Dani Cone

Fuel Coffee and Cone & Steiner

Dani Cone has three great loves: great coffee, great food, and community. In 2005, Dani opened Fuel Coffee, and by 2007 had expanded it to 3 locations. In 2008, during a troubled economy, High 5 Pie was launched to bring a little “delicious comfort” to tough times. Dani believes that people come together over good food and drink and creates places that offer this experience, opening Cone & Steiner in 2014, now 3 locations in Seattle and growing. Dani’s businesses have gained local and national attention (MSNBC, Martha Stewart, Bon Appetit, PSBJ 40 Under 40) and created speaking opportunities (TEDx, UW). Love of community is a driving force for Dani, who serves on the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce Board, Capitol Hill Housing Board, GSBA Small Business Council, is Co-Founder of Seattle Entrepreneurial Women, and is a Founding Member of Seattle Made. Dani holds a BA in Business Economics from Willamette University.

Amy Balliett

Killer Infographics

Mary Burris

SisAdmin LLC

Margo Engberg

PinkaBella Cupcakes

Kathleen Miller

Miller Advisors, Inc.

Congratulations to the 2017 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Vanessa Smith

Blue Ribbon Cooking

Vanessa Smith was born and raised to throw parties for a living! Growing up in a cooking school with a very artistic eye Vanessa developed a love for helping people celebrate life’s milestones. Vanessa launched into business ownership at the age of 23 and within 3 years was running company with over 90 employees. When Vanessa is not planning parties for her company’s clients at Blue Ribbon Cooking, she enjoys savoring moments with her husband and young family at their home in Seattle. Vanessa brings determination, hands-on leadership, an incredible hard work ethic and fun to all of life’s adventures.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Margo Engberg

PinkaBella Cupcakes

Jody Hall

Cupcake Royale

Diana Naramore

Sip and Ship

Lori Stutsman

Extra Mile Marketing

Congratulations to the 2016 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Andrea Duffield

MOSAIC Rehabilitation, Inc.

Andrea Duffield is the President and CEO of MOSAIC Rehabilitation, which operates four clinics providing pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as behavioral and psychological services to children, adolescents, and young adults. In 2015, Andrea expanded the company’s services to include home and community-based intervention. Andrea is a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist with a master’s degree from Western Washington University; she also earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She serves on the Board of Directors for Manos Unidas, a non-profit school for special needs children in Cusco, Peru, and she has actively volunteered for multiple other local charities. She has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Top 50 Women Owned Businesses in 2014 and 2015.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Sari Davidson

BooginHead

Terry L. Jacobson, MD, RPh, FACP

Terry L. Jacobson MD PLLC

Alissa Leinonen

Gourmondo Co.

Nancy Lee Smith

Washington Liftruck

Congratulations to the 2015 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Leasa Mayer

CRG Events

Why did Leasa apply for the Nellie? Leasa applied for the Nellie this year after reflecting on the opportunity to meet and interact with strong women business leaders in our community. She finds past Nellie winners and finalists to be impressive, strategic and inspirational. The entire Nellie process really enables networking in a meaningful way with this group.

A fun fact about Leasa biz: Over half of CRG’s employees (37 people) have been working there for more than five years. The longest tenures are at 27, 19 and 18 years. This level of commitment and loyalty enables the company to do a better job for their clients. Longevity bolsters the support they feel among each other no matter what comes their way.

Leasa and her community: Leasa is very involved with the child welfare world, specifically through her involvement with Amara parenting. Working with children in foster care to help them find their forever family is the most meaningful work she has ever done.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Hayley Nichols

Allovus Design

Debbie Oberbillig

Allen Partners

Debbie Rosemont

Simply Placed

Roxie Schescke

Indian Eyes, LLC

Congratulations to the 2014 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Jill Blankenship

Frontline Call Center

Frontline Call Center CEO Jill Blankenship embodies the female entrepreneurial spirit. Jill moved to Orcas Island in 1998 and recognized its economic dependency as a tourist destination. She created Frontline Call Center as a response to the need for steady year-round island-based employment.

