Several years ago, GSBA member Laura Culberg (Sweatbox Yoga) had a vision to connect women small business owners of Capitol Hill, and founded a group called Capitol Hill Entrepreneurial Women (CHEW). The group provided a safe space for entrepreneurial women to meet and share the unique challenges facing their businesses, and offer one another support. The group’s goal was to “make a difference, make a living, make it better.”
While there was great demand and interest for such a group, there was sadly not enough infrastructure or support to sustain this effort. Until now!
Under the guidance of GSBA member Dani Cone (High Five Pie, Fuel Coffee and Cone & Steiner), a new and expanded version of this group has begun. Seattle Entrepreneurial Women (SEW) is GSBA’s latest initiative to bring women business owners together to find out what they need and how GSBA can best support them. The focus would be around business resource and skill-sharing, advocacy and representation of women small business owners, mentorship opportunities for aspiring women entrepreneurs and visibility within the community.
To ensure the success of this important group, GSBA will provide administrative and logistical support. As issues and concerns are raised, GSBA’s Public Policy Task Force and Small Business Council will ensure these issues are brought before appropriate elected officials and government agencies. Given GSBA’s vast nonprofit, government and small business networks, we are excited to be able to provide speakers, support and resources to SEWgsba, our newest affinity group.
At our most recent meeting, 22 local women business owners showed up to learn more about upcoming legislation, discuss the start of a mentorship program for new entrepreneurs and offer resources to support one another.
SEWgsba is open to all women who independently own their own business and are current GSBA members. SEWgsba generally meets on the last Monday of the month from 9 AM to 10:30 AM but next month we will be meeting on Monday, June 20.
Participants include: Christy Lillard (Laughing Buddha Tattoo), Cherri Trusheim (Urban Animal), Diane Skwiercz (Street Treats), Grace Schlitt (Illuminarrative), Cat Wilcox (Velouria), Karyn Schwartz (SugarPill), Linda Morgan (Terra Plata), Laura Culberg (SweatBox Yoga), Malia Keene (Magpie), Danielle Hulton (Ada’s Technical Books & Café), Francine Moo-Young (Moo-Young), Donna Larson (Stuffed Cakes), Erin Krohn (Hammer and Awl), Jenny Harding (New Chapter Events and Weddings), Jessamy Whitsitt (Pie), Lisa Michaud (Two Big Blondes Plus Size Consignment), Mariana Martos (Sur 16 Restaurant), Amanda Bedell (Nuflours Bakery), Dani Cone (Cone & Steiner, High 5 Pie, Fuel), and Louise Chernin (GSBA).
For more information, please contact GSBA Membership Services Manager Ari Rosen.
