By Dana Kroll, Uptown Marketing and Communications Specialist

 

Fun and important reminder: March is Women’s History Month. While the month might be winding to its end in just a few short days, we like to say that here in Uptown, we are champions of this important observation 365 days of the year. As we do so, often, we’ll be observing in our favorite way: By sharing a bit about just some of the many (and we do mean many) awesome local and independent businesses that are in this case, owned and operated by strong, fearless, amazing Uptown WOMEN!

 

Let’s take a moment to dip our toes in some VERY basic history and stats, as it pertains to women in business:

 

Early American women entrepreneurs were legally allowed to manage household businesses (like running inns, shops, or farms), but in the early 1800’s, the law generally placed control of significant property and wealth in the hands of men. Women in this period had limited legal rights over their own businesses. Beginning in the mid 1800’s, states began the passage of the Married Women’s Property Acts, which allowed married women to legally own and control property and businesses in their own name, for the very first time.

 

Over the coming generations and until just about the post-World War II era, however, the idea of full equality in business would continue to evolve. During this time, the number of women-owned businesses continued to grow, but many societal and legal barriers still existed. In many professions, women faced significant gender discrimination, and their businesses were often restricted to certain industries such as teaching, nursing, or the arts.

 

During and after World War II, and in many cases due to necessity, more women began entering the workforce. This naturally lent itself to a growing sector: Women who sought economic independence and participation, and whom were eager and willing to put in the hard work to open their own businesses, particularly in retail, services, and later in professions like law and medicine. The coming generations brought about additional significant development thanks to the feminist movement of the 1960s and 70’s, Title VII (1964’s Civil Rights Act), and into the 1980’s with the Women’s Business Ownership Act.

 

While the work to be done continues, opportunities like Women’s History Month offer a constructive way to take pause and to celebrate accomplishments thus far. We could by no means be nearly comprehensive enough to this subject in just three short paragraphs. Instead, we offer the quick history lesson as a preface to some amazing stats that are true for the United States, today:

 

• As of 2024, Women own 14.5 million businesses in the United States.
• These businesses employ 12.9 million people.
• They generate $3.3 trillion dollars annually.

 

How do we see this reflected in our own district? This is the fun part!

 

Of our district’s nearly 400 small and independently owned small businesses, between 40 and 45% of them are women-owned/co-owned/operated. That’s not only incredibly healthy but it is slightly above current national averages. WOW.

 

It gets better: Our women-owned businesses span nearly every category of industry that currently call Uptown “home”: Teachers. Bakers. Chefs. Accountants and Bankers. Doctors and Veterinarians. We have women-owned marketing firms. And spas. And yoga studios. And art galleries. And pubs. Creatives and Creators. Investors and Real Estate Agents. And so much more.

 

One of our initiatives in 2025 is to improve on our ability to identify and brag about the many categories of business ownership that our district houses, and we’ll keep you updated on our progress on this front. In the meantime, we’ll take a few moments to share about just a few of the fantastic women-owned businesses that you can find in Uptown:

 

 

Eastown Veterinary Clinic:

 

Owner Dr. Lynn Happel and her talented team at Eastown Veterinary Clinic, an AAHA-accredited hospital, have three core objectives as they care for and treat your pet family: To offer relationship-centered medicine, to offer thorough, quality care, and to love your pet! The clinic seeks partnership with pet parents to help them make the most of every moment throughout their pet’s life.

 

 

Lorde Beauty and Cosmetics:

 

As an exclusive clean beauty driven Spa and Cosmetics Boutique since 2016, LORDE offers prestigious facials from around the world.  This establishment features renowned treatments developed by founder and esthetician Rachel Williams. LORDE is one of the few select destination spas for Omorovicza, offering their Blue Diamond Facial and their Revitalizing Body Treatment. They proudly service clients locally, and from all around the nation, with transformative services, trusted clean beauty products, and nourishing wellness favorites to enliven both the complexion and body throughout.

 

 

 

Tia’s Play Café:

 

Tia’s Play Cafe offers an open indoor playground where parents can enjoy a good cup of coffee while keeping an eye on their kids as they play. With imaginative play, fine motor toys, and sensory exploration equipment like swings, slides, and climbing/balancing gear, the Cafe provides a fun and engaging environment for children, all while parents can enjoy connecting and creating new friendships. The Café is owned by Yolanda Moumoni who transitioned her at-home daycare into this fun community-focused space, in early 2024.

 

 

 

Reagan Marketing + Design:

 

Reagan Marketing + Design offers its clients and partners a roster of services which provide strategic and creative marketing solutions, through honest hard work, top-notch industry knowledge and experience, and approachability. RM+D can serve as an external, day-to-day communications and design partner, or help on a project-by-project basis. Whether seeking ideas, details or the full package from brainstorm to implementation, RM+D offers solutions that convey its clients’ brand message cohesively and seamlessly. Founder Mary Reagan Shapton started her firm in 1991, and her team is 30+ members strong. It is worth acknowledging that in her “spare time”, Mary also offers leadership and expertise to the Uptown GR organization by serving as a member of its Board of Directors, and by regularly offering professional counsel to its Marketing Committee.