Winners of the 2008 Women and Company® Microenterprise Boost Program Announced

The Abilities Fund is pleased to announce the selection of the 2008 Women and Company® Microenterprise Boost Program award winners. Through this program, The Abilities Fund issues cash equity awards to women microentrepreneurs with disabilities. The Abilities Fund is one of only a number of local partners chosen by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity for this nationwide program. 

The 2008 award winners are outstanding women business owners who each have a passion for helping others through their work and providing quality goods and services. The winners include:

Stella Lyons of Stellar Styles in Springfield, Massachusetts. Stellar Styles provides custom made and custom designed medical scrubs in a variety of styles, choices and sizes. 

Ann Parsons of Portal Tutoring in Rochester, New York. Portal Tutoring is a one-woman business whose purpose is to train persons with disabilities, concentrating on blind and visually impaired individuals, to use computers. You can find out more information regarding Ann's tutoring services at www.portaltutoring.info

Shannon Patterson, owner of Gabby's Cafe in Shevlin, Minnesota. Gabby's Cafe can seat up to 47 people and is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even late night. 

Daniele Pitts Williams of Daniele's Body Sole in Lincoln, Nebraska. Daniele's Body Sole provides high quality and comfortable loungewear, lingerie and shoes in a wide range of sizes, including plus size. Check out Daniele's Body Sole at www.danielesbodysole.com

Renae Tollman-Jones founded Renae's Custom Boots in Crawford, Nebraska. Renae designs and creates custom western boots for customers, as well as repairs boots in her shop.


These award winners will receive a cash award, technical assistance from The Abilities Fund, and the opportunity to network with other women-owned microentrepreneurs.


Click here to read about the 2007 Women and Company® Microenterprise Boost Program Awards