VCWoman Achieve Program 2025 is a mentorship and business development program from The Venture Center that connects women and non-binary entrepreneurs across Arkansas with experienced business mentors and industry professionals. Now in its fourth year, the statewide program launched its 2025 cohort with 56 participating entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

The program is designed to drive business growth, networking, and access to capital for emerging women business owners. Eligible participants include women and non-binary entrepreneurs from across Arkansas. The program is free to apply and offers structured mentoring, peer learning, and professional development programming throughout the cohort year.

The Venture Center Launches 2025 VCWoman Achieve Program with 56 Participating Entrepreneurs and Industry Leaders - The Venture Center The Venture Center Launches 2025 VCWoman Achieve Program with 56 Participating Entrepreneurs and Industry Leaders Posted on January 21, 2025 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 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.

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.

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