Dreams to Reality

story by Julie Campbell

As a young girl, Sherri Nail dreamed of becoming a photographer for National Geographic Magazine. While that career path didn’t quite pan out, Sherri spends plenty of time in the great outdoors these days, thanks to her business, Cave Country Canoes, located in Milltown.

“I’ve always been an outside girl,” explains Sherri. “If it’s nature, I probably love it. I had the privilege of having an adventurous father. I grew up canoeing, caving, skiing and loving to travel to state and national parks.”

As a woman business owner since 2021, Sherri has worked tirelessly to make her dreams a reality. Her past work experience in the recreation therapy field has greatly enhanced her business.

As a woman business owner, Sherri has plenty of company around the Hoosier state. According to a 2021 report by the Indiana Small Business Administration, women-owned small businesses (with under 500 employees) account for over 42 percent of small businesses in Indiana.

For starters, in Harrison County, where Cave Country Canoes is located, paddlers in need of a pick-me-up can head 25 minutes south to Corydon, where they’ll find KentJava Bar, a local women-owned café serving lattes, espresso, and other specialty coffee and tea drinks. “The name KentJava Bar was created in my husband’s memory,” says owner Sherry Watson, explaining that her husband passed away in 2007 after a five-year cancer fight. “He was such an inspiration to the community throughout his battle with cancer.”

Also in Corydon, women-owned Bagel Girls offers fresh bagels, cinnamon rolls and sandwiches for hungry travelers and locals. And while you’re in town, book a massage at All About You Massage and Day Spa, owned by Katie Hall. Patty Frensemeier grew up enjoying camping with her family, so it seemed like a natural fit when, in 2020, she and her husband purchased the former Westward Ho Campground in Brown County. They renamed the campground “Friends O’ Mine” and have completely transformed it. But Patty’s been a business leader in the area for many years before that, owning and managing Hills O’Brown Vacation Rentals, a full-service vacation and short-term rental company offering residences around Brown County and surrounding areas.

In Martinsville, Berries and Ivy features a fun mix of everyday and seasonal home decor, primitives and handmade items. This mother-and-daughter owned business also features hand-painted gourds by a local artist as well as wool patterns and frames for rug hooking.

While you’re in a browsing mood, stop in at The Sterling Butterfly in Martinsville, where you’ll find local and regional artisan-crafted products, including life-inspired artisan jewelry by renowned artist Pam Hurst, who also owns the shop. Hurst’s creations have been featured on the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and The Vampire Diaries.

In Greenfield, the all-women staff of Meals on Wheels of Hancock County has organized Boots & Bourbon, an exclusive bourbon, wine and spirits tasting event, for six years. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, and the proceeds benefit the Meals on Wheels program in Hancock County. “Boots & Bourbon benefits from our distinctive perspective gained through life experience and ingrained Hoosier hospitality traits,” explains April Allford, PR and marketing coordinator. “This helps attract more women in the bourbon tasting world and highlights our savviness that we as women inherently hold in achieving notoriety in the typically male-dominated bourbon industry.”

Visitors who take a stroll around the historic town of Pendleton will discover a plethora of women-owned businesses, including Invited to the Table, Nellie Faye’s, Falls Perk Coffee House, Sophie’s Bagels, Yummerful Ice Cream & Treats, and B’Dazzled Boutique, just to name a few.

Wabash County is the same with so many businesses owned by women. You can shop for home décor, clothing, accessories, and more at Keli Winer Design, Birdie J’s, Eclectic Shoppe, BellaZoe, and numerous others.

With a downtown Muncie storefront, Debbie’s Homemade Soap was inspired by owner Debbie Acree’s daughter who suffered with severe eczema. After much researching and trying different formulas, Debbie finally came up with the perfect recipe. Today, her business thrives by selling products like lotions body butters, lip balms, handmade wash cloths, and more.

Situated on 10-acres in the tiny town of Hope, White Diamond Lavender Farms is a seasonal u pick lavender farm and event venue. Owner Melinda Webb, along with her husband, Steve, specialize in creating unforgettable events and gatherings in a memorable, rustic barn setting.

If you find yourself in the western part of the state, be sure to check out Flourish Studio and Classroom in Lafayette, owned by Amanda Kennedy. After being an art teacher in the local public schools for five years, Amanda decided to open a shop where her passion for process- driven art guides students with the tools and techniques they need to help them create something unique.

Stefani Goetz, the founder of 21 Petals Flower Market, embarked on her journey into flower farming following the birth of her son, Foxx, who was born with Trisomy 21. The name “21 Petals” pays homage to Foxx and all individuals like him, and the shop’s mission is to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Starting as a small flower farm in Lafayette, 21 Petals has rapidly expanded into a full-service florist specializing in weddings, holidays, funerals, and more. They also offer flower arranging parties and flower bars.

Noble County’s Annie Oakley Perfumery, founded by Renee Gabet and her family in their Ligonier kitchen in 1980, has grown into a world-renowned perfumery. Named after Annie Oakley, one of the nation’s first female celebrities, the company offers a wide range of fragrances, lotions, essential oils, and men’s cologne. This unique perfumery features a studio and factory where visitors can delve into the world of aromatherapy and observe the intricate fragrance-making process. The tour also includes opportunities to create a personalized fragrance, depending on the availability of the perfumers.

Also in Noble County there’s Sylvan Cellars Event Center and Tasting Room, which not only hosts special events, but is open seven days a week with cocktail bar, full kitchen, and live music; and LaOtto Brewing Company, a majority female-owned brewery and pub featuring craft beers on tap, made on-site.

In James Dean’s hometown of Fairmount, you’ll find Grains & Grill restaurant and Bad Dad Brewery housed under the same roof. Both businesses draw visitors from all over the region, and were started, and still owned by, Fairmount natives Joanie Howard along with her husband Barry. Joanie continues to oversee the day-to-day business.

Up in Michigan City, Good News Vintage, owned by Amy Bowman, and North Star Properties, owned by Monica Gauthier, are not only great examples of women entrepreneurship but also women who support many causes in their community. Amy’s shop offers hand-picked antiques and vintage goods, a closet full of sustainable fashion/ accessories, walls covered in unique works of art, stylish home decor, and furniture ranging from antique to mid- century modern…all highlighted by a growing collection of houseplants.

North Star Properties is a premier full-service real estate company that also offers vacation rentals throughout northern Indiana and Michigan. Having worked for both her parents’ companies– her father owned a construction company and her mother owned a cleaning business–Monica developed a work ethic and experience that has made her own business a success.

The town of Kentland in Newton County boasts over 20 women business owners and directors, including a historic drive-in, boutique and antique shops, local restaurants, and more. There’s even a 77-year-old grocery store, Murphy’s Food King, run by Colleen Clifton who’s proud of the only full-service grocery in Newton County.

This article features just a sampling of the many women-owned businesses around the state, so be sure to find and support the ones in your area!