by Gwen O’Neill

Presentations at the first annual award dinner. Staff photo.

“Women come to us with a dream and we help turn it into a successful business.” So says Women’s Initiative for Self Employment, which helps lower-income women in the Bay Area move out of poverty and make their dreams of a better life a reality.

Women’s Initiative is the nation’s largest microenterprise training and funding organization. For more than  20 years, the organization has provided support to lower-income women so they can start their own businesses and become economically self-sufficient. The women launch businesses, create jobs and stimulate the local economy. They also give back to their communities by building vibrant neighborhoods and mentoring others.

Since 1988, over 16,000 women have received coaching in business and personal development skills. Research consistently shows that five years after this training, 70 percent have started a business. Lasting improvements in income, skills and self-esteem are the result of the services offered by this organization.

Women are the focus of the Women’s Initiative because poverty is most often found among women-headed households. Women are finding that business ownership helps them to balance family care and work. Women-owned firms are growing at twice the rate of all other businesses; in addition, women of color start businesses at a higher rate than all other business owners combined.

The Women’s Initiative received over 1,200 nominations for this year’s Women-Owned Business awards. Twenty-one businesses were recognized in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, representing the Silicon Valley region. The businesses recognized:

Evelyn Reyes-Umana at her winery.

• Have been successful despite the barriers that exist for women business owners.

• Exemplify how business ownership and leadership is beneficial for women.

• Have a positive impact on the local community or the community at large.

• Advance their field through innovation.

One of the 2009 award-winners is Evelyn Reyes-Umana of Pacifica, who owns and operates Bodega del Sur Winery, located in Mountain Ranch in the Sierra Foothills. She has been a resident of Pacifica for more than 30 years and has owned the winery for the past three years. Reyes-Umana divides her time between the day-to-day operation of the tasting room in Murphys, Calif. and her home in Pacifica. “It can really be difficult at times,” she said. “When I’m away I miss my family, my garden and the fog.”

Jane Regan, center. Staff photo.

Jane Regan, another 2009 award- winner, is a resident of Montara and   the owner of HB Building + Design. Regan has been serving San Francisco and San Mateo counties for many years and has found that a successful project requires careful planning, detailed design and a clear understanding of costs, timing and expectations. Regan makes it easy for homeowners to plan their remodeling ideas and bring them to life.