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Graduate Success
In her college and high
school years, Wendy Allen owned over 300 hats! Wendy
spent the first few years of her career as a business
owner making custom bridal wear and costumes, but then,
not surprisingly, she transitioned to making one of a
kind hats.
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Wendy Allen in one of her
hats.
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Allen’s
company, Miss Fitt & Co, specializes in felt
hats and accessories, and produces every piece by hand
from her live/ work studio in San Francisco. Founded in
2002, Miss Fitt & Co has expanded rapidly to over
100 retail accounts nationwide. Included in Allen’s
impressive list of retailers are: the San Francisco MOMA
store, the Los Angeles County Museum store, Henri Bendel
and Fred Segal. Most recently Allen has landed an
account with the highly prestigious Le Bon Marche
department store in Paris and... Wendy Allen will be a
featured designer in a new show called "Crafters Coast
to Coast" airing on HGTV.
Miss-Fitt & Co
currently employs 4 people. Over the next couple of
years, Allen plans to expand into the European
market.
Allen completed the Renaissance Business
Planning Class in 2002, and says "The class gave me so
much focus and helped me to avoid mistakes. It also
helped me to figure out how to be the most
profitable."
Miss Fitt & Co: Clothing
and Accessories for the Uncommon Girl.
www.missfitt.com.
Graduates In the News
San Francisco
Magazine: Top 50 Restaurants in San Francisco.
Christiane Schmidt, owner of Walzwerk, East German
restaurant. www.walzwerk.com
San Francisco Examiner: Nurse
launches business to address unmet needs. Alex
Saldarriaga, owner of Home Health Advocates, elder care
services. www.sfhomehealth.com
San Francisco Chronicle: 45%
increase in black businesses drives minority
entrepreneur surge. Paula Mattisonsierra, owner of
Maximum Mama Maternity, maternity wear. www.maximummamamaternity.com
San
Francisco Bay Guardian: Best Personal Trainer.
Kristy Oakley, owner of Oakley Fitness, personal
trainer. 415-310-7303.
Thank you to our Donors
Thank you to the Richard
and Rhoda Goldman Fund for their recent grant to support
Renaissance’s Bayview Business Resource Center providing
small business development training and services to San
Francisco’s Bayview Hunters Point
entrepreneurs.
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Up-Coming Programs and Events
The Renaissance Design Incubator
Presents: : Sales and /Marketing for a Design Business-
How to Develop Your Sales Team. Presented by Robert
Silverstone, Lead Consultant, with Fashion Business,
Inc, based in Los Angeles. Wednesday, August 10, from
5:00 to 8:00 p.m. At the SBA, 455 Market Street, 6th
Floor. Space is limited! Register at: www.acteva.com/go/sba
The Renaissance Design
Incubator Presents: Bringing your Apparel, Accessory or
Gift Product to Market. This workshop will help you
to understand your positioning and marketing options for
a wholesale apparel, accessory or gift product.
Presented by Melissa Joy Manning, owner of Melissa Joy
Manning. Monday, September 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Sign up at: www.acteva.com/go/rec
At the Bayview Center:
Check the monthly workshop
schedule.
Save the Date:
Mark Your Calendars for our Annual
Benefit!
Heart and Soul, Celebrating Small
Business
September 8, 2005, from 5:30pm - to
8:30pm. Merchant’s Exchange Building, 465 California
Street, San Francisco. Buy tickets at: www.acteva.com/go/sba
Space Available- Much
more than just an office!
Renaissance has space
available in our Business Incubator and expanded 4th
Floor. We provide furnished offices, conference and
meeting rooms, copier/fax, wireless technology, parking
and consultations tailored to meet your needs. All at an
affordable rate! If you are looking to grow your
business in a supportive entrepreneurial community,
contact Paul Terry at 415-348-6225.
Training and Meeting
Rooms for Rent
Renaissance has a training room
and conference rooms available for rent. Contact Lee
James at 415-541-8580 for details.
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