The nominees--2005.

Karen McCarter

Aloette Cosmetics

Karen quit a top corporate position to start her own small company as she wanted to be in business for herself and be a driving force assisting other women on a number of levels. Since starting Aloette, Karen has trained over 3,000 women, offering them the opportunity to be in their own business. She held the record of having the highest first month for Aloette for over seven years. In 1991 she had her first million dollar year in sales.

At the same time she was caring for an ailing mother and for a sister that had Lou Gehrig's disease and cared for both of them until they died while still running her business, training and motivating women and providing mentoring and opportunity to women of all ages and all ethnic groups. In the past twelve years Karen's Franchise has been in the top ten in Sales for the US Division. Her company specializes in the finest Skin Care made from the gel of Aloe Vera Plant and natural botanicals.

Patricia A. Means

President/Founder

Turning Point Communications

As founder and president of Turning Point Communications, Patricia Means has established herself as a new-economy entrepreneur and small business specialist. Her aggressive "can do" spirit has carried Turning Point from its inception with a.$2,000 investment to a nationally recognized small business and community development resource.

Through Turning Point Communications, Means has also developed and implemented Turning Point Magazine, turningpointmagazine.com, the Annual African-American Business Summit, the Access to Success Business Tour and the Turning Point Business Minute Radio Program.

Kimberly Michel

General Agent

Michel Financial Group

Kimberly Michel, General Agent for the Michel Financial Group, is at the helm of one of the most successful Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company group agencies. One of only five female General Agents, she continues to grow her team and her organization consistently ranks in the top 6 of annual production. Her core values--integrity, trust, professionalism, dedication and teamwork, are reinforced daily within her organization and with the raising of her two young sons.

Kimberly is used to breaking down barriers and was the first female to be President of both the Los Angeles Life Underwriters Association as well as the Los Angeles General Agents Management Association. She was also nominated for the NAWBO Hall of Fame. She is a board member of the Next Generation of the Saint John's Health Center and is very active with the YWCA Santa Monica.