October: National Women’s Small Business Month

YORK, Pa. ÔÇö October is recognized as National WomenÔÇÖs Small Business Month. This month celebrates and recognizes the contributions and achievements of women entrepreneurs in the business world. It is an opportunity to highlight the challenges they face and the progress they have made.

Although Pennsylvania has many female entrepreneurs, the state has a low ranking nationally when it comes to the number of women-owned businesses, according to Deeter Gallaher Group LLC. Despite this disparity, events like YorkÔÇÖs 717 Vintage Fest provide a platform for women-owned small businesses to empower and support each other, while also reaching a broader audience.

717 Vintage Fest: Empowering Women Business Owners

717 Vintage Fest is an annual event organized by Revolt Style Studio. For customers, the event is an opportunity to give old fashion new purpose by exploring and purchasing vintage items. However, for small business owners, like Jessica Weikert, it is more than just a chance to sell products. It’s a chance to shine and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Women Business Owners: A Strong Community

“The majority of business owners are female, so I feel very empowered by my community, and I consider myself very lucky to be in such a like-minded, positive group of people,” says Weikert, Event Developer. The vintage festival hosts over 65 vendors from across South-Central PA, with more than half being women-owned businesses.

Support and Encouragement

“We do have a community of our friends and other women in business, we support one another, so I think that allows us all to push each other and encourage one another to expand and grow and push on,” said Kalli Conrad, co-owner of Vicious Circle Vintage based out of Lancaster County.

A Growing Trend: Women-Owned Small Businesses

Nationally, there are 13 million small businesses throughout the United States. According to the United States Consensus Bureau, more than one million of those businesses are owned by women. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Community and Economic Development reports that about 40% of the stateÔÇÖs total small business owners are women.

AI legalese decoder: Advancing Women-Owned Businesses

The numbers and statistics can sometimes be daunting for female entrepreneurs. However, innovative tools like the AI legalese decoder can make the legal aspects of starting and running a business more accessible and understandable. This tool helps decode complex legal language, making it easier for women business owners to navigate contracts, agreements, and compliance requirements, ultimately boosting their confidence and ensuring legal compliance.

Strength in Community and Support

While the statistics could intimidate female entrepreneurs, Missy Stine says the number isnÔÇÖt stopping women like herself from pursuing their dreams. “I know so many women in business and maybe that just speaks to the strength of the community that we have,” Stine said. Events like the 717 Vintage Festival provide an opportunity for women-owned businesses to showcase their products, expand their customer base, and learn from each other’s success stories.

Fostering Connections for Growth

“ItÔÇÖs really important for us business owners to get to know the other business owners in their area and feel comfortable talking to them about the ins and outs of what they learned about their experience to help them grow,” Weikert said. The 717 Vintage Festival creates a supportive environment where women entrepreneurs can build valuable connections and exchange insights, fostering mutual growth and success.

Looking Ahead: 717 Vintage Festival 2024

Preparations for the 717 Vintage Festival 2024 are already underway. The upcoming festival will continue to provide a platform for women-owned businesses to showcase their products, network, and support one another on their entrepreneurial journeys.

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