SOROPTIMISTS MEAN BUSINESS GRANT SPONSORS!

Thank you to our generous sponsors from local businesses and organizations. With their help a local woman-owned or woman-led business will benefit from a grant that will not only provide funds for education or trade memberships, but also business recognition and a one-year membership in the Soroptimist International of Vacaville organization. Thank you ALL, for helping us invest in the future of women in business.

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Michelle Strand of I-80 Forklift, Inc
As Michelle said, “2020 put many woman-owned businesses in survival mode. Rethinking their ‘necessities,’ negotiating longer terms or lower monthly contract amounts and seeing shifts in their business income. Bottom line, it didn’t matter what industry you were in; you had to pivot from the status-quo. Although my business has been economically hit, I know there are many other woman-owned businesses that were hit much harder and it breaks my heart. So, when I learned of Soroptimist Means Business, I knew I had to participate. Woman investing in woman is essential during this unprecedented period in time. The emotional support and professional resources women can provide other women is endless. Too often women carry the heavy load so you must seek and ask for help!”
 
Michelle said that I-80 Forklift completely supports the cause in helping other woman and is a firm believer “When woman support each other, incredible things happen.”

​Learn more at i-80forklift.com

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Shylene Moize of Gourmet Grazers
As Shylene said, “It has been a dream of mine for many years to bring my passion for food to others. The ideas have changed a lot over the years, but the goal always remained the same. To become a small business owner, pouring my passion into my craft. It hasn't always been easy. As a single mom I struggled to be a mom, to be a career woman, and to find the funds and support available to help me follow my dreams. That was no easy task and I felt like a failure a lot of the time.”
 
Gourmet Grazers, she explained, came to fruition with the help from a lot of friends and helpful family. “I owe my success to everyone who shares my business and passion with people that they know. My biggest support group (besides my husband with his unwavering support and belief in me) has been other women. One of my very dearest and oldest friends was the biggest catalyst in getting me taking the leap, and an army of small business women helped with everything from designing my logo to building my website, to helping me with my social media marketing. The support system that I have now has been nothing short of amazing. Supporting an organization that can help women the way I was helped is a No. 1 priority for me.”
 
She said that Gourmet Grazers doesn't just want to be known for its amazing charcuterie, “We want to be known for our giving heart. We want to help and give back to the community as much as it has given to us.”
Learn more at www.gourmet-grazers.com

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Solano Small Business Development Center
The SBDC offers free, individualized and confidential one-on-one advising for existing businesses and start-ups with 500 or fewer employees. Business advisors are experienced in a variety of areas, including business plans, marketing, restaurant operations, human resources, retail and product pricing. Additional SBDC services include free monthly webinars on business related topics; the new, no-cost Biz Rx program; and NxLevel, a comprehensive series for entrepreneurs. 
 
Learn more at solanosbdc.org or call 707-646-1071.

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Beth Rowe, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones
When Beth was president of SI Vacaville in 2018, her theme was “When women invest in each other, incredible things happen!” One of her main projects was raising enough money to help the Vacaville Police Department get all untested rape kits tested. Thanks to her work, an of-fender was identified.
 
Learn more at www.edwardjones.com
 

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First Northern Bank
First Northern Bank is celebrating 111 years in business as an independent community bank that specializes in relationship banking.  The Bank has consistently ranked as the #1 local small business lender in the greater Sacramento region for almost two decades.

The Bank, headquartered in Solano County since 1910, has 10 full service branches throughout Solano, Yolo, Sacramento and Placer counties as well as a commercial lending office in Walnut Creek.  We specialize in small business, commercial, real estate and agribusiness lending, as well as mortgage loans.  The Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender.   
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​More information can be found at www.thatsmybank.com.  You too can say “First Northern Bank – That’s My Bank!”.
 

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Swank Construction Inc 
We thank Vice President Jack Swank for his ongoing support of our Soroptimist club, which seeks to improve the lives of women and girls. He and his wife, Anabelen, have two daughters, ages 7 and 4, and they know the importance of “girl power!” Jack and his father, Jerry Swank, have been consistent donors for all Soroptimist fundraisers, and there is one important reason why: Joy Swank! Not only is Joy a member of the Soroptimist International of Vacaville club, but she’s a past president, has served as the District III Founder Region Director for four years, and is now the Founder Region secretary.

As she says, “I live and breathe Soroptimist.”
 
Learn more at www.swankconstructioninc.com

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Sandy Esparza and Cal Inc
As Sandy said, “I know that 2020 has been a difficult year for all business, but especially women-owned and women-led businesses. As a longtime Soroptimist and former president of the Vacaville club, I wanted to do my part to make the burden on women in business a little lighter.”
Thank you, Sandy and Cal Inc., for helping us invest in the future of women in business.
 
