Grassroots Gourmet

Two weeks ago I was honored as the 2010 recipient of the Young Woman of Achievement Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit from WIN. I’d like to thank Vaishalee Yeldandi, the YWA Chair, for her vote of confidence in this nomination.

The Women’s Information Network (WIN) is Washington’s premier professional, political, and social network dedicated to empowering young, Democratic, pro-choice women. WIN encourages women to make moves and change the world. As a member of this organization I am always impressed by how many women from all walks of life are part of this network.  These amazing women are policy makers, organizers, lawyers, fundraisers, and “movers and shakers,” all with the common goal of building a network of women who know that we can achieve whatever we set our minds to. I think of WIN as a place where we pool our resources and gain access to the places where women need to be more present in politics, on the hill and at the front of change.  It is networks such as this one that have encouraged and supported our new business every step of the way.

This is an amazing time in my life and in the life of our new business. This award illustrates some of the generous recognition and ongoing support that our peers, friends and family are constantly providing.  It is the support of our networks that make it possible for budding entrepreneurs like us to feel confident, encouraged and emboldened.

I did not always consider myself an entrepreneur. I am an organizer who had a good idea. Causten and I saw a way to pair our passion with our values, and support good work with good food. We had the right attitude, a good spirit and the confidence to take a chance.

What is Entrepreneurial Spirit? It’s realizing the joys of being your own boss, it’s thinking creatively, seeing your vision through and loving what you do. It’s the understanding that hard work and long hours are paired with accountability and daily challenges. As the great Journey once sang “Don’t Stop Believing”.

The award for Entrepreneurial Spirit represents the hardest parts of owning your own business, which are believing in yourself and being able taking the first step.  This award says to me, and more importantly to others, that it is ok to be ambitious, to be bold, and to act on a good idea knowing that you can achieve it.  Receiving this award celebrates more than my spirit; it celebrates the willingness of young people, the strength of women, and the power of progressives to envision what they want and figure out how to get it.

This award proves that anything is possible. As a young, progressive, queer woman who now identifies as an entrepreneur to boot, I am constantly reminded of how hard it can be to go out on a limb and take chances. I want to encourage anyone to lead from your heart and follow your dreams. Think about what you want to do, how you want to make an impact and then tell someone about it. As we encourage each other we’ll find strength in knowing that we’re all in this together.

I want to thank WIN for this honor and congratulate my fellow WINners on their many achievements. Get it, girls!

I wouldn’t be here if it were for my partner Causten who helps me be the best I can everyday. Thanks buddy!