In addition to the call center, she has been an active member of the San Juan County community for 14 years serving in various positions of community leadership including the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce and the San Juan County Economic Development Council.

Her passion for helping others led her to be the philanthropist behind Orcas Angels, whose mission is to serve the economic needs of island citizens and develop partnerships with other charities, thus meeting needs that aren’t met by the traditional state and government help resources.

Her personal time is well spent with her family, traveling, and personal growth.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Andrea Duffield

MOSAIC Rehabilitation, Inc.

Niki McKay

Blue Danube Productions

Makaylaa Powers

Visiting Angels

Libby Wagner

Libby Wagner & Associates;

Influencing Options

Congratulations to the 2013 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Kay Smith-Blum

Butch Blum Inc.

Kay Smith-Blum is the CEO of Butch Blum, Inc. and former President of the Seattle School Board. A resident of the Capitol Hill area, Kay has been married to Butch Blum for 33 years and is the mother of three sons (an architect, a lawyer, and Washington State’s Deputy Supervisor of Public Lands). She was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and has a B.B.A. in marketing from the University of Texas.

Kay was the first female buyer in Neiman Marcus’s men division and the youngest buyer in 1975. She participated in opening over a dozen new stores nationwide and developed exclusive products in multiple international markets. She relocated to the Northwest in 1981, at which time she became co-owner of Butch Blum, Inc. Kay is a member of the Advisory Board to the University of Washington Graduate School of Business. She has served on the Boards of the Arthritis Foundation, SAAS, and has chaired the marketing committee of DSA. Kay has led fundraisers for the Seattle Symphony, the Perfect Solution (a PONCHO like fundraiser for six medical research entities), multiple children’s charities and the Arthritis Foundation. She has also raised $1.7 million for Seattle Public Schools in the last three decades and her passion for the environment has led to multiple school greenhouse/sustainable programs.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Paula Beckett Herrington

MC CCC-SLP, CLASS, Inc.

Jeanette Betton

Dynamic Designs Jewelry, Inc.

Sharon Davison Ph.D

Red Sky Blue Water LLC

Marla Beck

Andelcare

Tanya Jimale

Jimale Technical Services, LLC

Robin Shapiro

Health Perspectives Group, LLC

Angela Shen

Savor Seattle Food Tours

Congratulations to the 2011 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner

Janelle Bruland

Management Services Northwest

Janelle Bruland purchased a small janitorial company with 10 employees in 1995. By continuing to offer her clients additional services, Management Services Northwest has since become a one call source for complete facilities management and is a now a regional employer with more than 240 employees. Janelle oversees all aspects of her company with her principal focus on strategic planning and business development. She is active within the industry, serving on the board of the largest international facilities services trade organization, Building Services Contractor’s Association International (BSCAI) and on the editorial committee for Services Magazine. She is also an author and speaker on industry topics.

Janelle is also an active community volunteer. She is a board member of Peace Health, St. Joseph Medical Center and serves on the Community Benefit Committee which provides resources to increase the quality of life for disadvantaged members in the community.

Among her recent awards are Fastest Growing Private Company, Best Places to Work, and the Washington State Small Businessperson of the Year. Janelle is a lifelong resident of Whatcom County, Washington and is married with five children. In her leisure time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, golf, as well as keeping fit through various sports and activities. 

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Jessica Bishop

StudentPainters.net

Rosanna Bowles

Rosanna Imports, Inc.

Lisa Chissus

CFM Consolidated, Inc.

Rae Anne Rushing

The Rushing Company, LLC

Congratulations to the 2010 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Susan Kaufman

Serafina, Inc.