Learn more about Cal Inc. at www.cal-inc.com

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Toni Parkhurst, Budget Blinds of Fairfield/Vacaville
Thank you to Toni Parkhurst, owner of Budget Blinds of Fairfield/Vacaville, for sponsoring the Soroptimist International of Vacaville’s Women Mean Business grant. Thanks to her generous donation, a local woman-owned or woman-led business will benefit from a grant that will not only provide funds for education or trade memberships, but also business recognition and a one-year membership in the Soroptimist International of Vacaville organization.

Learn more at budgetblinds.com/fairfield/

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Colleen Stafford, All Size Flooring Center
​Colleen Stafford of All Size Flooring Center has overcome being a female business owner in a mostly male donimated industry. Her business has survived the economic downturn and foreclosure period through 2006 to 2008. She was able to build the business by strengthening her community relations and business to business relationships over the past 15 years. By becoming a sponsor of the Soroptimists Means Business Grant, she hopes to encourage other women owned businesses survive this economic trial. 

Learn more at allsizeflooringcenter.com

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Dr. Katheryn Conde, Northern California NeuroHealth
It took 11 years, but Dr. Conde earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of San Francisco, and completed a two-year neuropsychology post-doctoral fellowship at the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center.
She opened the doors to her behavioral health private practice in December 2020. She offers – in both English and Spanish – therapy to those experiencing depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues and she conducts neuropsychological evaluations for individuals who are experiencing memory problems as a result of dementia, strokes, head injuries or other medical or neurological conditions.

“2020 has taught us that now more than ever, mental health and behavioral services are needed to help get us through tough times,” she said. “My goal is to destigmatize mental health services and make it accessible to all, especially the Latino community, since there are so few providers who can offer services in Spanish.”

Since Dr. Conde is the sole employee of her business, she handles everything, including administrative, billing, scheduling, marketing, accounting, and so much more. She well understands the work it takes to run a business and hopes to encourage and support other women-owned and women-led businesses through sponsoring our grant.
And, as a member of the Vacaville Soroptimist Twilight Club, our sister organization, she wanted to lend her support.

To learn more about Northern California NeuroHealth please visit www.northerncalifornianeurohealth.com

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Cornerstone Assisted Living
Cornerstone Assisted Living is a family-owned and operated senior living community located in Vacaville and has been named The Reporter's "Best Assisted Living Community" in Solano County seven years in a row.

“Our community's unique advantage is that it caters solely to those with assisted living needs,” explained Chantel. “This approach allows for younger and more active residents to feel comfortable with their move. Not to worry, Cornerstone maintains great relationships with local Memory Care & Convalescent Care facilities, so, should there be a need down the road, we will fully assist in helping arrange those accommodations.”

Cornerstone is strategically designed to offer the feeling of independent living while still providing support with everyday activities of daily living. The floor plan and team strategy have been developed to create a happy and healthy living experience while maintaining a warm, social, safe, environment that feels like home.

We stand by Soroptimist International of Vacaville in supporting the Soroptimist Means Business grant because we believe full-heartedly that supporting one another within our community during a pandemic is the key to success,” said Chantel.

For more information or to schedule a tour, call (707) 999-5029 or visit https://mycornerstoneliving.com/.

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Soroptimist International of Vacaville Twilight
Since 1921 Soroptimist International has been chartering new clubs all over the world, empowering woman and girls to unlock their potential and achieve their goals. Soroptimist International of Vacaville Twilight Club recognizes that many local, women-owned businesses have taken a leap of faith to start their own business. The Twilight Club wants to acknowledge their resilience during this unprecedented time and encourage them to keep moving forward with their dream.

The Vacaville Twilight Club meets, via Zoom, the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm. If you would like more information about the Twilight Club, please visit
https://www.sivacavilletwilight.org/

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Law Office of Yvonne F. Thrasher Esq.
Thanks to Yevonne's generous donation, a local woman-owned or woman-led business will benefit from a grant that will not only provide funds for education or trade memberships, but also business recognition and a one-year membership in the Soroptimist International of Vacaville organization.

As an attorney specializing in estate planning, Yvonne offers personal and professional legal services to help her clients. After a loved one passes, she’s there to help with trust administration or probate services, as well.

Yvonne has been a member of the Soroptimist International of Vacaville club for more than a dozen years, and is committed to its mission of improving the lives of women and girls.
Thank you, Yvonne, for helping us invest in the future of women in business in Vacaville.

The Law Office of Yvonne F. Thrasher, Esq., is located at 78 Cernon St., Suite A, in Vacaville. You can call (707) 447-1200 or visit
www.thrasherlawoffice.com

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Jim Fraizier, Assemblymember, District 11
Assemblymember Frazier has been a long-time supporter of SI Vacaville and its mission to make the world a better place for women and girls. In 2019, he teamed up with us to create legislation to ensure the testing of all existing rape kits in California, and made a sizeable donation toward our effort to get all outstanding kits in Vacaville tested.

He has attended our meetings as a presenter, answered our many questions, and supported our causes time and time again.

Thank you, Assemblymember Frazier, for helping us invest in the future of women in business.

For more information visit https://a11.asmdc.org/