A Guide of Local Women Entrepreneurs in Arts, Food, and the Creative Economy
Table of Contents Art Venues..........................................................................................................................1 Cleaning Services..........................................................................................................1 Consulting Businesses ...............................................................................................2 Cosmetology and Beauty .........................................................................................3 Educational Services ..................................................................................................4 Fashion Apparel and Accessories ........................................................................5 Fine Art................................................................................................................................7 Food and Catering ................................................................................................... 12 Glass Art.......................................................................................................................... 14 health and wellness ................................................................................................ 14 Import / Export Businesses and Marketplace........................................... 15 Interior Decorating................................................................................................ 16 Jewelry design.............................................................................................................. 16 Multimedia (Film, Graphic, web design) ....................................................... 17 Music & performance............................................................................................... 18 Nonprofit / Community Development......................................................... 19 Photography. ................................................................................................................ 20 Textile and Mixed media ........................................................................................ 21
Art Venues
Cleaning Services
Denisse Rodriguez 2012 Graduate Art Gallery, Studio, Lounge
Rutendo Tsokodayi 2013 Graduate Above and Beyond
Denisse enrolled in the ETS program to create a milieu where music and art lovers can come together to talk about their work and showcase their craft. Inspired by the ambiance of BusBoys and Poets, Denisse designed a lounge/art gallery studio.
“EWI has provided me with the funding for my business training. My mentors have helped me map out the direction I want my business to take and have instilled in me the confidence to move forward with my business.”
Julia Logan 2009 Graduate Jul’s Jewels – Art Gallery; Graphic Designer
Rutendo Tsokodayi is the founder of Above and Beyond cleaning business. The inspiration of her business comes from wanting the freedom to be her own boss.
When she applied to the ETS program, Julia had several goals: To make and sell her own note cards and paintings and to start up her own art gallery. A mother of five, Julia created a profitable company which allowed her to make a living as an artist.
Jane Mwinuka 2013 Graduate Highlander Services, LLC - Cleaning Services Originally from Tanzania, Jane Mwinuka’s love of cleaning started as a child. As she grew older this love grew into an interest in providing cleaning services. Once in the United States, she founded Highlander Services, LLC, an organization specializing in residential and commercial properties.
Sushmita Mazumdar 2008 Graduate Book Artist, Story Teller, Graphic Designer Studio Pause Website: handmadestorybooks.com
Kudzai Gombakomba 2011 Graduate, 2013 GMB Graduate KGSpotless Facebook: KG-Spotless
Sushmita began writing stories for her son about her childhood in India. She then created a business to publish storybooks about the lives on others. Her first solo show was held at the Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park in 2012. She teaches classes and workshops around the Washington DC area. In 2013 she opened Studio Pause, a creative community space for art, stories, talks and workshops.
A refugee from Zimbabwe who moved to the U.S. in 2009 to live with her son, Kudzai is a graduate of George Washington University. Back home, Kudzai received a master’s degree in hospitality service and worked in management. Equipped with skills she learned through EWI, she created a company that offers services such as residential and commercial cleaning, deep cleaning treatments, and move-out and move-in cleaning.
Marlene Belgrove 2008 Graduate Art Tribute Enterprises
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Consulting Businesses
Danielle R. Rash 2013 Graduate First Class Resumes & Career Services
Kimberly D. Graden 2013 Graduate Real Financial Freedom
“EWI has helped me to stay on track and provided me with the tools that I needed to be successful in my business.”
“If it worked for me, I know it can work for others. EWI has put me in touch with so many people who are willing to help small businesses.”
Danielle’s company provides resumes and career documents. Her inspiration comes from the fact that she provides services to assist job seekers in landing their dream job.
Kimberly Graden is the founder of Real Financial Freedom. RFF specializes in helping people manage their money and create a plan to get out of debt completely. She was inspired to help others once she created a get-out-of-debt plan and became debt free.
Floralba Camargo 2013 Graduate Sunflower Home Organizer Over the past ten years, while in Colombia and later in the US, Floralba had a deep-rooted connection with home organization. She organized the homes of her friends and family and has now grown this into a business. She believes that an organized home life, which can often be an overlooked task, makes the world of a difference in an individual’s life.
Senovia McLaughlin 2013 Graduate Exclusive Affairs Event Planning & Management “EWI has helped me focus and make more deliberate decisions with regard to growing my business.” Senovia’s great grandmother and mother were the inspiration for her business.
Morella Ewell 2013 Graduate Ewell Interpretation Services
Jessica Anteparra 2013 Graduate Spanish Language Tutoring (SLT)
A native of Colombia, Morella came to the United States in 1995. Her business offers translating services, dealing with everything from legal documents to small business to government-related services. She believes it is beneficial that she is an immigrant, as many of her clients come from different countries and trust her because she can relate to their circumstances. Morella says that EWI helped her put the pieces of her business together. She is grateful to have had mentors, trainers and business coaches in the process to offer guidance and support.
“EWI helped me to improve my English, my knowledge about marketing, and my self-confidence.” Jessica Anteparra is an entrepreneur who is interested in expanding her work in Spanish Language Tutoring into a solid business. She is from Peru and she has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Spanish Language Tutoring (SLT) is a teaching program for children, teenagers and adults. She has private and group classes. Her father is her inspiration because he is 80 years old and he is working at home.
Odirsa Argueta 2013 Graduate JRC Irrigation and Lighting Company
Cynthia King 2013 Graduate Prime Logistics Property Management, LLC
Odrisa’s business installs irrigation systems and provides landscaping services. She enjoys making customers happy as they find their yards transformed into beautiful new landscapes. She is a proud mother and finds her children a strong motivation for her life’s endeavors. Through EWI she says she has benefitted from quality classes and the aid of mentors
Her business seeks to purchase and renovate foreclosed properties in order to fill the gap for high-quality, affordable rental homes in the state of MD. This will also add value and beautify to communities in transition.
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Addie Gail 2012 Graduate The Gail Consulting Group Website: thegailconsultinggroup.com
and teachers throughout the process which will have a lasting impact on her new career. Carolina Guevara 2013 Graduate Eco-Habitat
Addie created Gail Consulting Group to provide management consulting services to governments, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies. Skilled in marketing, Addie is networking with other professionals in her field and meeting potential clients. Addie is also a trainer-in-training and mentor to current ETS students
Originally from Nicaragua, Carolina saw a need for eco-friendly housing development. After growing up around precarious housin conditions in Nicaragua she was inspired to create ECO-HABITAT, whose mission is to provide affordable and environmentally friendly housing design alternatives. She says after her experience with EWI she now knows how to better manage her time, establish a strong working relationship with potential customers, and is excited about her new business plan to develop and improve people’s homes.
Kelley Smith 2012 Graduate Style Smiths Kelley has always had an eye for fashion. Experienced as a stylist for photo shoots, Kelley struggled to make a living practicing her craft. At EWI, Kelley strengthened her business skills. “Style Smiths provides style consulting services to image-aware, goal- oriented and successful professionals in the D.C. area,” said Kelley.
Cleopatra Magwaro 2013 Graduate Writing and Publishing Consultancy Web: aseasonsassemblage.com Facebook: A Seasons Assemblage by Cleopatra Magwaro
Paula Jean Margus 2010 Graduate Marketing
Originally from Zimbabwe, Cleopatra Magwaro began writing an anthology of short stories while she was in law school in Australia which was later published in book, “A Season’s Assemblage.” Cleo’s writing expertise also includes freelance projects on global justice, international business law, global human rights issues and biographies. Cleo believes she has reclaimed her voice as a writer after coming to EWI and that she is now in a better position to take her anthology to the next level.
