By women, for women

Women-owned businesses increased in number by more than 20 percent between 2002 and 2007.

Nationally, 7.8 million women own their own business, and another 4.6 million businesses are co-owned by women. More than 28 percent of all U.S. businesses are owned by women.

These statistics from the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau Survey of Business Owners demonstrate that although business ownership is still heavily male dominant — men own more than half of all businesses in the U.S. — more women than ever are making the leap to ownership roles in business.

And locally, the trend is no different. At the last International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce business awards this year, all five of the honorees were women. The Chamber notes that slightly more than half of their business members are owned, co-owned or managed by women.

And these numbers don’t account for women in other leadership roles in non-business organizations, charities and government.

“You see a lot more women in business than you used to,” said Dixie Kalstad, administrative assistant for the Koochiching Economic Development Authority.

“Especially the smaller ones,” added Jenny Dougherty, counselor for the local Small Business Development Authority. “They maybe want to be their own boss so they have the flexibility of running their kids around and other things.”

In 2008, Dougherty and Kalstad began holding meetings for a local Women’s Business Network.

It’s part support group, part business and networking information, part social hour. On the second Thursday of every month (except during the summer), local business women meet to either talk amongst themselves or hear from a guest speaker.

The first meeting of the season was held Sept. 9 at the Coffee Landing. More than a dozen women gathered for lunch and conversation.

During any given month, attendance has varied between a handful and more than 20 women, often depending on the topic discussed.

Speakers are scheduled to include topics related to running a business, professional development and personal development. Some of the meeting topics are best suited for owners and managers of a business, while others highlight a topic that any woman could find useful. All women are welcome to attend, Kalstad and Dougherty said.

“A lot of women are in the same boat,” Kalstad said. “A lot of times they’re the primary person with kids and they have a business. It’s the work-life balance and to do everything and just having somebody to share that with. Typically in this day and age, women do a lot and how do you make the time to do it all?”

“Many of these ladies are talented and brave entrepreneurs who have found a niche for themselves,” said Jenell Feller, International Falls Occupational Development Center coordinator. “That pioneering spirit is exciting to be around and interesting to learn from.”

The group has no funding, no dues, and relies on volunteer speakers and the time to organize by Dougherty and Kalstad.

Previous meeting topics have included customer service, websites and marketing, creative writing, computer needs, financial planning cash flow and organizing.

“I think it’s basically the networking and sharing ideas,” Dougherty said, that are the most important aspects of the group.

“I started attending the meetings because it is nice to share ideas and stories with fellow women in business,” said Krista Jonson, owner of The Spot on 53. “Women from all areas, including across the border, share insights and information.”

Indeed, the group has had ample participation from women on both sides of the border. A similar group exists in Fort Frances, and some of those members attend the Falls meetings as well.

“Everyone is so welcoming,” said Loni Bright, owner of Top That! by Loni. “Yeah, the group is all women, not to take away from the men in town, but I think it gives a chance for us to look at things from our own perspective. To allow us to look at business at a different point of view — it opens up new avenues for everyone, not just women.”

Several of the women who have attended meetings find that sharing experiences and finding out they are not alone in their struggles and triumphs is beneficial.

“I feel that the group as a whole benefits from knowing they have a support group out there,” said Niki Bergstrom, professional organizer, Organize2Survive. “Just being surrounded by like-minded women who have either a.) been through what you are going through or b.) are currently going through what you are going through or even c.) haven’t been there yet, but will be soon.”

Others agree that the support they receive from the group members and organizers is valuable.

“We have a lot of talented women in business in the area as well as a lot of untapped talent,” Bright said. “I would love to see the women out there that had been knocking an idea around to contact the SBA (Dougherty) or come to the WBN. We would love to have them.

“What is so nice — something I may have a question about, and someone else in the group or Jen (Dougherty) and Dixie (Kalstad) can either answer it or give good direction where to get good answers. It’s nice to hear what others have done or get new directions on how to tackle an issue or get reinspired to try something new.”

And while there may be the perception, even among locals, that there is not a lot of business opportunities, spending time among the women who attend the Women’s Business Network shows that the right connections makes all the difference.

“I feel International Falls has an exceptional amount of commerce for being such a remote community,” said Ronna MacKay of Farmer’s Insurance Group. “Anything you need you can find it here. You may have to improvise some but you can get it here. As for the women of the community... they are top notch! There are so many different talents in this community that I have found very interesting.”

Both long-time business owners and those just striking out on their own have found the relationships and meeting topics important.

“I am excited that women in International Falls are taking charge and opening and running successful businesses,” said Bergstrom. “It gives me great confidence that there is support there for me as I open and run my own small business. Most networking groups that I have joined are with people in the same industry as I am. I enjoy the Falls Women's Business Network because we all come from different industries, big and small, but can still share information as well as support.”

Meetings are not all fun and games. Several legitimate business connections have been made during the Women’s Business Network.

One member’s scrap fabric was useful for another member making pet accessories. A member needed a commercial kitchen and was able to use the space of another member. These are just two of the tangible relationships built during the meetings.

“There really have been some things that have clicked like that, that just through discussion (have worked),” Kalstad said.

“This is an interesting and interested group of women. They are smart, talented and creative,” Feller said. “They seem to really enjoy the other members of the group and what they have to share. Each person is involved in a different area so they are not competitive with each other. The members are willing to share what they know and who they know.”

Dougherty said that she has found both men and women in business encounter similar challenges and successes.

“Women are more into talking about the challenges they face, just like women in general,” Kalstad said.

Meetings are limited so as to not interfere with business operations.

“It’s one hour a month, it’s nine hours out of the year. It’s not a huge commitment,” Dougherty said.

And with all these women find to discuss and the meeting topics, some members say that is hard to fit everything into an hour.

“The meetings are only an hour — but the group could easily meet for twice the amount of time,” Feller said.

Some would-be members have a hard time getting away from the office for the hour, especially those that work alone. And although she understands the tight constraints many owners feel, Dougherty points out that the professional and personal benefits of stepping away from the office often outweighs the negatives.

“Yes, there’s always going to be things to get done in your business, but at some point you have to say, I’m going to do this for myself so I can manage my business better,” Dougherty said.

“Even if it’s going and having some laughs, stress relief,” Kalstad added.

For more information on the Women’s Business Network, contact Dougherty at 283-8585 or jenny@businessupnorth. com.