NAWBO celebrating BRAVA Awards

Celebrating its 21st year, BRAVA Awards, previously known as BRAVO, is the annual signature awards luncheon hosted by the Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC). This year’s theme is “Diversity, Resilience, Transformation: Bold Women Creating Her-story.”

Mark your calendar for Friday, June 11th, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm as NAWBO-VC shines the spotlight on outstanding businesswomen of Ventura County, honoring them for their diversity, resilience, transformation and success, which is creating a brighter future for women business owners and women-led business ventures in our community.

Do you know a bold woman creating her-story?

NAWBO-VC is currently seeking nominations for six local, outstanding and bold women in the following categories:

  • Woman Business Owner of the Year
  • Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (30 years old or younger)
  • Adaptability Award
  • Champion of Diversity
  • Rising Star of the Year (in business less than 5 years)
  • Resiliency Award

BRAVO alum include Catherine Von Burg of SimpliPhi Power, Alison Kenis of Sugar Lab Bakeshop, Emily Barany of Visionality, Breanne Cochran of The Vent Human Performance Center, Lori Volk of Lori’s Original Lemonade, Dr. Janis Shinkawa of Ohana Pet Hospital, and Dawn Dyer of Dyer Sheehan Group, Inc. Dyer brought home the prestigious NAWBO California Woman Business Owner of the Year award in 2018 and both Dyer and Shinkawa were finalists for the National Woman Business Owner of the Year presented by NAWBO in the past few years.

“The caliber of our past honorees is truly inspiring. Given the challenges we have all endured in the last year, I am thrilled that we are renaming NAWBO VC’s BRAVO awards to BRAVA in a time when women business owners have had to adapt and transform in the face of historic challenges. I believe this year’s theme accurately recognizes the resiliency of diverse women business owners now and into the future,” stated Seana-Marie Sesma, President-Elect, NAWBO Ventura County and BRAVA 2021 Chair. “I look forward to seeing who will be nominated this year.”

To nominate a bold woman, simply go to www.NAWBOVC.org and click on “BRAVA Awards.” All nominations are submitted online now through Monday, April 19, 2021. Nominees need not be NAWBO members.

The local Ventura County chapter of NAWBO is committed to strengthening the wealth creating capacity of its members while promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial Ventura County community. Additionally, the local chapter advocates for innovative and effective change in the business culture, building strategic alliances and transforming public policy for the benefit of its members. Membership is open to women sole proprietors, partners and corporate owners as well as those companies and organizations that support women-owned businesses. Learn more: www.nawbovc.org.