MANSFIELD, Ohio — The Small Business Development Center corralled 25 women for their first annual Mid-Ohio Women’s Business Showcase on Wednesday.
The showcase, held at the Renaissance Theatre was designed to help women who own businesses in the area to network and connect with other women business owners, explained SBDC Director Michalina Lacy.
“We hope this becomes an annual thing and that we can provide more opportunities for networking in the future,” said Lacy.
Mansfield/Richland County Chamber of Commerce President Jodie Perry said she got excited when she saw the variety of businesses represented by women who participated in the showcase.
“Women are in business in all sectors of our economy. Not just the traditional sectors,” said Perry. “It tells me that the doors are opening more and more. More women are risking it all to run their dream enterprise.”
Bertha Bishop is one of those women.
Bishop said she quit her day job three years ago because she decided to pursue a career in professional photography. She currently shoots pictures for families, children, engagements, senior pictures, and school pictures.
“A lot of parents don’t like school pictures because there’s only one option and there’s a generic background. Not with me,” said Bishop. “I put a different spin on school photos.”
For more information on Bishop’s photography, visit her website or Facebook profile.
Audrey Lunsford represented two businesses on Wednesday. As Senior Designer at Norwalk Furniture, she had pamphlets and ideas ready for those searching for a new design for their home decor.
“But everyone seems to be loving these cookies,” said Lunsford. She and her sister own a part-time business baking cookies — they named it The Little Cookie Farm. And they were a hit.
“We just do cookies in our downtime. We mostly just make chocolate chip. Call Lunsford at 419-565-1529 for information on how to find the cookies.
Also among the women business owners was Ann Downs, CEO of MHS Industrial Supply. The locally owned company was Mansfield’s first industrial supply company when it opened Aug. 14, 1940.
Downs said she is a CEO in a man’s world, the industrial world. But she is confident in her business.
“We’re unique. We’re locally owned and make decisions that are locally based. And we have services that can be serviced right here in Mansfield,” said Downs.
According to Lacy, SBDC has existed since the 1980s, when Mansfield’s playing field was less equal for women who aspired to own a business.
“It’s come a long way from the eighties. Some of these women have had businesses since the eighties where they said they couldn’t even get a business loan without their dads signing or something,” she said.
“Women are in business in all sectors of our economy. Not just the traditional sectors,” said Jodie Perry. “It tells me that the doors are opening more and more. More women are risking it all to run their dream enterprise.”
