Nearly 40% of downtown Fayetteville businesses are owned by women (2024)

Nearly 40% of downtown Fayetteville businesses are owned by women (1)

In honor of Women's History Month, Cool Spring Downtown District released alist highlightingthe women-owned businesses in downtown Fayetteville.

Bianca Shoneman,Cool Spring Downtown Districtpresident and CEO, said the list of more than 70 businesseswas compiled "with the expectation that it will generate additional sales, create camaraderie amongst existing business owners and inspire other women to pursue their entrepreneurial goals."

Of the downtown's 200 restaurants, retailers, and service providers in the district, 37% are women-led, according to Cool Spring Downtown District.

Business:Fayetteville has the most Black-owned businesses nationwide, study finds

The businesseshighlightedrange from cafes and restaurants to shops and attractions.

For Hummingbird Candle Co. owner Tianna Dean, beingpart of the list is significant.

"When you see another woman doing it—especially another woman of color do it, another mother do it, another single mom do it — anytime we see other women break those glass ceilingsand do something that's never been done or something different than the way others do it, it just lets you know that it's attainable to you."

Uplifting and supporting other women is part of the core values of Hummingbird Candle Co., located at 240 Hay St., Dean said. The business has an all-women leadership, offering flexible scheduling, according to Dean.

Dean said she wants to help women provide a balance in their lives.

"We want women to thrive in every area of their lives and working 40 hours a week is not going to do that," she said. "You shouldn't have to sacrifice and choose between being a mother or honoring andnurturing your friendships or if you want to volunteer at church or you want to do whatever. Work shouldn't keep you from doing that. We want women within our organization and everywhere, honestly, to be able to have and to live an abundant life."

Ambery Edge, a downtown newcomer, is transitioning from her award-winning vegan food truck business, Authentique Cafe, into a brick-and-mortar restaurant,Vibe Gastropub.

Nearly 40% of downtown Fayetteville businesses are owned by women (2)

More:At long last, Fayetteville finally has a vegan restaurant

The city's first fully vegan restaurant at131 Hay St. is expected to open next month.

Edge remembersbeing one of the onlywomen when she started in the food truck business in Fayettevillein 2016and not having many women to turn to for advice. There were some people whoEdge saidtook her under their wing when they saw her needing help.

Edge built her food truck on her own, which she thinksoffered people a different perspective.

"I think a lot of people weren't used to seeing females constructing things and also being a business owner and also doing it by themselves because they were used to seeing people who have husbands ormen beside them," she said. "I think for me, it was good because it gave me notoriety. People knew me because of that."

Edge said she hopes to inspire other womento go after what they want.

"You're the only person that stands in your way like nothing else does," she said. "In truth, if you want something bad enough, you will make it happen. I think that that's one of those things, like if you believe in your 'why'large enough if you have a 'why'that really moves you enough, nothing can stand in your way except you."

List of downtown women-owned businesses

1. 3 BC’s Cleaning LLC - 107 Gillespie St.

2.5 West Media Group - 225 Ray Ave

3.A Bit of Carolina - 306 Hay St.

4.Amazon Braids & Hair Weaving Salon - 117 Person St.

5.American Barber Shop - 118 Hay St.