Susan Kaufman, a native of New York, grew up eating all foods Italian. She is a born entrepreneur, having started her first business at the young age of 16. Her love affair with cooking, especially Italian, blossomed in her early 20’s, after spending a year in Italy. This love affair begat two highly successful restaurants in Juneau, Alaska. During her ten years as chef/owner, Ms. Kaufman introduced Alaska to authentic regional Italian cuisine, from housemade pasta to freshly made gelato. In 1991, she opened Serafina in Seattle, which was an immediate success city wide and has become nationally known. Serafina, now in its nineteenth year, is considered a Seattle institution, and has received many accolades and awards, including Best Italian, Most Romantic, Best Wine list, Best Outdoor Dining. As a business owner, Ms. Kaufman has made well-timed decisions on personnel changes, expansions, remodels, and property acquisition to promote growth. Her most recent move was to purchase the building behind Serafina to open Cicchetti Kitchen and Bar. A strong proponent of the local and sustainable food movement, Ms. Kaufman resides close to the restaurants, where her kitchen garden is a source of herbs and vegetables for Serafina. Susan’s other full-time job is raising her 13-year-old daughter Isabella, guiding her into becoming a powerful woman in her own right. Susan lives true to the Italian idiom of bringing people together to share food and wine with family and friends.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Barbara Bollinger

Senior Salons, LLC

Jody Hall

Cupcake Royale &

Vérité Coffee, LLC

Andrea Heuston

Artitudes Design, Inc.

Liz Lasater

Red Arrow Logistics

Congratulations to the 2009 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Anne-Marie Faiola

Bramble Berry Inc.

Anne-Marie Faiola is CEO and Founder of Bramble Berry Inc. “A good business,” she says, “comes from finding something that works and capitalizing on it.” For Anne-Marie, that something came from making soap, a business concept she started as a hobby and then turned into a multi-million dollar enterprise.

As a teenager, Anne-Marie learned how to be business savvy from her father, a doctor who also ran a network of clinics and who encouraged her to find her own business opportunities. Taking her father’s advice, Anne-Marie started making personalized soaps to sell to friends and family. Years later, after pursuing a career as a correctional officer and about to apply to the FBI, Anne-Marie realized that her true passion was business and decided to become an entrepreneur. Determined to start her own company that would provide the highest quality products and ingredients for soap making, Anne-Marie left the criminal justice system and founded Bramble Berry Inc. in her living room. Desiring formal business training, she went back to school and received her MBA in 2007 while running her rapidly growing company.

Today, with over 2500 products, Bramble Berry has a customer base that extends across the country. In addition to soap, Anne-Marie now offers supplies to make candles, lotions, exfoliants, lip balms, and mineral based cosmetics. Otion, Bramble Berry’s retail component in Bellingham, Washington, offers workshops so customers can learn the latest project ideas and techniques. For those looking to expand their skill sets, Anne-Marie also built the website www.teachsoap.com. Her most recent project is Soap Queen TV (www.soapqueen.tv) where Anne-Marie is featured in free weekly episodes demonstrating melt & pour soapmaking techniques. She also maintains direct communication with her clients through her daily blog, www.soapqueen.com.

With new products added frequently as well as plans to expand the Otion store, clearly this is only the beginning for Anne-Marie.

“Success doesn’t happen overnight,” she says. “It’s about replicating small victories every day.”

Bramble Berry Inc. provides the highest quality ingredients for making personalized soaps, as well as candles, bath and body essentials, and cosmetics. With over 2500 products and priding itself on offering the highest level of customer service, it’s no wonder that Bramble Berry, www.brambleberry.com, is one of the leading craft suppliers in the United States.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Kathy Casey

Kathy Casey Food Studios® & Liquid Kitchen™

Mari Eriksson

Fusion Beads Inc.

Marcia Ives

With a Little Help Inc.

Julie Tappero

West Sound Workforce Inc.

Congratulations to the 2008 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Lee Rhodes

glassybaby

Lee Rhodes is the founder of glassybaby, which came to life during her seven-year battle with a rare form of lung cancer. She had endured surgery, countless rounds of chemotherapy and was searching for a few moments of serenity. As a special Christmas gift to her husband at the time, Rhodes presented him glass blowing lessons. One of the first pieces he created was a small, brightly colored cup – almost like a baby cup. As he made more, Rhodes placed tea lights in them and spread them around her home, feeling the chaos become calm and glassybaby was born.

