Business & Finance
Business and Finance
Business and Finance 
Thu, June 3, 2010
Three Women Business Owners Recognized With NAWBO/Wells Fargo Award
WASHINGTON--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) and the National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®) will recognize three women-owned businesses with the 9th annual NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award at NAWBOa™s 2010 Womena™s Business Conference in Washington, D.C., on June 10. The award demonstrates the two organizationsa™ long-standing commitment to the success of women-owned businesses. Each winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
"It is a privilege to recognize these outstanding entrepreneurs for their leadership and distinction in the business community"
The winners were selected from a nationwide pool of applicants and evaluated on their business performance, innovation, growth, and service to the community.
aIt is a privilege to recognize these outstanding entrepreneurs for their leadership and distinction in the business community,a said Joy Ott, regional president for Wells Fargo in Montana and national spokesperson for the companya™s Womena™s Business Services program. aThese women have truly embraced the spirit of the Trailblazer Award by building successful businesses while devoting time and resources to their communities. We're pleased to highlight their vision and commitment to excellence.a
This yeara™s winners are:
- Boise, ID - based Auction Frogs, LLCa" President and CEO Kristi Saucerman
- Chandler, AZ - based Precious Treasures Childcarea" Founder & CEO Kay Woods
- Chatsworth, CA - based UltraGlas, Inc. a" Founder & CEO Jane A. Skeeter
The Trailblazer Award is one component of Wells Fargoa™s Womena™s Business Services program. Established in 1995, the program provides outreach and education to help women business owners increase their access to capital and other financial services. The program sponsors primary research, builds alliances with womena™s organizations, and provides financial information and resources to support the success of women-owned businesses. Since 1995, Wells Fargo has loaned more than $35 billion to women business owners nationwide.
Auction Frogs LLC, based in Boise, ID, is a virtual fundraising community that brings charitable organizations, donors (businesses and individuals), and bidders together to simplify the silent auction fundraising experience. Auction Frogs is a web-based application designed to host silent auction items online, making them available to audiences beyond the organizationa™s membership database. President and CEO Kristi Saucerman developed thecompany to help the many organizations for which she has volunteered raise money.
Precious Treasures Childcare, based inChandler, AZ, provides 24/7 childcare to assist with the safety and welfare of children. The company also operates a family resource center that offers various services including seminars, where experts from various fields provide valuable information to staff and parents. Founder & CEO Kay Woods adopted the vision of her company from her mother, who wished for a safe and supportive place for children in her community.
UltraGlas, Inc., based in Chatsworth, CA, specializes in artistic glass products. The company designs, manufactures and distributes decorative architectural glass, glass tile and artifacts. The company is a leader in the development of architectural products and components made from recycled architectural glass. Ultraglasa™ recent projects include the Quill Bar at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington, D.C. and the 10,000 square foot barrel-vaulted ceiling of the Palazzo Casino in Las Vegas. Founder & CEO Jane A. Skeeter has been an entrepreneur in various trades since the age of 12. Today she shares her experiences by promoting entrepreneurship to young women.
aThis is the 9th consecutive year that we have shared the honor with Wells Fargo of presenting the Trailblazer Award and I am continually impressed by the talent and dedication of the awardees,a said Helen Han, NAWBO executive director. aIt is a tremendous accomplishment to own a successful business while also making an impact in onea™s community. These women demonstrate what can be achieved a" even in challenging economic times.a
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 10,000 stores and 12,000 ATMs and the Internet (wellsfargo.comand wachovia.com) across North America and internationally.
Wells Fargo is Americaa™s #1 small business lender (2008 Community Reinvestment Act government data) and a leading lender to women- and diverse-owned businesses. Through its award-winning online advice library of businessresources, including topical videos andwebcasts, Wells Fargo provides business owners with timely advice and information to help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo has loaned more than $40 billionto women, African American, Latino and Asian business owners since 1995. For more information, speak with a Wells Fargo banker, visit [ wellsfargo.com/biz ] or call the National Business Banking Center at 1-800-CALL-WELLS.
About NAWBO
Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. Thirty years later, NAWBO is still the only organization that solely represents the interest of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organizationa™s mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers. Visit [ www.nawbo.org ] for more information.