photo: Victoria Webb
Petaluma entrepreneur Anastasia Schuster helps entrepreneurs and small businesses be more successful. By putting them in front of groups to share their passion and expertise, they are able to build their client base.
This is a woman with a dream. Anastasia gives back to her community in addition to her Access Speakers business activities, through an extra-wide range of volunteer activities throughout the year. Now she needs our help.
She has applied for a $150,000 small business grant being offered by Chase bank. "Receiving this would change my life as well as all the people and businesses I serve," says Anastasia, who must receive 250 votes before Oct 17th to be considered for the grant that would fund software and vital staff hiring in order for her to expand her Petaluma-based business nationwide.
"I represent small business owners who speak to groups for free to generate influence, awareness and clients," says Anastasia. "As a speakers’ agent I am a “matchmaker” by finding existing groups who need great speakers and pairing them up with my speakers whose topics are the best fit".
Anastasia has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but never thought of launching her own business, until, in April 2008 she declined renewing a lucrative contract unaware that the economy was crashing. For the first time in her life she was unable to find a job.
A former employer asked her to find groups she could speak to. "I was unemployed, well connected and tenacious at figuring things out," says Anastasia. "I reached out to groups, got her in front of audiences and her business grew as a direct result so she encouraged me to represent others as well. I discovered no one else was doing this in the same way and there was a huge need for my services. I had stumbled upon something really special."
If she is successful in her grant application, Anastasia will create employment for people who are looking for virtual work that they can do in their own time. As a mom with a son with special needs, she has a deep desire to offer opportunities for others to work from home, often when their own children are sleeping.
"My business has a direct positive effect on our economy. I love the fact that I have a business that helps so many people and contributes to economic development," she says.
I voted for Anastasia to be considered for this grant. I can't think of anyone more deserving, It took less than a minute. Support a Sonoma County super-mompreneur:
If you are a speaker or would like to arrange for speakers to visit your organization, email Anastasia at Anastasia@AccessSpeakers.biz.
Dearest Frances, I simply can't thank you enough for taking the time to vote and to share this with others. With just 9 days 13 hours and 37 minutes (but who's counting - ha ha) left to get 113 more votes, every single one counts!
What you've written here is bound to be of great help in getting me the votes I need to get in front of the panelists who will choose 20 small businesses throughout our country to receive this grant.
I'm so excited about the possibilities if I win this grant...and will be able to help so many more entrepreneurs and small businesses grow as a result of it. Woo-Hoo!
Blessings...
Anastasia
Posted by: plus.google.com/102207717595710136931 | Wednesday, October 08, 2025 at 07:30 AM