During this Women’s History Month, which celebrates the contributions of women throughout history and present day, I’ve been thinking about women-owned businesses, as more women are deciding to become their own boss and opening their own business over the past few years.
Last year, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the number of women-owned businesses nationwide increased 0.6 percent from 2017 to 2018 (most recent data available). In 2018, there were 1.1 million businesses owned by women, 6,861 more than in 2017. While they are growing at a slower pace, lagging behind businesses owned by men, they are growing.
In celebration of women’s accomplishments, I want to spotlight a few women-owned small businesses in Flint and Genesee County who have been featured in the Flint & Genesee Group FACES of Flint & Genesee Business Q&As. From skincare and daycare to a consignment shop and hair restoration, these business owners are resilient, focused and determined to see their visions realized.
Tracy Aubuchon was a single mom when she decided to open her own skin spa called Rejuv Ave. It was not an easy decision to make the leap into becoming an entrepreneur until she decided to “exercise the muscle of fear.” With encouragement from friends and her husband, Tracy gathered as much money as she could from credit cards and her savings to purchase a skin rejuvenation laser in 2011. She started renting a small room to offer her services where about 90 patients found her. Since then, the business has grown. She constructed and opened a new building last year in Fenton, has seven employees and serves 2,000 clients. To learn more about Tracy and Rejuv Ave., click here.
Annette Hughes, owner of Sunny Patch Learning Center. After owning her business for a while, Annette had a dream to expand her in-home daycare business to a facility. And after receiving her associate degree, her dream came true. Everything fell into place when she purchased two former school buildings from the Flint Board of Education, which she later renovated into her daycare business. Today, the Center has 10 employees and serves 75 children in the Flint community. She is also the author of five children’s books and is working on an e-book about how to start a childcare center. To learn more about Annette and Sunny Patch, click here.
Amanda Szumowicz, owner of Wears Like New, did not realize that her fate was sealed when she began work at her first job at a local consignment shop called Wears Like New. Little did she know that it would be the path to become a business owner. Through the tutelage of a great mentor and her hard work, she worked her way up over many years to a management position. This meant she was primed and ready to take the reins when the current owner decided to retire. Under Amanda’s ownership, the business works with over 10,000 consigners. To learn more about Amanda and her business, click here.
For many years, Angela Fox, owner of A Fox International, has specialized in helping clients who suffer hair loss through her studio. Gaining the skills she needed for professional hair restoration, Angela began to build a clientele. Clients who relied on her to provide a solution that gave them a new sense of confidence. But A Fox International was hit hard by the pandemic. Angela is still available for her clients, but she has downsized to a one-person team. However, that has not stopped her. Her business continues to move forward. To learn more about Angela and A Fox International, click here.
While these four women-owned businesses differ in their products and services, they have a lot in common with their passion for their work, persistence and their dedication to the Flint & Genesee community. In the spirit of celebrating women-owned businesses, I hope you enjoy reading their stories and many others.
Tim