Officials see increase in female business ownership in downtown

In Texas, the number of women-owned businesses has increased by 93 percent since 1997, according to The 2013 State of Women-Owned Business Report by American Express OPEN. Officials in Georgetown said they have noticed a similar trend happening in the city's downtown area.

"It was the national and state trends that we were hearing about that caused us to start looking in our own downtown and realize that we are following the trend as well," Assistant City Manager Laurie Brewer said.

Shelly Hargrove, Georgetown Main Street Program manager, said the spike in women-owned businesses is a global trend for many downtowns and was a topic at the National Main Streets Conference earlier this year. The discussion inspired her to begin looking at who was opening businesses in Georgetown's downtown, she said.

"Downtowns have to be receptive to women entrepreneurs," Hargrove said. "Shopping is No. 1 for tourists, and women tend to cater to today's consumers."

Supporting each other

In August the city's Main Street Program hosted a breakfast meeting highlighting several of the city's young female entrepreneurs, including Becca Huggins, who took over ownership of Roots Bistro earlier this year.

"It's nice to have people we can connect with and relate to. It makes [owning your own business] a little easier," Huggins said. "Communities like Georgetown are naturally empowering to younger people. Especially right now it seems like we are able to get out and do more functions on the Square and meet more people. There are more people who are willing to give all kinds of advice. Having all of that information at my fingertips makes it an easier adjustment into ownership."

Although there has been an increase in younger owners, women of all ages are leaning toward entrepreneurship in Georgetown, Pink Poppy Artisans Boutique owner Kay Briggs said.

Briggs opened her women's clothing and home decor boutique in October and said her goal was to support others interested in business ownership. The store is primarily stocked with items manufactured by women-owned businesses.

"I like to buy from women who have started their own businesses," Briggs said, adding that she is looking for other ways to support other local female business owners. "There is plenty to go around. [I want to] help those people who are starting. It does a whole lot for you as a woman to know that you can take care of yourself, you can take care of your family, contribute to society and contribute to other women."