Paula started volunteering with EWI while unemployed from the IT field. She started writing women’s artist profiles, helping them with marketing and photographing their work. Soon she reconnected with her first professional love: writing creative nonfiction to promote people’s talents and advocate for their success.
Cosmetology and Beauty
Valerie Fair 2012 Graduate Mother Earth Enterprises Website: motherearthent.com
Ebony Howard 2012 Graduate Nails4Males Website: nails4males.com
Valerie started her own company to clean up the environment, reversing damage caused by pollution and unsustainable energy practices. Through Mother Earth Enterprises, Valerie educates the local community on strategies for saving energy and reducing waste. Mother Earth Enterprises is comprised of three divisions: FAIR Solutions, Go Green Greeting Cards and Mother Earth’s Next Generation Blossoms.
Ebony is a licensed nail technician with over 10 years of experience. Nails4Males offers premier services that include manicures, pedicures, facials, and stress-reliever packages to men who wish to be pampered and groomed in a male-friendly environment.
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Educational Services
Nichole Swinson 2012 Graduate Hair & Beauty Sugarland Beauty Supply Boutique
Lakisha Morris 2013 Graduate Tiny Explorers Child Development Centers and Consultants
Nichole understands what life is like for women struggling with hair loss caused by a medical condition—and that’s why the beauty stylist and wig artisan plans to design customized wigs and develop natural hair care products. She hopes to open up a store to sell these products and provide a haven for women to support each other during difficult times.
“EWI has created a forum for me to discuss my school and receive feedback from industry professionals, and more importantly my classmates who have great ideas and suggestions.”
Solo’o Idalina Sylva 2011 Graduate NaturElle: Hair Braiding/Natural Haircare Website: BlackStylists.com/NaturElle_Braiding
Lakisha is co-owner of Tiny Explorers Child Development Centers and Consultants. Her inspiration is the need for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and dual language education opportunities on the early childhood level.
Born in Gabon, Africa and raised in France, Solo’o is a natural hairstylist, braider and educator in the Washington D.C. area. After a decade of braiding the hair of relatives, coworkers, and friends, the mother of two boys and three girls opened up her own shop while attending cosmetology school.
Myiketta Barlow 2013 Graduate Tiny Explorers Child Development Centers and Consultants “EWI has increased my knowledge of what it means to be financially aware to have a successful business.”
Breann Whitcomb 2011 Graduate Mimulus & Thinking in Cups Website: thinkingincups.com
Myiketta Barlow is the co-owner of Tiny Explorers Child Development Centers and Consultants. Her inspiration is the need for stem and dual language educational opportunities at the early childhood levels of learning.
Stressed out financially, Breann capitalized on her creativity and keen eye for color to start her own business. Along with fellow ETS graduate, Tiffany Carter, Breann co-founded Thinking in Cups, a company that specializes in bath products, make-up and hair pieces.
Caryn Reitkopp 2012 Graduate, 2013 GMB Graduate Humane Education Paws for Peace
Brigitta Kral 2010 Graduate Briggy’s Bath & Beauty Etsy: BriggysBathAndBody
“EWI helped to make my 15 year old dream a reality by giving me the tools and support I needed to write my business plan and turn my dreams into a reality.”
After being laid off from her job as a senior communications associate, Brigitta Kral wanted to focus time towards transitioning BrigaBauble, her jewelry line, from a hobby into a profitable business. She also wanted to expand her craft by creating Briggy’s Bath and Body, making handcrafted, natural bath and body goodies.
Caryn Reitkopp is a former classroom teacher with a Master’s Degree in English and teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education and ESOL. Paws for Peace, LLC combines my love for animals and children with a passion for making the world a kinder place to live for all.
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Jennifer Halsey 2012 Graduate Edible Adventures Tours (E.A.T.) a division of CULTOURS, LLC
and entrepreneur for as long as she can remember. Her first design business began as a high school student right in her mother’s dry cleaning business in Brooklyn where she converted a corner of the store into a boutique selling her own bespoke jewelry and clothing designs. Her work as an artist/entrepreneur is inseparable from her experience and worldwide travels as a curator of craft traditions and cultural heritage. Principal of NDiayedesign/Nyogea enterprises Diana Baird N'Diaye manages the design, production, and marketing of her daughter Mame’s line of tee-shirts, art prints and other products as well as her own jewelry and textile arts.
Jennifer has experience as a tour guide and a broad knowledge of history, which has translated into the vision for her tour guide company. Edible Adventures Tours (E.A.T.) partners with local elementary schools to provide carefully planned trips to local historical sites for students (and a free lunchbox!). Kamila Barbour 2012 Graduate Education/Publishing Barbour Publishing House
Fawn A. Jordan Designer and Manufacturer 2013 Graduate Wearable Art Gallery Website: wearableArtgallery.com
Most of the stories Kamila hears about Muslim Americans are told by people outside her culture, and she wanted to change that. An educator by trade, Kamila developed a curriculum about Muslim art and culture to offer a new perspective on the history of Muslim Americans.
“EWI has been invaluable not only in giving me the guidance and clarity in setting up my business and writing my plan of action for my business. EWI has also been invaluable in that I have met and have worked with like-minded business women who all have the same goals and aspirations as my own…taking control of our lives by creating and working independently in our own businesses. How powerful is that!”
Paulette Mpouma 2011 Graduate, 2013 GMB Graduate Africa Memory Game Website: theafricamemorygame.com “EWI helped me to organize my business. I received a lot of help and encouragement, I also was sold out once because EWI brought me a lot opportunities.”
Fawn Jordan designs and manufactures one-of-akind art-to-wear women’s clothing pieces. Her plan is to sell and market her products at trunk shows from her own show room and on her website. Her line will be sold under the name The Black Pearl Design Collection.
Paulette, a refugee from Cameroon, developed the Africa Memory Game to educate her children about Africa. Her inspiration came from her children who thought, from a school video, all children in Africa had AIDS.
Angela Sargent 2013 Graduate A.I.A. Inspired Designs Facebook: AIAInspiredDesigns Etsy: AIAInspiredDesigns
Fashion Apparel and Accessories
Angela Sargent sells hand-knit scarves, hats, cell phone holders as well as greeting cards, inspirational plaques, and books. She started her business in 2007 after being laid off from a job. As a single mother, the inspiration for Angela's business idea came from her two sons; A.I.A. stands for Angela, Isaiah, and Aaron. They motivate her to make the world better and to encourage others to do the same.
Diane Baird N’Diaye 2013 Graduate N’Diaye Designs Dr. Diana Baird N'Diaye has had concurrent careers as an artist/designer, cultural heritage specialist and curator (currently at the Smithsonian Institution)
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Julie Hyo Park 2013 Graduate J-Made Designs Boutique
She wants to create an orthopedic shoe that will guarantee comfort and style and has turned to EWI for support in her venture. Her marketing strategy will be to target women of all ages, especially professional women.
Julie Park, owner of J-Made Designs Boutique: a knitting and crochet company, is a friendly and highly motivated emerging entrepreneur. Julie makes a wide variety of items for women, children, and babies. Her unique clothing makes the perfect gift for family and friends, but she knows that there is more she can do with her talent.
