2016’s Best Places for Women Entrepreneurs

Kim Plyler Bethlehem, PA (#300)

As a female Veteran business owner, I am excited to be running SahlComm in Bethlehem, PA. The location offers easy access to NYC, Philadelphia, and you can do day trips to Boston and Washington DC. Access to major cities is important but so is having a quaint historic place to live. Bethlehem is a great place to live, work and raise a family. It offers great tax incentives for small businesses and embraces such a wonderful artistic creative community. It's a community rich in culture, arts, history and with two universities in the same city the intellectual resources are outstanding. I am proud to run my company and live here in Bethlehem, PA.”

Kim Livengood Sarasota, FL (#242)

Sarasota, FL, is great for female business owners. It is full of supportive women. It’s like having a tribe you know you can count on for everything from business guidance to baby-sitting!

Shannon Steffen Milwaukee, WI (#163)

Coming from New York to Milwaukee, may have seemed like a bad business decision, but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made for
my business and family. Normally seen as a flyover city, Milwaukee boasts one of the largest populations of female entrepreneurs in the county. This city has lower business taxes than the big cities, a wide-range of networking opportunities, and high technology partnerships. People are friendly and ready to help others succeed. Milwaukee is driven to support local businesses and also highlight the importance of putting family first. It's a true win-win for the female entrepreneur that wants it all.

Samantha Strazanac Raleigh, NC (#82)

As a female business owner in Raleigh, NC, I feel a surrounding embrace of support and encouragement from everyone I interact with when I inform them I own a marketing firm. Raleigh is very family-oriented yet people are career-driven. As the #3 Best City for Young Professionals voted by Forbes, I feel that my community is cheering me on to succeed in my business and life. There are various female entrepreneur networking groups in the area,and everyone is so encouraging to each other. There is a sense of camaradie and group success, as in if one female succeeds as a business owner, they all do. I couldn’t ask for a better place to own a business. The numerous accolades we receive only show that regardless of gender, Raleigh wants its residents to succeed.

Kate Harrington Austin, TX (#32)

Austin's innovation and entrepreneurship make it a great environment for business owners in general, and the fact that there are so many female leaders in the business community makes it a great place for women-owned businesses in particular. For me, professional organizations like the Women Communicators of Austin are great resources for networking.

Elizabeth Giorgi Denver, CO (#35)

We are based out of Denver, and frankly, we've had a great experience building the company here. This is largely because Denver has a very business-friendly culture with so many free events and resources for entrepreneurs. Just next week is Denver Startup Week, the largest free event for entrepreneurs in the country, for example.

For women specifically, there are three key things that really make all the difference:

1. There are other female entrepreneurs succeeding here. From Havenly to Revolar to Winking Girl Foods - it's easy to find examples of women not only building companies but being able to raise money here.

2. There is a community of support unlike anything I've seen in other major cities. Specifically, the Women Who Startup <http://www.womenwhostartup.co> organization
has been a hugely beneficial resource.

3. People talk about it. As silly as this may sound, I go to events here or join organizations and people willing ask how to get more women to join their ranks or to come to entrepreneurial events. The community has placed a priority on keeping women engaged.

Jessica Mehta Portland, OR (#83)

As a Native Oregonian, I’ve watched the state (and especially the Portland area!) become one of the most desirable regions to relocate to in recent
years. However, as a business owner and entrepreneur, I’ve always known what great resources we have in the Pacific Northwest. The Portland metro
area is rich with startups, small businesses, supportive organizations and options for networking. I’m Cherokee, and have found an enormous amount of
resources within my tribal community and the Native American community as a
whole here, including one organization devoted solely to “Indianpreneurship.”

Although the Portland area is getting costlier for renters and property owners alike, it’s still far from the prices in other “startup hubs” like San Francisco and New York. We also have a strong female leadership in the state, including Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Poet Laureate Elizabeth Woody.

Oregon is also a no sales tax state, helping to keep cost of living down. The geographical bounty is astounding, and you’re able to go from a major city to the mountains or the coast all within two hours of each other. This allows you to pick and choose where your home is *and* your office.

Mickey Swortzel Ann Arbor, MI (#96)

Ann Arbor, MI, is a great place to be a female entrepreneur. Overall, the business climate is welcoming to start ups and growing companies, consistently named one of the top cities in many economic categories. The climate is nurtured by organizations that create a gender neutral business climate. Ann Arbor SPARK, the economic development organization, provides both formal and informal support and training to female entrepreneurs on a continual basis. Women's President's Organization (WPO) has a vibrant chapter that works together to support, mentor, and train other women in their journey of entrepreneurship. In addition,successful female entrepreneurs encourage other woman business owners and routinely mentor new female entrepreneurs.

