With the warmth of the summer season solar diminished within the shade of the City Building, a bunch of ladies gathered within the courtyard just lately to be acknowledged for his or her half in Greenfield’s stability by means of the years and development into the long run.
While not everybody might make the gathering, a formidable group turned as much as be photographed and to briefly share their tales in order that Greenfield can have a good time and share its girls-owned companies.
The pandemic has left its mark on everybody, and crushed up the economic system, however the sustained companies and publish-COVID development are proof that there are good issues occurring in Greenfield. It’s particularly significant for this little city with a inhabitants of lower than 5,000.
Of all of the village’s companies, 39 are owned by girls, and 14 of these have opened within the final 12 months. About a dozen of those new companies are owned by girls beneath the age of 40. These companies are small storefronts to industrial park leaders and all the pieces in between.
Most of those girls do what they do as a result of they adore it, as a result of it intimately connects them to the group, and since working for themselves has afforded them the prospect to share extra of their time with household. Some of them have chosen this path as a result of they discovered therapeutic for themselves that they’re sharing. Some of them do what they do as a result of they grew up watching their mother and father and grandparents doing it, and they’re carrying it on and serving their group. For all of those causes, these girls have chosen to dream and do it in Greenfield. They have stepped up so their neighbors can step out within the city.
What’s extra, a number of of them will not be even from Greenfield, however have chosen to find to the village due to the enterprise-pleasant atmosphere and the area people assist, in accordance with Susan Howland, Greenfield’s Main Street financial improvement coordinator.
“Women-owned businesses are on the rise in our country,” mentioned Greenfield City Manager Todd Wilkin, “and we’re proof of that right here in Greenfield. Unfortunately, a number of the statistics I’ve discovered have Ohio within the backside 15 states within the nation for ladies-owned companies, however it seems like we is perhaps altering these statistics on our personal proper right here.
“This is exciting for our community for many different reasons, and I think we could be considered, per capita, the women-owned business capital of the county, region and state.”
Greenfield’s girls-owned companies are:
* Backyard Primitive Design, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Sherry Hedgecock, opened storefront in 2022.
* Harvest Dairy Bar, 329 N. Washington St. — owned by Anita George, opened 2022.
* Greener Pastures Plant Boutique and Apothecary, 326 Jefferson St. — owned by Desarae Stockdale, opened 2022.
* Black Cat Tattoo and Boo-tique, 346 Jefferson St. — owned by Krista Kerr, at present location for greater than 4 years.
* Beautiful Chaos Boutique, 317 Jefferson St. — owned by Ashley Karnes, opened 2021, on-line since 2018.
* Sassy Sisters Boutique, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Chelsi Ertel, opened 2022, on-line since 2018.
* Burlap Bee Boutique, 244 Jefferson St. — owned by Susan Howland, opened 2021, on-line since 2013.
* Ohio Red Barn, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Mitzi Schneider, opened 2022.
* The Grind House, 1010 Jefferson St. — owned by Lisa Boyd, opened 2020.
* The Art Rookery, 340 Jefferson St. — owned by Nancy Crawford, opened 2021.
* Cream and Sugar Cafe, 412 Jefferson St. — owned by Heather Walker, opened 2017.
* Be Blessed Photography, 343 Jefferson St. — owned by Sierra Garman and Cindy Toppings, opened 2022.
* Quality Accounting and Taxes, 344 Jefferson St. — owned by Kim Taylor, opened 2020.
* Furman’s Bar and Grill, 733 McClain Ave. — owned by Shelly Gragg since 2018.
* Greenfield’s Homestead, 336 Jefferson St. — owned by Emily Hughart, open 19 years.
* The Glitz Salon, 403 Jefferson St. — owned by Ondi Vanzant, opened 2000.
* K9 Confetti, 338 Lafayette St. — owned by Brittany Shumaker, opened 2022.
* Greenfield Products, 1230 N. Washington St. — owned by Ann Pence since 1987.
* Modern Movement Dance Company, 251 Jefferson St. — owned by Whitney Vanzant, opened 2012.
* Vibrational Sound Massage, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Deborah Wolfe, opened 2022.
* Blessings House of Healing, 301 Jefferson St. — owned by Sheila Mathew, opened 2021.
* Becky’s Relaxation Station, 236 Jefferson St. — owned by Becky Norman, opened 2017.
* Highland Nutrition, 414 Jefferson St. – owned by Chelsea Holland, opened 2021.
* Tiny Town Childcare and Learning Center, 156 Jefferson St. — owned by Da’Nae Orr-Zody, opened 2021.
* Security Insurance Agency, 118 N. Washington St. — owned by Dianna Speakman for 32 years.
* Jett’s Embroidery, 1060 Jefferson St. — owned by Carla Jett for 26 years.
* Linda’s Variety Shop, 319 Jefferson St. — owned by Linda Newland, opened 4 years.
* Phase 2 Corner Store, 220 Jefferson St. — owned by Misty Posey, opened 2021.
* Posey’s Plaza, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Misty Posey, opened 2022.
* Legacy One Realty, 657 Jefferson St. — owned by Patty Meyers, opened 2011.
* Dairy Nook, 12001 SR 753 — owned by Leta Garrison since 2021.
* Waves Hair and Nail Salon, 623 McClain Ave. — owned by Rhonda Decker since 2017.
* Char’s Salon, 225 S. Fifth St. — owned by Charlotte Taylor, opened 2019.
* Shear Miracles Salon, 425 S. Washington St. — owned by Jodell Miracle.
* Bivens Law LLC, 335 Jefferson St. — owned by Hannah Bivens, opened 2019.
* Fout Realty, 335 Jefferson St. — owned by Harriet Fout for the final 10 years.
* Sitterle’s Insurance, 315 Jefferson St. — owned by Jennifer Kennedy since 2016.
* AMRES Lending, 332 Jefferson St. — owned by Julie Couts, opened 2015.
* Angels at Heart Homecare Unlimited, 201 S. Washington St. — owned by Vicki Holt since 2012.
“It is a great honor to be a part of this tremendous growth, and we are happy these women have decided to utilize their talents and gifts to open a business in our town,” Wilkin mentioned. “As an entrepreneur, significant risks must be evaluated before locating and starting a business. We are happy these women have chosen Greenfield as the home for their businesses.”
Angela Shepherd is a correspondent for the village of Greenfield.
Greenfield is celebrating its girls-owned companies. Many of those girls enterprise house owners had been in a position to collect just lately to share their tales. Here they’re pictured within the village courtyard on the fountain.