On Trend:
We Are The 3,000 Percent
In August, American Express released a new report that takes a look at trends in women-owned businesses, going back all the way to 1972, when the U.S. Census Bureau first started providing data on minority- and women-owned businesses. In their 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses report, Amex reveals that the number of businesses at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by one or more females—increased nearly 3,000%; growing from 402,000 in 1972 to 12.3 million in 2018. That's a trend we can get behind.
Actually, we are behind it. Founded in 2007, Healing Foundations is owned and operated by Rebecca Gemperle and Lisa Alvarez, who just happen to be women. When Healing Foundations first opened, there were an average of 714 women-owned businesses opening per day. In 2017, that average ballooned to 1,821. That's per day. Julie Tomich, SVP, American Express Global Commercial Services says "This new data demonstrates not only the remarkable impact women entrepreneurs have on our economy when it comes to creating jobs and generating revenue, but also the growing role of women-owned businesses in our communities."
"When Lisa and I came together to build the clinic, we knew the type of physical atmosphere we wanted to practice acupuncture in, but we were also committed to creating and being a part of a community– among our patients and among health practitioners– but also within the neighborhood we chose to build our business," Rebecca says. "We explored locations all over the city." "A lot of locations in a lot of neighborhoods," adds Lisa.
Lisa says that Roscoe Village's reputation as "the village in the city" was appealing. "We liked that small neighborhood feeling, but when we established the clinic we were pioneers in a way. At that time, many people associated this part of Belmont Avenue with antiques stores and blue collar industries," adding that there were quite a few empty store fronts and dog kennels surrounding the clinic at first. "Now Belmont is transitioning into a mixed commercial and residential street. People unfamiliar with the area are often surprised to learn there's a thriving neighborhood here. Roscoe Village has became a family-oriented neighborhood, and it's been gratifying for us to be able to help and support our neighbors in their health and healing, and to have them refer their family members and friends to help us become a trusted business in the community."
