Entrepreneurship November 1, 2026 0 Comments

Unlocking October: The Untold Power Moves of Women-Owned Small Businesses You Can’t Afford to Miss

October rolls around, and you might ask yourself, “Why is National Women’s Small Business Month such a big deal?” Well, here’s the scoop—this month isn’t just a calendar reminder; it’s a vibrant celebration of grit, creativity, and the unshakeable spirit of women entrepreneurs who are absolutely killing it out there. I mean, think about it: How often do we spotlight those powerhouse women running the show behind thriving businesses that keep getting better with time? From fresh faces like Ashanti Reese and her game-changing platform, The BLK Plug, to long-standing favorites like Scratch Cupcakery, you’re about to meet folks who turned passion into profit and dreams into reality . It’s a parade of perseverance, innovation, and some seriously savvy business moves. So, why not dive in and get inspired by these stories that prove women-owned businesses aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving and reshaping the economic landscape one bold step at a time? Ready to see who’s making waves? LEARN MORE

October is National Women’s Small Business Month, and this month we are celebrating women-owned businesses: one new feature and a few favorites from our Small Business Spotlight archive, all still in business today.

Ashanti Reese — The BLK Plug

Our newest Spotlight features Ashanti Reese, founder of The BLK Plug, a nationwide online directory helping people discover and support Black-owned businesses. The BLK Plug is growing into a resource hub for entrepreneurs, with grants, events, and a Creator Network connecting businesses with Black content creators and influencers.

Read her full feature, published today.

Natalie Brown — Scratch Cupcakery

Natalie Brown was spotlighted on the blog in 2012, when she was preparing to open a second location for Scratch Cupcakery. Today, Scratch Cupcakery has locations across Iowa, in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Coralville.

Visit the Scratch Cupcakery website to see what they are baking now.

Eunice Clarke — Clarke Executive Services Group

Eunice Clarke was spotlighted in 2019 as the founder of The Executive Advantage Virtual. Her firm has since rebranded as Clarke Executive Services Group, an operations consulting and human capital firm, and she is still its Founder & CEO.

Marcie Hill — Marcie Writes

Marcie Hill was spotlighted in 2010 as the founder of The Write Design Company. She now writes and speaks under Marcie Writes, and is the author of a new book on the history of roller skating in Chicago.

Visit each of these businesses to support women-owned small businesses, and watch for more Small Business Spotlights in the months ahead.