Honoring Our Women Owned Businesses/Leaders for Women's History Month

Mizel Estate Wines Zelene Fowler, Owner and President

Stroll would like to provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of remarkable women who are sponsors of Stroll and leaders in the community.

Wilshire Refrigeration & Appliance, Inc.
Erica Mello, Co-Owner and CEO

Wilshire Refrigeration & Appliance, Inc. is a proud family business with a legacy spanning over 50 years—a legacy that Erica holds close to her heart. Specializing in the maintenance, service, and repair of luxury built-in appliances, the company plays a vital role in keeping the heart of the home running smoothly. Erica believes appliances are more than just tools; they are the centerpieces that help families create meals, memories, and traditions. By solving problems that disrupt a home’s rhythm, Wilshire Refrigeration ensures families can focus on what truly matters.
In addition to owning and operating the family business, Erica shares her life and work with her husband, Adam, who is also her business partner. Together, they are raising two boys, 15-year-old Blake and 10-year-old Chase. Erica’s love for cooking and hosting family and friends reflects her deep appreciation for meaningful moments in the kitchen. She is passionate about helping her customers learn how to properly use and care for their appliances, empowering them to create cherished experiences with their loved ones.

wilshirerefrigeration.com

Mizel Estate Wines
Zelene Fowler, Owner and President

Mizel Estate Wines, located in Hidden Valley in Thousand Oaks, was founded in 2014 by Michael and Zelene Fowler, with a goal of producing world-class wines. Mizel Estate Wines makes precious, limited production wines from 100% estate-grown French varietals, nurtured
in our unique clay soil and coastal climate. Mizel’s expert vineyard team carefully manages the vines, with only the finest, hand-harvested grapes being used in Mizel’s luxury wines. Zelene and her all-woman business team oversee all aspects of Mizel Estate Wines estate
management, wine operations, marketing and business development. Zelene notes, “Every year when we blend the wines and taste what we know will develop into deep, velvety reds, we are proud of what our team has achieved." Mizel Estate Wines donates a portion of wine
proceeds to the Mizel Family Foundation, which provides educational and career opportunities for people with unique abilities who experience special needs. 805.795.2506 | mizelestate.com

Vegan Chef Erin
Erin Ruli, Owner
 
Erin launched Vegan Chef Erin in 2024 and is set to relaunch Blue Salt Baking Co. in the spring of 2025, marking a full-circle moment in her culinary journey. Her path to becoming a chef began with a successful finance career spanning from 2000 to 2014. However, the passing of her mother in 2015 inspired Erin to take a "personal sabbatical" and pursue a dream she had nurtured for years—attending culinary school. That transformative year saw her earning a certificate in pastry arts, taking courses in culinary basics, completing three internships, and launching her first home baking business, Blue Salt Baking Co.
In 2016, Erin moved to Los Angeles and found a way to combine her expertise in finance with her passion for food. She took a role as Senior Operations Controller at Wolfgang Puck Catering, where she honed her skills in managing large-scale food operations. She continued to excel in finance through WPC and her own firm until 2023, when she decided to fully embrace her culinary passion.
Cooking and baking have been Erin’s lifelong loves. Starting in high school, she worked in coffee shops and restaurants, gaining experience in both front-of-house and kitchen roles. Since 2017, Erin has lived a plant-based lifestyle, a decision rooted in her belief that it benefits people, the planet, and animals. She is deeply committed to the idea that adopting a plant-based diet is one of the most impactful choices a person can make for their health, the environment, and to reduce animal suffering.
Through Vegan Chef Erin and the relaunch of Blue Salt Baking Co., Erin shares her passion for creating fresh, vibrant, plant-based meals and desserts. She takes pride in preparing delicious, wholesome dishes that her clients can enjoy with confidence, knowing they are crafted with care, compassion, and premium ingredients.

vegancheferin.com
 
Inspired Closets Los Angeles
 Marye Delany Silvers, Owner
 
For over a decade, Inspired Closets has been proudly serving the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, bringing decades of expertise in custom cabinetry to life. Their dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail have earned them a reputation for creating personalized solutions that blend functionality and beauty.
Marye Delany Silvers, a proud native of the Conejo Valley, has deep roots in the community where she was born and raised. Her personal and professional lives are built on her commitment to uplifting the place she calls home. As a business owner and leader at Inspired Closets, Marye tackles storage challenges with a creative and client-focused approach, delivering custom solutions that transform spaces and enhance everyday living.
Beyond her work, Marye is a passionate community advocate. She actively gives back through her involvement with the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise and her leadership as co-chair of the 2025 Conejo Valley Parade. Whether she’s organizing large-scale community events, volunteering for local causes, or helping her clients create homes they love, Marye brings the same dedication, creativity, and care to every endeavor.
 
