Business women of St. Joseph share their stories
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- While business may have been a man's world in the past, women now are finding equal footing in leadership roles.
Natalie Hawn, the president and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, said a favorite part of her job has been helping businesses grow.
"I really enjoyed cultivating small businesses, helping small businesses kind of find their path and journey and really just making a better community," Hawn, who has been with the Chamber for 20 years, said. "So that was a lot of fun over the years and still a part of my job I enjoy very much."
Pam Klaus is not only the director of the Center for Franchise Development at Missouri Western State University's Steven L. Craig School of Business, but she is also a small business owner.
She said although she often finds herself the only woman in business meetings, that can be a boost of confidence.
"Being a female business owner can bring its own set of challenges. I'll also say that just being in the workforce in general being a female can be challenging," Klaus said. "A lot of times I'll go into a meeting and I'm the only female in the room. And so I don't find it intimidating, I actually try to find ways to make it feel empowering."
An increasing number of small businesses in St. Joseph are owned by women. Alyson Fisher is the owner of Fantastic Fido's and B&J Skate.
"Kind of my biggest pride point is creating jobs and building teams within a community that I live and work and am raising my family in is really probably the biggest point of pride for me as far as business ownership in this community," she said.
Another woman-owned business in St. Joseph is The Mark-It.
Tracy Massey has owned the shop for more than 15 years, transforming it into a larger business over time.
She has advice for women who want to start a business.
"You have to be strong-willed, you have to take rejection sometimes and let it roll down your back and just go forward and know that you're just as important as a man in this position," Massey said.
