21 women entrepreneurs selected for Venture Center, Woman Run mentorship program

Twenty-one female entrepreneurs from across Arkansas are participating in the 2023 VCWoman Achieve program, a statewide mentorship opportunity hosted by The Venture Center in Little Rock.

With support from Woman Run by Wright Lindsey Jennings and other community partners, The Venture Center pairs up-and-coming women entrepreneurs with experienced professionals to help build their businesses.

A report last year from the Arkansas Women’s Commission found that lack of mentors was a big factor for Arkansas’ lower female entrepreneurship levels.

More than 120 applications were submitted from across the state and the finalists were selected based on their diversity in location and background.

This year’s participants include:

Wendy Schay, Jill McDonald – The Croissanterie
Miya Blackmon – Little Rock Lightening Basketball Team
Kanesha Adams – Bearapy Bookshelf
Sarah Heer – Arkie Travels
Sara Hurst – Bella’s Kitchen & Wellness
Crystal Haner – Enova Cosmetics Health & Beauty
Vernice Nazare King – KingCare Painting/Commercial Construction Contractors of Arkansas
Shana Owens – GammaMed
Marisa Cahill – Cahill Exterior Design
Samantha Stewart – Certified Pies
Kristin Knox – Opportunity Knox Media
Kristi Jones – Synolo Wellness
Jennifer Sammons – Alpha InJenuity, LLC
Amanda Ware – Hello Holidays
Mandy French – StillPoint Accounting
Tina Gilbert – Next Level Training Solutions Group, LLC
Megan Heim – Big Charlie’s Fireworks
Mary Beth Breshears – Photographer Mary Beth
Victoria Sierra – Sierra Group Roofing & Solar
Essie Burton – Nutrish by NQ

“Learning directly from like-minded, successful women is the key to what makes a program like VCWoman Achieve so critical for uplifting Arkansas entrepreneurs,” said Mimi San Pedro, chief strategy officer of The Venture Center. “Our mentors offer these participants essential tools, support and encouragement they need to be dynamic professionals as they work hard to foster and grow their businesses in our communities.”

Female Arkansas residents from all industries are encouraged to visit www.venturecenter.co for more information on how to apply for the 2024 class as a mentor or mentee.