Over the next five years, Rhodes encouraged her husband to make more glassybaby, so she could give them away as gifts to her friends. Eventually she learned to blow glass and create glassybaby, and then searched out local glass blowers to assist her with the production. In 2003, glassybaby opened its first retail store and now resides in its permanent home in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle, where Rhodes employs 25 people, including a team of dedicated glassblowers.

glassybaby remains an emotionally charged endeavor for Rhodes. Each day she is moved by the stories of those shopping in her studio, sometimes bringing tears, sometimes laughter – many cancer stories, and many stories of hope and healing. Each glassybaby is created to be individual and each one is personal to her. As they leave the door, she is reminded of her journey, and she hopes that the serenity and calm will remain with its new owner.

To honor those who have walked down her same path, Rhodes established glassybaby goodwill. Every year, glassybaby goodwill designates a select group of colors to benefit local and national organizations contributing to cancer patient care and cancer research.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Kristen A. Betty

KBA, Inc.

Karen Say

Saybr Contractors, Inc.

Jean Thompson

Seattle Chocolate Company

Tamara Wilson

Wilson Public Relations

Congratulations to the 2007 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Luly Yang

Luly Yang

Luly Yang, a talented couture designer, has been celebrated for her elegant and timeless bridal gowns and evening wear for women and men since opening her studio in 2000. Created from only the finest silks and fabrics, Yang’s designs have been featured in many bridal and designer fashion magazines. Her recent success has brought her to the attention of Hollywood, and she has had the pleasure of designing clothing for Vanessa Minnillo, Josie Bisset, Mary Hart, Lara Spencer and Jann Carl.

Yang believes that the woman and her body are the soul of each design. She loves to sculpt clothing around the organic shapes of the body and see it come alive in movement, creating a balance between form and function. At her Seattle studio boutique, she offers her clients a complete experience, which marries inspiration and art in a “fashion spa” environment.

Life and art have been inseparable for Yang. Pursuing her passion for design was a natural outgrowth of her upbringing. Born and raised in Taiwan, her parents were a classical Chinese artist and an engineer. She gained the foundations for design while earning a degree in graphic design from the University of Washington. After working for five years in architectural design, Yang was inspired to begin designing for the human form. She drew on her knowledge of the body’s movement, which she acquired by studying anatomy and physiology during several years as a fitness instructor.

Each year, Yang orchestrates Seattle’s largest privately produced fashion show benefiting Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. The show launches her new collection for the following year.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Christie Mueller

New York Life

Joanie Parsons

Parsons Public Relations

Beverly Thompson

Eastside Harley-Davidson Inc

Linda Wilson

Sunrise Media

Amy J. Haugerud

RoseWater Engineering, Inc.

Amy J. Haugerud, P.E., FACEC, founded RoseWater Engineering, Inc. in 1983 in the basement of her Seattle home. Now located in downtown Seattle, this growing firm employs 32 staff and provides civil engineering design services on public and private projects throughout Washington State. In addition to providing strategic direction to the firm as a whole, Amy serves as president, chief financial officer and project manager, and is a member of the company’s Board of Directors.

Haugerud has built her reputation on her in-depth knowledge of engineering and her ability to galvanize key stakeholders to get things done. Since RoseWater’s inception, she has provided service to clients with a rare insight, sensitivity and sense of humor.

She has been acknowledged for her leadership in a number of areas outside of RoseWater. Haugerud has served on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, is a past president of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington, and served on the National ACEC Board of Directors for two years. She was named a Fellow of the American Council of Engineering Companies (FACEC) in 2000 in recognition of her leadership and service to the engineering profession. She is currently serving her third term as a member of the Seattle University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Advisory Board. Haugerud also supports many local community organizations and events, including the United Way Day of Caring, Water for Life, the Pike Place Market Foundation and Training in Power.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Rita Brogan

PRR, Inc

Lisa Dupar

Lisa Dupar Catering

Leasa Mayer

CRG Events

Jan Scott

Another Source, Inc.

