Recently there was a report on television and an article in the Journal and Courier about women business owners in Indiana. It also caught the attention of editors in Indianapolis and they printed the J & C article in the Indianapolis Star! Pretty important, huh?

The author of the article said that a census taken recently showed that 162,000 businesses were owned by women. That includes every AWBO member. That number astounded me because it meant just under 30% of Indiana’s privately owned companies were woman owned. Elaine Bedel, President of Indiana Economic Development Corporation, expressed there are many things available in our state to help women get a business started and keep it running. Some owners attested to that in the article, having received help to assist them.

I know every woman who owns her own business had to work very hard to get everything put together to start their business, and keep it running and many factors come in to that equation. On top of all the hours on the job are more hours of hard work running a household! Feeding babies, changing diapers, keeping laundry going, fixing meals, and being chauffeur to every activity your teenager has decided they want to be involved in! I APPLAUD YOU! I remember those days when it was just my husband and I at the business, creating a space for our daughter to play in and later to do homework beside my desk. Those were tough years! And now all three children are grown and work with us, managing different areas of the business. So keep up the good work, it’s worth it!

The Association of Women Business Owners (AWBO), has speakers from many different avenues and themes. If you want to learn more, come to MCL the second Tuesday of every month. Don’t miss an AWBO meeting because each one is action packed and educational.

I’m really looking forward to hearing Gary Higgins on Tuesday, April 11 because he was instrumental in getting our business on its feet many years ago, with the state of the art quality television commercials. He will show attenders how to create a promotional video for social media using our cell phones. Things have really changed in the past 27 years since we opened our business.

Invite a woman business owner, or someone thinking about starting one, to join us at MCL Restaurant & Bakery, West Lafayette, April 11 from 12-1p.m. See you there!

Best regards,
Melony Ramsey
AWBO President
Empowering Women