October is National Women’s small business month and business leaders say it’s a time to recognize businesses who make it about more than making a profit, but about recognizing womens leadership
Here in the CSRA there are two local businesses — created by women who wanted to give people a place where they feel welcome and supported.
Running a small business takes time and determination, business owners here from the CSRA, talk about their experiences as a woman and being an entrepreneur.
“Being a woman in business, especially if you run a small business and you work from home, like in my instance, there are so many different obstacles. I will say, you know, like having a baby, running a house, being the, the wife, the mom, all of these other hats.”, said Danna Lusk, Owner of Dear Soul Candle Company based in Aiken, South Carolina.
“Is great because you get to see a lot of women in business that you didn’t even know that was in business. And being a woman myself, I think is a great highlight. For people to know.”, said Alice Garner, Owner Brown Suga Cafe by Alice.
From going through the challenges of owning a business, to finding ways to support their community, these women say entrepreneurship is more than building a brand. Women business owner tells me that running a business and also dealing with personal life issues can be quite the challenge.
“Challenging thing about running this business is the fact that I am a mom. I have limited hours in the day, just like everybody else. We all have the same 24 hours, but it is difficult to juggle making products, going to different venues, doing events.”, said Lusk.
Garner tells Channel 6, “Being able to actually afford the, the space because you have a lot of empty buildings around here. But it cost a whole lot just to get the building.”.
As women’s small business month continues, their stories are a reminder to support women entrepreneurs and to provide community to them right here in the CSRA.
Brown Suga Cafe by Alice: Thursday, October 29th at the Warren Road Community Center of Augusta (300 Warren Rd, Augusta, GA 30907), 2026 Halloween Candy Crawl @6PM-9PM.
Dear Soul Candle Company: Saturday, November 7th at Local Threads (142 Laurens St SW, Aiken, SC 29801) in Downtown Aiken, Candle Making Workshop @11AM- 1PM.
Photojournalist: Dania Alawir.
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