Carolyn Frame

CFA Northwest Mortgage Professionals

Carolyn Frame understands the value of maintaining strong relationships with the community and professional partners such as real estate agents, financial planners, and insurance agents. Under her leadership and guidance, CFA Northwest Mortgage Professionals has built an outstanding reputation in the region as more than a mortgage lender; CFA is known for its dedication to educating clients about financial issues and growth potential of real estate.

Carolyn’s commitment to giving back to the community includes financial and in-kind donations to many organizations. She often volunteers—and encourages her staff to join her—at The Boys & Girls Club; The Rotary Club; Health, Housing & Human Services Board; Habitat For Humanity; Bainbridge Island Public School Trust; and Family Recovery, an alcohol and substance abuse treatment program.

Carolyn and her husband, Charlie, were named 2003 Business Leaders of the Year by the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, and Carolyn was honored as 2002 business leader of the year by the Kitsap Business Journal. The June/July issue of Broker Magazine ranked her the 28th top-producing loan officer in the nation and the second highest producing female loan officer in the nation.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Paula Begoun

Paula’s Choice & Beginning Press

Dr. Barbara Brewitt

BioMed Comm, Inc.

Louisa Davis

Elegant Gourmet

Pamala Temple

A Place for Mom, Inc.

Congratulations to the 2004 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Mimi Kirsch

Paradigm Communications Group

Mimi Kirsch is president, publisher and owner of Paradigm Communications Group, a custom-publishing company which publishes monthly magazines for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air and bi-monthly magazines for Midwest Airlines.

Kirsch opened her company in 1987, choosing the name Paradigm, which means a model or set of assumptions, concepts, values and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline. Her vision was to structure a company that valued, appreciated and respected its employees. Kirsch believes that Paradigm is successful because of its clear corporate vision that is focused on the customer – the airlines, the passengers and the advertisers – executed by great people.

Paradigm’s publications, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Horizon Air Magazine and Midwest Airlines Magazine, have been recognized regionally and nationally with numerous awards for editorial and design excellence, including the 2004 top publications by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Western Publications Association Maggie Award for Best Cover/Consumer Magazine in 2001.

Her greatest corporate challenge was overcoming the threat of bankruptcy in 1990, as the recession forced many corporations to reduce or eliminate advertising budgets. Faced with this threat, Kirsch created a new, fiscally conservative business plan to grow sales and control costs and was able to achieve profitability, while servicing and retiring all debt. This approach served the company well since 9/11 and the current downturn, as the company has not laid off any employees, retained bonuses and been able to fund 401 k contributions and profit-sharing.

In addition to building Paradigm over the last 17 years, Kirsch has been actively involved in the community, including being named the 1987 “Volunteer of the Year” by the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, 1995 “Person of the Year” by the American Marketing Association, 1999 Seattle Mayor’s “Small Business Award” winner, and 1999 Alaska Visitors Association “Alaskana Award” winner, while serving on the Seattle Children’s Theatre Board of Trustees and the Marketing Communications Executives International Board of Directors.

And thank you to all our distinguished finalists:

Inez Gray

Habitude Salon and Spas

Kay Hirai

Studio 904, Inc.

Jeri Rice

Jeri Rice

Leslie Williams

Williams Marketing, Inc.

Congratulations to the 2002 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Judith Shulman

PHAROS Corporation

Judith Shulman serves as President and Project Manager of HDR|PHAROS. Ms. Shulman works directly with officials, managers, owners and investors on real estate matters, environmental compliance, public and private financing, coordinating with Federal and State agencies, planning, and managing time-sensitive projects to completion. She is often involved in complex right-of-way work involving major corporate owners, railroads, tidelands, mitigation properties and tribal lands. Her extensive experience in land use and federally regulated projects, she is also engaged from time to time by municipalities and counties to negotiate and resolve difficult funding, regulatory, permitting, and environmental issues. Since she enjoys a positive working relationship with agency and government personnel, Ms. Shulman regularly handles projects involving the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Authority, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Forest Service, Washington State Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the Washington State Department of Ecology. On property acquisition and relocation projects, she often personally handles negotiations involving sensitive projects, agencies or railroad ownership. She is also the designated broker of PHAROS Corporation, managing real estate selection and acquisitions from beginning to end for both public and private clients, including financing, title review/problem-solving, appraiser selection and management, negotiations, recording, and final closing matters.