Marye’s work is guided by her belief in the power of service and the strength of community. Through Inspired Closets and her ongoing efforts to give back, she continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her.

6465 De Soto Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(818) 346-1800
inspiredclosetsla.com 

New West Symphony
Natalia Staneva, CEO

Natalia has been CEO of the New Symphony since 2012 and General Manager before that (since 2008).
Founded in 1995, the New West Symphony is a professional orchestra that draws its players from the rich talent pool of professional Los Angeles-area musicians. With artistic direction led by GRAMMY® winner Maestro Michael Christie, appointed as music director in December 2018, the Symphony is the resident company of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks and performs at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo.
The bold solution is music - In 2019, only 37% of U.S. 12th graders could read proficiently; only 40% were proficient in math. Poor reading and math comprehension limit a student’s ability to learn, to earn, and to effectively parent future children of their own. The solution is music-based mentoring throughout the childhood that develops their brains, discipline and contributes to higher test scores. New West Symphony has comprehensive music education, family and concert programs for all ages. Music instruction, mentoring multiple days per week and attending concerts in the local venues are the gifts that we bring to this community. Join our mission!
Natalia met my husband over a decade ago at the Symphony, and when one of our kids joined the Los Robles Children’s Chorus and performed during the last New West Symphony’s Winter Spectacular concert, it was a moment filled with pride, joy, and a deep sense of fulfillment. It was incredible to see how my personal and professional lives intertwined in such a meaningful way in this wonderful community.

newwestsymphony.org
 
Posh Valet
Shelby Farkas, Owner

Shelby, a proud Conejo Valley resident of over 32 years, has built a reputation as a dedicated and passionate member of her community. Drawing from her extensive experience managing businesses and her deep understanding of the local culture, Shelby founded her own company in 2024 designed to deliver luxurious and unforgettable experiences for local parties and events.
Fueled by a love for problem-solving and a genuine desire to help others, Shelby brings her adventurous spirit into everything she does. A self-taught kiteboarder, she thrives on challenges and embraces activities like snowboarding, wakeboarding, golfing—basically, anything involving a board! Her enthusiasm for adventure is matched only by her passion for connecting with people and fostering relationships within her community.

poshvalets.com
 
Grace Garza Design
Grace Garza, Founder and CEO

GRACE GARZA DESIGN & Co. is a one-stop start-to-finish shop that has been in existence since 2016. Understanding how personal a remodel or construction of a home or business can be, they will talk and walk you through every step of the way and source only top skilled craftsmen to complete your design. Eight years in business together, they are grateful to serve a wide range of clientele from bathroom projects to yachts!
Grace was a naturally creative child who intrinsically understood the importance of the space you live in. Her mother recalls her moving furniture around in the house until it “felt right”, and from that young age she knew Grace had a special gift of making a space feel like home. Grace's love of design led her to Chicago where she attended the Harrington Institute of Interior Design on Michigan Ave. It was there that she harnessed the skills to turn her passion into a career. After graduation she worked with several local designers on new builds and remodels, fine tuning her craft and learning how to co-create with the unique needs of each client. Her career path took a blessed turn when her first daughter was born, and she decided it was time to grab the horse by the reins and take a job opportunity in Los Angeles. As her family continued to grow, Grace and her husband David, who has several years of construction and craftsmanship under his belt, joined forces to form GRACE GARZA DESIGN & Co. GGD&Co.
Grace calls herself the cashmere cowboy because her passion is all things luxury and California ranch style. She loves to ride horses in her free time, and sits on the board of BWC2 a non-profit for Autistic children and veterans with PTSD..

gracegarzadesign.com
 
Pacific Patio Furniture
Theresa Elkins - Owner

Pacific Patio Furniture opened in 2013 and offers a 17,000 square foot showroom. They also offer the largest selection and variety of luxury outdoor furnishings. With such a variety of homes in the area (Spanish, traditional, ultra-modern, etc.), they understand the importance of customer service, and the importance of a physical brick and mortar store, particularly for furniture. It’s important for customers to see, feel, and try these items before making large purchases. You never know exactly what will show up when you order online. 
Pacific Patio has formed many long-lasting relationships with clients in the community.
Helping customers find what furniture is right for them – well, it can be overwhelming with all the options out there. They take into account the size of one's space, the furniture's material, and what works best for their environment and lifestyle. They would not try to sell teak furniture that needs re-sealing every year to someone with small children who wants absolutely no maintenance. They also consider how the space is utilized. If someone frequently hosts large dinner parties, they will focus on a dining set first. If they prefer more casual hangouts, then maybe they will go towards some comfy chairs around a fire pit. 
Theresa has lived in the Conejo valley since 1997 and is deeply committed to her community. She began her career by creating a direct-mail advertising agency at age 18 then sold it after 30 years. There she learned the value of customer service, relationships (with vendors and
customers) and supporting her local community. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking and hiking.

pacpatio.com