About Us

WEI History


In 1985, Gabrielle Parkinson created a countywide support network of women business owners called Business Connections, who met once a month to promote their businesses.  In 1992, Gabrielle pulled together key women business leaders and created the Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Project --involving  Renee Chappelle, Alex Stillman, Linda Disiere, Suzanne Dockal, Darlene Penfold, Kathy Moxon, Linda White, Rose Bond and Bonnie MacGregor, who later became the charter Board of Directors of WEI.

The WE Project successfully sponsored the first Women Entrepreneurs Conference in October 1992, the Open Forum for Women Business Owners, a 6-week WE class on “Essentials of Starting Your Own Business,” and an all day Strategic Planning Retreat.  In 1994, the new Women Entrepreneurs Institute (WEI) emerged, as an official 501-3C non-profit organization.

WEI is a unique “non-profit without walls” comprised of local women business leaders who volunteer their time and energy to sponsor events to support and inspire local women entrepreneurs to be successful and prosperous in business.  WEI  collaborates and partnerships with local economic development corporations, financial institutions, North Coast Small Business Development Center (NCSBDC), local businesses and HSU and CR.  Some of WEI’s generous sponsors are:   North Coast SBDC, Arcata Economic Development Corp. (AEDC), City of Eureka, Wells Fargo Bank, Umpqua Bank, RREDC, Security National, Diamond Resource Co. and Dobaydesign.


Achievements

 

WEI focuses energy and resources on projects and events designed to have a positive impact on local women in business.   Some of WEI’s accomplishments:
  • County-wide Needs Assessments for women in business and women interested in starting new businesses
  • Sponsors Fall & Spring Networking Galas – large networking events held in the evening for women entrepreneurs to gather to network and promote themselves and their businesses, as well as expand their own network, and  tap into new resources.
  • Women Entrepreneurs Conferences: co-hosted (5) large county-wide conferences for women business owners with local economic development organizations, financial institutions, and businesses.
  • Youth Entrepreneurs Conference: co-hosted a large conference for youth, collaborating with local high schools, Eureka High School Humboldt Area Foundation, City of Eureka and local Rotary Clubs.
  • Conducted WEI Peer Lending Feasibility Study and worked with the Arcata Economic Development Corporation in developing the Peer Lending Program, which offered small business loans for women business owners.

As of August 2009

WEI Board of Directors

  • Gabrielle Parkinson WEI President, Owner/Career Management & Career Life Transitions
  • Judy Harrison WEI Vice President, Business Developer, Events and Retreat Coordinator
  • Linda Disiere WEI Finance, Real Estate Investor, North Coasts Investor Group
  • Jessica Bigger Marketing Director, Realtor, RE-MAX, Humboldt Realty
  • Suzanne Dockal CPA & Project Manager, Dockel & Associates
  • Connie Lorenzo Manager, Humboldt County One-Stop Career Center, The Job Market
  • Sharon Taylor Owner / Reflections Jewelry
  • Lisa Fryrear Owner / Taylor Made Organizing

    click here to see bios

Community Advisory Group

  • Renee Chappelle Project Manager, R.D. Chappelle & Associates
  • Christie Cogen Owner / Natural Order
  • Jean Hayes Owner / Jean Hayes Quick Help Service
  • Dawn Henderson Investment Advisor, Edward Jones
  • Susan Seaman Arcata Economic Development Corp. (AEDC) & Fieldbrook Market
  • Jeanne O'Neale Owner / Visiting Angels
  • Nicole Vincent Owner / Mobile Massage
  • Penny Schafer Owner / Taraluna - Fair Trade, Organic & Green Gifts

    click here to see bios