June, 2006

The National Association of Women Business Owners(R) and Mirassou(R) Winery Announce Winner of 2006 Business Optimist Award; Springfield, Ill. Teacher Turned Entrepreneur After Becoming Deaf Honored at National Conference

MCLEAN, Va., Jun 05, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO(R)) and Mirassou Winery have selected the winner of the NAWBO/Mirassou Winery Business Optimist Award. The award was established to recognize businesswomen who have overcome adversity, and by remaining optimistic, became successful entrepreneurs. This year's Business Optimist Award recipient, Michelle Tjelmeland, started a new career and business while overcoming incredible challenges. She was awarded $10,000 at NAWBO's 2006 Women's Business Conference on June 3 in San Francisco.

As an eighth-grade language arts teacher, Michelle cherished her job because she felt it made a difference in young people's lives. While pregnant with her first child, she suddenly became deaf, and after her daughter was born she suffered another blow - her child was profoundly deaf. Because of her hearing loss, Michelle had to leave her teaching job, but remained optimistic and decided to pursue a field in which she didn't need to rely on her "ears." After earning a Master's degree in computer technology, she started a profitable Web development company, and with her success, created the nonprofit Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation. Both Michelle and her daughter have received cochlear implants that enable them to hear today.

"Because of my good fortune, I strive to help others realize that they, too, can live the life of their dreams, no matter what curve balls life might throw their way," said Michelle. "To me, optimism is about impacting the people around you - it's about doing something in your own life that has a ripple effect, profoundly touching the lives of people around you in ways that you may never hear about."

In addition to Michelle's inspirational story, five other amazing women were chosen as finalists:

-- Deborah Lynne Dyer of Lexington, Ky. started Central Kentucky Research Associates Inc., the first independent multi-specialty clinical drug research centers to be established in her area, and is one of the few in the nation to be owned and operated by women who are not physicians.

-- Donna Childs of New York City left her executive job in Zurich to care for her mother in New York. After starting her own business that was destroyed on Sept. 11, she rebuilt her investment company and changed her model to focus on international economic development by catalyzing small business development in poor communities in the U.S. and internationally.

-- Elizabeth Kay Chiodo of San Antonio established DeafLink Inc. to help deaf citizens communicate in the workplace. The inspiration for her company came from her experience of becoming an orphan at age nine and after a turbulent time at an orphanage was housed with deaf children who became her only friends and family.

-- Lisa Johnson of Chicago, started a "healthy fast food" restaurant that initially made a splash, but couldn't compete against other not-so-healthy chains. She closed her business on a Friday, but could not accept failure. By Monday she had a new plan and started a niche business - healthy corporate catering. Today, her company "Gourmet Kitchens" is a multi-million dollar franchise.

-- Sonia Khan Farr of Houston came from Pakistan to an arranged marriage set up by her parents. Her new husband was abusive, so she escaped to a women's shelter, where someone suggested she take ballroom dance to learn more about American culture. She excelled, and started her own studio.

The NAWBO/Mirassou Winery Business Optimist Award was created in 2004 to celebrate 150 years of winemaking by the Mirassou family. As America's oldest winemaking family, the Mirassous have depended on the optimistic vision of the women of the family.

"I am pleased to be associated with NAWBO and this award that honors the optimistic spirit of my great great grandmother, Henrietta Mirassou," said David Mirassou, sixth generation family member. "My family's winemaking legacy was maintained for more than 150 years through the tenacity, intelligence and optimism of strong women. I am proud to have Michelle as the third recipient of this very worthwhile award."

David Mirassou will present the 2006 NAWBO/Mirassou Winery Business Optimist Award at a gala dinner during NAWBO's annual conference in San Francisco. "Women like our finalists and Michelle Tjelmeland who have overcome tremendous challenges that lead them to become successful entrepreneurs are excellent representatives of NAWBO," said Gayle Watson, NAWBO president. "I commend their courage and optimism in continuing their contributions that help and inspire countless women."

About Mirassou Winery: The Mirassou family has been growing grapes and crafting superior wines since 1854, earning them the proud distinction of being America's oldest winemaking family. The family has always been known as innovators - introducing Pinot Noir to California and planting wine grapes in the fertile soil of Monterey County. Today, the Mirassou wine style is light, refreshing and fruit-forward - a perfect match for business and pleasure. Visit mirassou.com for more information.

About NAWBO: Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. Thirty years later, NAWBO is still the only organization that solely represents the interest of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organization's mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers. Visit www.nawbo.org for more information.

To request electronic images or schedule an interview with Michelle or any of the finalists, please contact Melinda McRae.

SOURCE: Mirassou Winery

NAWBO Shawn Taylor Zelman, 800-55-NAWBO szelman@nawbo.org or Mirassou Melinda McRae, 916-492-5331 mcraem@fleishman.com 

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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