On centre-stage: Some inspiring women entrepreneurs from “The Green Mountain State”
#WomenEntrepreneurs #VermontInnovation #EmpowerHer #FemaleFoundersVT #SustainableBusiness
Vermont, often celebrated for its picturesque landscapes and community-driven spirit, is actually carving out a name for itself – as a hub for women entrepreneurs. Known as “The Green Mountain State” it is ranked as the fifth-best state for women founders in a recent report by Lensa, which describes Vermont’s entrepreneurial ecosystem as a mix of unique challenges and abundant opportunities.
Vermont’s Women Entrepreneurs: Resilience and Innovation Amid Challenges
The state’s rural nature and harsh winters pose hurdles – like limited access to funding and logistical barriers. Simultaneously, these very challenges foster creativity, resilience & a collaborative spirit among women entrepreneurs.
Many Vermont-based women entrepreneurs are tapping into the state’s strengths – by focusing on sustainable ventures, agritourism & locally-sourced products. The state’s growing tourist industry, combined with its commitment to sustainability – provides a solid foundation for these ventures. Organizations like the Vermont Women’s Fund and the Center for Women in Business are also empowering women entrepreneurs by offering critical resources, networking opportunities & financial support.
As more women in Vermont continue to launch and scale businesses, they’re proving that determination & innovation can transform even the most challenging environments into opportunities. These trailblazers are not only contributing to the local economy but are also setting a powerful example for aspiring women entrepreneurs across the nation.
Now, here’s presenting some inspiring women entrepreneurs form “The Green Mountain State”.
> Leslie McCrorey Wells, Co-Owner & Managing Partner, Burlington’s Pizzeria Verità
Leslie McCorey Wells has an impressive reputation – as co-owner of Burlington restaurants, Pizzeria Verità, Trattoria Delia & Sotto Enoteca.
Before Leslie McCrorey Wells agreed to help establish Burlington’s Pizzeria Verità, she dove in to research for she wanted to learn everything. That even meant traveling to Italy where she fell in love with the thin, pillowy crust and slightly charred cornicione (edge) lightly topped with simple tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella & basil. She is a successful entrepreneur and if perfection takes practice, then her team at Pizzeria Verità has indeed, mastered the craft since their founding in 2012. With her leadership, Pizzeria Verità has gained a loyal following – for its creative, wood-fired pizzas made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Her expertise in the culinary industry & commitment to using sustainable practices have earned her recognition as a respected figure in the community.
In fact, she has spent most of her life in the restaurant industry. She held management positions at Sirloin Saloon and Sweetwater in the 1980s where she worked alongside then-executive chef John Rao (and they remain fast friends and business partners!). She and her life-partner Rick Hubbart owned and ran Purple Knights Pizzeria, across from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester in the 1990s.
Her USP is that wherever she worked, she made it her goal to learn every aspect of the business so she could fit in anywhere, as needed.
> Louisa Schibli – Co-founder, Milk Money & Co-Founder, Northern New England Women’s Investor Network
The truth was that Louisa Schibli didn’t realize just how many barriers rural entrepreneurs face, until she became one herself. Louisa founded Milk Money Vermont, an equity crowdfunding platform – connecting everyday Vermonters to Vermont businesses looking to raise capital. So, you can call her a risk-taker who thrives on the ability to find creative solutions to any problem. Full of energy, ideas and connections, she makes things happen.
She brings her enthusiasm to her many passions – whether it’s volunteering, technology, photography, Vermont or a variety of sports.
She is an entrepreneur with 15+ years’ experience in high tech and business development and she juggles many roles. She is Start-up consultant/business development director for fashion/sizing app. She is Founder of Moogle Vermont “promoting Vermont one cool thing at a time” & Founder/CEO of first web platform & database for expatriates living in Switzerland.
> Anna and Leyla, Co-founders, Atmosphoria
Atmosphoria was founded by two certified aromatherapist entrepreneurs – Anna and Leyla. Both of them had a passion to bring you an air freshener that is practical, effective and easy to use, all while making it non-toxic and absolutely amazing.
They have a love for genuine, whole plant-extracted scents. Combining this love with over 40 years of experience in formulating natural products with essential oils, they came together to bring you Atmosphoria.
Together, they know how to bring the art, science and splendour of pure aromatics into your everyday life – using only the finest plant material from around the globe.
> Claire Georges, Owner, Butterfly Bakery Vermont
She believes that everything they make is inspired by Vermont’s working landscape. We are talking about the owner of Butterfly Bakery of Vermont – Claire Georges. With a mission to bring the flavours of Vermont to customers around the globe, Butterfly Bakery of Vermont makes shelf stable products using simple ingredients. Their product line involves baking granola and bottling hot sauce. This is because they can support the working landscape by paying farmers a good price for the ingredients, sell the product anywhere in the world, and bring that revenue right back into Vermont.
She started her first business while she was still in college. Living in a dining co-op at Oberlin College in 2001, she began making baked goods – using whole grains and alternatives to refined sugar to accommodate her own dietary restrictions. Eventually, she started selling her dark chocolate truffles and glycemic-friendly baked goods – mainly under her own label, Butterfly Chocolates.
Interestingly, at that time it was a hobby. Later, after she moved from stage to stage, Butterfly Bakery of Vermont became a reality.
> Ashley Sandy and Phil Schuman – LONDONmiddlebury
Ashley founded LONDONmiddlebury with Phil Schuman in 2014, while working with the Vermont Council in World Affairs, and recognizing the fact that she could apply many of the strategies and principles used to market Vermont to non-profits, small businesses, and global enterprises alike. Phil, originally from London, England, and Ashley, who grew up in and around Middlebury, Vermont, and they christened the company with a name that recognized the places that shaped their lives. She leads the creative charge in strategy and design, alongside supporting the team in communications and copywriting.
In the beginning, they set out to focus on strategy and project management – sourcing development and execution to sub-contractors. After a short period, they grew frustrated with delayed timelines, diluted messaging, and inflated budgets; and then they started developing and executing in-house.
Today, LONDONmiddlebury designs and develops brands – building websites, crafting messaging & creating an identity, all while maintaining our mission to provide strategy and project management. They focus on – actionable workshopping, transparency, and clear communication to ensure we stay on track and on time.
Avtar Madan
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