2011 Finalists
2011 Winners
Health, Fitness & Beauty
FINALISTS
Cathi Lamberti
SmartFit
Cathi developed and designed revolutionary SMARTfit systems by using the problem, itself, to develop a solution by providing a comprehensive exercise and wellness solution for both the body and brain while captivating users in the same ways that a modern video game does. Since she first won the SOE Award in 2011, Cathi’s products are now being used in K-12 schools, family fitness centers, YMCAs, nonprofits, sports performance centers, medical and occupational therapy institutions and the military.
Media & Communications
FINALISTS
Lynda Weinman
Lynda.com
With her husband, Bruce Heavin, Lynda created her namesake online educational platform that allowed an Internet user to learn about almost any program. From Photoshop to Excel, lynda.com made it easy for individuals and students to learn the ins and outs of graphics and business programs from expert teachers in the field. Many colleges and universities around the country purchased site licenses to the platform to allow their students easy access, as do many businesses and corporations. Lynda is also the author of the first book about computer graphics.
Hospitality & Tourism
FINALISTS
Laura Knight
Pascucci Restaurant
Pascucci’s is a landmark in downtown Santa Barbara. It has been at its current location since Paseo Nuevo was built in 1990. Laura is active in many charities and an active member of the Downtown Organization. In 2016 she opened Pascucci’s in the Camino Real Marketplace.
Alethea Tyner Paradis
Friendship Tours World Travel
The company provides educational travel, experiential learning and community service programs abroad for students and teachers. It operates in historically significant countries that provide lessons for transcending conflict through mutual prosperity: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Cuba and Rwanda. Partnering with sustainable non-profits in the destination countries, Friendship Tours provides hands-on lessons for students in the power of social entrepreneurial collaboration. Alethea started this business in 2005 to give her high school history students the experience that was missing in the mainstream educational tour realm.
Judi Weisbart
A Busy Woman
A Busy Woman supports non-profits to create mission-driven events, helps them to brand their work, and works with individuals and businesses to create memorable moments through professionally designed events. Through their events they can educate, celebrate and support organizations and others with joy to help make the world a better place. That is why Judi loves helping those who help others. A Busy Woman is now five years old.
Professional Services
FINALISTS
Patty DeDominic
DeDominic & Associates
Patty started PDQ Careers, a staffing firm in LA that was very successful, and she sold it in 2005. A long-time resident of Santa Barbara, Patty moved back full time and started DeDominic & Associates, a business consulting firm. She also is the founder of the International Women’s Festivals.
Carol Ashley
Demo2Design
In 2001, Carol originated Demo 2 Design, an architectural reuse business, as an alternative to wasteful disposal of construction material entering the landfill. Her commitment to promoting environmental awareness spans 30 years ranging from public education, municipal government legislation and non-profit retail to public-private business partnerships. Her recent partnership with Marborg Industries, Santa Barbara’s leading recycling and waste hauler, has increased the scope of service options that benefit the community.
Science & Technology
FINALISTS
Barbara Tzur
Brylen Technologies
Brylen Technologies is a calibration lab that Barbara started almost 25 years ago. Brylen calibrates instruments for hospitals, aerospace companies, laboratories as well as certifies clean rooms and more. Barbara also helped write the international standards for certification in her industry. She has served on numerous professional and nonprofit boards in Santa Barbara.
Wholesale & Manufacturing
FINALISTS
Caroline MacDougall
Teeccino Caffe
After a career creating herbal teas for companies like Celestial Seaonings, Caroline launched her own herbal coffee line, Teeccino.. Driven by her own caffeine sensitivity, Caroline has specialized in creating naturally caffeine-free herbal beverages that offer all the attributes of coffee or tea. Based in Carpinteria, her products are sold nationally at Whole Foods and health food stores around the world. She has also created a special breakfast cereal name Teechia.
Susanne Chess
Fine Fabrics of Santa Barbara/Force Fins
Susanne is Founding and Managing Director, and COO of two established companies. Bob Evans Designs, Inc. is the corporate entity behind and operates under the trademark “Force Fin,” which designs, develops, manufactures and distributes the World’s Finest Fins for swimming, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving. Force Fins are also used by Special Forces around the world. Her other business is Fine Fabrics of Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara’s only fashion fabric store. Along with FineFabrics.com, she specializes in procuring Fashion’s Finest Ingredients - fashion forward products that are not generally available to the public.
Calla Gold
Calla Gold Jewelry
Calla is a Jeweler Without Walls, a jeweler without the typical bricks and mortar store. She meets her clients by appointment only at their home, office, or her club, The University Club of Santa Barbara. She has been doing this for 15 years. Calla Gold Jewelry sells fine gold jewelry, custom designed jewelry with a specialty in Bridal jewelry, repairs jewelry and does estate jewelry restoration and re-design. Calla likes to educate her clients on how jewelry is made and what she does. She has also written a book, “The Language of Jewelry Design” to help brides explain what they want to other jewelers.
2011 Award Recap
2011 Video [coming soon]
Blog
