The Venture Center Launches 2025 VCWoman Achieve Program with 56 Participating Entrepreneurs and Industry Leaders
In its fourth year, the state’s largest professional female mentorship program connects women and non-binary entrepreneurs and professionals from across Arkansas to drive business growth, networking and access to capital
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Jan. 17, 2025) – Fifty-six entrepreneurs and industry leaders from across Arkansas are participating in the 2025 VCWoman Achieve program, an innovative statewide mentorship opportunity organized by The Venture Center in Little Rock.
VCWoman Achieve connects emerging women and non-binary entrepreneurs (Mentees) with experienced professionals (Mentors). After the program’s successful first three years, during which several statewide businesses scaled their operations, more than 120 applications were received from across the state for consideration to join the 2025 program. The finalists were chosen based on their diverse locations and backgrounds. Among this year’s participants are:
Mentees (Central Arkansas):
Felicia Bailey, C&C Lawn Service Care LLC
Brittiany Bir, PostcardPassengers Travel Agency
Serreta Boson, Sarge’s Famous Pickles
LaTrenia Ceasar, Kinetic Check Fitness, LLC
Melanie Chapin-Critz, Verbal Eyes
Glenda Caton, Caton Consulting, LLC
Jalisa Cole, Sports, Entertainment, & International Business
Sia Cunnings, Sia N. Cunnings LLC
Dayve (Day) Diaz, J & D Home Improvement
Bonnie Earleywine, Honeybee Home Inspection LLC
Roshonda Franklin, Limitless Financials, LLC
Jerricka Handley, Handley Global Group, LLC
Taylor Johnston, nutraRX, Ltd.
Judith Kanu, EIG Wellness, LLC
Kimberly Kinder, Kinder Senior Advocacy
Keytia Long, XtremeClean Janitorial & Cleaning Services, LLC
Chaz Marshall, Contour’dbyChaz
Monica McGee, The MoKasso Experience Ltd Co
Brittney Mills, Reading Services of Arkansas
Wendolyn Robinson, Refilled Glasses, LLC
Trisha Snyder, The Utopia Deli
Kimberly Willis, Viv & Gin, LLC.
Mentees (Northwest Arkansas):
Warrenesha Arnold, Nyarai Skincare
Anahi Burciaga, Authentic Mexican Coffee Shop with Gluten-Free Options
Micy Liu, Life Mission Capital
Praveena Ravanavarapu, Good Neighbor Realty and Properties LLC
Christine Scarlett & Lauren Weaver, The Patient Whisperers
“This program is about creating opportunities for meaningful growth and connection,” said Viktoria Capek, Program Manager for VCWoman Achieve and Communications Manager at The Venture Center. “The professionals in VCWoman Achieve bring such a wealth of talent and perspective. Through mentorship, they’re able to advance their ventures while also strengthening a network of leaders who genuinely support each other—navigating challenges together and celebrating successes along the way.”
VCWoman Achieve Mentors volunteer their time to assist in building the Mentees’ businesses and offer them inspiring examples of success to follow. These volunteers include:
Mentors (Central Arkansas):
Adriana Fuentes Archila, VP of Community Development
at Arkansas Capital Corporation
Cassandra Benning, Owner, Esthetician & Yoga Teacher at
The Floating Lotus Day Spa & Yoga Studio
Roxanne Dennant, Senior Director of Brands & Strain Curation
for Good Day Farm
Gina Flake, CEO, Owner & Instructor at B+B Safety Training
Ar’Jillian Gilmer, Principal Educator, Owner, CEO
of Gilmer’s Learning Solutions, LLC
Eve Geiggar, Founder & Owner of Made to Manifest LLC
Heide Harrell, Director of Communications for Central Arkansas Water
Sarah Heer, Founder & Owner of ArkieTravels
Alison Schuh Hawsey, Intuitive Transformation Life Coach &
Insight Accountability Professional
Megan Markham, VP of Marketing for the Little Rock Regional Chamber
Kim McPherson, Founder of Perspective Healthcare Solutions
Charity Miller, Founder & CEO of Lime Group Consulting
Michelle Mothershed, Founder & CEO
of Compassionately Connected for Veterans Inc.
Tomekia Moore, Executive Director
at Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association, Inc
Lesley Nalley, President of Nalley & Associates LLC
Vernice Nazare, Life Coach & Business Consultant at Vernice Nazare LLC;
CEO & Business Manager at KingCare Painting & Construction LLC
Lisa Neal-Graves, C-Level Exec, Board Director & Advisor
Amy Pierce, President of Bank Strategic Solutions
Liz Russell, Principal of Liz Russell Solutions
Elizabeth Small, UA Little Rock Director of Business Networks;
Instructor of Real Estate Development
Samantha Stewart, Owner of Certified Pies
Abby Willroth, Owner of Willroth Consulting
Mentors (Northwest Arkansas):
Fidelma Farinas, Head of Multinational Client Strategy, SVP at PNC Bank
Kayla McGuire, Business Consultant &
Strategic Advisor at Kayla McGuire Consulting, LLC
Julie Pinkerton, Founder & CEO of Evozen, LLC
Chung Tan, Deputy Director of Employment & Industry, City of Fayetteville
Srividya Venkatasubramanya, Founder & Executive Director
at Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation; Director of Kumon Math and Reading Center
of Rogers; Founder and Mentor at One Step 2Forward
Tamara Williams, Owner of iPropel You
“At Summit Utilities, empowering women is more than just a commitment; it’s a cornerstone of our culture,” said Cindy Westcott, Vice President of Operations at Summit Utilities, a presenting sponsor for the 2025 VCWoman Achieve program. “Through initiatives like VCWoman Achieve, we are creating spaces where women can thrive, connect, and grow together. We’re proud to sponsor VCWoman Achieve and support its mission of fostering meaningful mentorship and professional growth for women.”
Rickie Smith, Director of Public Relations for Wright Lindsey Jennings, a founding partner of VCWoman Achieve, added, “WLJ has long served as an advisor and advocate for women- and minority-owned businesses. Much like WLJ’s Woman-Run initiative, our goal with VCWoman Achieve is to build community among Arkansas’ women entrepreneurs and business leaders through relationships and resources. The networking opportunities, and increased access to capital and skill development are all invaluable results of the mentorship journey and can be particularly challenging for women entrepreneurs to access. With VCWoman Achieve and Woman-Run, we’re bucking historical obstacles and opening doors that strengthen women-owned businesses and our entire state.”
Women and non-binary Arkansas residents from all industries are encouraged to visit www.venturecenter.co for more information on how to apply for the 2026 class as a mentor or mentee.
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About The Venture Center
The Venture Center is a globally recognized Arkansas-based Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) that helps entrepreneurs turn their start-ups into viable, high-growth businesses. By leveraging the expertise of a world-class team of mentors, intensive programming, and introductions to the investor community, The Venture Center serves as an engine for economic growth in Arkansas and beyond. Learn more at venturecenter.co. Follow The Venture Center on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@VentureCenter), and Instagram.