Velma Crawford 2011 Graduate Veez Ties That Bind Facebook: VeezTiesThatBind Velma is an artist, designer, and storyteller—well known for making unique aprons. Velma’s apron designs are inspired by the love she felt for her grandmother, who taught her the art of quilting, and the memory of good times shared with her grandmother’s seven daughters.
Tenisha Campbell 2013 Graduate T Simone Designs Website: tsimonedesigns.com Tenisha’s artistic vision blossomed through a wellspring of difficult circumstances. In the midst of obstacles life threw her way she pursued her true passion for fashion and design in order to seek peace and continue the healing process. Her entrepreneurial journey began in Charlotte, NC and developed in great fervor in DC with the foundation of T-Simone Designs.
Tiffany Carter 2011 Graduate Vesica Splender & Thinking in Cups Website: vesicassplendor.com Etsy: vesicassplendor.com/apps/etsystore/ Tiffany entered the ETS program to pursue her dream of opening a small business and becoming self-sufficient. Whimsical, spontaneous and spirited, Tiffany designs themes for her hair and jewelry collections.
Mariam Mohamed 2012 Graduate, 2013 GMB Graduate Bahari Creations Website: baharicreations.com “EWI is helping me reach my goal through a number of programs as well as mentoring and providing a supporting system.”
Renee Huggins-Sinclair 2011 Graduat Beloved Handbags
Originally from Tanzania, Mariam immigrated to the US nearly a decade ago with a dream to own her own business. Experienced in working with textiles and sewing, Mariana creates fashion accessories such as handmade bags, pouches, and pillows from Kanga cloth, a traditional fabric of the Swahili culture to which she belongs. With her micro-entrerprise Mariam is creating new social and multicultural network among women, much like the way it has always been in her Swahili culture.
Each of Renee’s handbags is unique. Her business is composed of three lines – cloth shoulder sling bags, baby diaper bags and pleated day bags. Renee plans to expand her collection to include fancy evening clutches. Carla Weeks 2011 Graduate Piccadilly Weeks Website: piccadillyweeks.com Born in the UK, Carla creates a line of clutches and accessories made from vintage and repurposed materials. Each piece carries its own story. Carla scours thrift stores, estate sales and antique shops to find high quality materials with unique characteristics.
Rashunda Bailey 2012 Graduate Shoe Designs Rashunda knows that shoes can make an outfit —and that an outfit can boost a person’s self-esteem.
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Claire Morin 2011 Graduate Tusha International
Rabia Naeem Pervez 2005 Graduate Hand-painted Silk Scarves Website: silknpaint.com
Claire transforms indigenous fabrics into styles everyone can wear. She started designing as a hobby, but her garments were so unique that friends in the U.S. offered to buy them. Tusha International supports micro-businesses by buying and selling jewelry and natural eco-friendly products like shea butter, cocoa butter and natural soap.
The silk work created by Rabia is as colorful as a rainbow and reveal her talent for blending fabrics and silk paint. Her designs celebrate the changing seasons and wide range of human emotion. Rabia’s love of art began in her home country of Pakistan where she made and sold clothing.
Amy Odean 2010 Graduate Women’s Apparel Designer
Fine Art
Amy is a painter who makes pottery, quilts and dresses. Amy is also a hat designer, photographer and textile artist. Her style reflects the various cultures that have played an integral part of her life since childhood.
Mame N’Diaye 2013 Graduate N’Diaye Designs Mame N'Diaye is an award winning visionary artist, composer of electronic music. As an entrepreneur she is applying her talents to a line of limited edition silkscreened tee-shirts and other wearables. Working primarily in pen and ink, converted to digital prints, Mame creates complex visual landscapes, fantasy portraits and intricately detailed abstract drawings incorporating original scripts and symbols that evoke ancient and mystical texts and stories. Mame draws her inspiration from her Senegalese and Caribbean heritage as well from her travels to West Africa, Morocco and from her exploration of world mystical healing traditions. Mame is also an outspoken advocate for people with disabilities especially those on the autistic spectrum.
Sarah Aldalawi 2009 Graduate Textile Design When she arrived to the U.S. from Iraq, Sarah, a textile design artist, struggled to find steady work. Soon after she learned that a market existed for creatively designed textiles. Sarah enrolled in the ETS program to develop skills to start her own small business. Valentina Dimilo 2008 Graduate Batik Designer Facebook: art batik by Valentina Dimilo
Jennifer Smith 2012 Graduate Oil painting
Russian-born Valentina specializes in art batik, a form of textile design that involves painting directly onto silk. After graduating from ETS in 2008, she found her target market in the Washington D.C. area, distinguishing herself as the first artist to sell her wares at the newly-opened King Street Art Works gallery in Alexandria.
Jennifer is an oil painter who sometimes works with encaustics, charcoal, pen and ink. She wants to sell her artwork and retain the rights to use the images on pieces of fabric, kitchen ware, wallpaper accessories and furniture design. Her dream is to open an Art studio or Artists’ Co-op where local artists gather to share successes and failures and support each other.
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Pilar Ortiz 2012 Graduate Painting: Chic Art Impressions Website: pilarortizfineart.com
to capture the sorrows. Saadia has exhibited her artwork with Muslim Women in the Arts, Afghan Education for a Better Tomorrow and Bloombars. Saadia also enlightening listeners to the beauty of her native music and customs on Global Rickshaw Radio.
An immigrant struggling to find her way in the U.S., Pilar creates artwork that depicts the richness of her Hispanic culture. One of her goals is to empower other Hispanic women to pursue their creativity through the Hispanic Art Foundation. Pilar found her business niche in making mobile device skin covers for a wide audience.
Gloria Valdes Tarasca 2011 Graduate Painting Website: gloriavaldes.com A self-taught artist, Gloria began building her own fantasy world from the colors and shapes inspired by the Tarascans, her ancestral people who inhabited the Michoacán in western Mexico, where she was born.
Nadia Janjua 2011 Graduate Oil Paintings, Architecture, Handmade Crafts Website: nadiajart.com Etsy: shopnjartitecture Facebook: Nadia J Art
Sarah Jawaid 2011 Graduate Painting & Photography Website: sarahjawaid.com
Nadia Janjua is an artist, architect by training, and an art educator. Her art work is inspired by her deeply spiritual and emotional connection to her faith, as well as the experiences of her life's journey. Her bright and bold abstract paintings always stem from a personal narrative, yet allow for numerous interpretations, recognizing the unique, ambiguous and ever-changing nature of human expression and experience. Nadia has been exhibiting her work professionally throughout the United States over the past ten years, and more recently, internationally.
Sarah received degrees in public policy and urban planning from the University of Southern California. As an urban planner, Sarah often reflects on how spaces affect people and the environment. Her paintings manifest her inner spatial landscape and her photographs depict cityscapes, landscapes—motifs that search for the calm amidst the chaos. Shahnaz Elrawi 2011 Graduate Painting: Babylon Spirit
Lezlie Petronello 2011 Graduate Pet Portraits
A self-taught painter, Shahnaz combines traditional folklore and art to create vivid portraits of her beloved country, Iraq. She bridges the gap between her past and present through various mediums such as mirrors, coins, fabrics and flowers woven together.
Involved in theatre from a young age, Lezlie learned to paint large sets, create murals, design costumes and apply stage make-up. Born in Simi Valley, California, Lezlie later painted homes on slate. Lezlie’s talents have evolved and expanded over the years to include the use of oils, acrylics, watercolors and textiles.
