The famous human rights advocate Mother Teresa once said, “I cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Throughout history, countless inspirational women have cast their stones to create ripples that lead society toward a better tomorrow. Woman-owned paint-and-sip franchise Wine & Design recognizes and celebrates the
contributions of exceptional women — and what better way to do so than with a contest that coincides with the International Women’s Day.
March 8, also known as International Women’s Day, is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. In anticipation of this year’s holiday, Wine & Design launched its first-ever contest: Inspirational Business Women of the Year.
Wine & Design, along with its Shark Tank partner Kevin O’Leary, are among those who continuously celebrate and encourage female entrepreneurship. With the contest, they have taken International Women’s Day to a whole new level. The contest invited the public to nominate local business women who inspired them by their work, their lives and who lead by example. Out of 134 deserving candidates, the brand has chosen one winner.
Wine & Design has named MeeSun Boice as its 2020 Inspirational Business Women of the Year — and for good reason.
Boice has endured many challenges in her unconventional life and has thrived in the face of setbacks. As an infant, she was left at an orphanage in Korea; she was later adopted by a Korean war veteran at the age of seven and ended up living in a small town in Kansas.
As an adult, Boice has battled with financial insecurity, but she always found a way to forge a path to success. From selling cars at 19 years old, to working in the technology sector, to starting her own electronics manufacturing company and working for investment firm UBS during the financial crisis, Boice demonstrated her versatility and tenacity time and again. After the financial crisis of 2008, she decided it was once again time to go into business for herself.
This led Boice to start her very own restaurant — even though she had no prior restaurant experience. Today, her restaurant, Mersea, located on San Francisco’s Treasure Island, is ranked as the No. 1 restaurant on TripAdvisor out of over 4,800 restaurants in the entire city.
Boice built Mersea from the ground up: With a tight construction budget, she was Mersea’s general contractor and used repurposed shipping containers to create a comfortable and upbeat atmosphere. Inside, one will find artwork from local artists spanning the country.
Everything about Mersea is a true testament to Boice’s hard work, selflessness and determination for a better life. Treasure Island, an abandoned Navy island, is home to many social programs for veterans, Section 8 and Healthright 360. Boice mentors and employs women of all ages, including a young woman who just graduated from the Federal Jobs Corps program
on Treasure Island and is a Mersea employee.
Additionally, inside and outside of work, Boice is an advocate for orphanages, homeless shelters and other individuals who are in need of guidance and support. Boice, who is also a proud survivor of breast cancer, is dedicated to mentoring other women as they cultivate their own skills and self-reliance.
Though she’s been thrown many curve balls throughout her life, Boice has never let her past dull her flame. She is a true warrior and a compelling role model, which is why she was named Wine & Design’s Inspirational Business Woman of the Year.
As Wine & Design’s Inspirational Business Woman of the Year, Boice will receive the following prizes: an autographed copy of Shark Tank star and Wine & Design investor Kevin O’Leary’s latest book; a case of O’Leary wine; the opportunity to ask O’Leary any business question of her choosing; and ongoing counsel from Wine & Design’s Founder and CEO Harriet Mills.
“Wine & Design really prides itself on being woman-owned, and we wanted to celebrate and acknowledge all of the hardworking, determined and empowered women out there,” Mills said. “When we decided to do the contest, we never imagined the influx of nominees we would receive. Choosing a winner was definitely a difficult decision, but I am both humbled and thrilled to name MeeSun Boice as the winner. She’s a prime example of self-determination and illustrates so much selflessness that as a female entrepreneur myself, I want to do all I can to support and encourage her.”
By: Taylor Karg
1851 – No Limit Agency
