Women in charge: St. Joseph’s local shops and the women who run them
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- They say it’s a man's world, but local businesses and the Downtown Association have to disagree.
Downtown St. Joseph has blossomed over the past several years with new businesses popping up and bringing new life to the area. Several of those businesses are owned and operated by women, including the Schweetz Candy Co. and KD's Beauty Bar.
“I think we're just automatically like put in this box, you know, 'you cook, you clean, you stay home, you do this, you do that,'" KD's Beauty Bar co-owner Dai'Janise Stano said. "And it's like, actually, you know, we can run businesses, we can do anything. We put our minds to.”
Wendy Lilly, owner of Schweetz Candy Co. and executive director of the St. Joseph Downtown Association, was thrilled to share that a large number of businesses in the Downtown area are not only women-owned but also successful.
“I think that just is people wanting to be their own person and do their own thing, have their own schedule. I think it's awesome," Lilly said. "Both of my children actually have been impacted by this. My son works for me in our candy store. My daughter recently decided that she wanted to do her own little business and made a logo and everything. And I think it's really cool to instill that into our next generation.”
Women like Lilly have encouraged and supported women like Stano and Kanei Jackson, co-owner of KD's, to start their own businesses, and that support is one of the key factors that led to the inception and success of KD’s Beauty Bar, the salon that recently celebrated its first anniversary.
“I feel like just setting the bar for yourself. Like looking back at last year, I'm like, hey, we were here, and now we're here," Stano said. "And it's like, just proving yourself wrong. Like, the scary at first is definitely scary. Takes a lot of time, devotion and money. But just getting to, you know, fulfill those milestones and those different goals is very rewarding.”
Whether looking for a sweet treat, pampering or a day of shopping, St. Joseph's women business owners are here to help.
St. Joseph has several resources for those looking into starting a business, including the Downtown Association, the Cup of Joe entrepreneur group and Main Street St. Joseph. These groups provide insight on valuable resources for business owners, give advice and help new entrepreneurs get their businesses started.