Elena Nolan 2010 Graduate Oil Painter Website: zhibit.org/elenanolan
Saadia Yasmin 2011 Graduate Dream Cafe Podcast: globalrickshaw.mypodcast.com
Elena developed a love for the arts and painting as a young girl in Siberia and later studied fine art in Russia and Kazakstan. She uses oil paints as her medium to create landscapes, portraits, still life and expressions of people and their cultures. She exhibited her work in the U.S. and abroad and is a member
When the war in her home country erupted, Afgahnistan-born Saadia was bombarded with images of Pushtuns as victims of war and decided to use her art
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Maha Hassan 2009 Graduate Painting
of several professional affiliations, including Oil Painters of America, Torpedo Factory Art Center and National Association of Artists, Kazakhstan.
A schoolteacher in her native country of Iraq, Maha’s paintings reflect her love of flowers. She and both of her daughters are graduates of the ETS program.
Sydnei Smithjordan 2010 Graduate Painting & Textile Design Website: store.uspacegallery.com/sysm.html
Naomie Belayneh 2009 Graduate Painting & Graphic Design
Using body form and portraiture, Sydnei’s paintings explore religion, culture, sex, politics and how they relate to and define the individual. Her works have been collected by Sylvester Stallone, Whoopi Goldberg and Patti La Belle. She studied art at Santa Monica College and earned her master’s degree at the Rhode Island School of Design in Fine Art.
Naomie is an Ethiopian artist and painter whose work reflects her country’s natural beauty, the significance of women’s contribution to society, faith-based icons and cultural expressions and traditions. Her images of feminine beauty accentuate slender necks.
Irina Avilova 2009 Graduate Painting Website: irinaavilova.com
May Al-Souz 2009 Graduate Painting, Graphic Design Website: zhibit.org/mayalsouz
Irina’s art represents her multi-cultural background. Having left Russia on her own at a young age, Irina taught herself to paint. Her artwork was featured in regional, national and international exhibits, including two personal shows.
May began her artistic career in Baghdad, where she grew up and studied painting. She is now an artist and illustrator, expressing the culture, traditions and ways of life in Iraq. May also enjoys painting fabrics, fashion designing and making her own greeting cards.
Sahar Ismael 2009 Graduate Painting
Isabel Castaneda 2008 Graduate Painter & Printmaker
Sahar studied architecture at University of Baghdad while pursuing her passion for art. Her works, which convey a sense of optimism about the future, have been featured in various exhibitions and galleries in Iraq and the U.S. She is also an Arabic instructor at the Comprehensive Language Center.
While enrolled in the ETS program, Isabel created a portfolio and developed a marketing plan. After graduating, Isabel was paid to work as an artist for local newspapers and to paint murals in Washington D.C. Her artwork was also featured at exhibits.
Jung Eun Kim 2009 Graduate Painting & Printmaking
Carmen Dupuy 2008 Graduate Painter & Author
Jung’s work reflects her Asian beliefs in the concept of Yin and Yang. Her works have appeared in well-known international galleries such as Kwan Hoon Gallery, Seoul, Korea (2003); Hong-Ik University Art Museum, Seoul, Korea (2004); Gasan Gallery, Seol, Korea (2005) and Lalit Kala Akademy, New Delhi, India (2008).
Prior to enrolling in the ETS program in 2008, Carmen was diagnosed with lupus. But she was driven to overcome the adversities and with the help of EWI, completely revamped her art business and pursued her passion for poetry and painting.
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Maria Jose Ugalde Alcazar 2007 Graduate Printing, Poetry
Arline Ostolaza 2007 Graduate Painting
Maria’s paintings hang in private collections in Guyana, Bolivia, Colombia and the U.S. Her poetry has been published in local magazines in Georgetown, Guyana and La Paz, Bolivia. An activist and musician, Maria participates in cultural and sociopolitical initiatives that empower individuals and communities to unify and promote a healing world.
Arline discovered her passion for the arts as an art student at Purchase College SUNY. She converts Japanese sumie drawings, calligraphy, and various other drawing techniques into marketable, inspiring products. Cheryl Lavoie 2007 Graduate Painting & Pencil, Pen, and Charcoal Drawings
Mariana Fernandez 2007 Graduate Painting & Set Design Website: marianafernandez.com
Fatana Baktash 2007 Graduate Painting Website: about-afghanistan.com/fatana-arifi.html
Driven from a young age by curiosity for the performing and fine arts, Argentina-born Mariana studied set and scenic design and worked making costumes and masks for television stations in her home country. She is now a scenic artist for Folger Theater, Studio Theater, Miniature Theatre of Chester, The Shakespeare Theater and Signature Theater.
Fatana is a well-known artist in the U.S. and in Afghanistan. She was listed under Who’s Who of American Women 2004-2005 and exhibited her works at the National Association of Women Artists, National Geographic, NBC4 Gallery, Torpedo Factory and the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington D.C.
Marina Reiter 2007 Graduate Painting Website: marinareiter.com
Teresa Canales 2007 Graduate Painting
According to Marina, “The shapes I paint may evoke human forms, atomic particles and even the very make-up of our social fabric, the very essences of who we are.” She has exhibited internationally, nationally, and locally. She also held a solo show at the Museum of Young Art in Vienna, Austria, and received an invitation to participate at the Museum of the Americas in Doral, Florida.
Teresa, born in El Salvador, immigrated to the U.S. with a mission. She wanted to teach “women to be successful in their own dreams,” she said. Teresa uses pastels, oils, acrylics and watercolors to express her images of nature. Holly Gierl 2006 Graduate Painting & Jewelry Design
Sheryl Gordon 2007 Graduate Graphite, Pen & Ink Illustrations
Alex Nutbohm 2006 Graduate Oil & Acrylic Paintings
Sheryl illustrates her artwork with graphite and pen & ink. She also works in color using pastels, colored pencils and acrylics. She describes her illustrations as “fantasy with a bent on realism” or “realism with a bent on fantasy.”
Painting allowed Alex to take a break from daily activities. Inspired by nature, her recurrent motifs are flowers, fruits and landscapes as well as abstract compositions.
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Jenny McKenzie (Jenny Ohs) 2006 Graduate Art by Ohs: Painting Website: freewebs.com/artbyohs/
Sarina Harris 2006 Graduate Painting & Art Education Growing up in Malaysia, Sarina always wanted to be an artist. She studied art in Malaysia and in the U.S., and taught art in Italy, Mexico, Thailand, Germany and other countries.
Jenny started painting and drawing as a child. When she began losing her sight, ability to hear and use of her hands, Jenny discovered her own way of holding a pen, pencil or paintbrush to create works of art inspired by nature. She continues to exhibit award-winning art.
Tayseer Shibrain 2006 Graduate Painting
Joyce Wagner 2006 Graduate Reinvented Elegance: Jewelry & Mosaics
Tayseer, born in Sudan, enrolled in the ETS program to learn management skills, how to price her work and develop a marketing plan to promote her products.
Joyce creates simple, elegant magnets, mosaics and wire-wrapped jewelry with pressed flowers. Her work is inspired by nature’s beauty. She exhibits her work at craft markets and boutiques in the greater Washington, D.C., area.
Tricia O’hara 2006 Graduate Painting
Mekbib Gebertsadik 2006 Graduate Painting Website: artslant.com/global/artists/show/27597-mekbib-gebertsadik
Wynn Creasy 2006 Graduate Painting & Textiles Website: wynncreasyfineart.blogspot.com
Mekbib studied painting and illustration in Ethiopia, receiving a BFA with honors, and later pursued his MFA at Howard University in the U.S. His work concentrates on African motifs and traditions, both in color palette and technique. His paintings appeared in exhibitions in Ethiopia and other countries including the U.S.
