I’m a wife, mother and working woman. Oh, and I LOATHE trips to the grocery store, especially when I have the three monsters in tow. But I’m also a frugal shopper; I work hard for the money (props, Donna Summer!), and my food better treat me right! (So, right.)

Ground beans, purified hot water and pressure are all it takes to make a shot of espresso, but for Rachel Lehman, proprietress of Crema, the seemingly simple process is an art form.

Flying is unnerving to many, but not to San Francisco Bay-area native Paula Swift. She is in the minority, as women pilots represent only eight to 10 percent of all private aviators. What’s more impressive than Swift’s hobby, though, is her career. Three years ago she founded Prosper Business Image Consulting, a consulting firm that is increasing profitability for numerous local businesses. Swift helps her clients enhance their business images by offering strategic planning, branding and marketing collateral services as well as public relations and business development.