Institute Women Entrepreneurs

This past quarter was extremely challenging for Heaven Sent Jewelry. Now I see the blessing in disguise. For many business owners,dealing with crossroads is difficult as they grow their business. Some times other opportunities develop and compliment our business. I 'm so excited in joining the newly formed Institute of Women Entrepreneurs (IWE) http://www.ociwe.org/ in Santa Ana, CA as a business advisor in addition to managing my business. The mission of IWE is to tailor a program to the unique needs of women.

Sallie Salinas is the IWE Director. I was so impressed with her vision, energy and the direction. Our meeting was so inspiring...Sallie had her own home-based business for 15 years plus cared for her son. She offered so much insight and willingness to assist me in taking my business to the next level. We shared our success stories as well as blunders.... it was so refreshing!... After our joyous meeting, I told her I could see IWE being a national model. (above you will see a picture of Sallie and myself).

Over the years, I have assisted other business owners by sharing my experience with my strategic planning marketing Heaven Sent Jewelry on a national level.

Statistics say that 80 percent of business will fail during the first year in business. After operating 4 years, I can understand why the stats are so high. Faith and praying are my nightly rituals. I was given the strength to demonstrate that a home-based business stay at home mother can dream .

I literally started with very little capital and time. I fought hard in order to survive, I branded my business, received numerous awards and recieved media coverage. Although people always see me with a smile , there were numerous times I thought of closing the doors. For some reason, I always received blessings that confirmed my path to move forward. Now, I will be able to offer my business experience on a one on one as a business advisor. No one can understand how exhausting entrepreneurship is until they experience it.

Although I have a masters degree, I never felt inadequate in asking for help. Everyone is human, it's impossible to excel in everything. I'm glad I took advantage of receiving free counseling from centers such as Institute of Women Entrepreneurs, SCORE, http://www.score.org/SBA http://www.sba.gov/.... These center's have been a tremendous service to my business.

We home based business can shine!.... Check us out on LA Hottest Magazines "Tu Cuidad " http://www.ciudadmag.com/ . I also partnered up with my good friend Diana Hernandez from http://www.latinaliving.com/ as a speaker.

My dream .... my family....my business...my Hopes. I've never stopped believing in myself or my dream. Even during the darkest hours, I would still tell myself "This year is going to be a GRAND YEAR as tears rolled down my cheeks". Attitude is everything.

My mom is so positive...I'm so blessed that she influenced my life with so much warmth and love. She showed me how to make life joyous by playing and having fun. Both my parents showed us a strong work ethic. When you work hard it's amazing what can result from it!....

I'm still in aw about being selected as the "SBA District and Region IX Home-Based Business Champion".... and what blows my mind is that I'm in contention for national honors!............. All of this was because "I Dared to Dream"

As a child, I dreamed. I dreamed of having an office job, a house, a car ... I dreamed of living in a big city and having a better life for my children. I'm so proud that my father exposed me in getting involved with groups at a young age. The influence of Cesar Chavez from the UFW (United Farm Workers) "Si Se Puede" " Yes you can" had an impact on this entrepreneur.

Stay tuned as Addy's drives away in the add mobile with sparkle and bling.