National Women’s Small Business Month
- mgedelman
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
By: Miriam Edelman
National Women’s Small Business Month (NWSBM), which occurs in October, highlights women-owned businesses. Small businesses are not necessarily very small. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, for purposes of government contracts for small businesses, the majority of “manufacturing companies with 500 employees or fewer, and most non-manufacturing businesses with average annual receipts under $7.5 million, will qualify as a small business”
The national National Organization for Women has recognized NWSBM. In October 2022, it issued a press release, entitled “NOW Celebrates National Women’s Small Business Month.” As the press release stated:
“It was not until the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 that women were even allowed to get a business loan without the signature of a male relative to co-sign for them. The Small Business Administration also reported that since the total of women-owned business in the U.S. were first recorded at approximately 400,000 in 1972, this amount has skyrocketed to over 13 million. This outstanding milestone achieved by female entrepreneurs deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.
However, the barriers faced by women business owners to this very day remain a large threat. Women business owners, especially those in marginalized communities, still regularly face systemic racism, harassment, misogyny, and inequality in their respective fields. This is why NOW continues to advocate for protections and policies such as pay equity, maternal healthcare, financial literacy, and more.”
There are many women-owned businesses in the U.S. and the District of Columbia. In the nation, there are more than 12 million women-owned businesses. In D.C., women own 47 percent of businesses.
Women-owned businesses have many benefits, including:
- Closing the wage gap. – In 2018, women earned 81.6 cents of every dollar earned by a man. The gap is larger for women of color. Women entrepreneurs control their finances.
- Empowering women. – Women can set and control their hours and salaries.
- Improving the financial position of women.
- Serving as role models for girls. – These business can inspire girls to be leaders and innovators.
However, women-owned businesses may struggle. Frequently, businesswomen have difficulties acquiring money and resources although there are grants for women for small businesses. They also may face societal biases against women leaders.
The WBENC Certification is the most well-known and respected certification for women-owned businesses in the country. To be eligible to become a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise, a business must be “at least 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women.” Certification benefits include networking events, use of logo and seal, support of other women business owners, and more.
Support for Women’s Small Businesses in the D.C. Area
The Washington, D.C. Women’s Business Center (Center) helps women entrepreneurs in the Washington, D.C., area create and grow businesses. Its services include one-on-one consulting, group trainings, and peer exchanges. The Center focuses on “women entrepreneurs who are economically or socially disadvantaged and whose businesses are located in underserved communities.”
The National Association of Women Business Owners has a chapter in the D.C. area that helps advise, link, and support women business owners. In addition to holding networking and education event, the chapter conducts advocacy. Its members are in many industries, including accounting, catering, communication, fashion, graphic design, hair and beauty salon, healthcare and social services, photography, and more.
Selected Women’s Small Businesses in the D.C. Area
In recognition of NWSBM, this pieces highlights several women-owned small businesses in Washington, D.C. These businesses show that women can be successful, assist different populations, and give back to their local communities.
3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Yael Krigman, the owner of Baked By Yael, created this bakery, which is located across the street from National Zoo (since 2015) and whose baked goods are sold in local farmers’ markets. This nut-free and kosher bakery’s products include bagels, cakepops, challahs, and more. In addition to making deliveries, it caters events, including B’nai mitzvahs and weddings, and has baking courses. Baked by Yael has had more than 100 employees, and Yael has mentored women and girls.
During the 2025 federal government shutdown, it provides “free food to federal employees and contractors who are furloughed, were recently laid off, or were forced to resign.” These people can choose between a bagel with cream cheese or a cakepop. The bakery’s website says (as of the evening of October 9, 2025):
“People sometimes ask me if it’s worth it for me to give away so much. Absolutely! Our products are handmade and labor-intensive. They cost a lot to make and they cost a lot to give away. But this is about more than profit and the bottom line. It’s about humanity and community.
During the 2019 government shutdown, many of you asked if you could contribute to our efforts to support our friends at the Zoo and elsewhere in the federal government. To that end, we welcome you to make a contribution on our website. We will use these funds to provide food, cakepop classes, or other support from Baked by Yael. You will also be helping our hardworking staff when sales take a nosedive once the Zoo closes its doors on October 11.”
645 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Unit 100
Washington, DC, 20003
Laurie Gillman opened East City Bookshop, an independent store on Capitol Hill, in 2016. East City Bookshop became the first independent bookstore in Capitol Hill to sell new books since Trover Bookstore closed in 2009.
Gillman meets with other people who own small businesses; many of them are female. She said, “I come away from our gatherings thinking that women are not afraid of hard work.”
East City Bookshop is community-oriented. The store hosts fourteen book clubs, story time events, and author events, which frequently are free. Bean bags are located in a corner for children. Store employees has loose change in case a child cannot afford to buy a book. She meets with school groups, some of whom come to understand how to manage a business.
Gillman wants to lift up authors from a variety of backgrounds, saying:
“One of the ways we can make a small difference in society as an indie bookstore is to seek out and highlight great books from authors who have historically been overlooked due to race, gender, or sexual orientation. Reading widely from diverse viewpoints, can help us understand and empathize with each other.”
851 Upshur Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
Namesake Alexes Haggins owns Flowers by Alexes, which sells roses, sunflowers, tulips, irises, and more. Through the store, she continues her father’s history. This shop in Petworth has flowers for special occasions, including anniversaries, birthdays, mother’s day, new baby, deaths, and more.
Haggins assists the local community. She lets local artists and small business owners use her event venue nearby. She said, “So the things that we do is we host all different types of events--we do yoga, Pilates, crocheting, just something where the community will have a place to come and just enjoy the space.”
3155 Mount Pleasant Street, NW
Patrice Cleary is the chef/owner of Purple Patch. This award-winning Filipino restaurant in Mount Pleasant serves authentic food. By reservation only, it serves the Kamaya Feast that is placed on banana leaves and ends with Halo Halo. This eatery also hosts and caters events.
Clearly also owns Joia Burger, which is in Mount Pleasant and Glover Park. These award-winning eateries serve American Wagyu burgers, fries, and more.
Washington, DC 20015
Nini Pham and Kim Tran own this local Chevy Chase establishment, which Olinda Soria founded in 1999. Salon Familia provides hair, nail, and waxing services. The salon’s website says, “We’re proud to support local artists and unique shops in our neighborhood and hope you’ll check them out before or after your visit!”
Shruti Costales is the Owner and Founder of this Intellectual Property-oriented law firm. Its legal services include “Portfolio Management Including Patent Application Preparation and Prosecution,” “Freedom-to-Operate (FTO), Risk Analysis, & Risk Mitigation,” “IP Strategy and Counseling,” “Licensing and Technology Transfer,” “Competitive Analysis and Monitoring,” “Trade Secrets and Confidential Information Management,” “Patent Budgeting and Cost Management,” and “Cross-Functional Collaboration.” It offers legal services in a variety of technology areas, including “Life Science/Healthcare Sample Technology.”
Final Thoughts
Visit these and other women-owned businesses. As NOW wrote in its October 2022 press release:
“In honor of National Women’s Small Business month [sic.], we invite you to support a woman-owned business in your community. Supporting and celebrating women-owned businesses not only enriches your community, but it also helps rectify the gender pay gap and all of the damaging results that comes from it.”
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