Golden State Valkyries Launch 'Violet Book of Business' to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

• The Golden State Valkyries attribute success to solid community support and investment 
• In turn, the team joined with Chase to introduce The Violet Book of Business program 
• The program seeks to empower women business owners through business workshops and a business competition 

The Golden State Valkyries owe a lot of their success to investment and support from the community. As a return, they've created a new initiative in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase, known as The Violet Book of Business, with the aim of empowering female entrepreneurs through a series of workshops and a competition for businesses. 

One of the program's standout participants is Azucena Gutierrez, a San Jose-area custom cake designer and owner of Susy Custom Cakes. Out of her garage at home converted into a commercial kitchen, Gutierrez has built a thriving business based on family tradition and self-educated skills. 

"When I bake, I am in my own world," Azucena said. She learned the craft as a child, having grown up in Mexico, from her mother, and even today, using her mom's recipe sends her back to good times. "I'm back in Mexico," she said of her early days of baking for friends and family only. 

Having come to the U.S. at 22, Gutierrez gradually turned her passion into a business, propelled by word of mouth and social media support. 

Her path was significantly altered when she came across The Violet Book of Business program. As Ohemaa Nyanin, General Manager of the Golden State Valkyries says, "If we invest in women entrepreneurs, the impact goes beyond financial—it's transformative for the community too." 

Azucena was one of a group of women entrepreneurs who went through a series of intense business-skill workshops. The program concluded with a pitch competition on June 30 at the Sephora Performance Center, where 14 finalists presented business ideas to a panel of three judges in a "Shark Tank"-style competition. 

Azucena was the winner. Nyanin, a judge, said the competition was intense but Azucena's presentation was incredible. "It was clear, concise, and to the point," she said. She will put the grant she won towards new equipment and her first employee. Someday, she would love to have a brick-and-mortar bakery within five years.