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Celebrating the Spirit of Entrepreneurship
Since the initial 2011 awards, 116 local women entrepreneurs from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties have been honored at the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards. In addition, ten Rock Star: Lifetime Achievement Awards have been presented to individuals who have made an indelible impact on our community and who serve as role models for women.
Stay tuned for the next gathering to honor the amazing businesswomen that make a huge impact in our communities.
“When I was named the Media-Communications winner in 2018, everyone in the room had the camaraderie of being an entrepreneur- the peaks and the valleys. It was a great experience to celebrate the achievements of others and inspire new entrepreneurs.”
Lindsey Carnett, CEO and President, Marketing Maven
Honoring the Most Recent Winners
2021 SOE Award Winners
Devyn Deux
Nebula Dance Lab | Arts & Entertainment
Pam Plesons
Plow to Porch Organics, Inc. | Green & Social Entrepreneur
Jill Agonias
Sol Seek Yoga | Health & Wellness
Gabrielle Moes
Seasons Catering & Restaurant | Hospitality & Tourism
Lynette Coverly
Coverly Professional Services | Media & Communications
Mary Maranville
Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture, Inc. | Nonprofit
Laurice Tamura
Urban Planning Concepts, Inc. | Professional Services
Ashe Browne
Pura Luna Apothecary | Retail
Rashi Bahri Chitnis
Shoonya | Science & Technology
Reyna Chavez
Scrubs on the Run | Wholesale, Manufacturing & Online Retail
Rock Star: Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Women Leading the Way
Lupe Anguiano
Activist | 2021
Lynne Tahmisian
La Arcada Court | 2020
Carol Duncan
Rusty's Pizza Parlors | 2019
Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree
Pacific Air Industries | 2018
Pamela Webber
Santa Barbara Hotel Group | 2017
Sara Miller McCune
Sage Publications | 2016
Dorothy Largay
Linked Foundation | 2015
Betty Hatch
La Belle Modeling Agency | 2014
Kathy Odell
Annovium Products | 2013
Mindy Bingham
Academic Innovations | 2012
2020 SOE Award Winners
| Erika Martin del Campo | ME Sabor Dance Studio | Arts & Entertainment |
| Michelle Stevens | The Refill Shoppe | Green & Social Entrepreneur |
| Charlotte Andersen | The Andersen’s Danish Bakery & Restaurant | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Karen Atlas | Atlas Rehabilitation for Canines | Health & Wellness |
| Denise Bean-White | Consortium Media | Media & Communications |
| Victoria Strong | Gwendolyn Strong Foundation | Nonprofit |
| Melissa Sayer | Matilija Law, Inc. | Professional Services |
| Roxanne Barbieri | Roxanne’s, A Wish and A Dream | Retail |
| Jenna Berg | JobAps, Inc. | Science & Technology |
| Kelley D’Angelo | Lark Ellen Farm | Wholesale, Manufacturing & Online Retail |
2019 SOE Award Winners
| Laurie Gross | Laurie Gross Studios | Arts & Entertainment |
| Emily Barany | VISIONALITY | Green & Social Entrepreneur |
| Leanne Schlinger | Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Carmen Curtis | The Aerial Studio | Health & Wellness |
| Jen Baron | Girls Rock Santa Barbara | Nonprofit |
| Sara Caputo | Sara Caputo Consulting | Professional Services |
| Claudia Cordova Rucker | Aqua Skin and Nail Bar | Retail |
| Shawn Sullivan | Above All Aviation | Science & Technology |
| Andrea Ridgell | Glop & Glam | Wholesale, Manufacturing & Online Retail |
2018 SOE Award Winners
| Marta Alvarez | YCE Inc. | Agriculture & Wineries |
| Diana Pereira | Impact Hub | Green & Social Entrepreneur |
| Sarah Otterstrom | Paso Pacifico | Nonprofit |
| Lindsey Carnett | Media Maven | Media & Communications |
| Robin Long | The Balanced Life | Health & Wellness |
| Nirasha Rodriguez | The Food Liaison | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Michele McDowell | Wiggins Lift Co. | Wholesale, Manufacturing & Online Retail |
| Zdena Jiroutova | ZFolio | Retail |
| Raiza Giorgi | Santa Ynez Valley Star/SB Family Life Magazine | Emerging Business |
| Kristin Denault | Fluency Lighting | Science & Technology |
| Ann Levine | Law School Expert | Professional Services |
