Women Business Owners and Small Business Saturday

Bigger is not always Better.

That thought came clearly to mind as I was leaving the new South Hills Trader Joe’s last week. I had a delightful time, browsed the store thoroughly, purchased some very cool items and was in and out in 20 minutes. Much as I love "the other store" up the street, you certainly can’t do it in 20 minutes.

There is something manageable about a smaller size, not less impressive. That’s what I find a lot of women who read and are interviewed for Wise Women are looking for: relevant, meaningful and manageable ways to put their dreams into action. 

Take USC resident Susan Wagner who last year opened a beautiful, eclectic home design shop on Route 19 called Voila. Susan had long dreamed of starting her own shop, so when the chance came to acquire Voila she jumped at it. Wagner loves the creative aspect, and the challenge of being responsible for all aspects of a business. While she admits it is a huge amount of work, one of the things she really likes about being her own boss is the ability to make her own choices.

“Yes, there are certain things I have to do or probably want to do to make sure my business keeps growing. But there are a lot of things I get to choose the pace of. I was thinking of going to New York shows and just had too much going on. I said, you know what, NO. I don’t have to do that—and that is a good place to be.”

Another USC woman, Sylvie Del Duca, who also just happens to love design, created her own occupation for a similar reason. With 25 years experience as a designer she could have easily found a great job in the industry. Instead, she started an online design business. It is a pretty great concept—affordable, personalized design advice carried out via internet, email and phone—and the efficiency of the format allows Sylvie to handle more clients while staying flexible and close to home.  “I only have limited years left (with my two teenage children) and those years are extremely important,” she explains.

Through Wise Women I have profiled local women who have started mobile fashion businesses, weight loss programs, on-line bead kits sales, shoe and accessory stores, solo law practices, meditation seminars and store fronts that represent 100’s of local artisans. These female entrepreneurs have created businesses that mesh with their lives, not dominate them. By their size they have also created a unique experience for customers: service with a personal connection and sense that you, the client, truly matter.

It is great to dream big, but it is also good to think small and embrace the merits of doing what fits into a balanced life. Nov. 26 is Small Business Saturday. Get out there and support your local small business owner. Sometimes small size makes a big difference.