Celebrating Women Terp Businesses

By Devin Brooks '19

A nationally recognized celebration in March, Women's History Month originated in 1981, coinciding with the anniversary of an 1857 women’s strike for better pay and working conditions in New York City. As part of your Alumni Association’s Women’s History Month celebrations, we’re highlighting five Terp women and their businesses who embody true EnTERPreneurial spirit. These businesses were sourced and selected from submissions to our Terp Referral Exchange Business Directory. If you’d like to be considered for a future #TerpBusiness feature, please sign up for the directory here.

1. Right Resumes and Career Coaching

Founded by Lakeisha Matthews ’02, Right Resumes & Career Coaching, LLC is dedicated to creating custom resumes and career communications for job seekers, and provides entry-level and experienced professionals with the resources, advising and motivation to make the right career choices.

Learn more about Right Resumes and Career Coaching here.

2. Rafi Nova

Co-founded by Marissa Goldstien ’07, Rafi Nova is a socially conscious lifestyle brand on a mission to get families out for everyday adventures, inspire connection and do more good. Rafi Nova supports women artisans, and over the past few years, they’ve partnered with more than 50 nonprofits and donated over 200,000 masks and backpacks to various causes.

Fun Fact: The textiles used for Rafi Nova’s backpacks, pouches, and supernova masks were all handpicked and purchased directly from Hmong artisans in Southeast Asia.

Learn more about Rafi Nova here, and visit their online shop here.

3. NP Financial Solutions

Founded by Natasha Pronsati ’05, NP Financial Solutions trains, maintains and helps clients sustain their business finances, including top-tier guidance for fraud prevention, tax preparation support, audit prep and overall internal control process improvement. Their support helps business owners and managers focus on their core competencies, paving the way for scalability and growth. 

Fun fact: Pronsati’s first internship and real job was at an accounting firm just up the street from UMD.

Learn more about NP Financial Solutions here, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

 4. Hootch & Banter

Founded by Cherie Nearman ’09, Hootch & Banter is a lively bar and lounge hotspot in old historic Frederick, MD. Whether you’re just grabbing a cocktail or planning a dinner with friends, Hootch & Banter is a great gathering place, featuring a menu that focuses on seasonal items made fresh in-house. 

Fun Fact: Hootch and Banter is located in what used to be The Canal Bar & Grill (originally Kidd’s cafe), the oldest family-owned restaurant in Frederick. 

Learn more about Hootch & Banter here, and follow them on Facebook.

5. Fierce and Fit

Founded by Michelle Riley ’12, Fierce and Fit offers online personal training, nutrition and habit-based wellness coaching. Riley helps modern women get ahead in both their professional and personal lives by showing them how to put themselves first through optimal fitness, nutrition and transformative daily habits.

Fun Fact: Riley recently wrote and published a book with her sister, a certified financial planner, titled "The Health and Wealth Sisters' 360 Action Plan.” You can purchase this book on Amazon, available in paperback, e-book and Audible.

Learn more about Fierce and Fit here, and follow Riley on Instagram. 

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Want to get to know more #TerpBusiness(es) in your area or online? Support EnTERPreneurs through the Terp Referral Exchange Business Directory. If you're a Terp looking to promote your business, products or services, sign up to join the Terp Business Directory today. 

Looking for more Women’s History Month programming? Check out your Alumni Association’s event series honoring women-identifying Terps here.