National Women's Small Business Month

September 29, 2022

Written by Megan Moran

You may be familiar with Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving when people are encouraged to purchase holiday gifts from their local small businesses, but did you know there’s an entire month celebrating Women’s Small Businesses? October is National Women’s Small Business Month, a month to celebrate and honor the achievements made for women-owned businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, “Until 1988, women needed a male relative to cosign if they wanted to apply for a business loan.” Nowadays women are able to be independent in their business ventures and should be recognized for the value they bring to their local community and the U.S. as a whole. In recent years, 42% of all U.S. businesses are women-owned and generated $1.9 trillion worth of revenue.

Today, there are 13 million women-owned businesses compared to only a little over 400,000 in 1972. National Women’s Small Business month has been celebrated by the U.S. Small Business Administration for a decade, since 2012. During October they promote webinars, programs, and resources to help women business owners be successful. If you know a woman business owner, there are organizations they can join to learn from or share their experience with other women business owners including The National Association of Women Business Owners, The American Business Women’s Association, or even their local Chamber of Commerce.

This month is all about supporting women’s small businesses, so find your local small businesses owned by women for you to visit and share with friends and family. Some local women owned small businesses include:

• Terra+Talia

  • Handmade, minimalist jewelry

  • Located in the City Foundry and found at local markets

• Abigail’s Gift Boutique

  • Fashion and gift boutique handpicked by Abby

  • Located on Hampton Ave. in south city

• Sahara Sun

  • Women’s vintage clothing and accessories

  • Information about in person events and local markets available for subscribers

• Virago Candle Studio

  • Candles, wax melts, and home fragrances

  • Frequently at Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, information about markets on their Instagram

• Grand Army Farm

  • Angora rabbits, angora goats, and shetland sheep raised for their coats to be humanely harvested and made into colorful accessories and clothing; eggs, meats, and other products also available

  • Frequently at Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, information about markets on their website and Instagram page

Sources:

https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/observances/national-womens-small-business-month

https://www.stlcitysc.com/news/city-spotlights-celebrating-local-women-owned-businesses

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-womens-small-business-month-october/