Women-led businesses need our support this month, and beyond

Although the Delta variant continues to disrupt our economic recovery, a recent survey from Facebook suggests there’s reason to be optimistic. According to the report, 67% of Illinois small businesses feel confident about their survival, and the number of women-owned businesses operational in Illinois grew nearly 10% from February to July.

Still, restrictions and mandates to curb the spread of COVID-19 have companies bracing for a tough winter while consumers limit their time in brick-and-mortar retail establishments. It remains a challenging time for our small business community, to say the least.

What we need now is to build a groundswell of support for Rockford small businesses – particularly those that are women-owned and led.

I created the Rockford Women’s Small Business Networking Group on Facebook just before the pandemic. It’s a virtual community of women business leaders who support, lift, and cheer one another on to success. I’m proud that the group has become a source of inspiration and vital business leads for many local business owners.

As Women’s Small Business Month, I encourage all Rockford-area residents to join the group and get to know the incredible women who are leading small businesses in Rockford. It's a simple thing to do, and it makes a world of difference to our small business community. Bonus: you don't even have to leave home.

Bryanna Herron is the founder of Rockford Women’s Small Business Networking Group on Facebook.