Celebrating Women's History Month in the Heart of Bellevue

March 22, 2021 - by BDA Staff

Celebrating Women's History Month in the Heart of Bellevue

As we head into the final stretch of National Women's History Month, we‘ve been reflecting on the many amazing women we’ve met through our Heart of Bellevue campaign. We reached out and asked a few of these inspiring community members to share their insights, experiences and recommendations. Get to know our featured interviewees, and keep your eyes peeled online because we’ll be highlighting each of these women on our Instagram this week (follow us @bellevuedowntown to keep in touch)!

Quyen Dang

Fogrose Atelier | Founder (and Resident Frozen Dessert Extraordinaire)

Please share some professional wisdom you've learned as a women in your field. How has this insight helped you throughout your career?
Don't be afraid to change directions. When I jumped from one industry to another, I carried all the knowledge I gained with me and decided what could translate into the next challenge or adventure.

What are your favorite womxn-identified businesses in the Heart of Bellevue that folks should know about and explore?
Noir Lash Lounge, Bellden Café, Peony Kitchen and Jujubeet café!

Are there any local charities or nonprofits you support that champion women and deserve some recognition?
Mary's Place is one of my favorite charities to support. They provide shelter and services for women and their families to safely transition out of homelessness and into stable housing.

What advice or words of encouragement would you pass along to the next generation of enterprising women?
Good ideas don't always land successfully if there isn't a runway long enough to receive them. Sometimes building the landing pad can take longer than launching and establishing an idea. Be patient.

Joyce Poon

Noir Lash Lounge | CEO & Founder

Please share some professional wisdom you've learned as a women in your field. How has this insight helped you throughout your career?
Women excel as business leaders and innovators thanks to our great insight and intuition. We are both goal-driven and creative. This balance has helped me to see the big picture in my career, and not merely the immediate return.

What are your favorite women-identified businesses in the Heart of Bellevue that folks should know about and explore?
Yuan Spa is my go-to for relaxation, FogRose Atelier for the most amazing custom cakes and cupcakes, Trophy Cupcakes for deliciously moist mini cupcakes and Facing East for the BEST Taiwanese food on the Eastside. Also, Jennifer Nails, a long-standing establishment in Bellevue, has served the community for almost twenty years and withstood all the recessions!

Are there any local charities or nonprofits you support that champion women and deserve some recognition?
Dress for Success - because feeling good about yourself is an incredible motivator. I do my best work when I'm feeling great about how I present myself.

What advice or words of encouragement would you pass along to the next generation of enterprising women?
Educate yourself, never stop learning and pursuing personal growth. Don't be afraid of STEM feel pigeonholed into “female” roles. I became a total science nerd back in the 90s before STEM gained popularity in the mainstream.

Sierra Sharp

Bishops Haircuts & Color | Regional Manager

Please share some professional wisdom you've learned as a women in your field. How has this insight helped you throughout your career?
In a female-dominated industry, the encouragement and inspiration to dig deeper are constant. When my openly gay uncle, an educator and incredibly successful cosmetologist, told me to always be receptive and keep an open mind because “you never know who or what you don’t know,” I struggled with that advice at first because, in my younger years, I thought I had already figured everything and everyone out. Now in my 30s, I’ve found the humility to accept constructive criticism, admit fault, ask questions, and be a serving leader, which has done nothing but foster even more growth, mentally and spiritually. Of course, I'm not perfect - but now I have no problem admitting that.

What are your favorite women-identified businesses in the Heart of Bellevue that folks should know about and explore?
Alicia Peru, LORA Bloom and Smith & Main. Our Bellevue salon manager, Ashlye, has done an impeccable job of building a strong and unique team that actively stimulates the community, whether by featuring local art or participating in leadership events, her spirit and excitement about Downtown really turn an ordinary hair appointment into something greater.

Are there any local charities or nonprofits you support that champion women and deserve some recognition?
Actually, Ashlye has built a strong relationship with Truce Spa's Carol Loya and Escape to Peace, a non-profit organization that provides resources and treatment to human trafficking survivors. In an upcoming partnership, every $10 donated to ETP in Bishops Eastside locations, will be awarded $10 in Bishops Bucks credit toward your next service.

What advice or words of encouragement would you pass along to the next generation of enterprising women?
Be humble and apologize when you know you're wrong. Take responsibility for your actions and be accountable. Grow when the opportunity is there. Support each other and be kind! Remember, life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.

Paige E. Roberts

Performance Neuro Training | Owner

Please share some professional wisdom you've learned as a women in your field. How has this insight helped you throughout your career?
As a sports and performance psychotherapist, I believe women belong in all areas of athletics. Over the years, I have seen more women advancing in all positions and strata within sports. From my experience as a businesswoman in sports industry, it’s all about having the education, experience and networking to create your connections to success. So, any women out there thinking about pursuing an athletic career, I encourage you to relentlessly pursue it.

What are your favorite women-identified businesses in the Heart of Bellevue that folks should know about and explore?
Molly Moon's Handmade Ice Cream – I'm obsessed with the non-dairy options. Jujubeet Café, City Sweats Bellevue, and Aryana Salon for the best hair colorist and stylist!

Are there any local charities or nonprofits you support that champion women and deserve some recognition?
The Sophia Way – an important community service project remedying various issues related to homelessness and housing insecurity among the female population. Please support a safe, local space for women experiencing homelessness. Lifewire is another necessary community resource for women. Domestic violence is one of the contributing factors toward why women face homelessness. The Mona Foundation – all women should have access to and support in academic and technical pursuits. Please support a resource for global women empowerment and strengthening affordable, available outlets to knowledge.

What advice or words of encouragement would you pass along to the next generation of enterprising women?
Women can reach any education, status or career goal they aspire to, it’s just about putting in the time, energy and effort needed to earn the role. Don’t give up if someone doubts you. Just refocus on why you initially started and keep moving forward. You got this! You go girl!

Elaina Herber

Ascend Hospitality Group | President

Please share some professional wisdom you've learned as a women in your field. How has this insight helped you throughout your career?
I have spent my entire career in two industries: tech and hospitality; both are respectively male dominated. I began to succeed in both fields when I stopped worrying about how to compete with my male counterparts and learned that I needed to lean into my own self-worth, experience, and determination to compete and achieve on my terms, toward my own vision, and with my own purpose. Take time to explore your unique value, purpose, and passion and bring THAT to the table; it’s what will serve you best in your professional career.

What are your favorite women-identified businesses in the Heart of Bellevue that folks should know about and explore?
Molly Moon's and Juju Beet- both are delicious and are helmed by women that serve up a little dose of love and compassion in all they do for their guests, employees, and the community.

Are there any local charities or nonprofits you support that champion women and deserve some recognition?
Two nonprofits, Mary’s Place and Hopelink, should be applauded for leading community efforts to responsibly secure food, shelter and safety for disadvantaged women and children.

What advice or words of encouragement would you pass along to the next generation of enterprising women?
Surround yourself with women who would mention your name in a room full of opportunities.

Next time you pop in or pass by one of these local businesses, you'll know there's an inspiring and enterprising woman behind each one. And speaking of inspirational ladies, make sure to watch our Downtown Talks conversation with Molly Moon Neitzel, founder of Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream!

This blog is part of the Heart of Bellevue: our campaign to showcase local businesses while connecting you with stories of activity, creativity and recovery. Find out about our campaign and explore more of what’s happening around Downtown.