Happy Women’s History Month!

The City of San José has been celebrating this special month in many ways, including the San José Public Library staff curating an all-ages reading list and a HERstory series on the City’s LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook platforms celebrating women in leadership, local organizations, and those who are San José pioneers.

The Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs recognizes women business entrepreneurs, including those who have opened their businesses here in San José. Below are a few spotlights of women entrepreneurs who have inspired us.

Our office is committed to assisting small businesses and helping lay a foundation for entrepreneurs and companies to develop new ideas and foster economic opportunities for generations to come. Are you interested in opening a business in San José? Get started here with our Business Coaching Center!

Chris Patterson-Simmons, Neu2UT Thrift Boutique (436 E. Santa Clara St.) / Urban Kiosk (330 E. Santa Clara St.)

Chris Patterson-Simmons had always dreamt of being her own boss. Her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for thrifting was the perfect catalyst for opening Neu2u Thrift Boutique.

Texas-born and raised, Chris moved to San José and recognized the immense potential for growth once becoming a small business owner. She is the President of the East Santa Clara Street Business Association, one of the many committees she’s involved in, where she advocates for small business owners.

In an effort to support local entrepreneurs in finding spaces to sell their products, Chris opened Urban Kiosk, located just two blocks east of San José’s City Hall. Urban Kiosk provides an affordable space for local vendors who sell everything retail, including crafts, wares, and goods. Chris continues making opportunities available to passionate self-starters, like her, through her mindful involvement in the community.

What inspired you to start your business in San José, and what advantages or opportunities do you see in being in this city?

I really enjoyed thrifting clothes. In college, I majored in Nursing and minored in Business and Fashion, passions of mine that eventually grew into a business. Since my family and I moved from Texas to San José, I’ve become very involved in the community, serving on several boards and committees – I just love the diverse culture and people here.

What’s the best advice you’ve received? Do you have advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

I am a firm believer in mentorship and providing opportunities to those who are hard-working self-starters. I actually implemented a program called “Don’t Talk About It, Be About It”, where students can receive mentorship and resources as guidance for their future careers. I also offer a program called “Dress for Success”, allowing people to gift to those in need of professional work outfits.

Can you tell us about a woman in history who has inspired you and why?

Jennifer Lopez and Viola Davis. Both are resilient and persistent. Their experiences and struggles as minority women inspire my everyday work. My mom is also a huge inspiration; her wrongdoings inspired me to do better.

Fernanda and Jessica Carreira, Adega Restaurant, 1614 Alum Rock Ave. / Petiscos and Noite, 399 S. 1st St.

Carlos and Fernanda Carreira, along with their daughter Jessica opened Adega (Portuguese for “wine cellar”) in 2015, a fine-dining Portuguese restaurant in the Little Portugal neighborhood of San José. The next year, they became the most popular restaurant in the city when they were recognized by the Michelin Guide with One Star, the first San José restaurant and second Portuguese restaurant in the country with this recognition.

Fernanda and her husband, originally from Portugal, were wine importers which meant daughter Jessica was able to travel extensively with her parents and become exposed to different world cuisines, flavors and ingredients. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles, Jessica moved to Portugal where at the age of 20 she became the Pastry Chef for One Star Michelin restaurant Restaurant Eleven in Lisbon, responsible for the entire dessert menu.

In 2020, the family opened Petiscos (the Portuguese equivalent of Spanish tapas) in the SoFA district, a casual spin-off to Adega, and then last year opened NOITE, a nightclub above Petiscos.

What inspired you to start your business in San José, and what advantages or opportunities do you see in being in this city?

Fernanda: My parents immigrated to San José from Portugal when I was 3, so I grew up in the area and always wanted to start my own business. Prior to establishing the Adega brand, I owned an import business with my husband, importing wines into the United States.

My family and I have always wanted to serve the community we grew up in and bring authentic Portuguese food to San José.

What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received and what’s your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Fernanda: Know what you want, know yourself, and know your own strengths and weaknesses. Create your own image, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Jessica: Don’t get emotionally attached to your business! Create a level of separation between your own identity and the business.

Can you tell us about a woman in history who has inspired you and why?

Fernanda and Jessica: We have been inspired by our mothers and the hardworking businesswomen in our friend and family circle. We are inspired by these women who have had to balance work and family life every day to pursue their passions.

Jamie Howard, Cadence & Nutrition Café, 1941 Tully Road, Suite 40

Jamie Howard has never worked for anyone and always wanted something of her own. In 2022, she opened Cadence & Nutrition Café in San José with two goals in mind, “to be a safe, healthy, and fun place for the community to come, sip & bite… and to become a full-on nutrition cafe with not only health pre and post-workout drinks, but delicious bites for you to chew on.”

Jamie moved to San José from Los Angeles about 16 years ago. She attended law school, passed the bar, and even opened her own criminal law practice as an attorney. In 2015 she grew an interest in fitness, and has taught boxing, high intensity interval training (HIIT), and cycling. After teaching and partaking in fitness classes, she recognized a need for a healthier version of a food shop where people could go to after or before workouts to fuel up. A healthier version of Starbucks or Jamba Juice is on the Cadence menu, including shakes, tea, hot breakfast sandwiches and even protein-packed pastries like cookies and donuts.

What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs?

Drop your fears, and focus on the big picture! Don't focus on just one thing. Continue to pursue your goals while having 2-3 things on the side as a backup to counter any situation.

Who is your biggest role model?

My husband is my biggest cheerleader and helps me on weekends working the business.

What was the greatest challenge you faced in the steps leading up to your grand opening?

I signed the lease in July of 2021 but opened in 2022 officially because of complications. I had to learn about patience!

June Tran, Crema Coffee Roasting Company, 1202 The Alameda (Coffee Shop) / 238 Race St (Pier 402 Seafood Restaurant + Coffee Shop)

Coffee has always been an important part of June Tran’s life, and so it was a no brainer for her to open Crema Coffee Roasting Company on The Alameda in 2007.

June and her family moved to the U.S. in 1975 as refugees from Vietnam and settled in California due to the warm weather. After attending high school and graduating from San Jose State University, she served as a mental health specialist for 25 years before opening Crema. Her prior work experience, as well as having come from a family of coffee plantation owners in Vietnam, led her to want to create a cozy space that supports the community.

Crema became a success, a popular space for students to do their work while enjoying coffee, inspiring June to open a second business down the street on Race St., a seafood restaurant named Pier 402. COVID impacted these plans, however, and forced the temporary closure of the restaurant. She decided to open another coffee shop inside the restaurant to help sustain the business, not an easy task and that meant alternating between making coffee and food for to go orders all by herself. Now, customers regularly come for their morning coffee and enjoy lunch or dinner from the restaurant.

June is active in the community, and is working with Santa Clara University to host deaf and hard hearing students as interns, eventually hiring them to work at the Café.

Can you tell us about a woman in history who has inspired you and why?

Rose Pak was a political activist who was known for her influence on city politics and in the Chinatown community of San Francisco. Although Rose never held an elective political office, she played a vital role in getting the first Chinese-American Mayor (Ed Lee in 2011) elected in the city of San Francisco.

I am following Rose’s footsteps and play a very active role in local politics and elections. Crema has sponsored many political campaigns, and donated coffee and food to events. I want to ensure that the Vietnamese community’s voices are heard by our local politicians.

What’s your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Be yourself and put all of your heart into your work. To make an impact and be successful at your business, you must be able to enjoy what you do every day!

Are you or know of a women-owned business here in San José? Help us add to our list! Contact Executive Analyst Nguyen Pham, Nguyen.pham@sanjoseca.gov or (408) 479-1151.