National, International, Armenia, and Community News and Opinion

16 The Armenian Reporter | November 8, 2008Community“The 21st century should be a century of women”ArmenianAmerican Chamberof Commercecelebratesachievements ofbusinesswomenby Sarene YacoubianGLENDALE, Calif. – On October9, the Hilton Hotel in Glendalewas buzzing with excitementand anticipation as the ArmenianAmerican Chamber of Commerce(aacc) hosted its Second AnnualWomen in Business ExcellenceLuncheon.Last year, when the groundbreakingevent was launched, theaacc became the first Armenianorganization to honor a group ofwomen for their extraordinaryachievements in the business sector.Given the overwhelmingly positiveresponse of the public, aaccChairman Vrejh Hovsepian andhis fellow Board members were encouragedto develop the luncheoninto an annual event.This year the aacc honoredeight women: Jessica Vartoughian,founder and ceo of Jessica Cosmetics;Alisa Asmarian, owner ofFavorite Place Restaurant in Glendale;Sona Yacoubian, founder ofagbu Hye Geen; Amaly A. Avakian,principal of John Muir ElementarySchool; Sylvia Minassian, founderof the Arpa Foundation for Film,Music, and Art; Lisa A. Kalustian,chief deputy director of the Officeof Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger;and Grace and Angela Karaguezian,partners of Kirk Kara.The event started with Judy Chu,chair of the California State Boardof Equalization, handing out certificatesof recognition to all thenominees for the aacc Businesswomanof the Year award.Next to take the stage was keynotespeaker Carla Garapedian,award-winning director and producerof Screamers, the 2007 documentaryfilm on modern-day genocidesand Turkey’s denial of theArmenian Genocide. Garapedianbegan her uplifting speech by tellingthe story of her desire to writefor the Los Angeles Times and thediscouragement she encountered.“Don’t ever tell an Armenian woman‘You can’t do that,’” she stressedwith a chuckle. The more she wastold her work would not be published,the more determined shebecame and ultimately succeeded ingetting her article printed, Garapediansaid. She went on to note herbelief that Armenian women havethe instinctive ability to be goodsalespersons. “Armenian womenare hospitable and warm,” she said,adding that they have a knack for“graciously yet ferociously gettingtheir message across.”Following Garapedian’s address,lunch was served and the morethan 200 guests were given the opportunityto socialize and network.As a thank-you gift from the aaccVisit us atreporter.amJudy Chu with all the nomineesCarla Garapedian.and event sponsors, each guestwas given a bag filled with presentsfrom various vendors.After lunch, the nominees werecalled up to the podium to accepttheir awards and address the audience.They all had inspiring storiesto tell. It was revealed that most ofthe nominees are wives and motherswho balance their home liveswith fulfilling business careers.During her emotional speech,Alisa Asmarian read a poem writtenfor her by her daughter. Thepiece stated the daughter’s pridein her mother and deep admirationfor Asmarian’s ability to dedicateherself to her family while managingto run a successful restaurant.Asmarian’s Favorite Place Restaurantis a small eatery that has beenvoted Best of Glendale in the “MostRomantic” and “Most Original” categoriesfor the last seven years.As the women spoke, a strongsense of pride pervaded the hall,in recognition of the fact that thenominees had not only “broken theglass ceiling” but made a positivedifference in others’ lives.In her remarks, Sona Yacoubiansummed up the spirit of the eventwith a few simple yet powerfulAni Bedrosian Adaimy – 1st Vice Presidentwords. “The 21st century should bea century of women,” she said.The Businesswoman of the Yearaward went to Jessica Vartoughian.Known as the “First Lady ofNails,” she is the founder and ceoof the landmark Jessica Cosmetics.Vartoughian went into business in1969, when she opened Jessica’sNail Salon on Hollywood’s SunsetBoulevard. The salon was soon recognizedas a pioneer in natural nailcare,offering unique and effectivetreatments, among them the NaturalNail Cultivation System, createdby Vartoughian. The salon’s clientelehas always included A-listerssuch as Lucille Ball. Today JessicaCosmetics products are distributedin over 35 countries, and Vartoughianremains at the forefront of thenailcare industry.As the luncheon drew to a close,it was apparent that the event hadbeen a success. Vrejh Hovsepian,who had frantically tried to helpensure flawless execution, nowlooked relaxed and pleased. As theytrailed out, the attendees thankedhim and other board members forhosting such a wonderful event andcontinuing to honor the achievementsof outstanding women. Judy ChuSetting up before the event.