Wynn is an actress and singer in the Washington D.C., metropolitan area, as well as a fine artist and painter. She specializes in painting landscapes and abstracts of the Virginia countryside in oil, oil pastel, and acrylic. Jessamyn Hoshikawa 2005 Graduate Painting, Drawings, Textiles, & Photography
Meseret Desta 2006 Graduate Painting
As a young girl, Jessamyn worked with various mediums and later received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from George Mason University. Her paintings are often inspired by dreams and daydreams, with images of nature, animal, and human interactions. An art teacher, Jessamyn believes children have much to teach to adults.
Meseret’s portraits belong to a genre she calls “figurative painting.” She is fascinated by facial expressions and strives to capture emotions in her work. Her subjects interact with nature. Meseret explores the themes of hope, mothers, strength, responsibility and inner beauty.
Barbara Bach 2005 Graduate Painting & Drawing
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Food and Catering
Nishat Siddiqui 2013 Graduate, 2013 GMB Graduate Nishat’s Kitchen Web: nishatskitchen.com Facebook: nishatskitchen
Nuvia Rodriguez 2013 Graduate The Cupcake Chix
“The coaches and staff are very important in going through the process and specially Marga and Dianne who are always there to follow up even when you are done with the course at ETS. I attended Grow my Business as well which helped me to keep up with the current demands of running a successful Business.”
“EWI has helped me tremendously to know that they are there for me when I need them no matter what the situation, they have demonstrated that no matter what the person may be going through, you will succeed at the end of the day.” Nuvia’s inspiration comes from her kids and her family. She knows that she always puts her life on hold for her kids until she said to herself that it’s time to better herself as an individual and decided to go back to school to get her certification.
Born in Pakistan, and having lived in Italy and the US, Nishat spent years in sales and marketing but didn’t feel fulfilled until she was given the opportunity to cook food for a fundraising event. The traditional recipes going back to her grandmother and mother-in-law drew compliments from guests motivating her to pursue her passion for cooking. She founded her business Nishat’s Kitchen specializing in Pakistan and Indian cusine, keeping in mind that her food is very healthy and suitable for very specific health needs. She offers in-home cooking lessons and catering services for small parties and events.
Sandra “Lisa” Cardoza 2013 Graduate Cupcake Chix “EWI has given me the opportunity to make this dream come true.” Sandra Cardoza “Lisa’s” business is cupcakes. She is the founder of Cupcake Chix and her business is going to be focused in the Alexandria area. Sandra will graduate in the Spring. Her inspiration is to make this business happen and do what she aspires to do to be successful.
Aida Mady 2012 Graduate Cooking & Beyond Web: cookingandbeyond.com Born and raised in Egypt, Aida’s life has been enriched by international travel and cross-cultural experiences. Aida’s company, Cooking & Beyond, offers a new line of imported Egyptian cooking accessories. She plans to publish a cookbook that reflects the history and cultural influences of Egyptian cuisine.
Mona McKenzie 2013 Graduate Capital City Sweets & Treats LLC “EWI has connected me with fantastic people and mentors who have encouraged me to excel in my business. EWI has also connected me with Union Kitchen, a DC commercial kitchen/food incubator, which was key in helping me develop my business.”
Doler Shah 2012 Graduate Flavors of India After years of being asked to teach Indian cooking, Doler decided to start her own company. Flavors of India will provide “Indian culinary classes which transport one’s taste buds and their senses to different parts of India,” Doler said.
Ms. Mona McKenzie is the founder of Capital City Sweets & Treats LLC, a gluten-free, nut-free bakery and confections business. She was inspired to start her business after her 11 year old son developed a seizure disorder because of gluten sensitivity, but he still wanted sweet treats. So she dusted off old family comfort food recipes and transformed them into a gluten-free dessert experience. No Wheat! Still a Treat!
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Elda La Rue 2012 Graduate D’Ellizia Cakes Facebook: D’Ellizia
Lyzbeth Monard 2012 Graduate D’Ellizia Cakes Facebook: D’Ellizia
A mother of four who was born into a Mexican family, Elda lost count of how many cakes she baked and how many piñatas she hung for her children’s birthday parties. Elda became so famous for her cakes that she decided to start a small business selling her baked goods. She and her partner Lyzbeth Monard enrolled in EWI’s programs to learn about how to run a business.
A Peruvian native, Lyzbeth wanted to start a business selling cakes for reasonable prices. She and her partner, Elda LaRue, are self-taught bakers who met through their daughters, both in pre-school. Their company, “D’Ellizia” was founded after friends urged them to enter competitions and create a business. Trinidad Coopman 2012 Graduate La Serena Catering Facebook: LaSerenaCatering
Elizabeth Coker 2012 Graduate, 213 GMB Graduate Ma Lizzies Cakes & Catering Web: malizzies.com
Trinidad is a self-taught visual artist who also wants to start her own catering business baking and selling cakes, cupcakes and homemade chocolate. She also envisions owning a store and placing her art pieces on the wall for sale.
“EWI has mentored me, encouraged me and helped me to be assertive in my quest for business growth and success.” Since she immigrated to the US from Ghana twenty years ago, Elizabeth has been baking desserts. She launched Ma Lizzies Cakes & Catering, a company specializing in gluten-free, egg- free and dairy-free baked products. These products cater to those who may have a gluten intolerance, food allergies or who choose to eat healthy. Lizzie is inspired by her customers to continue to provide healthy alternatives.
Winter Walker 2012 Graduate NuDelish Winter is the creator and promoter of her original product NuDelish Date Butter. With her background in holistic nutrition, Winter created NuDelish Date Butter as a sweet and creamy nut-free organic spread that is allergy friendly and all natural. Winter developed this nutritional and tasty spread in order to cater to alternative food needs, such as vegetarians and vegans, all while maintaining a product that is full in flavor and child friendly.
Irene Naguib 2012 Graduate Egyptian Cuisine An immigrant from Egypt who arrived to the U.S. in 2004, Irene relishes the cuisine of her native country. She enjoys baking bread, making sandwiches and grilling kabobs—and revels in feeding others the food that sustained her back home. However, Irene is also worried about people living in poverty and aims to raise funds through her business to care for the poor in the U.S. and in Egypt.
Alicia Lopez 2011 Graduate Latin American Cuisine Alicia’s dream was to own a business cooking and selling Latin American cuisine. In a locale provided by Impact Silver Spring, an EWI partner organization, she plans to open a cafeteria to sell her homemade pupusas, tacos, tamales, tamarindo and other foods.
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Health and Wellness
Yarmila Aragon 2010 Graduate Northern Lights Bar
Macha Takele 2013 Graduate 3prime World Health Soap
From her father’s birthplace in Panama to her adopted homeland in Sweden, Yarmila has lived in 10 countries and speaks four languages fluently. When her life was completely derailed by a spinal surgery, she found inspiration from her dream of starting her own elite Scandinavian restaurant, café, and art gallery. Yarmila also works as a freelance diplomat and translator for US State Department and the UN.
