incredibly insightful to hear their feedback on how to improve our business plans.”

By Sarah Weber, EWI Volunteer

Mariana Alvarado: My experience as a Graphic Designer Volunteer at EWI

Here with Mary, Alexandra, Marga, Perry, and one of the interns.

When I decided to go back to the work force after being a stay at home mom for 6 years, my strategy was to go back to school and update my design knowledge and technical skills. I gained a lot more than that: self confidence.

My son Ian Emiliano is going to turn 8 in April.

After finishing a certificate program in Web Design in The Corcoran College of Art and Design in DC I felt prepared, but then realized that I needed to prove that I can be a valuable asset to any company, and decided to volunteer.

I found EWI by coincidence, or destiny. I come from an artisan family. My  father learned a solder technique from an Hungarian artist when he was 17 years old and worked for him making sculpture and jewelry for a couple of years before starting his own business. I have respect for artisans and appreciation for their work. I understand the challenges that immigrant woman, like myself, have to face in order to succeed in this country. I feel I found the right place for me to develop more skills and feel productive.

2012 Fall Graduation

I visited an ETS class in November and was pleasantly surprised by the energy of the ladies and advisors. Seeing the graduates so proud of themselves on their big graduation day was an inspiring experience for me.

I think empowering women to reach their full potential is a noble cause. I found working with Marga’s team of women very inspiring and empowering!

Where in the World is Shannon? She Takes Business and Travel to Another Level…

Shannon & Marga

Many of you know Shannon as our amazing former Program Manager. About 9 month ago Shannon and her fiancee decided to travel the world, teaching English as a second language and pursue many of their passions.

But traveling was not enough for Shannon. She wanted to travel and make a living while inspiring others to pursue their own passion for travel. So The Life Aventurista was created… We’re so proud of you, Shannon!

  
“I started The Life Adventurista in November 2012, because when Eric and I were first making our plans over a year ago, so many people contacted me and told me they wished they could live life the way we are. They just didn’t know how or think it was possible. I’ve spent the last six years teaching women how to start things – grassroots campaigns, nonprofits, and businesses, so I thought why not help more women start a business doing what they love so they can live life with more adventure and freedom. I love this work because it combines all my greatest passions and I love being able to work with so many incredible women.” Read more…

Chithra Jeyaram Selected with her Film Mijo to enter in PBS Online Film Festival

Chithra Jeyaram is the founder and creative director of Real Talkies, and a graduate of our Entrepreneur Training for Success, Class 2012. She is an award winning documentary filmmaker who communicates the realities of life as it unfolds, focusing on nuances that cannot be dwelled upon or deliberated in mass media. Through her films she breaks societal barriers, builds bridges, changes attitudes and takes risks.

  

MIJO TRAILER from Real Talkies on Vimeo.

One of her amazing films, Mijo, an evocative portrayal of a mother and child’s intimate relationship in the midst of life altering medical events, was selected in the PBS Online Film Festival. Watch and vote for her film from March 4 through March 22; the film with the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award. Congratulations, Chithra!!!

Bits + Pieces

1. Perri, EWI’s Outreach Coordinator, and Mariana, EWI’s graphic design volunteer, attended Language ETC’s Community Services Fair in DC on Tuesday

2. On Thursday, Perri and Mary, EWI’s Program Manager, had a great social media planning meeting at Cosi in Virginia Square!

3. This week EWI graduate and volunteer, Velma Crawford, was interviewed on Mining the Heart radio show on XM radio.

4. EWI graduates Aida and Lizzie came to our office (just in time for some surprise VDay chocolate covered strawberries!) in preparation for the Micro-Business Lending Conference in Richmond on February 25th and 26th. The two fantastic food entrepreneurs will be part of the “Meet the Micros” segment of the conference. Marga will introduce the women entrepreuners and discuss the role that technical assistance plays in the development of micro enterprises. She will moderate a discussion with the women about their work, needs, and their business goals for the future.

5. Development Associate, Alexandra, met Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor while out and about in DC! So exciting!

6. We celebrated Valentine’s Day with lots of roses, chocolates, heart shaped brownies, and a lovely Lebanese lunch! We hope you all had a great day celebrating loved ones, too!

Happy weekend, everyone! Don’t forget to check back on Monday for a Mondays With Marga post and a new Coach’s Corner!

Are you interested in learning more about Kickstarter? Now’s your chance!

You may be asking yourself, “What IS Kickstarter??!!”

Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others.

Since their launch on April 28, 2009, over $450 million has been pledged by more than 3 million people, funding more than 35,000 creative projects.

Are you wondering how YOU can use Kickstarter to fund your creative projects? Now’s your chance to learn more!

On February 25th Marga Fripp, EWI Founder and President, will be moderating a panel discussion about Kickstarter at the Micro Business Lending: A Landscape for the New Economy conference at the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, VA. Panelists include two of EWI’s very own Artist Marketplace members, Lisa & Jim Jacenich!

