I am a native of Boca Del Toro, Panama. I started cooking at the age of 9 and had been the designated Saturday cook (cosinadito) among my family and friends. Since my location in the region was a mesh of different cultures, I started to specialize in three types of cuisines: Panamanian, American, and Caribbean.

Thanks to all of these rich cultures, my passion for the culinary world was born. With the help and support of my mother, husband, and in-laws, "Mi Pana" was born.

At the beginning of 2009, before launching "Mi Pana" I needed help writing a business plan and developing other business information. Fortunately a business consultant from the Women's Business Center assisted me with these needs.

Hosted by the Women's Center in November 2009, I successful opened my "Mi Pana" mobile unit catering service, located on Skibo Road. I appreciate all that WCOF has done for Mi Pana. My family and I am grateful for it all.

-- Mariza I. Teagle, Owner, Mi Pana

We wouldn't be in business today without the Capital Funding received through working with the Women's Business Center (WBC).

With a business plan in hand, we tried other lending resource capitalists for about 6 months on our own. We became frustrated, knowing we had the right plan and just needed someone else to have the faith we had and provide the capital we needed.

My wife and I found the WBC and talked with the Credit and Lending Analyst who helped us tremendously. Within 2 months, we were able to secure $50k in necessary capital.

The Business Center Director and the entire team of the WBC, have provided assistance and support in areas such as planning a grand opening, marketing, bookkeeping tools, training and networking opportunities.

-- Kenneth and Jennifer Herr, Owners, Little Miracles Imaging

I officially launched my business in 2001 as Emerging Virtual Assistance. At that time my main focus was on me and my family. I joined the Women's Center Partners In Progress (PIP) in 2008, which encouraged me(forced would be a more accurate description for me at that point) to come out of my comfortable home office and network which at the time was challenging on a personal level.

I hate traditional networking, so I used the PIP monthly meetings as opportunities to practice my public speaking. I volunteered to host morning coffees and luncheons so I could speak on topics of interest like marketing and time management. Those events gave me confidence to participate in other speaking opportunities.

In 2009, I applied for the Business Center's Micro-loan Program and received the loan that changed everything. Now my focus is on helping other virtual assistants start their own business through my incubator program. My first group of new Virtual Assistants has recently completed the program and has gone on to work with me on my Certified Virtual Assistants Team.

In 2010, I will be launching a National Association of Virtual Assistants for Coaches as a way of broadening my reach and building a community of like-minded women, collaborating and feeding from the "6-foot Spoon". "

-- Kim Gray, Founder, National Association of Virtual Assistants for Coaches

From the first wedding in 1985, my growth continued as I took measures to improve my knowledge base. I directed a wedding at my church in 1987 and was then appointed the wedding coordinator. I took a home study course from "Weddings Beautiful Worldwide" and became a Certified Wedding Specialist in 2000.

In 2001, I attended a course by the NC Business Center for Women's Business Owners; a program of the Women's Center of Fayetteville, called Getting Started "From Dreams to Reality". I retired from teaching with the Cumberland County Public school system in 2003 to become the instructor for weddings and event planning at FTCC.

In 2008, Mr. D.J. Haire invited me to attend the Women's Center of Fayetteville's, Partners in Progress (PIP) networking Coffee. I attended the PIP Program's first meeting and joined. With winning a spotlight in the WCOF newsletter and meeting other business owners, I've also been able to partner with other members on business ventures. I am thankful that I joined the WCOF Partners In Progress which has enhanced my networking opportunities and business growth. It has shown me how to market myself and my business for continued, sustained growth.

-- Cassandra McMillion, Owner, Unity Where 1+1+1=1

As a person with certain limitations, I am honored to be a Success Story. I joined the Women's Center of Fayetteville, because I thought it would be a great business tool for my up and coming business. It has proven to be just that and then some. I have been given opportunities to network, mentor and be mentored through the people I have met in just a few months time.

After publishing my book Sometimes I Just Feel Like Writing, I decided to move into the world of theater and the arts. That's why I started Living Well Productions. Knowing that I needed business contacts and networking, I decided to join the Women's Center of Fayetteville. That move has proven to be invaluable, being worthwhile and gratifying to say the least.

I have already attended two events through the Partners in Progress programs. I am so glad I joined in 2009 and am expecting nothing less than great success. I'm thankful for the doors that have been opened to me. It is my desire to continue being a success story.

-- Sheila O'Kelley, Founder, Living Well Productions