“Now the time has come for the opportunity of opening my dream company. This is the right time, with the help of EWI, to open the company.” Macha is a biochemist by profession. She has contributed a lot for her country in combatting communicable diseases by participating in different committees, as a member of task forces for cholera epidemic control and as an expert of environmental pollution control, food safety and as a consultant in consumer protection. Her chemistry, environmental health and clinical diagnostics background aids her deep interest in breaking the routes of transmission of water-borne and food-borne diseases as a major health problem solver of diseases of third world countries. Her chemistry background and work experience contribute a lot in producing standardized anti-bacterial and viral soaps which play a great role in the reduction of water-borne and food-borne disease transmission. The company name “3prime” was derived from Macha’s three children who use the first soap products to wash their hands and bodies for the sake of hygiene.
Glass Art Alison Sigethy 2007 Graduate Nature Inspired Glass Art Website: alisonsigethy.com Alison creates forms out of salvaged materials—primarily structural glass and found wood. When she was introduced to EWI, Alison was looking for a change in her life. She knew she was creative but never defined herself as an artist. Today, Alison makes a living selling her art. She exhibits throughout the Washington D.C., metropolitan area and has her studio in the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Terisse Perez 2013 Graduate Visions of Light-Art
Debbie Schran 2007 Graduate Be Fused Hot Glass Website: befusedhotglass.com
“I am indeed grateful for EWI’s support in assisting me with organizing my business, finances, marketing, networking, speaking skills, contacts, and words of encouragement.”
Debbie’s glass designs consist of a collection of pendants, jewelry sets and functional pieces. Starting out as a painter and printmaker, Debbie found that fused glass lends itself to similar interplays with light, color, design and creativity. Debbie has exhibited her work at various local galleries, shops and art shows.
Terisse Perez is an Alternative Energenic Healing Practitioner, Soul Worker and Sacred Visionary Artist who pours her heart and soul into her work. Her business, Visions of Light-Art, contains various modalities of healing components. Whether the universal healing energies are transmitted towards her art pieces or an individual the end results are the same: assisting individuals to heal themselves.
Mahasin Mohamed 2006 Graduate Painted Glass
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Gabriela Garza 2013 Graduate Omani Holistic Healing Web: omaniheals.com
Import/Export Businesses and Marketplaces
Gabriela’s motivation and inspiration behind Omani Holistic Healing came from her transformative journey through Peru. She developed a business that would provide holistic services to help individuals release tension, find tranquility, improve their health through private sessions in Yoga and Reiki.
Azeb Y Tesfaye 2012 Graduate Liyu Trading Website: liyutrading.com Facebook: LiyuTrading Born in Ethiopia, Azeb is a dedicated mother who feels passionate about the art from her home country. She wants to start an online business selling her own art in hopes of drawing U.S. customers interested in learning more about Ethiopian culture.
Irina Katz 2012 Graduate Yoga/Reiki Instruction A certified yoga instructor and a reiki expert, Irina specializes in the practice of Kundalini yoga. She plans open a studio to offer private and group classes throughout the Washington DC metropolitan area. She currently teaches at various locations.
Grazyna Pinkowska 2011 Graduate Pol-Am Exports Grazyna has over 10 years of experience as a business owner and company executive. Pol-Am Exports is the creation of her dream to bring outstanding Polish traditional artwork to American markets. The company specialized in beautiful and unique home décor products from Poland, many of which are handcrafted and hand painted, and include ornamental glass, window treatments and tableware.
Jane Smith 2012 Graduate Image Coach: Still Sassy, LLC Website: stillsassy.com Jane was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, a disease she knew would change her world. But she remained optimistic and built a new life for herself. Eager to share her experiences to empower women, she started a business as an image coach for women who live with chronic illnesses or have had life-changing health circumstances.
Elleni T. Ashine 2010 Graduate Online Marketplace Elleni, an Ethiopian artisan and entrepreneur, creates jewelry and writes short stories about social change. Having witnessed turmoil in her nation, she hopes to spur readers into action to strive for a better world and improve the lives of her Ethiopian sisters and all African women.
Tammie Archie 2012 Graduate Healing Arts & Education: WellFit Concepts Tammie, founder of WellFit Concepts, wants her company to be profitable so she can support her family with its earnings. She also wants to teach the underprivileged to take care of their bodies by removing the obstacles that prevent them from preserving their health.
Adela Poudratchi 2010 Graduate Online Marketplace Adela dazzled admirers with the Middle Eastern artisan jewelry from Iran that she wore. But she was started by her fans’ surprise that the jewelry came from Iran, her native country. Adele wanted to promote Iran’s goods so she made a commitment to make Middle Eastern jewelry more accessible. 15
Interior Decorating
Buttery Babe and also takes photographs of their natural existence in the wild.
Clementine Simmons 2012 Graduate, 2013 GMB Graduate Clems Floral Design Gallery Web: clemsfloraldesigngallery.com
Sabrina Haritos 2012 Graduate Ourania, LLC Etsy: etsy.com/shop/OuraniaInc
“EWI has helped me to determine who is my target market and provided mentorship for growing my business.”
Sabrina is a self-taught jewelry maker and astrological enthusiast. She uses semi-precious gemstones and configures them into beautiful necklaces that match a person’s birth-chart based on their time and date of birth. Through her artwork she helps people gain insight into themselves.
Clem stumbled upon her talent in floral design when a friend asked her for help to make a wreath and floral arrangements. Her inspiration for her business comes from recognizing that God has given her a talent and wanting to use it to create designs that are pleasing. Clem’s Floral Design Gallery creates eye-catching, custom silk floral arrangements that accent your décor. The company has expanded its product line to include canvas wall art and greeting cards created from her floral arrangement designs.
Amoy Stephen 2012 Graduate, 2013 GMB Graduate Morning Glory Butterflies “EWI has played a significant role in my personal and business growth. I am learning to let go of all the negative elements of my past. Along the path EWI reminded me that my story was important. My dreams count. My voice matters. As a past graduate of EWI I am certainly proud of my growth and confidence in aspiration of furthering my business Morning Glory Butterflies.” As a young black woman originally from Trinidad and Tobago who has survived many challenges, Amoy is particularly determined to accomplish her life goals. She is a Survivor Advocate and Mentor at FAIR Girls and also a member of an economic jewelry-making workshop called Jewel Girls. Jewel Girl is a program of FAIR Girls, an anti-trafficking and girl’s empowerment non-profit. Morning Glory Butterflies helps raise awareness of trafficking and empower young adults from being exploited through the designing of unique handmade jewelry, and donating a percentage of its business sales profit to non-profit organizations.
Kamar Derder 2011 Graduate Interior Designer and Seamstress Back home in Morocco, Kamar was a talented interior designer, passionate about sewing. She can create anything from fabric—from window treatments and pillows to gift baskets. She helps clients design their home and launched a decorative soap line, Zahra Sabon.
Jewelry Design Sarah Folts 2013 Graduate Owner of Buttery Babe Web:butterflybabes.wix.com/ Facebook:FlightsOfFancyByGrimsmile Etsy:GrimsmilesShop
Rolyn Nakalanzi 2009 Graduate Jewelry Designer & Painter Website: zhibit.org/nrolyn
Sarah Folts is an entrepreneur, artist, and survivor. As a teenager she was diagnosed with DVT and underwent multiple surgeries. It was during this diffcult time that she developed a deep connection with nature. Today Sarah mounts and frames real butterflies, which she purchases from various buttery sanctuaries. She also creates unique jewelry out of their wings, which she then sells on her website
After arriving in the U.S. from Uganda, Rolyn couldn’t find a job and struggled to survive. She enrolled in the ETS program and with the help from fellow trainees and mentors, developed a jewelry line. Inspired by nature, she also devoted herself to painting. 16
Jodi Flood 2008 Graduate The Magpie’s Treasure Website: jodifloodjewelry.com Etsy: themagpiestreasure.etsy.com Twitter: @MagpiesTreasure
Altinay Kuchukeeva 2007 Graduate Altinay Designs Etsy: altinaydesigns.etsy.com Twitter: @Altinay Altinay, which means “golden moon,” is a talented jeweler from Kyrgyzstan. She describes her design style as eclectic, and draws from ethnic and tribal jewelry from various regions of the world. Her jewelry is created with sterling silver wire, semi-precious stones, pearl and shells.
