Central Coast women entrepreneurs selected to lead national organization
By Clarissa Rios
Special to the Business Times
Last month the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) announced its new 2024-2025 National Board. Among the new leaders installed, two women proudly represent the Central Coast: Janis Shinkawa of Ventura County, who now sits as chair, and Amber Wallace of Santa Barbara County, appointed as a director.
The NAWBO organization was first established back in 1975 in Washington, D.C.
It strives to support women entrepreneurs on their business ventures, provide resources, and advocate for policies that aid women-owned businesses.
There are currently over 50 NAWBO chapters nationwide, 11 of which are in California.
NAWBO played a significant role in advocating for HR 5050, also known as the Women’s Business Ownership Act, which was signed into law in 1988.
The historic passing of the legislation allowed for women entrepreneurs to apply for business loans without a male cosigner.
Wallace, president and CEO of Dowitcher Designs, a full-service marketing and advertising agency, has a long history with NAWBO.
Back in 2017, she served as President of the Santa Barbara chapter. She later went on to serve as President of the statewide organization, NAWBO California.
“NAWBO serves as the unified voice for women-owned businesses across the country,” she said.
Under her position as director of the National Board, Wallace helps serve on several committees including the technology committee.
There she helps leverage technology for all members and explore how A.I. can impact businesses.
“It’s really fun to see, locally, how much positive change and impact all of our different chapters have,” said Wallace.
For Shinkawa, this will be her third year serving on the National Board.
In December 2012, Shinkawa and two of her business partners founded the women-owned and Ventura-based Ohana Pet Hospital.
Shinkawa was inspired to open her own business to provide top-quality healthcare services to customers.
Additionally, she wanted to ensure that her employees would work in an environment that felt like family. This inspired the ohana in the pet hospital’s title, meaning “family” in Hawaiian.
“We very much view our team, our colleagues, and people that help support us, as our extended family,” she said.
As NAWBO’s chair, Shinkawa is steadfast in working on the organization’s advocacy efforts.
“We’re a big advocacy organization. That’s what we were founded on,” she said.
Currently, the organization is advocating for codifying a definition of “micro business” with the federal government.
The Small Business Administration states that most companies with 500 employees or less can constitute as small.
For Shinkawa, this number is anything but that.
As the year continues, she will work with NAWBO to encourage the federal government to change this and aim for criteria of less than 50 employees and $5 million in revenue in order to be considered a small business.
Despite just recently installing the new National Board, NAWBO is already planning ahead for its 50th anniversary next year.
According to Shinkawa, the celebration is not one to miss.
Attendance from past presidents and leaders who helped pass the HR5050 legislation is anticipated.
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