Congratulations to the 2001 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Maureen Dickson

Cap Sante Marine Ltd.

Congratulations to the 2000 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Diane Symms

Lombardi's Neighborhood Italian

Our mission is bringing people & community together through authentic Italian cuisine, wine & exceptional hospitality. Founded in 1987 by restaurateur Diane Symms, Lombardi’s opened with a vision of serving fresh seasonal dishes with flavors that were inspired by Diane’s adventures through Italy. Inspired by the Lombardy region in Northern Italy, Lombardi’s was named after “Papa Lombardi”, the grandfather of our original chef. Diane opened her first Lombardi’s restaurant in the Ballard neighborhood in July of 1987, with Issaquah opening shortly after in December 1990. The Everett Marina location opened its doors in May of 1998, followed by Mill Creek in September 2012. Lombardi’s is a family-owned business with Diane’s daughter, Kerri Lonergan- Dreke leading the business into the second generation. Together they are passionate about giving back to the communities in which they do business and reside in and have a strong history of service on many nonprofit boards and foundations. They take great pride and pleasure in sharing the love of Lombardi’s with their guests!

Congratulations to the 1999 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Carol Ann O'Mack

Carlyle Inc.

Carlyle, Inc. is a women-owned business that provides innovative cabling products and solutions. It specializes in custom made assemblies, fiber optic, mil spec, local area network systems and connector products. The company was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Tukwila, WA.

Congratulations to the 1998 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner!

Linda Brooks Rix

AVUE Technologies Corporation

Linda E. Brooks Rix is President and Co-CEO of Avue Technologies, which was founded in 1983 and pioneered smart technology for better government. The company provides the public sector with integrated technology and service solutions that dramatically increase enterprise-wide visibility and management effectiveness, workforce productivity, and manager and worker satisfaction. In the fight against "business-as-usual" in Washington, Avue helps power "business-as-unusual." Avue is a privately held company headquartered in Tacoma, Wash., and with offices in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations to the 1997 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

JoAnn & Anna Williams

Ragazzi's Flying Shuttle

Since 1982, Ragazzi's Flying Shuttle has focused on the best in handwoven wearables and contemporary art jewelry. Our retail gallery is located in the heart of Seattle's Pioneer Square historic art gallery district. Our spacious interior was designed exclusively for us, and the result has been an inspirational atmosphere in which to experience, educate and help customers find the art to wear for their lives. We are proud of the artists we bring to the Pacific Northwest. Together we are committed to deliver the highest quality, original items to our enthusiastic customers. In our national collection, variety is definitely the spice of life. Over the years, we have grown to become the area's largest retail gallery, incorporating art jewelry, handwovens, apparel and accessories for the home and body all made by contemporary American artists.

Congratulations to the 1996 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Peggy Kent

Tamerlane Ventures

Congratulations to the 1995 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Judith Jacobsen

Madison Park Greetings

The Madison Park Group manufactures and distributes specialty stationery, gift, and accessory products. The company sells its products through gift and stationery stores, and sales representatives to retail and wholesale customers in the United States. It also sells its products through distributors in Canada, England, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand; and online. The Madison Park Group was formerly known as Madison Park Greetings and changed its name in January 2010. The company was founded in 1977 and is based in Seattle, Washington. As of December 14, 2012, The Madison Park Group operates as a subsidiary of Southworth Company.

Congratulations to the 1994 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Barbara Nelson

Acura of Bellevue

Congratulations to the 1993 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Susan Michaels

A Grand Affair

Congratulations to the 1992 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Regina Glenn

Pacific Communications Consultants, Inc.

