LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This month, Spectrum News honors women and their contributions for Women’s History Month.
Each March commemorates the vital role of women in American history since it started in 1981. Since that time three decades later, more women have invested in starting their own small businesses, along the way paving a new definition of “feminism.”
A Louisville business said it’s about embracing the term and helping other women.
In her shop, Amanda Dare shows off all the products she sells. Most of them are colored pink. But going beyond what meets the eye, Dare believes in women supporting women, forever and always.
“I don’t feel like I’ve ever really gotten to like the true, behind-the-scenes story of it all, and how I was just talking about my financial journey and everything,” Dare said.
She’s an entrepreneur who got her start 14 years ago, with not much experience handling money.
“Opening up a shop that allowed women to have the opportunity to speak about money while shopping for women and businesses and putting money into the hands of women really healed my heart and healed a lot of my past,” Dare said.
Dare opened Woman-Owned Wallet in Louisville back in Aug. 2020. It’s a feminist gift shop where any product purchased goes directly into the wallets of another woman.
“I’ve had to defend feminism so much since I started using the word,” Dare said. “Coming out full force and saying that we’re a feminist gift shop and talking about financial feminism.”
With her business, Dare aims to engage in the conversation around feminism in fun, easy, exciting ways.
The U.S. Small Business Administration reported in 2019 they documented 1.1 million women-owned businesses with employees. Yet, women businesses only made up about 20% of the total, still leaving room for growth.
“When women have restrictions on their lives and on their rights and on their opportunities, we’re really holding the entire community back,” Dare said. “And here we have 50 woman-owned businesses that you’re supporting by shopping with us. We have a tour of over 40 woman-owned businesses that you’re putting your money into their wallet, and they’re putting it directly back into their communities.”
It’s created a network that lifts women up, but with style and pizzazz.
Dare also hosts a podcast on financial education. She’s going into her third season and so far has about 30 episodes.