Jim and Lisa Jacenich with Marga Fripp at EWI’s 2012 Holiday Marketplace

Lisa & Jim are felt artists from central Virginia and the owners of Artful Gifts. On July 21st, 2012 Lisa & Jim successfully funded their project through kickstarter to cover the cost of airfare to travel to Mongolia to document the introduction of small-scale mechanization to traditional felt making. Lisa & Jim were able to raise $2,562 of their $1,500 goal with the help of 37 “backers” (individuals who ‘pledge’ to fund a creative idea/project through Kickstarter).

Who should attend? Micro lenders; small business support organizations; community and economic development agencies; non profit organizations; and state and local officials. The registration fee of $65 will be paid to the event partners. View the agenda here.

Sandra’s Art Selected in Durant Center Exhibit

Congratulations to Sandra!

Sandra, an ETS student and recent EWI scholarship recipient, has had 2 pieces selected to be presented in the Young at Art exhibit in the Durant Art center of Alexandria.

Sandra comes from a family of very strong women dating back to 1861, in Washington DC. Her introduction to art has been through nature, by watching and appreciating the different ways that nature reveals itself artistically. Her multi-media talents are in metal-smithing, enameling, fabric art, beading and papermaking, to name a few.

Unable to pass up something discarded that could have another life, she’s been picking up things for years, thinking of how she can use it and make a difference. It all comes together in her gorgeous creations of reclaimed, up-cycled, and recycled dolls and hand bags. These are truly object of art, and objects that she uses to spread the word about the life-cycle of materials and the importance of re-using items. “This should not be a fad, but the norm for the average person and available to anyone,” she insists.

To hear more from Sandra and see her lovely pieces, please join us for the Young at Art exhibit opening reception this

Thursday September 20th, from 5pm-7pm
at the Durant Art Center
1605 Cameron st
Alexandria, VA 22314

 

Velma Crawford in “The Ties That Bind”

Velma Crawford, the ETS Graduate and apron extraordinaire, returns triumphantly to our EWI blog with a presentation about her life called “The Ties That Bind” that was held at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum on August 19th.

 

 
 

You may have heard her story before; in fact it’s tucked into every one of Velma’s aprons. With Velma, when you buy an apron you don’t simply receive an apron but the creator’s narrative as well. In “The Ties That Bind” Velma allows us to accompany her on a journey through her learning experiences with her grandmother, the poor daughter of an ex-slave who taught Velma the skills she uses to create her aprons, and her personal illness which was the catalyst to her apron creating.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

While sick, Velma created aprons as therapy that gave “a peace in me”. She discovered that creating aprons allowed her permission to heal and opened up her awareness of sharing. She also learned of the impact women have on each other, how we touch each other’s lives, and how profound that can be. As her therapy turned into an obsession she turned her obsession into a business.

 
 

 
 
 

With Velma her aprons are truly a creation, not simply a garment to use, but a garment that speaks through colors and prints. When you purchase one of Velma’s creations you are purchasing a story that started with a woman born at the turn of the century and by having one you are becoming a living part of that legacy.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Velma Crawford – Veez Ties That Bind Slideshow

To learn more about Velma see our blog here and our website here.

Also visit her Facebook page here.

To contact Velma please email her at veeztiesthatbind@gmail.com or vee.crawford@gmail.com.
 
 

Gail Consulting Group- Featured Graduate: Addie

Addie Gail’s success story begins before the family emergency that took over her life a couple of years ago. Addie had already been gaining experience in her field of business and marketing when a family member became sick and needed Addie’s assistance.

During this chaotic time, Addie lost her job—and subsequently her home. But, she was gaining something else in the process: faith in herself, and a desire to be a business owner.

Addie had a decision to make; she was at a crossroads. “I said, ‘I either have to do this now or I’m not going to do it at all.”

Addie sought help to get her business off the ground. She went to the public library, hoping to access information that would help her to launch her business. She began attending small business networking events and seminars, but she worried that she wasn’t getting the information or making the contacts that she needed to get to the next level.

She felt frustrated. “There’s got to be someone who can help me,” she recalls. She came across a flyer for the EWI program, and immediately filled out the application.

Addie has enjoyed meeting other women who share her dream of owning a business and being self-sufficient. “Women make relationships through talking. Light bulbs start going off and everyone has ideas that could have wings. You never know what can happen,” she says.

Addie says the coaching she has received from EWI’s volunteers has been invaluable to building her skills as well as her self-confidence. “They give you another confidence––an affirmation that you’re on the right track,” Addie says.

She has gained mentors, and further developed the skills she needed to launch her own business, The Gail Consulting Group, a management consulting firm. Addie offers strategic planning, management training, and facilitation services. She hopes to work with government agencies and programs, and faith-based non-profit organizations.

Addie continuously looks for opportunities to make connections, meet potential clients, and discover how she can meet their needs. While she faces challenges in growing her business during a tough economy, Addie’s passion and determination to achieve success also grow every day.

What’s Addie’s advice for other future business owners? “You have to believe in yourself and believe that you can do it,” says Addie. “You never know what can happen. You have to put yourself out there.”

Written by Willona M. Sloan