Longtime Ventura County housing expert Dawn Dyer a finalist for a national business award

Longtime Ventura County business owner Dawn Dyer has been selected as a finalist for an annual award that highlights female business owners.

Dyer, president of the Dyer Sheehan Group, a Ventura-based housing market analyst and land-use consultancy, is one of three finalists for the 2018 National Women Business Owner of the Year award. The National Association of Women Business Owners selected Dyer from among thousands of its members. The award is given to those who run thriving businesses and give back to their communities.

The award winner will be determined in September during an event in Spokane, Washington.

Being nominated for such an award is humbling, according to Dyer. She noted that she would use the opportunity to raise awareness for other single mothers and was eager to share her story with her colleagues during the September event.

“I’ve been touched to be involved with a group of women of this caliber who are leaders in their industries and communities and support one another,” Dyer said. “I’m also excited to have an opportunity to represent the everywoman out there. My story is a fairly common story for single women and mothers seeking a way to create economic stability and a good life for their family.”

Dyer has over 30 years of experience as a land use expert, market analyst, and real estate consultant to public agencies, major corporations and private investors throughout Southern California. Dyer is also the founder of the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund, a 501(c)(3) multimillion dollar revolving loan fund that addresses affordable housing needs of the homeless, veterans, farm workers and emancipated foster youth. 

Dyer’s nomination marks the second year in a row that the National Association of Women Business Owners has selected a Ventura County businesswoman as among their top three finalists. Janis Shinkawa, a founding partner of Ohana Pet Hospital in Ventura, was a finalist for the award in 2017.

Dyer was previously honored by Forbes Magazine as one of seven California Women Business Leaders in 2014 in the publication’s annual celebration of successful women. She considers Ventura County’s tight-knight community to be an ideal place for professional women to thrive.

“Women are very supportive of one another in Ventura County,” Dyer said. “That small-town spirit where we pull together and a larger tide raises all ships, it’s ingrained in our community.”