For 10 years, the Washington Women’s Business Center (WWBC), a program of Business Impact NW, has hosted Celebrating Dreams, a cornerstone event dedicated to empowering, showcasing, and connecting women entrepreneurs. This year, marking our 10th anniversary, we gathered on April 24th, 2025, at Mercer Island Community & Event Center under the inspiring theme, “Cultivating Our Collective Abundance.” 
Celebrating Dreams is designed to empower female entrepreneurs by fostering meaningful connections. As Susan Perreault, our Senior VP of Programs, stated,
“This vision aligns with the mission of the Washington Women’s Business Center, which supports talented women, including the featured Showcase businesses, by providing access to the tools essential for building and sustaining successful businesses.”
This event is more than a collection of showcases; it’s a supportive ecosystem where passionate entrepreneurs meet business leaders, community supporters, and resource partners.
“My experience [at Celebrating Dreams] has been amazing. I really value connecting with people face-to-face.” – Rosa Cisneros, RMC Floral Designs.
A Convergence of Vision, Support, and Growth
Gorgeous sunny skies provided the perfect backdrop for the event. It was wonderful to see over 150 people gathered, exploring showcases of over 45 talented women entrepreneurs. The atmosphere was lively and supportive, filled with connection and mutual encouragement.
This year’s theme, “Cultivating Our Collective Abundance,” resonated deeply. Jessica Vidican-Neisius, our WWBC Director, captured the essence perfectly:
“This year’s theme, ‘Cultivating Our Collective Abundance,’ speaks to the strength, growth, and shared success that flourishes when women lift each other up. Celebrating Dreams is one of the most anticipated events for women entrepreneurs in our region. It’s more than just a showcase—it’s a powerful evening to connect, be seen, and be celebrated.”
Attendees networked and explored partnerships, showing how essential support helps women entrepreneurs succeed.
The room buzzed with activity as guests discovered businesses’ diverse products and services. From innovative tech solutions and professional services to unique handmade crafts and delicious culinary creations, the creativity on display was a testament to the power of women in business. Jessica added,
“It’s a chance to soak in the energy of the room, savor hard-earned wins, and create lasting memories that will carry us through future challenges.”
Spotlight on Innovation: Our 2025 Showcases
This year’s showcase lineup was exceptional, reflecting our region’s incredible depth and diversity of women-owned businesses. Exploring the showcases was a definite highlight for me, and connecting with some of the brilliant minds behind these ventures was fantastic. Here are a few personal highlights from the businesses I had the chance to connect with: 
- Ma and Pops: Their hibiscus popsicle really hit the spot while I enjoyed networking on the sunny patio.
- R&Y Catering: I have to mention the amazing blueberry dessert I had from R&Y Catering’s booth – truly a treat!
- Alchemy Tea and Juice: I loved their vibrant beet juice; it was so refreshing and healthy!
- Emblem Skincare: They offered fantastic advice (and a coupon!) when I asked about tackling some specific skin concerns at their booth.
- Onsight PT: As someone dealing with a nagging shoulder injury from playing too much volleyball, I had a fantastic conversation about their specialized therapy programs at the Onsight PT booth and found some promising options!
This was, of course, just my journey through a fraction of the incredible businesses present! The energy, innovation, and passion were evident everywhere. To see the full range of talent showcased, please view the full list of incredible 2025 showcase businesses.
Representatives from various small business support networks also attended, engaging with entrepreneurs and strengthening the collective support these businesses need.
We were also honored to hear from inspiring speakers, including Melanie Norton from the Small Business Administration and Eryn Anitavi, the Founder and CEO of Sapphire Dynamics. Their insights and encouragement added significant value to the event. Celebrating Dreams wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We sincerely appreciate KeyBank, the Latino Community Fund, TaxUSign, and the Washington State Microenterprise Association’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs.
Celebrating Milestones and Impact
A highlight of the evening was recognizing Debbie Rice with the Maria Mason Award. This special honor, named after longtime volunteer, WWBC Advisory Board member, and community leader Maria Mason, celebrates exceptional individuals whose dedication helps make Celebrating Dreams a space to connect, learn, and grow. Maria has gone above and beyond since the beginning, advocating tirelessly for Business Impact NW and the WWBC. Debbie received this award in appreciation for her years of dedicated volunteer work and support for the Washington Women’s Business Center Advisory Board, embodying the spirit of service the award represents. We look forward to celebrating more outstanding volunteers in the years to come. 
We also heard powerful stories of resilience and growth directly from our showcase entrepreneurs.
“It’s nice to be with like-minded people who share the entrepreneurial spirit. I like the idea of collaborating and looking at other businesses… thinking, ‘Is there something we can do together?’ The organizers are incredibly supportive, and it’s nice to feel that atmosphere of legitimacy, because there is a part of all of us that feels like we aren’t legitimate sometimes.” –Emma La Dû, Crepes & Travel
“Celebrating Dreams means meeting a lot of people! This is a lot of women’s businesses! This is awesome. It’s every kind of business and I love that. The diversity is huge, [and] the speakers have been amazing…” – Autrina Martindale, BRE Innovative Solutions
Reflecting on a Decade, Looking to the Future
As Celebrating Dreams marked its 10th year, the theme “Cultivating Our Collective Abundance” felt particularly poignant. It was a powerful reminder of the incredible community built over the past decade dedicated to mutual support, shared learning, and collective success. The growth, resilience, and impact fostered through this event and the WWBC network are worth celebrating. Susan reflected on this broader impact:
“From one-on-one business coaching to educational classes and access to funding, we equip entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive. Through these efforts, we have cultivated a vibrant network of women entrepreneurs, expert coaches, and dedicated resource partners and supporters. Business Impact NW and the Washington Women’s Business Center have assisted thousands of entrepreneurs in developing the skills and confidence required for business success. We take pride in celebrating the growth and diversification of our local economy, driven by the increasing number and prosperity of women-owned businesses.”
As the event concluded, the sense of inspiration and connection lingered. Celebrating Dreams 2025 was not just an event; it was a reaffirmation of the strength, creativity, and collaborative spirit of women entrepreneurs. As Jessica noted,
“From the incredible networking to the inspiring businesses being showcased, it truly is an event to remember—and one that keeps fueling our entrepreneurial spirit long after the event ends.”
Business Impact NW and the WWBC remain steadfast in their commitment to providing the resources, support, and platform these incredible business owners need to succeed. We are already looking forward to Celebrating Dreams 2026 and witnessing our entrepreneurial community’s continued growth and abundance!
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About the author
Emily is the Senior Grants Manager at Business Impact NW, where she leads grant writing, manages the organization’s grant calendars, and oversees the grant pipeline. Emily focuses on securing funding to support the growth of programs that enhance opportunities for small business owners. After starting as Development Coordinator in 2022, Emily was promoted to Senior Grants Manager, building on her experience managing projects and securing funding. Emily also holds a master’s in social work from the University of Washington.