The opportunities to start and grow a business in Ann Arbor as a woman are full of possibilities and supported through many formal and informal organizations.

Kiki Rupert Monterey, CA (#121)

I relocated from Fayetteville, NC, to Monterey, CA, a little over a year ago and have seen my business grow exponentially in my town. Monterey and its surroundings cities have a very involved community of local farmers’markets and festivals that are held to let local growers and artisans selltheir products. There are even a few women only market events held throughoutthe year. California also boasts 11 locations for the National Association of Women Business Owners that empower women business owners to drive the California economy. The markets are affordable to join and a great way to sell your products to a number of buyers if you can’t initially afford torent a retail space. The brick and mortar business are also very loyal in supporting other local vendors and artisans, which is largely fueled by the tourist industry’s desire for locally produced items. I have seen a great consciousness in the effort to buy products of an organic and all natural origin in Monterey when compared with other parts of the country. If any female entrepreneur has a business, especially of an artisanal nature, then Monterey, CA, is where you want to be.

Linda Williams Grand Rapids, MI (#156)

What makes Grand Rapids, MI, a good place for female business to thrive is a resource-rich pool of women-specific organizations designed to mentor, support, resource, and guide female entrepreneurs along their paths to success. Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) is a powerful example because the group provides micro-loans, counseling and networking opportunities for women to start and grow their businesses. As Founder of Whose Apple Dynamic Coaching, I am a member of a diverse alliance of women called Hook a Sista Up Collaborative (HASU). The group cultivates supportive relationships, mentoring, and collaborative partnerships with other women entrepreneurs. An incorporated accountability factor ensures that its members take actionable steps toward goal achievement.

Danielle Dy Buncio Chicago, IL (#93)

Chicago has become a very entrepreneurial city, and in my opinion, especially friendly to women-owned businesses. With prestigious universities like Northwestern and University of Chicago, there is a growing community of startups in the area. I attended the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern, where the head of entrepreneurship is Linda Darragh. She and the dean, Sally Blount, are strong female leaders fostering a community conducive for female entrepreneurs. I founded VIATechnik during my last quarter at Kellogg.

I have personally sought out other Chicago female leaders in the startup and tech community, as well as in the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) space. These areas are still underrepresented when it comes to women. But because of this, most of the women are very open to gathering, sharing their experiences, offering real feedback, and supporting each other’s success. I often meet with these other women for lunch or coffee for this purpose.

The AEC industry in Chicago has a particularly strong foundation of supporting small, women-owned or minority-owned businesses. Many design and construction projects have diversity goals, which promote all companies in the industry to seek diversity on their projects.

Wendy Hamilton Okemos, MI (#150)

My company, TechSmith, has been located in Okemos, MI, for more than 25 years. TechSmith provides business and academic software products that allow users to seamlessly create content and collaborate. In terms of industries we serve, TechSmith is especially focused on higher education; we are specialists in helping our customers leverage video to improve learning outcomes.

Okemos is home to a number of community colleges and in close proximity to a nationally-ranked university, Michigan State. It’s certainly beneficial to have this type of quick access to a variety of educational institutions. We are able to leverage them as resources to obtain valuable insights into the trends and difficulties facing the world of higher education. In doing this, we achieve a better understanding of their challenges and can ultimately tailor our products to best solve these needs.

Our location in Okemos is also beneficial from a recruiting standpoint. We are able to hire highly-qualified graduates of these local colleges and add to our already knowledgeable staff. In fact, 48 percent of our current TechSmith workforce is comprised of millennials. Therefore, our location provides the resources to not only best develop our software but also further grow our employees.

Linda Passante New York, NY (#87)

For over 20 years, I have led The Halo Group, a branding and marketing communications agency located in one of the most competitive markets on the planet: New York City. Until recently, larger agencies with international offices have been the only resource available to brands looking for global awareness. Now, New York City provides a landscape for mid-sized agencies to step up and change the future of the agency world.

Because new businesses are constantly popping up in NYC, there are so many opportunities for mid-sized agencies, such as The Halo Group, to service clients. Brands are looking for smaller agencies who will give them the attention they deserve (and need). Living in New York’s loud, busy environment inspires me to help these brands find their voice. I am constantly moved by everything New York City has to offer. The city’s colors, sounds, parks and people are all sources of inspiration that find their way into our office and our client work.

According to a study by the Center for an Urban Future, the number of women-owned companies in New York rose 65% between 2002 and 2012. Clearly, there is no better place to be a female business owner than New York City and I feel fortunate to live in a city that inspires me to create integrated and innovative solutions for my clients.

