WSW Founder Meet Ups

WSW Founder Meet Ups

In 2022, ALIST launched the WSW Founder Meet Ups to bring much needed support to the restaurant industry while treating the boss community to lunch and inspiration. In 2023, we launched the new WSW Host Grant and offered 1K + up to 4K in services to 5 newly opened brick and mortar woman owners to host a WSW Meet Up. In 2024, we raised that amount to $1500 and secured community grants to offer winners a venue for free. This allowed us to tap into the same collective power to accelerate women owned brands who don’t have their own physical location, but very much want to share their business with the WSW Community.

As a community of over 500 women, we’re increasing awareness and driving new customers to every one of these women owned brands. With money raised in the WSW Community Fund and our sponsors, we’re continuing our program in 2025, bringing our total to 9 grant winners by the end of the year.

Program Overview

Putting on an event for 50-60 people isn't easy and can cost 5-10K depending on the concept. ALIST provides an incubator program that offers women of color entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring an event idea to life with a team of women, a proven system, some seed money, and shared resources. WSW Host Grant winners receive:

  1. A $1500 cash grant to put toward event expenses 

  2. Up to $4000 of in kind services provided by ALIST & partners in the form of marketing, sales, promotion, photography, videography, event & budget planning over a 6 week period, and onsite day of logistics and services

  3. A built in equity funding system that provides low price point tickets, while covering $5,500 of the event costs (seed money + in kind) with established investors subsidizing the gap in revenue from ticket sales

  4. A subset of the WSW Community, of over 500 women entrepreneurs, purchase tickets to the event knowing they are supporting a host trying something new for the first time. They also agree to be photographed

  5. A community of nearly 5000 instagram followers will learn about you, your chosen collaborators, and your event

  6. Established tools and resources (mailchimp, ticket tailor, google drive, website, social media) to leverage throughout the project to lessen the burden on the host

  7. A marketing package of assets, templates, and photos to leverage for future events

  8. A list of attendees to follow up with after the event

  9. A real life example of your idea to learn and understand actual costs involved and ways to improve

  10. A proof of concept they own that can be taken to market if hosts choose to do so

WSW Host Grant Winners

  • Ronesha Hayes Consulting and Coaching

    Hayes Consulting and Coaching was founded in 2020 by Ronesha Hayes, a women- and minority-owned consulting agency supporting the Portland Metro area. Established in 2020, they prioritize serving government agencies, city agencies, private entities, nonprofits, and small business owners nationwide. Stay tuned for April 23, 2025 Meet Up Video.

  • Vegan Ventures

    Vegan Ventures was founded in 2020 by Ashley Castellanos, a go-to resource for vegans, curating comprehensive guides and recommendations for the best plant-based dining and lifestyle experiences. Ashley’s pronouns are she/her and she identifies as a Mexican American. Watch Meet Up Video.

  • The Petal Dispatch

    The Petal Dispatch opened in 2021 by Kelly Rae. It’s a Filipina owned and operated cut flower micro-farm and design studio in Portland. With an emphasis in sustainability, Kelly strives to use organic and natural practices to continue nurturing the delicate ecosystem within her tiny space. Watch Meet Up Video.

  • Desiree Noisette with her wine Mermosa Bubbles

    Mermosa PDX

    Award-winning winemaker Desiree Noisette is the co-owner of Mermosa PDX and founder of Mermosa Wines, which pay homage to the Noisette family's ancestral heritage combining Haitian, French and Southern American flavors. Mermosa PDX invites you to sip, dine and vibe with them offering a wine centered full bar, brunch, live music, and community centered events. Watch Meet Up Video.

  • Fabiola Chipoco, owner of Tita's Juice Bar

    Tita's Juice Bar

    Fabiola Chipoco is the owner of Tita’s Juice Bar, the inspiration behind three cities that Fabiola holds dearly in her heart: Lima, Miami & Portland. Born in Peru, Fabiola immigrated to the US in her 20s. She first opened Tita’s Kitchen and the Juice Bar can next. Now with 5 locations, you can experience family recipes and delicious peruvian fare inspired by flavors of home. Watch Meet Up Video.

  • Vanessa Gomez, owner of Flow in the City

    Flow in the City

    Vanessa Gomez is the founder, owner, and yoga instructor at Flow in the City, an urban sanctuary in Downtown, Chinatown. First generation Colombiana with 10+ years in the sports and fitness industry. Vanessa birthed the studio to create and hold space for people to experience ease and belonging through their yoga practice. Watch Meet Up Video.

  • Joyce Chung, owner of Goodies Snack Shop

    Goodies Snack Shop

    Joyce Chung is the founder, co-owner and CEO of Goodies Snack Shop, a first generation, Korean American woman-owned snack shop and market located in Old Town/China Town. Recently opened in September 2022, Goodies offers thoughtfully curated snacks, nostalgic treats, cold beverages, and house plants while centering emerging and AAPI owned brands. Watch Meet Up Video.

  • Precious Hannah, owner of Mister OK's Essentials

    Mister OK's Essentials

    Precious Hannah is the owner and Chief Creative Officer of Mister OK’s Essentials, a Black woman-owned shop on Alberta Street that offers clean nontoxic soy candles, soaps, and body butters safe for the whole family. She even has a makers lab you can book for private events or just walk in and pick scents to create your own signature candle. Watch Meet Up Video.

September 2024 WSW Meet Up

Thanks to our venue sponsor Jupiter Hotel, 50 women founders gathered on the terrace of the Jupiter NEXT Hotel and were treated to a travel-inspired ‘A Taste of Mexico City’ experience designed by our WSW Host Grant Winners, founder of Vegan Ventures Ashley Castellanos and vegan chef and owner of Tzimmy, Hawnuh Lee. WSW Meet Up #17 distributed $9,456.75 across 8 women-owned businesses and raised an additional $143 for the WSW Community Fund. This was our biggest distribution yet. It was such a beautiful way to kick off Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month!

June 2024 WSW Meet Up

Thanks to venue sponsor Ecotrust, 52 women founders gathered on the rooftop terrace and were treated to a Spring Floral High Tea Party designed by our WSW Host Grant Winner, flower farmer and owner of The Petal Dispatch Kelly Rae and her co-host vegan pastry chef and owner of Camellia Pistrina Nikki Arcé. Collectively, WSW Meet Up #16 distributed $8,595 across 6 women of color owned businesses.

Special thank you to all of our community donors and sponsors who have supported this work.