Business Babes Society: Women’s group provides friendship, growth for business owners

Nov. 29--RICHMOND -- Competing with other companies often is a major aspect of running a business, especially a small one when the profit margin is thin and the market can be small. With Small Business Saturday tomorrow, many local businesses looking for an edge during the holiday season.

However, one local group of business owners is rejecting the idea that one must compete with other small business owners to survive, and instead they are finding friendship and growth by working together.

In addition to a ban on rivalry and judgment, the Business Babes Society of Madison County also expressly forbids "cattiness" from its members.

"It was in our original bylaws," founder Cindy Teague-Kelley said Tuesday with a laugh. She is the owner of EZ Care Uniforms and Medical Supplies in Richmond.

About three years ago, Teague-Kelley received a call from the owner of the nearby Merle Norman store, Linda West. West suggested combining their older stock for a joint clearance sale.

The sale was a success, and the women quickly bonded. They began talking about how women who are sole- or part-owners of Madison County businesses could network and partner to improve their businesses, just as they had.

Joyce Green, owner of Karizma Hair Salon, and business-owner Kim Woosley were invited to join the informal group, becoming the third and fourth founding members.

"It was hard to get woman to participate at first," Teague-Kelly said.

Some women were leery of each other and worried about competition and negativity, she said. However, the Business Babes quickly made it clear the group was to be a nurturing environment that would give women business owners a shoulder to lean on, and also friends to share their stories and struggles with.

"We spent that entire summer getting together," Teague-Kelley said. "The more we talked, the more excited we got."

As the group grew, they started going on outings, called Diva Destinations, to places like Keeneland for fun and to help reduce stress. A nonprofit was formed, and fundraisers have helped the Babes to establish a scholarship fund for a recent high school graduate who is interested in starting her own business.

The first scholarship will be awarded next year, according to Teague-Kelley.

The friendship and support is important, but the women also have seen a boast in business because of their networking. Business owners within the society refer customers to each other and also hold brain-storming sessions to help members come up with new marketing and sales strategies.

Teague-Kelley said she helped a member figure out how to reduce her health insurance costs, while in turn, she was assisted by a member on decreasing the cost of her business signs.

"We just take care of each other; friends help each other," Teague-Kelley said.

The Business Babes Society now has about 50 members from throughout Madison County, according to President Joyce Green. In addition to her salon, Green also is the owner of Jordan Hill Farm.

Business Babes dues are $150 a year, or $160 if paid in four quarterly installments. The group meets on the first Monday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Southern National Bank in front of Kroger in Richmond.

The meetings often have guest speakers who focus on giving business ideas, teaching and inspiration. The next meeting is Jan. 6.

Green, who was recognized recently as the Kentucky Women Small Business Advocate of the Year, has big dreams for the Business Babes Society.

"My goal is to take this nationally," she said.

Green said she already has received calls from business owners in other counties who are interested in starting their own Business Babes group.

Green pointed out that a lot of negativity can be directed toward women starting their own businesses, partly because of the financial risk involved. That's why it's important to have a supportive network like the Business Babes available to help, especially in small towns, she said.

"Small business owners are passionate people," Green said. "Why try to take that passion away?"

For more details about the Business Babes Society and how to join, call Green at 703-307-9713.

Sarah Hogsed can be reached at [email protected] or 624-6694.

On the Web

Find out more about the Business Babes Society at www.businessbabessociety.org or on Facebook.

Sidebar: Small Business Saturday specials and giveway

Members of the Business Babes Society who have "brick-and-mortar" retail space are opening up their businesses Saturday to feature members who have home-based companies. Many will also be having special holiday sales.

In addition to sales, at each of the 12 stores listed below customers can sign up for a chance to win a combined gift certificate of $500 in discounts and gift cards from Business Babe members.

The person who visits the most participating stores Saturday and signs in will be named the winner.

The line-up for the stores and their home-based businesses partners are:

--Classy and Sassy Upscale Consignments, 320 Richmond Mall, featuring Mary Kay

--Edge Body Boot Camp, 2007 Merchant Drive, Richmond, featuring Arbonne and 58Enterprises

--EZ Care Medical, 5015 Atwood Drive, Richmond, featuring Avon and Scentsy candles

--Hoof n' Paw Pet Supplies, 841 Eastern Bypass, Richmond, featuring Dazzling Dogs Pet Spa and Precision Accounts

--Merle Normal Cosmetics, 2008 Merchant Circle, Richmond, featuring Personal Journey Wellness

--Nu Wave Hair Design, 106 St. George St., Richmond, featuring Accessories by Lucy

--Imagination Images/Old World Fragrances, Richmond Mall, featuring Cute Betty's Gold Emporium

--Strut Your Stuff Women's Boutique, 451 Big Hill Ave., Richmond

--Sun-Kissed Tanning, 2013 Merchant Drive, Suite 3, Richmond

--SimplyRox Jewelry, 154 Mini Mall Drive, Berea

--Yesterday's Antiques, 1409 Lexington Road, Richmond, featuring Jordan Hill Farm

--Purdy's Coffee Shop, 212 W. Main St., Richmond

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