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2023
WEDO Awards
ENCOURAGING • CELEBRATING • SUPPORTING
WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
Celebrate
and meet the inspiring, accomplished awardees!
Stay tuned for 2024 details!
4:30pm Networking | 5:15pm Award Ceremony
At The Huntington Center
Providing
a stage for women to
shine
The Women’s Entrepreneurial Distinction Ovation Awards (WEDO Awards) shines a spotlight on women entrepreneurs, amplifies voices, and inspires hope for the future.
About
The Women's Business Council
An initiative powered by Women of Toledo. The Women's Business Council aims to encourage, celebrate, and support women entrepreneurs.
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Five Business Awards
The Rising Star
The Second Act
The Trailblazer
The Thriver
The Legend
Meet our Awardees
Noor Alexandria Abukaram
Rising Star Awardee
Let Noor Run
When you are a runner, you run, a sport that requires only shoes and stamina. Noor Alexandria Abukaram has the entrepreneurial spirit that grew when in 2019 as a 16-year-old she was disqualified for running with her hijab on at an Ohio track meet. After shaking off her embarrassment, she founded Let Noor Run that fights discrimination and injustices hindering those from doing what they love. In 2021, Ohio Senate Bill 181 unanimously passed to end discrimination against religious expression for student athletes. Ms Aburkaram has been featured in the Washington Post, The New Your Times, Good Morning America, Time Magazine, CNN, Sports Illustrated, ESPN and is now at Ohio State University pursuing a career in design and sports. She represents the future of women not only in sports, but also in standing up for what is right!
Let Noor Run
When you are a runner, you run, a sport that requires only shoes and stamina. Noor Alexandria Abukaram has the entrepreneurial spirit that grew when in 2019 as a 16-year-old she was disqualified for running with her hijab on at an Ohio track meet. After shaking off her embarrassment, she founded Let Noor Run that fights discrimination and injustices hindering those from doing what they love. In 2021, Ohio Senate Bill 181 unanimously passed to end discrimination against religious expression for student athletes. Ms Aburkaram has been featured in the Washington Post, The New Your Times, Good Morning America, Time Magazine, CNN, Sports Illustrated, ESPN and is now at Ohio State University pursuing a career in design and sports. She represents the future of women not only in sports, but also in standing up for what is right!
Erin Curley
Second Act Awardee
Engage Studio Architects
Erin Curley is the owner and sole inspiration at Engage Studio Architects. She discovered her love of design in high school and went on to become a trained, qualified architect and a member of the prestigious American Institute of Architects. When her career in Toledo took a change in 2019, she opened her own firm and in less than a year, was successfully running Engage Studio Architects in a pandemic. She has grown this business year over year with new projects that are predominately community enhancements. She has made this happen with her own girt and capital. Ms Curley is EDGE and WBE certified and by sharing her journey strives to be an inspiration to the next generation of women professionals in male dominated professions. She has still found time to provide pro-bono services to nonprofits and help educate others in saving money on building projects. As a woman owned business, she is proud to see that nearly 40% of her clients are also woman or minority owned businesses.
Engage Studio Architects
Erin Curley is the owner and sole inspiration at Engage Studio Architects. She discovered her love of design in high school and went on to become a trained, qualified architect and a member of the prestigious American Institute of Architects. When her career in Toledo took a change in 2019, she opened her own firm and in less than a year, was successfully running Engage Studio Architects in a pandemic. She has grown this business year over year with new projects that are predominately community enhancements. She has made this happen with her own girt and capital. Ms Curley is EDGE and WBE certified and by sharing her journey strives to be an inspiration to the next generation of women professionals in male dominated professions. She has still found time to provide pro-bono services to nonprofits and help educate others in saving money on building projects. As a woman owned business, she is proud to see that nearly 40% of her clients are also woman or minority owned businesses.
Ambrea Mikolajczyk
Trailblazer Awardee
ARK Restoration & Construction
Working for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, Ambrea Mikolajczyk felt there was something she was drawn to do in her community while she and her husband were purchasing and rehabilitating homes in Toledo. They fell in love with the entire process of managing budgets, schedules, vendors, contractors and organizing a team to enhance the homes in downtown Toledo where they also chose to raise their family. When others noticed their work, they realized this could be the business of their dreams. In 2017, Ms Mikolajczyk left her corporate job and they launched ARK Restoration. Using partnering skills, ARK successfully pulled together the talent and resources to renovate the Wonder Bread Building that many thought should be demolished. It is now the residence of 33 families who have chosen to make it their home. They recently received the lead position on renovating both the Spitzer Arcade and Nicholas buildings. She attributes the growth of this family business to partnerships, vision, family and her connections with Links.
