Ursula Mentjes | 2014 Women in Business Champion of the Year

Sales expert, inspirational speaker, and author champions women-owned businesses through advocacy & community involvement

Ursula Mentjes

Ursula Mentjes, President of Sales Coach Now, has been selected to receive the 2014 Women in Business Champion of the Year Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Santa Ana District Office.  Mentjes was nominated for the award by Elizabeth Arteaga, Associate Director of the Orange County Small Business Development Center, based on her voluntary efforts to increase business opportunities for women owned businesses.

Ursula Mentjes is the founder of Sales Coach Now and is a recognized sales expert, inspirational speaker, author and certified sales coach.  Founding her business in 2004, Mentjes became involved as a workshop presenter for the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center and served on the advisory council of the Institute for Women Entrepreneurs.  At the same time she joined the Inland Empire Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, becoming President in a few short years.  She currently serves as Immediate Past President of NAWBO California and is Chairperson of the NAWBO California Education Fund.

According to her nomination package, Mentjes displayed active support for legislative action designed to help small businesses by leading annual trips to Sacramento, speaking to legislators on issues of importance to small business owners.  She has dedicated time to help improve women-owned businesses, regularly speaking as a volunteer on topics such as “Selling with Intention” to women’s networking groups, SBA resource partners, and other organizations and events, including the Women Business Owners Conference.   She has volunteered time to strengthen the role of women business owners in the community through her involvement in NAWBO at the local & state level.

“Ursula Mentjes has provided her services, often times free of charge, to our valued resource partner network, and by extension to the small business community, particularly women-owned businesses.  She has consistently led from the front and we value her continued dedication to support fellow women business owners,” said J. Adalberto Quijada, District Director of the Small Business Administration’s Santa Ana District Office.  “We can think of no better way to recognize her commitment than by bestowing this award.”

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, in order to recognize the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.  As part of National Small Business Week, SBA takes the opportunity to highlight their impact, working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.