This in-person networking event is designed to strengthen relationships and spark new opportunities through guided conversations. Connect with like-minded professionals, share your business goals, and explore collaborations to kickstart your year with purpose.
Through guided networking activities, table talks, and action-focused discussions, you’ll share your vision, find potential collaborators, and leave feeling inspired and empowered. Whether you’re looking to build business partnerships or simply gain fresh perspectives, this event will set you up for a strong start to the year.
*Ecosystem Members register in the Members Portal.
Event Host: Tawney Noriega
Founder of Ventura County Business Women
Tawney Noriega is a passionate community builder and advocate for personal and professional empowerment. With a warm, authentic approach, Tawney blends inner work with practical business strategies to create meaningful connections and opportunities for growth. She thrives on inspiring others to embrace their unique strengths and align with their highest potential. Tawney’s leadership is grounded in fostering collaboration, innovation, and resilience, making her events a space where women can connect, share, and thrive together.
Ojai Chapter Chair: Tennay Anderson
Heritage Financial
Like all of us I wear a ton of hats - I was lucky enough to reconnect with my childhood sweetie 11 years ago and am now fortunate to be a carpenter’s wife and the mom of an badass little girl so I’m a chauffeur, a housekeeper, the finder of all lost things and I also moon light as a Mortgage Officer which basically means I can take on the sass of said little girl and go head to head with an underwriter like no one’s business.
Working in a locally owned and staffed mortgage brokerage, my goal is to help clients navigate the mortgage process and find solutions that suit their specific financial goals. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, looking to refinance, or exploring investment opportunities, I am committed to providing personalized service and support from start to finish. We offer a wide variety of products, competitive rates and flexible terms to tailor a mortgage that best fits you. Applying for a mortgage can be stressful, we bring the peace of mind!
Mini Training: JJ Flizanes
Empowerment Strategists
JJ Flizanes is an Empowerment Strategist and the creator of the Empowering Minds Network. JJ Flizanes works with conscious, spiritual truth seekers who want to remove emotional blocks to success. She helps people identify sabotaging patterns and transmute struggle into joy. Through a series of clarifying exercises, she is able to curate a personalized roadmap to emotional healing. JJ is passionate about empowering people with the knowledge and awareness of how they can live the life of their dreams.
Mini Training: Whitney Hartmann
Pixies General Store
Whitney Hartmann, a longtime Ojai resident of nearly 25 years, has been a dedicated business owner for almost two decades. Beginning her career as an award-winning photographer with nine Best of Ojai accolades, she transitioned into retail by purchasing Pixie’s General Store in 2018. For the past seven years, Whitney has passionately curated a shop that champions local vendors, artists, and women-owned businesses. She is married and a proud mom to two children, ages 14 and 19.
Table Feature: August Van-Dolan
Fig Tree Wellness
I’m an entrepreneurial spirit at heart, a creative wannabe artist, mother, recent grandmother, I love burritos and chocolate chip cookie but should really start a cleanse. I love meditation and sound baths as tool to be present. Currently I’m learning to listen and start the second half of my new life.
Table Feature: Amy Wilson
Native Natural Wellness
Hi! I’m Amy Wilson – creator, nurturer, transmitter, healer, chronic neurological Lyme disease warrior, and owner of Native Natural Wellness. Through my lifelong chronic illness journey, I was introduced to natural + holistic healing - which became a beacon of light for hope and healing in a seemingly hopeless health journey with conventional medicine. For the last decade, I have immersed myself in studying and living naturally + holistically - becoming my own best healer – while continually furthering my education, attaining numerous certifications, including Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Board Certified Naturopathic Practitioner, and Board-Certified Nutrition Consultant. I created Native Natural Wellness from a place of deep empathy and desire to nurture others’ healing journeys - offering a haven filled with the compassion, natural health guidance, and holistic healing modalities I so greatly lacked in my early healing journey to others.
Featured Coffee: Ojai Coffee Roasters
Since 1995, locals and visitors alike have been enjoying our coffee and tasty, fresh-baked treats in the heart of downtown Ojai. We continue to look ahead with the same mindset that got us started - to roast high-quality Arabica beans in small batches to get the most out of our cup. We're proud to support our community by offering locally baked pastries, showcasing work from artists in town, and donating to our city non-profits and schools. My family and I are proud to serve you. -Stacey