ARK Restoration & Construction
Working for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, Ambrea Mikolajczyk felt there was something she was drawn to do in her community while she and her husband were purchasing and rehabilitating homes in Toledo. They fell in love with the entire process of managing budgets, schedules, vendors, contractors and organizing a team to enhance the homes in downtown Toledo where they also chose to raise their family. When others noticed their work, they realized this could be the business of their dreams. In 2017, Ms Mikolajczyk left her corporate job and they launched ARK Restoration. Using partnering skills, ARK successfully pulled together the talent and resources to renovate the Wonder Bread Building that many thought should be demolished. It is now the residence of 33 families who have chosen to make it their home. They recently received the lead position on renovating both the Spitzer Arcade and Nicholas buildings. She attributes the growth of this family business to partnerships, vision, family and her connections with Links.
Jeraldine Stewart
Thriver Awardee
Jera's Heavenly Sweet
Jera Stewart, the owner of Jera’s Heavenly Sweet Bakery on Bancroft started with a passion for baking, learning from her mom. Having successfully raised her children, she and her husband decided to go big and opened a location on Summit St in downtown Toledo in the One SeaGate building.When she won the competitive JumpStart grand prize, she found a location to move her bakery and then the pandemic hit. Using retirement savings and PPP grants she continued following her dream. She did pop-ups, deliveries and more to continue the business while building the new location. In March of 2021, her husband of 35 years died and her business became the lifeline to keep her moving forward and move forward she did. Now with over ten employees she is a very popular spot for coffee and sweets with the community and UT students. Her secret to success is she never takes no for an answer. Her desire to give back has her making over 200 cakes for community foster children to have a real birthday cake. At 66 she is the first to say, you are never too old to make a difference!
Jera's Heavenly Sweet
Jera Stewart, the owner of Jera’s Heavenly Sweet Bakery on Bancroft started with a passion for baking, learning from her mom. Having successfully raised her children, she and her husband decided to go big and opened a location on Summit St in downtown Toledo in the One SeaGate building.When she won the competitive JumpStart grand prize, she found a location to move her bakery and then the pandemic hit. Using retirement savings and PPP grants she continued following her dream. She did pop-ups, deliveries and more to continue the business while building the new location. In March of 2021, her husband of 35 years died and her business became the lifeline to keep her moving forward and move forward she did. Now with over ten employees she is a very popular spot for coffee and sweets with the community and UT students. Her secret to success is she never takes no for an answer. Her desire to give back has her making over 200 cakes for community foster children to have a real birthday cake. At 66 she is the first to say, you are never too old to make a difference!
Tina Butts
Legend Awardee
Tina Butts Bail Bonds
Like many very successful entrepreneurs, Tina Butts saw more in Bonds than just a financial transaction. She provides bonds for criminal, janitorial, travel checks and those dealing with guardianship appointments while ensuring the criminal justice system is fair and accessible to everyone, regardless of financial means. This work has led to “The Movement” which is her love and striving force to help all in Toledo get the assistance each human deserves. She also has enlisted the assistance of thousands of volunteers, registered tens of thousands of voters; coordinates holiday baskets, bikes, backpacks with supplies; partnered with TPS, Pathway, and other community agencies to build a better Toledo. Her networking ability leads to awareness and unapologetic helping of those who often don’t have the voice to be heard. Ms Butts provides the voice for many to not be left behind.
Tina Butts Bail Bonds
Like many very successful entrepreneurs, Tina Butts saw more in Bonds than just a financial transaction. She provides bonds for criminal, janitorial, travel checks and those dealing with guardianship appointments while ensuring the criminal justice system is fair and accessible to everyone, regardless of financial means. This work has led to “The Movement” which is her love and striving force to help all in Toledo get the assistance each human deserves. She also has enlisted the assistance of thousands of volunteers, registered tens of thousands of voters; coordinates holiday baskets, bikes, backpacks with supplies; partnered with TPS, Pathway, and other community agencies to build a better Toledo. Her networking ability leads to awareness and unapologetic helping of those who often don’t have the voice to be heard. Ms Butts provides the voice for many to not be left behind.
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