The Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah) is pleased to announce the winners of the $1,000 grant money awarded to five small businesses— owned and operated by women who have helped grow the Utah Women-Owned Business Directory during February. The Utah Women-Owned Business Directory is a free searchable database of Utah businesses owned and operated by women. The grant money, totaling $5000, generously provided by the Nasdaq Foundation to WBCUtah, will benefit women who will invest their grant money where it will be most helpful in their businesses.
“A grant giveaway is a great way to accelerate the growth and use of the Utah Women-Owned Business Directory. Not only will our communities have a more comprehensive database to search and find women-owned products and services, but it will also become easier to intentionally support female-run enterprises. Anyone can search the vast directory for their next meal out, gift, service or provider,” said Ann Marie Wallace, state director of the Women’s Business Center of Utah. “And, bonus, five women owners will be awarded money to invest in their businesses however they would like to.”
WBCUtah chose winners through random selection of four eligible entries from the different regions of Utah—Northern, Southern, Eastern, and the Wasatch Front—and one additional entry statewide, for a total of five grants. In addition to the $1,000 grant, each recipient will have the opportunity to appear in a WBCUtah live stream and promote their business.
Statewide Winner: Ruby Seering- Ruby’s Natural Boutique
Life is great and family is better. Ruby Seering is the owner and creator of Ruby’s Natural Boutique. She designs and makes homemade soap, and other bath and body products. Her sister designs the candles we sell. She started making soaps for her daughter who has many different health issues – as any other parent would do. She started researching ways to help her daughter and came up with a natural Lavender soap that did not hurt her skin, and everything went from there. She plans on purchasing equipment and supplies to better her products with this grant. Thank you Women’s Business Center of Utah. Who is Ruby? A wife, mother, Veteran, caregiver, and business owner. She loves all aspects of her life.
Northern Grant Winner: Elsie Crockett-Crockett Gear
Crockett Gear is a women-owned cutting and sewing manufacturing facility located in Tremonton Utah. Elsie Crockett, president, and founder was born and raised in Nephi, Utah, and is proud to be a Utah native. She worked her high school years sewing baseball hats in a manufacturing facility. She was a sewing manager at La-Z-Boy in Tremonton. For the past 17 years, she has been helping multiple companies in Utah and across the United States to produce their products and make their dreams come true.
As the owner of Crockett Gear, she has taken on all the roles needed to build the business that it is today. She has had many ups and downs but has learned from every one of them. Along the way she has had many great mentors that she has leaned on to help her through the process of having a growing business.
Southern Winner: Desiree Fryer- Hello Bijoux Jewelry
Desiree Fryer is the proud owner of Hello Bijoux since its founding in 2019. Like most businesses, Hello Bijoux began as a way for her to share my passion for jewelry with others. She decided to start Hello Bijoux Jewelry because she believes that having the right piece of jewelry can make you feel like you’re ready to take on the world. She wants her customers to feel inspired, confident, and happy when they’re wearing her products. As a mom of three kids, she know that we may not always feel put together, but we can definitely look it!
Wasatch Front Winner: Brandi Alhamdani- Zen Circle
Brandi Alhamdani is a small business entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience owning and operating small businesses in the Wasatch Front. Brandi opened her first C store in 2001, at the age of 23, and fell in love with the journey of entrepreneurship. She soon opened and operated coffee shops in Murray and at the University of Utah. Brandi and her spouse currently own Babylon Wholesale & Zen Circle LLC, a one-stop business wholesale warehouse for small business owners and she is the current CFO at Terra Health & Wellness. She also owns SimplyDivine Incense, a line of hand-dipped incense, sage, and spiritual goods that can be found in boutiques throughout the Wasatch Front.
Brandi has earned multiple degrees from SLCC and the University of Utah while operating her businesses and is always seeking ways to educate herself in new topics, particularly the entrepreneurial journey of women in business and psychology. Brandi’s perfect day includes spending time with her son & husband playing video games, perusing antique stores, or visiting her family in Huntington Beach, California.
Eastern Winner: Sommer Weight- Inspiration, LLC
Sommer Weight is the owner of Inspiration Wellness Center and Paint Your Own Ceramics in Eastern Utah. Sommer started Inspiration with her husband, John Weight, and the help of her family in 2020. She became a Reiki Master in 2019 and loves helping people to feel their best selves. She is continuing her education in other healing modalities. Sommer has always been interested and enjoyed natural remedies and positivity in her life.
Sommer recently found enjoyment in putting on events. She plans to build a community of energy and holistic healing in her area. Her clients and customers love the energy and often comment when they come into Inspiration, how wonderful the atmosphere feels.
About The Women’s Business Center of Utah
The Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah) is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization with a statewide mission to help Utah women build confidence, create opportunities, and experience business ownership success through business advising and entrepreneurial skills training. They are the administrative body behind the Utah Women-Owned Business Directory. The center’s female-friendly mentorship and support are available through two offices, in Salt Lake City and Cedar City, online at wbcutah.org, as well as a dozen virtual centers hosted on chambers of commerce’s websites. WBCUtah is funded through a Cooperative Agreement between the Salt Lake Chamber and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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