2017 SOE Award Winners
| Jeanne David | Outer Aisle Gourmet | Wholesale & Manufacturing |
| Payal Kamdar | vSolvit | Science & Technology |
| Fay Doe | Underground Hair Artists | Retail |
| Alelia Parenteau | iSurf School | Professional Services |
| Janet Reineck | World Dance for Humanity | Nonprofit |
| Gillian Christie | Christie & Co. | Media & Communications |
| Tara Jones Haaf | Eat This, Shoot That! | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Emilee Garfield | The Loft: Emilee's Pilates & Yoga | Health & Wellness |
| Heather Hochrein | EVmatch | Green & Social Entrepreneur |
| Alexis Schomer | RepWatch | Emerging Business |
| Ashley Farrell | Ashley Farrell Landscape Design | Agriculture & Wineries |
2016 SOE Award Winners
| Andrea Neal, Ph.D. | Blue Ocean Sciences | Science & Technology |
| Mahri Kerley | Chaucer's Books | Retail |
| Judy Hawkins | Ruby Road Leadership | Professional Services |
| Nathalie Gensac | Youth Interactive | Nonprofit |
| Kristi Cooper | Pilates Anytime | Media & Communications |
| Sherry Villanueva | Acme Hospitality | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Robin Walker | Core Fitness Training | Health |
| Randee Disraeli | Kanaloa Seafood | Green & Social Entrepreneur |
| Norah Eddy | Salty Girl Seafood | Emerging Business |
| Morgan Clendenen | Cold Heaven Cellars | Agriculture & Wineries |
2015 SOE Award Winners
| Kristin Fraser | The Grapeseed Company | Wholesale, Manufacturing & Global Trade |
| Anupama Vaid | ParentSquare | Science & Technology |
| Anne Pazier | Santa Barbara Gift Baskets | Retail |
| Lisa Grossmann | Nannies2Go | Professional Services |
| Marsha Bailey | Women's Economic Ventures | Nonprofit |
| Kim Wiseley | Flutter Magazine | Media & Communications |
| Lynette La Mere | Pure Joy Catering | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Sandra Hirsch | Isolite Systems | Health |
| Marge Cafarelli | Alma Del Pueblo/The Public Market | Green & Social Entrepreneur |
| Dr. Elizabeth Wisniewski | Genuine Chiropractic | Emerging Business |
| Kimberly True | True Nature Design | Agriculture & Wineries |
2014 SOE Award Winners
| Anita Chambers | Odulair, LLC | Wholesale, Manufacturing & Global Trade |
| Michele Hinnrichs | Gas Imaging Technologies | Science & Technology |
| Calla Gold | Calla Gold Jewelry | Retail, Hospitality & Tourism |
| Kymberlee Weil | Strategic Samurai | Professional Services |
| Marianne Partridge | Santa Barbara Independent | Media & Communications |
| Suzanne McNeely | Senior Planning Services | Health |
| Lacey Grevious | The Refillery | Green Business |
| Amy Chalker | Isabella Gourmet Foods | Emerging Business |
| Kathy Joseph | Fiddlehead Cellars | Agriculture & Wineries |
2013 SOE Award Winners
| Susanne Chess | Fine Fabrics of Santa Barbara/Force Fins | Wholesale & Manufacturing |
| Barbara Klein | Accrued Benefit Administration | Professional Services |
| Ali Bauerlein | Inogen | Medical, Science & Technology |
| Alethea Tyner Paradis | Friendship Tours World Travel | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Jill Latham | Vibrant Earth Juices | Emerging Business |
| Melissa Marsted | Lucky Penny Press | Media & Communications |
| Joy Kelly | JuicePlus | Health, Fitness & Beauty |
2012 SOE Award Winners
| Kelly Jensen | Jensen Audio Visual | Retail |
| Merryl Brown | Merryl Brown Events | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Darya Bronston | Annovium Products | Science & Technology |
| Carol Ashley | Demo2Design | Professional Services |
| Rachael Steidl | Deco Marketing Group | Media & Communications |
| Karen Mora | Accountability Plus | Professional Services |
| Kathy Gruver | Healing Circle Massage | Health, Fitness & Beauty |
2011 SOE Award Winners
| Barbara Tzur | Brylen Technologies | Science & Technology |
| Lynda Weinman | Lynda.com | Media & Communications |
| Patty DeDominic | DeDominic & Associates | Professional Services |
| Caroline MacDougall | Teeccino Caffe | Wholesale & Manufacturing |
| Laura Knight | Pascucci Restaurant | Hospitality & Tourism |
| Cathi Lamberti | SmartFit | Health, Fitness & Beauty |