Jodi is a Virginia-based jewelry designer. Her handcrafted pieces feature sterling silver, pearls, and glass beads. Each design portrays an eye-catching play of light and color. Jodi received her BA in Visual Arts from the State University of New York, New Paltz. Louis Sangare 2008 Graduate NiaNi Designs Website: mynianidesigns.com
Juanita Moh 2006 Graduate Jewelry Designer
Louis’ jewelry line includes antique silverware made into decorative necklaces and bracelets and a series of necklaces gems, liquid sterling silver and Swarovski crystal. His online gallery, NiaNi Designs, features a collection of ethic jewelry and authentic African art that has been promoted at art shows, galleries, and exhibits in major U.S. cities.
Sonia Punjabi 2006 Graduate Jewelry Designer & Painter
Evelyn Brooks 2007 Graduate Evelyn Brooks Designs Website: ebrooksdesigns.com
Edith Graciela Sanabria 2005 Graduate Jewelry Designer, Painter & Poet Website: edithgracielasanabria.com
Evelyn was introduced to jewelry design growing up in Peru, working alongside her father in his jewelry business. In 2010 she earned an award by the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce. In 2009 she was selected as “entrepreneur on the rise” by Council Magazine and included in the Washington Life “Power Issue” as the Best of Peru in Washington D.C. Evelyn teaches at-risk youth and women ex-offenders jewelry-making skills in hopes that they’ll feel more confident as they prepare to re-enter society.
Born into a family of artists and jewelers in Bolivia, Edith is inspired by nature and pre-Columbian art. Her jewelry is crafted in fine gold, silver and gems and her paintings are widely exhibited. She is also a published poet whose books have been translated into multiple languages and sold internationally.
Sonia’s Indian background and heritage contribute to the colors and designs of her jewelry and paintings.
Multimedia (film, graphic, web design)
Kata Witorsch 2007 Graduate One-of-a-Kind Handmade Jewelry Designs Website: katawitorsch.com
Fadimata Oualet Halatine 2013 Graduate Saharan Artistry
To design jewelry, Kata draws on everything from vintage fashion and modern architecture to classical music and nature. Kata creates wearable works of art that accentuate the wearer’s style, personality, and individuality. Kata earned her master's degree in fine art and music in Hungry, her home country.
“This experience at EWI has been helpful in giving me the necessary foundations for a successful business.” Fadimata makes jewelry and decorations with recycled materials. Her inspiration comes from the 17
Kim B. Mallet 2010 Graduate Kim’s Cards & Graphic Designer
fact that she has been a refugee for more than 20 years and has learned to make the most with what she already has. As a survivor of two major droughts, she is very environmentally conscious.
Kim’s work features dried flowers and leaves, Victorian-period images and famous quotes or sayings. She often creates greeting cards that juxtapose two messages.
Dicey & Nneka Scroggins 2013 Graduates Pinkie Hugs, LLC Facebook: pinkiehugs
Sharmila Karamchandani 2006 Graduate Graphic Designer, Art Educator, Henna Artist, & Jewelry Designer Linkedin: Sharmila Karamchandani
Dicey and Nneka Scroggins are a mother daughter duo that co-founded Pinkie Hugs, a writing and film production firm specializing in social justice-focused documentaries. They profile individuals, document movements and movements-in-the-making, and share meaningful stories in hopes that these stories will leave a positive impact on the world. Dicey and Nneka have both been challenged and have grown through this experience and have enjoyed the newly-formed relationships with classmates.
“EWI’s contribution in my life has been monumental. I have found a home away from home, sisters and kindred spirits from all around the globe who are so strong, courageous, inspirational. Their friendship and ways of life has enriched my life.” Sharmila Karamchandani, an Indian-born artist and graphic designer has passion for working in arts education and community non-profits. Sharmila is a full-time Graphic Design professor at The Art Institute of Washington - Dulles; works part-time for Empowered Women International as the Entrepreneur Training for Success (ETS) Trainer and also freelances. Sharmila enjoys dabbling in various art mediums such as jewelry making, painting, mixedmedia collages, photography, calligraphy, and henna hand painting. She aims to one day have her own art school.
Theresa Whitfield 2013 Graduate Global Media Network Theresa has had a lot of experience working in the communications industry, ranging from print journalism to marketing at a broadband broadcasting company. She plans to launch Global Media Network, a television station that provides multicultural programming to an international audience. One of three children, Theresa is a self-motivated individual and was the first person in her family to graduate from college. Her vision and mission for GMN is to provide a voice to the voiceless.
Music & Performance
Chithra Jeyaram 2012 Graduate Film/Documentaries Real Talkies Website: realtalkies.wordpress.com Facebook: RealTalkies Twitter: @realtalkies
Dessertine Harvey 2013 Graduate Dessertine Music Publishing Dessertine Harvey’s company is a lyrics-writing business that pitches songs to various artists and has had success writing for R&B musicians and television. Dessertine says as a child, she would sit for hours and listen to songs, analyzing the lyrics and perspective of the songwriter. Her passion for writing is fueled by the constant love and support of her teachers, classmates, guests and mentors at EWI. Tina is overcoming the major obstacles her business faces to ensure that her passion for music becomes a long and lucrative career.
Chithra is a film maker and founder of Real Talkies, a company which produces impactful films for a global community of citizens, activists, non-profits, organizations and socially conscious businesses. Her web-interactive and film idea “#1001 breast cancer nights” won the Benevolent Media Pitch Night and her short documentary film, MIJO has won numerous awards.
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Darlene Grace Allen 2012 Graduate Poet/Spoken Word Artist Oracle Ink
ole Robertson-Fenn 2012 Graduate i-Ed, Inc. LLC Website: i-edonline.org Facebook: iEdonline.org
Darlene always wanted to be a writer. Her poems inspire listeners to act more kindly toward others and encourages them to improve their lives. Her business, Oracle Ink, will promote poets to perform at special events, offering comfort to those grieving for loves and good wishes to those celebrating milestones.
Carole began her experience with EWI looking to expand her current organization into a registered non-profit. i-Ed provides international education, training, and exchange programs and technical assistance with an emphasis on internationalizing and digitizing education to build 21st Century workforce skills.
Tacha Coleman Parr 2010 Graduate Jazz Singer Website: tachacolemanparr.com
Catherine Gulzar 2012 Graduate Jewelry, Nonprofit
When she was young, Tacha was told by her choral teacher that she didn’t have the voice for R&B and blues and that she was better suited for classical music. Tacha is now an accomplished jazz singer with her own band, which plays a repertoire of gospel, jazz, R&B and classical. The band has performed in the Washington D.C., metropolitan area.
A high school principal in Pakistan for over 12 years, Catherine cared deeply about the future of her students. So much so that she wanted to continue supporting them after she arrived to the U.S. She also wanted to support skilled women from Pakistan struggling to make a living in a country with rising unemployment.
