Workin It (Part 1) 2009
President and CEO, RainbowVision
Joy Silver asked the question: “What will happen to us when we age, or are in need of help, and who will provide those services particularly since some of us have alternative family structures?” She answered by founding RainbowVision Santa Fe, an adult community with condos, rentals and assisted living, now in its third year, where the LGBTQI & A population lives in the majority. With a fitness center, salon, restaurant, cabaret, and an event space, RainbowVision has become “the de facto community center for the Santa Fe LGBTQI+A,” according to Silver, hosting a wide range of ages and sexual identification at its many events. “Living through the AIDS crisis taught us that care through the end of life–medical and mental health challenges – may not necessarily be related to becoming elderly. The benefits that RainbowVision provides to our community are that there is now a place, and options for us that have never existed before.” – KW
The first 18 of 2009’s Red Hot Entrepreneurs!
Shasta Marlowe
Owner, Bow Wow Ventures
Not just any ordinary dog walking company, Shasta Marlowe founded Bow Wow Ventures as an “off-leash, romp n’ play” training service in the Hills of Oakland, CA. It comes as no surprise that Marlowe’s wandering spirit permeates her pup philosophy, having been raised on a cotton, alfalfa and hay farm with cows, horses and other animals roaming the grounds. Marlowe’s mission is to teach dogs “to be better canine citizens” through guidance during social activities and interaction with people on the trails. She started her company out of the hatchback of her Honda – “It looked like a doggie clown car with all these pups’ heads sticking out of the window,” says Marlowe. She now boasts a client roster over 100. Her passion is seen in every walk, interaction, and dog bond she creates. “The key to my success is to do what I love and enjoy every minute of it. I never get bored of walking dogs!” – KD