Carissa Laitinen-Kniss, TX (#64)

As women it is often hard to find a community that supports your dreams and efforts, it is even harder when your business breaks traditional molds at every angle. The famous quote, Well behaved women seldom make history by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, seems fitting when describing Twisted Bodies, its owners, and Twisted Bodies clientele. Denton, TX, is the only community that two young girls growing up as military brats found accepting of the essence of Laurel's quote with open arms. Denton, TX is an eclectic community of individuals, where judgement is rare and support is natural. That is why we've chosen to lay our roots in Denton. We've married, had children, purchased our first homes, made many friends and created a business that helps people to feel better physically and mentally. The Denton community allows us the freedom to be unique and creative in our training methods. With two major universities as cornerstones to the community Denton shares in making history in the most unusual ways. As a woman there is entrepreneurial support beginning with Texas Woman's University and funneling out to the many groups and meet ups around the community. Denton has opportunities for grants, mentorships, and more. Quite honestly, it's a community of like minded individuals who want to see other's succeed, no matter their choice of goals.

Charlie Fusco Sewell, NJ (#290)

There are many advantages to operating out of South Jersey, specifically, Sewell. Surrounded by colleges such as Rowan University, Rutgers, Drexel, Temple as well as several community colleges and vocational schools, there is an evergreen supply of educated workforce. Within 20 to 90 minute,s you can access Philadelphia, New York or Wilmington resources, businesses, and talent pool without having to pay big city premiums. Given the local community vibe, there is a banking and bartering system that supports female businesses as well as dozens of women's business groups that support grants, small business loans, and continued network and education. One of the main benefits of Sewell's location the unique blend of local artisan, farming, and telecom industries that permeate the area making it ripe for businesses of all kinds. At its roots, a family community, Sewell has plenty of resources for working moms to support their business growth while remaining true to a kids first philosophy that many female entrepreneurs seek.

Kristen Wasylisyn Saint Paul, MN (#51)

Saint Paul is a great city for women's businesses. The workforce is highly educated with a huge sense of community. People in Saint Paul go out of their way to support local business. Saint Paul also has community Facebook pages promoting said businesses. Our SCORE mentorship program is top notch and local credit unions often seek informal mentoring/knowledge lending. (Will you have coffee with xyz who is thinking to start her own business?) Smart women help, smarter women ask for advice.

Julie Strong Dallas, TX (#64)

When I first started C1S, an engineering and construction firm in Dallas,15 years ago, the city did not boast the number of women-owned businesses that it does today. Yet today, women-owned businesses in Dallas have grown by 58 percent during the past five years, more than twice the national average. Most of this is due to the great economic, cultural and business hub that is Dallas. Dallas is growing as an international center, bringing in companies like Toyota, State Farm Insurance, FedEx, JP MorganChase and Liberty Mutual to headquarter here. In addition, with the city's strong healthcare and IT sector, it has one of the strongest business economies in the U.S. This leads to endless opportunities in the engineering and construction industry. Furthermore, the relatively low cost of living (especially housing) and the lack of state income tax makes Dallas appealing to the most talented employees. My company was recently ranked as one of the city's top 50 women owned businesses and with the strong competition out there for such recognition, it's a huge honor.

Paige Arnof-Fenn Cambridge, MA (#120)

I started a global marketing company in Cambridge, MA, 15 years ago. Cambridge is across the river from Boston and there is a vibrant entrepreneurial feeling here so it made a lot of sense. The economy is diverse with lots of venture capitals, technology, healthcare, education and non profits. There are several groups that I became active in from the start, including three professional women business owner groups that have been a source of referrals and leads for my firm. Some of the male dominated groups have been great sources of business as well. The Boston area is very collegial and collaborative, conducive to building a strong business. Silicon Valley and NYC get a lot of attention but Boston is a great place to be an entrepreneur (even if the winters are tough).

Angie Cowger Webster Springs, WV (#29)

West Virginia is ripe with opportunity for entrepreneurs who are willing to work hard and become a contributing part of their community. For us, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture has been critical in our growth and development. Without their support, we wouldn't have been in a position to be featured on ABC's SHARK TANK.

Carolyn Parrs Santa Fe, NM (#34)

Forbes Magazine named Santa Fe the #1 city for women business owners. That’s no wonder. It is said that 1/3 of all small businesses are women-owned here. This has created a lively and robust community of support systems for women who want to step out on their own. What’s more, we’re a small city with big minds and hearts. It’s amazing the caliber of talent and consciousness you can find here. Couple that with a city that is rich in diversity, culture and beauty, and you have a recipe for conscious business growth like no other. Women thrive in that environment.