Female Entrepreneurs Recognized in Program

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center at Cal State San Bernardino has recognized 10 female entrepreneurs for their accomplishments as part of the IEWBC/Citibank “It’s Your Time: an Entrepreneurial Training Series for Women” program.  Participants were required to attend 12 workshops through the IEWBC, participate in one-one-one business counseling, and write a business plan. The completed business plans were then scored by a panel of judges, who awarded the writers of the top three plans. First place winner Altha Faruq of Corona, second place winner Annette Holguin of Fontana, and third place winner Sonia Lockert, also of Fontana, received prize packages cumulatively valued at more than $12,500 to help them start their businesses. Altha Faruq was also honored as the participant who most embodied the spirit of IYT with qualities such as compassion, understanding, reliability, and enthusiasm, an honor she shared with fellow participant La’Shay McClinton. In addition, Faruq was recognized for her focus and persistence in completing all the program workshop, counseling, and volunteer requirements.  Carmela Horkey was also a recipient of the same Focus Award. 10 participants were recognized for completing their business plans and/or all the required workshops in the program. They are: Ramona Bias, Rancho Cucamonga    L.T. Dixon, Murietta Altha Faruq, Corona Annette Holguin, Fontana      Carmela Horkey, Colton         Sonia Lockert, Fontana Daphne Morris, San Bernardino        Aisha Murphy, Moreno Valley Andrea Styles, Victorville Havonna Taylor-Weatherspoon, Riverside The application period for the Fall 2018 session of "It's Your Time" is now open and applications will be accepted through Friday, July 23, 2018. Early applications are encouraged, and those who apply and are accepted early can begin their training before the official start date of August 7, 2018.  The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center, 3780 Market St. in Riverside, is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino.  Housed in the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration, IECE, which administers the program in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration, is inland Southern California’s leading organization dedicated to supporting and promoting entrepreneurship. The IEWBC provides business counseling, training and mentoring designed for women business owners.