As International Women’s Day has come and gone, I find myself nostalgic with incredible gratitude to not only be a downtown female business owner for the past ten years, but to have so many women in our community that I call friends and colleagues who inspire me every day. As our downtown grows, I am watching female-led businesses emerge and succeed while supporting each other in so many ways. I am grateful to be the Chair of the female-led Beverly Main Streets, and love working with really cool committees such as the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce Power of Women. I am also proud to say we have a Rotary Club with just as many women as men now!
There is nothing I love more than popping into my friends’ stores throughout the downtown: a fabulous latte with Ryn at the Castle, buying amazing gifts (sometimes for myself) from Sydney at Simply Placed, saying hi to Sabrina at Unpacked Living, making crafts with Leslie at Hammer and Stain, buying a cool Red Sox shirt from Kat at Sully’s, getting way too many candles from Katie at Soy Much Brighter, and so many more among the 70+ women-owned businesses in Beverly!
There are so many women business owners I look up to in our city – but I have to mention a couple that come to mind. Annie at the Cabot Lodge is truly the meaning of powerhouse. She is an incredible person who does so much to better our community. Estelle Rand who is not only our downtown Ward councilor but also single-handedly started and continues to run our downtown Farmer’s Market. And even though her business is across the bridge in Salem, one woman I have looked up to even before I started my practice is Christine at Modern Millie’s. She has established a retail shop that is a landmark in Salem and she is a wonderful person. Last but certainly not least, I am so lucky to call Torie from Flip the Bird/Marino’s Café one of my dear friends. We bonded early on in starting our businesses and have been through so much together. She has been such an amazing support since day one but she is also so inspiring as I’ve watched her restaurants grow and succeed. I am so grateful that I live in a place and in a time where I don’t need a husband to co-sign a loan for either my house nor my business. Beverly is such a wonderful community and we are so lucky to thrive as not only women but also business owners!
