Meet the Restorative Fund Cohort Members
20 Native women business owners have recently received low-interest loans from the Matriarch Creative Fund to support ventures in cooking, photography, and fashion. Ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 each, these loans are accompanied by assistance from the Circle of Support and NMCC, offering guidance on technology and business advice. The project provides workshops, technical support, loan consultation, and access to courses such as Business and Marketing Essentials. Hillary Frost and Henry Jake Foreman from NMCC oversee the support provided to these women entrepreneurs.
Restorative Fund
Restorative Fund
Honoring & protecting the self-determination and sovereignty of Native women.
The Restorative Fund was created with the goal of increasing access to equitable capital; small business sustainability & growth; economic safety nets; successful repayment; and credit enhancement for all Native women entrepreneurs.
At the forefront of the Restorative Fund is the intention to honor and protect the self determination of Native women, increase agency, uphold sovereignty, and enhance economic empowerment.
From design to evaluation, this fund has been and will continue to be led by Native women for Native women.
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Ahsaki is the owner of Ah-Shí Beauty, an Indigenous-owned Beauty brand that is taking the world by storm! She focuses on bringing an authentic Indigenous-Black voice to the Beauty Industry while representing, protecting and celebrating her culture, life ways, and traditional teachings.
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Melody Lewis is a Co-Founder of Cahokia, the very first Indigenous, Women-Owned Collaborative ArtSpace in Downtown Phoenix . She is also a co-founder of IndigenousCC (Indigenous Community Collaborative), a Native American women-owned social enterprise.
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Addelina utilizes her planting, foraging and processing of traditional Taos Pueblo foods and medicines of her ancestors into making plant and seed based oils and all Dancing Butterfly Naturals products is what truly makes Dancing Butterfly Naturals special and sets their products apart from other natural based skincare and haircare companies.
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April is the Chief Connector and CEO of Tinhorn Consulting, LLC. April (Hualapai/Navajo/Chinese) is passionate about disrupting patterns that no longer serve us, including perceptions and stereotypes about Native Americans. For over 11 years, April has continued to help the helpers in her role as the owner of Tinhorn Consulting, LLC, most notably during the pandemic by giving virtual trainings on digital storytelling and creating online outreach efforts.
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Sage Mountainflower is creating Iconic Indigenous Fashion to be worn outside traditional boundaries. She began her endeavor as a mother, creating traditional and contemporary attire for her children. She learned to bead by observing her mother and aunties as a young girl and watched her parents create in the realm of art, from beadwork, to painting, sketching, writing and making music.
The breath of her work represents who she is as Native woman and her background as an environmental scientist where her designs illustrate the relationship between the people and the natural world. Her unique style is created by emerging natural elements into her designs which help to create her immersion story.
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Rocio is the creator and founder of Morning Mist Soap Co., a small business that provides plastic free and vegan skincare and soap products.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Rocio is a beautiful mix of Navajo, Pueblo Laguna, Apache and Spanish. Her brand was created from a desire to empower her daughters, pass down family stories, heal generational trauma, normalize a sustainable lifestyle while navigating a disability, and teach others how to love their skin using waste-free, high-quality products.
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Jacquelynn Guerin, owner of Aesthetically Pleasing NM, provides an array of non-surgical approaches to anti-aging, delivering natural results!
“My healthcare journey began long before I pursued a career in medical healthcare. With over 10 years experience in the medical field, I found reward in forming trusting, therapeutic relationships, and making a positive impact on individuals and their families. This developed in me an affinity for helping others feel their best selves. Being a mother of three (and expecting again with my spouse and best friend) led me to realizing the importance of self care. I created Aesthetically Pleasing Med Spa Boutique to be a part of helping others feel confident and beautiful, inside and out.”
Visit Jacquelynn’s store front at Suite 208 10124 Coors BLVD NW Albuquerque, NM 87114.You can also call to book an appointment .Follow Jacquelynn on Facebook at @AestheticallyPleasing
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Trauma Recovery Services of Arizona
Jordanna Saunders is the owner and operator of a group behavioral health private practice called Trauma Recovery Services of Arizona, which has been in operation for 5 years. The practice treats ages 13 and up via Telehealth in the State of Arizona. Jordanna is originally from Crownpoint, NM and is Navajo. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in Counseling from Arizona State University, and is an Independently Licensed Professional Counselor. She practices a specialized trauma therapy called EMDR and recently authored a book chapter about treating American Indians using EMDR therapy. She believes community wellness begins with one healed person at a time. As a small business owner, she would like to grow her sales by 30% over the next year by adding additional staff and contractors. She would also like to explore expanding the business into New Mexico where she was born and raised. She is thankful to the Matriarch Restoration Fund via New Mexico Community Capital, Native Women Lead and their affiliate associates for the opportunity to sustain and grow her business.
