“Women owned” has become a powerful tagline for small businesses. Female-owned organizations have recently experienced a dramatic increase, and according to a report by the NC Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement, between 1917 and 2012, the amount of women-owned businesses in the United States almost doubled. Today, nearly 330,000 of those companies reside right here in North Carolina. The stores listed below have brought “women-owned” straight into Downtown Apex, and can provide inspiration to potential business women.
The Doodling Bug
Nestled in the heart of downtown at 116 N Salem St., the Doodling Bug aims to dazzle customers with its feminine flair and trendy merchandise. From funky earrings to sassy t-shirts, this adorable shop sells the best of southern chic. The Doodling Bug’s owners call themselves the Shoppe GalsTM , and have been led by Julie, their Chief Happiness Officer as listed on the store’s website. The shop began as a home business, and later moved to the Raleigh Flea Market on weekends. Eventually, Julie bought a small space in downtown Apex from a retiring shop owner. In her blog, she says “Truthfully, that was my sign.” The Doodling Bug has media presence on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, and offers online shopping options as well as in store purchases.
Adventures in Bloom
Located at 301 S Salem St. Suite 100, Adventures in Bloom offers a wide selection of local handmade goods, with their specialty being metal stamping products. Laura, the store’s owner, started the business in the spring of 2017 after having her two daughters, and says on her website “I realized I needed something to call my own.” The store now offers pieces by over 30 different artists at reasonable price points. Adventures in Bloom aims to serve as a creative outlet for the “Creative Adventurer,” and offers classes and workshops for metal stamping, candle pouring, cake decorating, and so much more.
DownTown Knits
This cozy shop resides at 122 N Salem St., and invites customers to grab some yarn and knit awhile. The store has been women-owned since 2010, and sells yarn, fabric, tools, and knitting kits to scarf and sweater enthusiasts. The shop also provides classes for beginners that teach skills like basic knitting and crochet, as well as project focused options like tube sock making classes. Michele, the owner of DownTown Knits, talks about where the vision for the store began, saying “I started knitting about 20 years ago by taking classes at our local community center. ‘Needle-less’ to say, it was love at first cast on.” She goes on to say that her shop has built a welcoming community over the years, one where all can come in and get some help on their next project.
Female leadership has certainly taken its hold on the business world. Wendy Coutler, the president of the Greater Raleigh Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, credits this change to rising empowerment among women. She says in her quote to Carolina Public Press “I see a trend of more women leaders in organizations in general, which speaks to a longer change happening in corporate environments.” Though this change has been hard-earned, female owners everywhere serve as a testament to the push for equity and empowerment in Apex and the world.
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