With the heat of the summer sun diminished in the shade of the City Building, a group of women gathered in the courtyard recently to be acknowledged for their part in Greenfield’s stability through the years and growth into the future.
While not everyone could make the gathering, an impressive group turned up to be photographed and to briefly share their stories so that Greenfield can celebrate and share its women-owned businesses.
The pandemic has left its mark on everyone, and beaten up the economy, but the sustained businesses and post-COVID growth are proof that there are good things happening in Greenfield. It’s especially meaningful for this little town with a population of less than 5,000.
Of all the village’s businesses, 39 are owned by women, and 14 of those have opened in the last year. About a dozen of these new businesses are owned by women under the age of 40. These businesses are small storefronts to industrial park leaders and everything in between.
Most of these women do what they do because they love it, because it intimately connects them to the community, and because working for themselves has afforded them the chance to share more of their time with family. Some of them have chosen this path because they found healing for themselves that they are sharing. Some of them do what they do because they grew up watching their parents and grandparents doing it, and they are carrying it on and serving their community. For all of these reasons, these women have chosen to dream and do it in Greenfield. They have stepped up so their neighbors can step out in the town.
What’s more, several of them are not even from Greenfield, but have chosen to locate to the village because of the business-friendly environment and the local community support, according to Susan Howland, Greenfield’s Main Street economic development coordinator.
“Women-owned businesses are on the rise in our country,” said Greenfield City Manager Todd Wilkin, “and we are proof of that here in Greenfield. Unfortunately, some of the statistics I have found have Ohio in the bottom 15 states in the nation for women-owned businesses, but it looks like we might be changing those statistics on our own right here.
“This is exciting for our community for many different reasons, and I think we could be considered, per capita, the women-owned business capital of the county, region and state.”
Greenfield’s women-owned businesses are:
* Backyard Primitive Design, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Sherry Hedgecock, opened storefront in 2022.
* Harvest Dairy Bar, 329 N. Washington St. — owned by Anita George, opened 2022.
* Greener Pastures Plant Boutique and Apothecary, 326 Jefferson St. — owned by Desarae Stockdale, opened 2022.
* Black Cat Tattoo and Boo-tique, 346 Jefferson St. — owned by Krista Kerr, at current location for more than four years.
* Beautiful Chaos Boutique, 317 Jefferson St. — owned by Ashley Karnes, opened 2021, online since 2018.
* Sassy Sisters Boutique, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Chelsi Ertel, opened 2022, online since 2018.
* Burlap Bee Boutique, 244 Jefferson St. — owned by Susan Howland, opened 2021, online since 2013.
* Ohio Red Barn, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Mitzi Schneider, opened 2022.
* The Grind House, 1010 Jefferson St. — owned by Lisa Boyd, opened 2020.
* The Art Rookery, 340 Jefferson St. — owned by Nancy Crawford, opened 2021.
* Cream and Sugar Cafe, 412 Jefferson St. — owned by Heather Walker, opened 2017.
* Be Blessed Photography, 343 Jefferson St. — owned by Sierra Garman and Cindy Toppings, opened 2022.
* Quality Accounting and Taxes, 344 Jefferson St. — owned by Kim Taylor, opened 2020.
* Furman’s Bar and Grill, 733 McClain Ave. — owned by Shelly Gragg since 2018.
* Greenfield’s Homestead, 336 Jefferson St. — owned by Emily Hughart, open 19 years.
* The Glitz Salon, 403 Jefferson St. — owned by Ondi Vanzant, opened 2000.
* K9 Confetti, 338 Lafayette St. — owned by Brittany Shumaker, opened 2022.
* Greenfield Products, 1230 N. Washington St. — owned by Ann Pence since 1987.
* Modern Movement Dance Company, 251 Jefferson St. — owned by Whitney Vanzant, opened 2012.
* Vibrational Sound Massage, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Deborah Wolfe, opened 2022.
* Blessings House of Healing, 301 Jefferson St. — owned by Sheila Mathew, opened 2021.
* Becky’s Relaxation Station, 236 Jefferson St. — owned by Becky Norman, opened 2017.
* Highland Nutrition, 414 Jefferson St. – owned by Chelsea Holland, opened 2021.
* Tiny Town Childcare and Learning Center, 156 Jefferson St. — owned by Da’Nae Orr-Zody, opened 2021.
* Security Insurance Agency, 118 N. Washington St. — owned by Dianna Speakman for 32 years.
* Jett’s Embroidery, 1060 Jefferson St. — owned by Carla Jett for 26 years.
* Linda’s Variety Shop, 319 Jefferson St. — owned by Linda Newland, opened four years.
* Phase 2 Corner Store, 220 Jefferson St. — owned by Misty Posey, opened 2021.
* Posey’s Plaza, 228 Jefferson St. — owned by Misty Posey, opened 2022.
* Legacy One Realty, 657 Jefferson St. — owned by Patty Meyers, opened 2011.
* Dairy Nook, 12001 SR 753 — owned by Leta Garrison since 2021.
* Waves Hair and Nail Salon, 623 McClain Ave. — owned by Rhonda Decker since 2017.
* Char’s Salon, 225 S. Fifth St. — owned by Charlotte Taylor, opened 2019.
* Shear Miracles Salon, 425 S. Washington St. — owned by Jodell Miracle.
* Bivens Law LLC, 335 Jefferson St. — owned by Hannah Bivens, opened 2019.
* Fout Realty, 335 Jefferson St. — owned by Harriet Fout for the last 10 years.
* Sitterle’s Insurance, 315 Jefferson St. — owned by Jennifer Kennedy since 2016.
* AMRES Lending, 332 Jefferson St. — owned by Julie Couts, opened 2015.
* Angels at Heart Homecare Unlimited, 201 S. Washington St. — owned by Vicki Holt since 2012.
“It is a great honor to be a part of this tremendous growth, and we are happy these women have decided to utilize their talents and gifts to open a business in our town,” Wilkin said. “As an entrepreneur, significant risks must be evaluated before locating and starting a business. We are happy these women have chosen Greenfield as the home for their businesses.”
Angela Shepherd is a correspondent for the village of Greenfield.
