Decarla Stinn (top left), Karuana Gatimu (top right), Dawn Trudeau (bottom left) and Ashley Kiboigo (bottom right).

Decarla Stinn (top left), Karuana Gatimu (top right), Dawn Trudeau (bottom left) and Ashley Kiboigo (bottom right).

Getting down to business during Women’s History Month

There have been great gains over the years, but challenges remain — especially this year.

Congress declared March Women’s History Month in 1987.

But International Women’s Day, which is celebrated Monday, has been going strong since 1911. The global day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

This month, The Herald Business Journal is focusing on women in business and Snohomish County business owners, executives and volunteers who are making history.

■ Meet Decarla Stinn, whose Everett beauty supply business has been going strong since 2004.

■ Say hello to Karuana Gatimu, a Microsoft executive who found her calling 25 years ago in the technology industry.

■ Learn more about Ashley Kiboigo, who opened Safe Haven WiFi Cafe, a quiet, secure place with internet access where students can learn remotely and receive in-person tutoring.

Virtually in Edmonds

For a local take on International Women’s Day, fire up your computer and attend Edmonds International Women’s Day

The free, two-day event, which takes place Sunday and Monday, will be virtual this year.

The Edmonds event was founded three years ago by resident Alicia Crank, chairwoman of the Snohomish County Airport Commission and chief development officer at AtWork!, a Bellevue nonprofit.

“The event has always been about elevating the voices of local women in the area who may otherwise go unnoticed or unsung,” Crank said. “It’s also meant to provide something both educational and entertaining for under-served women and girls in our community.”

Log on to hear from Dawn Trudeau, co-owner of the Seattle Storm, and Sue Bird, an 11-time Women’s National Basketball Association all-star with the Storm.

Other speakers include Ranice Innocent, a race and equity educator and leader; Jael Weinberg, a mental health counselor and art therapist who works with people living with dementia; and Melody Murray, family therapist and child mental health specialist. For information go to: bit.ly/3b88UYe.

Tough times

In the past two decades, the number of women-owned businesses across the U.S. has more than doubled, rising from 6.5 million in 2002 to 13 million in 2019, according to the American Express 2019 State of Women Owned Businesses Report. Today women-owned firms account for 39% of privately held companies, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners. From 2014 to 21019, the number of firms owned by women of color grew 43%, American Express reported.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women-owned small businesses, including the more than 200,000 in Washington, according to a recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey.

Revenues and optimism are down, a troubling sign that women in business might have a harder time recovering than their male counterparts, the survey noted, despite federal relief efforts provided in the CARES Act, such as the Paycheck Protection Program and small business grants.

Talk to us

More in Herald Business Journal

A man walks by Pfizer headquarters, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in New York. Pfizer will spend about $43 billion to buy Seagen and broaden its reach into cancer treatments, the pharmaceutical giant said Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo / Mark Lennihan, File)
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to acquire Bothell-based Seagen

Pfizer announced Monday it plans to acquire Seagen in an all-cash deal for $43 billion.

Lacie Marsh-Carroll stirs wax before pouring candles in her garage at her home on March 17, 2018 in Lake Stevens. (Kevin Clark / The Daily Herald)
Women business owners in Snohomish, Island counties make their mark

In honor of Women’s History Month, we spotlight three local business owners.

x
Edmonds International Women’s Day takes place Saturday

The Edmonds gathering celebrates women and diversity with this year’s theme, “EmbraceEquity.”

Owner and CEO Lacie Carroll holds a “Warr;or” candle at the Malicious Women Candle Co workspace in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The business is women run and owned. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Malicious Women Co: She turned Crock-Pot candles into a sassy venture

Lacie Marsh-Carroll is rekindling her Snohomish candle company with new designs and products.

Kelly Matthews, 36, left, Tonka, 6, center, and Nichole Matthews, 36, pose for a photo in their home in Lynnwood, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.  The twin sisters work as freelance comic book artists and illustrators. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Drawing interest: Twin sisters never gave up on making their mark

Lynnwood sisters, Kelly and Nichole Matthews, got their big break a decade ago and now draw comics full time.

Willow Mietus, 50, poses for a photo at her home in Coupeville, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Mietus bought a former Frito-Lay truck to sell her dyed yarn out of. She calls it "The Wool Wagon." (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Wool Wagon to hit the streets of Whidbey Island

A self-described “professional yarn temptress” from Coupeville is setting up shop in a modified truck.

IonQ will open a new quantum computing manufacturing and research center at 3755 Monte Villa Parkway in Bothell. (Photo courtesy of IonQ)
Quantum computing firm IonQ to open Bothell R&D center

IonQ says quantum computing systems are key to addressing climate change, energy and transportation.

Nathanael Engen, founder of Black Forest Mushrooms, sits in the lobby of Think Tank Cowork with his 9-year-old dog, Bruce Wayne, on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Growing green mushrooms in downtown Everett

The founder of Black Forest Mushrooms plans to grow gourmet mushrooms locally, reducing their carbon footprint.

Barb Lamoureux, 78, poses for a photo at her office at 1904 Wetmore Ave in Everett, Washington on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. Lamoureux, who founded Lamoureux Real Estate in 2004, is retiring after 33 years. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Barb Lamoureux, ‘North Everett’s Real Estate Agent’ retires

A longtime supporter of Housing Hope, Lamoureux helped launch the Windermere Foundation Golf Tournament.

Bothell
AGC Biologics in Bothell to produce new diabetes treatment

The contract drug manufacturer paired with drug developer Provention Bio to bring the new therapy to market.

The Walmart Store on 11400 Highway 99 on March 21, 2023 in in Everett, Washington. The retail giant will close the store on April 21, 2023. (Janice Podsada / The Herald)
Walmart announces Everett store on Highway 99 will close on April 21

The Arkansas-based retail giant said the 20-year-old Walmart location was “underperforming financially.”

Everett Memorial Stadium and Funko Field on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Drive to build new AquaSox ballpark gets $7.4M boost from state

The proposed Senate capital budget contains critical seed money for the city-led project likely to get matched by the House.