Paul Caprioglio (left) presents Laneesha Senegal, owner of Vision View Business Formation Center with the award for District Four Woman of the Year. Photo contributed.

One Fresno woman has made it her business to assist build theirs. Last week, her efforts were recognized by City officials.

Laneesha Senegal, founder of Vision View Business Formation Center, was named District 4’s Woman of the Year.

“This is by far the greatest acknowledgment of the work that I’ve been able to pour into others and to be able to be recognized by the leadership in serving this community,” Senegal said.

Fresno City Council Member Paul Caprioglio visited Senegal at the Vision View complex on December 22 to present her with the honor.

During the last few years that Vision View has been operating, Senegal said that she has been able to assist and invest in over 122 businesses through her work with the Formation Center, which makes available space as well as experts and other resources for entrepreneurs.

Though Senegal received the Woman of the Year award for 2020, she is being recognized for the work she has done over the last three years.

Through her work at Vision View and its programs, Senegal has made it a priority to work with businesses with limited resources. A partnership with the City of Fresno, which provided the Business Formation Center with funding, aimed to see how many businesses would take advantage of the technical assistance offered at Vision View.

Senegal said through a number of partnerships they are assisting businesses to access resources for relief. They can help businesses that have been shut out of resources to be able to compete more and have a voice at the table.

Caprioglio has been an advocate for the work done by Senegal and the team at Vision View.

“Paul saw that I’m an advocate for entrepreneurs with limited resources,” Senegal said. “They’ve been seeing me climb through the ladder and I think it’s a remarkable story of resilience and overcoming and he wanted to highlight that.”

One of the buildings at the Vision View complex is under construction, which will hopefully attract more businesses at the formation center.

This year Vision View launched its JavaBar to provide a more comfortable atmosphere for its clients, and to attract new ones.

With its proximity to the Fresno airport, Senegal has been working to bring travelling business people and entrepreneurs to use the resources available when they are in the area, or waiting for their flights.

“I think its one thing when you receive statewide awards from governors or city wide awards, but I don’t think they really know me. When you’re able to receive an award in the territory you serve, that means they see and appreciate you as a team player in that district,” Senegal said.