Regina Glenn has more than 32 years of experience in management, marketing, training, and diversity inclusion with a strong emphasis on the diversity management for large public work contracts working with government agencies on transportation and water projects. Her responsibilities have included community outreach, public involvement, strategic planning, diversity and inclusion management, project management, and diversity plan development, communication plan development. Regina has managed small business training and development, diversity compliance and quality control, outreach and interviewing for disparity studies, DBE/MWBE reports, facilitation, and focus group development. Most recently Regina developed the Multicultural and Small Business Development program for the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of commerce. Currently, Regina manages the Diversity and Inclusion Program for HDR Engineering, supporting the 1.64 billion SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program. Pacific Communications Consultants, Inc. also provides small business outreach for the Pine Street Group’s $1 billion dollar “ADDITION” project for the Washington State Convention Center.

Congratulations to the 1991 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Barbara Pool

Seaway Construction Inc.

Congratulations to the 1990 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Tish Johnson

TCB Properties

Currently Commercial Real Estate Broker in Pacific Northwest specializing in owner/user and investor properties. Offices in South Park and Northgate.

Specialties: Mergers/Acquisitions small businesses, Value Commercial/Industrial Properties in South King County Washington, Real Estate Marketing through print and internet.

Constance Rice

Casey Family Programs

Dr. Rice was appointed by the Governor to the University of Washington’s (UW) 10-member Board of Regents in 2013. As the state’s flagship university, UW serves more than 92,000 students with 50 locations in 10 countries, houses one of the nation's premier medical schools, and is among the state’s largest employers.

Today, Dr. Rice serves as Casey Family Program’s Managing Director of Knowledge Management. Casey Family Programs is the nation's largest operating foundation, with over $2.2 billion in assets, focused on foster care and improving the child welfare system. She currently serves on the King County Commission for Families.

From 1992 - 1998, during the tenure of her husband as two-term Mayor of Seattle, Dr. Rice served as Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Chancellor of the Seattle Community College District and as Interim President, North Seattle Community College. The CWR Foundation also hosted over 10 major international conferences averaging 2,000 participants and addressing a wide range of educational, social, and philanthropic topics.

Dr. Rice co-chaired the Governor’s Advisory Board on Sustainability and has served on the boards of Swedish Hospital, United Way of King County, the Seattle Foundation, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle Chamber of Commerce, KCTS-TV, U.S. West Communications and the Seattle Art Museum.

She is the Founding Executive Director of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation USA and was the Founder of the Strategic Education Centers which received a grant from the Gates Foundation and support from the King of Swaziland to develop successful after-school centers in Africa.

She was named one of the 25 Most Influential Women in King County (Puget Sound Business Journal), and received the King County Association of Realtors, First Citizen of the Year Award, the Dorothy Bullitt Humanitarian Award and the American Jewish Committee’s Community Service Award.

Congratulations to the 1988 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Nona Brazier

Wings Services Group

Congratulations to the 1987 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Billie Franklin

Overlake Travel

Congratulations to the 1986 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Kay Harlan

ManageAbility, Inc.

Congratulations to the 1985 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Betty Konarshi

The Country Mouse

The Country Mouse was the first shop (and building) to be moved to Gilman Village. Marilyn Gray assisted Betty Konarski in establishing the local consignment shop.

Congratulations to the 1984 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Karen Steincipher

The Orchid Lady

Congratulations to the 1983 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Gretchen Mathers

Gretchen's of Course

She was a dynamo who knew how to deliver. She helped develop Cool Whip, won the Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year award and was the first woman president of the Washington Restaurant Association. And though she grew up wanting to be the next Betty Crocker, instead she became a brand name herself.

She was Gretchen, of course. Gretchen Mathers, operating partner at Schwartz Brothers Restaurants and founder of the long-loved Seattle café and catering company Gretchen’s of Course, was also a founding member of the Seattle chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier.

Congratulations to the 1982 Nellie Cashman

Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Winner! 

Joyce Lund

Lund Lites