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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

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Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

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Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

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Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

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Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

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People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

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Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

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Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities

October is National Women’s Small Business Month! In May of this year, American Express’ Inclusive Backing grant program, administered by Main Street America, awarded grants to sixty small business owners who identified as women, non-binary, or US military veterans. We spoke to three of the awardees to learn more about their businesses, their journeys, and their advice for aspiring women business owners.

Felicia Stokes – Luxurious Wellniss

Luxurious Wellniss is a skin lab in Orange, New Jersey that focuses on hyperpigmentation. After a 20+ year career in fashion and entertainment, Felicia decided to attend cosmetology school and open her own business. “During that journey, I fell in love with skin and skincare all over again,” said Felicia, “educating and helping people love and take better care of the skin they’re in.”

Unfortunately, she faced a significant challenge right from the start due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I launched my business in January 2020, and two months later the world shut down,” said Felicia. “I didn't know what to do and how I was going to make a dime with no real social following.” She didn’t panic, and instead used lessons from her previous career to surmount these obstacles. “Community is currency, being able to solve problems in the community and giving back to each other is what makes Main Street work,” advises Felicia. “Without the community and word of mouth I wouldn’t be on a path to our 3-year anniversary!”

“My proudest success so far has been giving my clients their confidence back,” said Felicia. “So many were suffering in silence, and were taking multiple prescriptions, spending tons of money experimenting in unimaginable ways, just to have clear skin to face the world on a zoom or just get back to work/ school.” Helping people heal their skin and find new confidence is Felicia’s passion, and this drives her business’ success.

Felicia urges other women who want to start their own businesses to take the leap and go for it. “I started with a little, bootstrapping chipping away at my savings to build up little by little and keep pouring into myself and believing it can and will work,” she remembered. “Until you put yourself out there, you won’t know how to improve, you won’t know how great you really are.”

Carissa Serylo – SprayChic Airbrush Tanning

SprayChic Airbrush Tanning is a salon located in Wixom, Michigan. Carissa decided to open the business following her divorce in 2007. “I had received a congratulatory gift from my divorce attorney when it was final, and it was a gift certificate for an in-home massage,” remembered Carissa. “As I was getting ready for this pampering service, I was reflecting on how this was the type of thing that my ex-husband would've done for me.” As a redhead, she had always wished for a tan, but was not a fan of tanning beds or spray tan booths. “I thought about how convenient it would be to be able to offer working moms spray tans in their home just like this in-home massage that I was about to receive,” said Carissa. Within a few days, she began researching similar businesses, investing in equipment, and by July 2008, seeing clients.

Her proudest success was when she relocated to her downtown space in Wixom. This move allowed her to expand her business through additional space, and because of this she has hired new staff. Her biggest challenge has been the lack of training opportunities for her craft." I am self-taught and extremely grateful to my friends and family that were willing to be guinea pigs!” said Carissa.

“I'm honored to have had the opportunity to serve on the board for the Wixom Downtown Development Authority and am now Vice Chairperson of the Board,” said Carissa. Through the Wixom DDA and Main Street Oakland County, she has received an Invest Here grant, attended workshops, and explored professional growth opportunities.

Carissa recommends that aspiring women business owners investigate the resources offered by their local Main Street program and other economic development organizations. “I am forever grateful to Great Lakes Women’s Business Council for the financing opportunity that they have provided me over the years,” she said. “Without that relationship I would've never been able to grow my business to where it is today.”

Debra Carvalho – Pono Boutique

Pono Boutique is a skincare & waxing boutique/day spa in San Francisco, California. They offer facials, full body hair removal, and other services, as well as selling skincare products, jewelry, and artisan goods. “Our boutique serves as a space for the community to come together,” said Debra. “We welcome our guests into our sacred space and offer beautifying treatments that nourish and nurture them.”

“I wanted to create a safe, inviting space for where the community could gather and experience what it is like to be in a ‘ladies’ barbershop,” said Debra of her motivation for opening her own business. She was also driven by her passion for her craft and a desire to be able to practice in her own style. She faced some initial challenges when starting her business, including lack of access to resources and support for crucial things like creating a business plan, writing a budget, or accessing capital. “In general, the biggest challenge was not knowing how to navigate the small business environment,” remembered Debra. “The lessons learned were to stay the course, maintain a positive attitude and to learn how to navigate a world that was foreign to me and continue to pivot.”

Despite these challenges, Debra is proud of what she has achieved. “Given the general environment women owned businesses have to deal with and, most recently, the pandemic, I am most proud that my business is still standing post COVID-19,” said Debra.

“My advice would be to find your support system and structure for building your business prior and/or at the onset of the creation of the business,” recommends Debra. “It is important to know how to navigate the business process - meaning having the ability to create a business plan in place, knowing your local small business associations (SBAs), and knowing how and where to look for initial startup financial support.”