Sefanit Mesfin-Champagne 2009 Graduate Singer & Songwriter
Nicole Young 2011 Graduate Non-profit Organization
Sefanit was born in Ethiopia and raised in India, Nambia, and the U.S. Through her music, which carries a blend of jazz and Ethiopian rhythms, Sefanit hopes to portray the rich heritage of her native land and the African continent.
Nicole envisions creating a non-profit organization that sends underprivileged children from the U.S. to other countries so they can experience in real life what they have learned in the classroom. Victoria Hall 2011 Graduate Women’s Sewing Circle
Nonprofit/Community Development
Originally from El Salvador, Victoria came to EWI through Impact Silver Spring, one of EWI’s partner organizations, to organize a women’s circle where Latin American women could learn new skills. It was through the sewing circle that she discovered her passion for sewing. She learned business skills in ETS to compliment her talent as a seamstress and transferred her knowledge back to her women’s sewing circle.
Reneta Bennett 2013 Graduate Pressing Through Mentoring Tumblr: pressingthroughmentoring.tumblr.com Reneta is a purpose-driven person who has found great meaning and refuge in spoken word. Inspired by the death of her dear friend, Reneta founded her own spoken word organization for adolescents. Its platform allows teenagers to express themselves in a safe, supportive environment while participating in community activism and building self-confidenCar19
Kwanele Ndlovu 2010 Graduate Social Entrepreneurship
her business from capturing the moment with photography and images that dance with flipbooks.
In 1994, Kwanele moved to the U.S. from Zimbabwe to get an education. Both of her parents were teachers. Kwanele plans to create a non-profit organization to build schools and sponsor an education for girls in Zimbabwe.
Adelina Perez del Castillo Mena 2010 Graduate Cultural Photography Adelina describes her art as everlasting and instinctual—she aims to capture the moment. She showcased her work about indigenous women at the Mexican Culture Institute in Washington D.C.
Blanca Vasquez 2006 Graduate Community Organizing
Priscilla de Lima Ledesma 2009 Graduate Independent Photographer Website: priscillalimaphoto.com Twitter: @studi0prica Blog: coutureurbano.blogspot.com
Blanca is a community organizer and mentor from Honduras, passionate about education and experienced in working with children. Blanca has worked as a youth program coordinator with Head Start, the Food and Drug Administration and public schools.
Born and raised in Brazil, Priscilla participated in many photography exhibits in the Washington D.C. area and published her work in multiple social media networks. Priscilla holds a Fine Arts degree from the Corcoran College of Art & Design and works as a independent photographer.
Photography Yasmin Abdi 2013 Graduate Yasmin Abdi Photography
Nina Tisara 2006 Graduate Tisara Photography & Living Legends of Alexandria Website: tisaraphoto.com/legends
“Last night I took my first step and photographed my first wedding. EWI helped me to take this step. Thank you Marga and big thanks to the EWI team.”
Nina began her photographic career as a part-time photo journalist and became known for her sensitive portrayal of Alexandria’s residents and its locales. Soon after, she started her own family-run business, Tisara Photography—a venture she said was possible because of EWI’s support. “I organized my many art endeavors into Nina Tisara Enterprises and formally incorporated Living Legends of Alexandria as a 501(c)(3),” she said.
Yasmin was inspired to start her business in order to be a model for other women to be successful, powerful, and parts of their communities. After starting with EWI, Yasmin feels confident about what she is doing and believes in herself. LaDon James 2012 Graduate, 2013 GMB Graduate Lens and Love Photography, LLC www.lensandlove.com
Sam Bishop 2006 Graduate Sam Bishop Photography
“As a result of being part of EWI's programs, I have gained knowledge and skills that are helping me to Grow My Business. The practical knowledge and skills I learned through my mentors, my peers, and in the Entrepreneurial Training for Success and the Grow My Business programs have helped and continue to help me in the planning and execution of my business.” LaDon Love is the founder and owner of Lens and Love Photography, LLC. She finds inspiration for
Sam is an entrepreneur with a wide range of interests. He started up his own photograph company in 1998, and has since then co-founded two other small businesses, including an online database company for University of Maryland graduates. He said he keeps his creative juices flowing by shooting at weddings, formals and other events. 20
Textile and Mixed Media
and got dirty quickly. She started a business designing fitted cot covers that stay clean longer and meet the state law’s requirements for “appropriate covers.”
Annette McNeil 2013 Graduate Sybil Dolls of Life
Sandra Owusu-Ansah 2011 Graduate Visual Up-cycled Green Art
Annette’s unique and creative talent developed when she decided to assist a production studio in the creation of cartoon characters to enhance their sales. A visit to an arts & crafts store helped her find the perfect material to produce her one of a kind artistic creation. Her framed foam dolls brought her name and recognition among family and friends motivating her to found her business “Sybil Dolls of Life”.
From Scraps to Treasures (FST) Global Enterprise Sandra is an avid promoter of environmentally conscious products and recycling. Her business, FST Global Enterprise, creates artwork from up-cycled pieces to make abstract items and keep-sakes such as dolls. She is trained in various art forms to include metalwork, ceramics and fabric. Sandra likes creating utilitarian items using unconventional objects. She earned a certificate in Specialized Art from Montgomery College and currently works for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Charmelle Clark 2013 Graduate, 2013 GMB Graduate Creatively Charming Website: creativelycharming.com Facebook:CreativelyCharming
Gwynne Mason 2009 Graduate Jessie’s Fibrenomicon Website: jessiesfibrenomicon.com Blog: jessiesfibrenomicon.com/jessiesblog
“Your imagination is our creation.” Creatively Charming is an art and craft business that has four components: handmade cards and scrap-books, crafting weekends, crafting workshops /training and speaking engagements. After Charmelle began receiving several requests to make gifts for others, that’s where the idea of starting her own business began. EWI has provided her with the training needed to understand the entire dynamics of creating and developing a business.
Gwynne has taken her passion for art and the environment and turned it into a business specializing in fine handmade paper, fiber art, and unique textiles. She uses plant fiber, recycled paper, and fabric from old clothing to create her designs. She has exhibited at several galleries, art markets, and events and is a member of the Vienna Arts Society and Potomac Fiber Arts Guild.
Dinelles Sakyi 2012 Graduate UnFORgettable Gifts Dinelles wants to help couples plan their wedding—from arranging the bridal party and reception to the selection of flowers, corsages and boutonnieres. She is especially fond of making diaper cakes, and often makes them for bridal and baby showers. She believes that the presentation of a gift is what makes it really special. Magnolia (Maggie) Erteschik 2011 Graduate Ms. Maggie’s Cot Covers While working at a daycare, Magnolia noticed that the children’s cot covers didn’t fit properly, fell off easily
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Helping Immigrant, Refugee & Low Income Women
CREATE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS
ewint.org | programs@ewint.org Facebook: Empowered Women International Twitter: @EmpowerWomenInt Shop: ewi-marketplace.myshopify.com Business Directory: ewint.org/business-directory
EWI @ Wheaton Wheaton Plaza North OďŹƒce Bldg, Suite LL2 2730 University Blvd West Silver Spring, MD 20902 240-242-4812
EWI @ Alexandria Headquarters 320 S. Henry Street Alexandria, VA 22314 571-312-4781
EWI @ Herndon Connections for Hope Partnership Campus (C4HP) 1141 Elden Street, Suit 218 Herndon, VA 20170 703-429-5000