Inland Empire Community Newspapers • August 16, 2012 • Page A5 Center provides first steps to business success By Naima Ford T wenty-one women com- pleted the Citibank “It’s Your Time Program” and are ready to start their own busi- nesses. The program was started by the Inland Empire Women's Business Center at Cal State San Bernardino which holds training and work- shops year-round to help women business owners start and maintain their own businesses. In this economy having your own business can be even harder than normal but for some who have lost their jobs or cannot find one, start- ing your own business is the best option. The It’s Your Time Program is sponsored by Citibank and is geared toward women who have not yet opened their business or have been in business for one or two years. The program includes training workshops on everything from applying for loans, budgeting and marketing. The goal is to show them the steps necessary to build a successful business. “We help them unfold the process,” said Nicole Kinney, di- rector of the Inland Empire Women's Business Center (IEWBC). She says many of the women they see come in with a great idea but do not know how to run a busi- ness. Especially after they start the business they learn that a great idea is only half the battle. This is when a program like It’s Your Time is helpful. When the program began it was held only once a year. Now it is held twice a year with approxi- mately 60 women participating each year. One of those women was Natasha Rumsey. In 2009 her re- IECN PHOTO COURTESY IEWBC The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center awarded top participants of the It’s Your Time program on July 28 at th California Theater. Pictured from left are Victor Ramirez, CitiBank, Theon McCollom, IEWBC, Sally Fam, first place, Linda Pobuda, second place, and Karyn Chapman, third place. IECN PHOTO COURTESY IEWBC The program teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to start and main- tain their own business. Pictured from left are Mary Armstrong, Representative from Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod’s office; pro- gram graduate Sandra Maiden; Michelle Skiljan, IEWBC Execu- tive Director; Victor Ramirez, CitiBank; and Nicole Kinney, IEWBC Director. ceived her degree and teaching credential and began working as a teacher. After a year she was laid off and unsure of what to do. Her passion was to teach children with disabilities and she always had the desire to start her own business. “Instead of letting [the school district] dictate my life’s destiny I took control,” said Rumsey “I de- cided to use my gifts, training and expertise, and contacted IEWBC.” She participated in the It’s Your Time program and was able to start Education 1st, an afterschool program, that provides tutoring and homework support for chil- dren struggling in school. “I was able to glean so much valuable information to launch my business and write my much needed business plan,” said Rum- sey. The ultimate goal of the program is to help the participants create a strong business plan. The plan helps them get the bank loans they need and guide them through their startup. At the end of the program partic- ipants submit their business plans into a competition. An unbiased panel of three judges choose the top three strongest plans. The win- ners were announced at an awards ceremony on July 28. This year the winners received $17,000 worth of donated prizes to help their busi- ness such as business cards, social media consultations and more. This year the winner was Sally Fam for her company AID Inno- vate. Second place was Linda Po- dura and third place was Karyn Chapman. The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center is located at the IECE Business Resource Center, 202 E. Airport Drive, Suite 100 in San Bernardino. For more infor- mation, visit the center’s website at iewbc.org or contact Nicole Kinney at (909) 890-1242. San Bernardino resident celebrates 100th birthday By Cynthia Mendoza T o live up to 100 years of age is noteworthy, and to do so with quality of life and lots of love is a great blessing and Emma Shaw of San Bernardino is one of those people. She celebrated her centennial birthday on Saturday, August 11 at the Inghram Community Center surrounded by friends and family, and what a family it is. Shaw is the mother of 13 chil- dren, nine of whom are still living, 156 grandchildren, 85 great-grand- children and 12 great-great-grand- children. Born in Louisiana, Shaw has been in San Bernardino since the 1940s. “It was really nice,” Shaw said of her birthday celebration. “All the kids were there.” The event drew about 200 people who came in from Las Vegas, Chicago, Mississippi and Arizona. A few fun facts about Emma Shaw’s family. Her oldest grand- child is none other than San Bernardino City Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, who is 57. Her youngest great-great-grand- child is about three weeks old and there are four “on the way”, two great-grandchildren and two more great-great-grandchildren. Shaw’s own mother passed away at the age of 104 in 1988 and there are four preachers in the family. One of her favorite activities used to be family barbecues when her husband was alive. He cooked the food and she made all kinds of desserts like cakes and banana pudding. “We’d have a good time,” she said. “He loved his kids. I miss him.” Her own family feels very blessed to have her. Johnson lost his mother at the age of 6 and his Shaw grandparents helped raise him like their own. “She has a way of making us all feel like we’re her favorite,” John- son said of his grandmother. “She has that gift.” Her daughter Barbara says she feels blessed to still have her mother. “So many of my friends have lost their parents,” she said. “She loves all her grandkids.” Her secret to a long and happy life? “Church,” she said without hesi- tation. “I just love it. When the church goes somewhere, I go too.” Shaw loves to sing and two of her favorite songs include “He’s On His Way Back” and “Jesus Loves Me.” “I had so many favorite songs,” she said. “I sang out of the blue.” Shaw also shared a recent expe- rience in regards to her faith. A few months ago she was in her restroom and she said she heard a loud voice say, “I’m coming back soon. Be ready!” “He told me to tell the good news,” she said. “The Holy Spirit got me that morning.” She asked her family if they had heard that voice. They said, “no but we heard you, grandma!” “I told my kids to get themselves together and be ready,” she said with conviction. “He’s coming back.” Good health habits are probably another big factor in such a long life; Shaw doesn’t drink or smoke. And of course, the love of her family keeps her going strong. “I love spending time with my family,” she concluded. “I just love them. I got some new ones coming on. I really don’t know what to do with them all. I don’t have a place to hold them all.” IECN PHOTO COURTESY RIKKE VAN JOHNSON Emma Shaw, lifting hands, had a great time at her 100th birthday celebration on Saturday, August 11 at the Inghram Community Center in San Bernardino. She has plenty to celebrate; nine living kids, 156 grandchildren, 85 great-grandchildren and 12 great- great-grandchildren; she has two more great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren on the way. Funerals are often too costly. A Solution is here. Quality Care at Affordable Prices Cremation or Burials Let us know how we can help. INLAND MEMORIAL FD1758 In the heart of Colton 900 Meridian Ave, Colton Ca. 92324 Located inside Hermosa Garden Cemetery Call Brenda 909-254-4100 IECN5_Layout 1 8/15/12 9:40 AM Page 1