Behind the Scenes with Local Women-Owned Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Women who own businesses here in Maplewood and Richmond Heights continue to make a large impact in the community and throughout their respective fields.
We reached out to a cross section of the women business owners in the Chamber to gain insight into their entrepreneurial stories and here’s what they had to say.
Elizabeth Barnhart Maplewood Deli & Coffee House
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
There is no easier way to reach people and start a conversation than with food or a beverage; I have always enjoyed cooking for people as a way to show them love and gratitude.
Food and beverage has been my career for a very long time, and I always enjoy the creativity that it offers. My brain has no off switch, so the ideas for menu items, events, décor, drinks, flavors, staff motivation and community involvement always keep coming. I decided to start my own my own business in order to watch my dreams grow, feed hungry stomachs, and cultivate happiness among others!
If you could speak to a younger you, what advice would you give her?
I would tell a younger me to have a great work life balance and spend as much time as possible with your daughter and dogs. I would tell myself to put away my to do lists and agendas and just do what feels right. I would also tell myself that it’s okay to be fluffy:)
Anything else you’d like to say?
My grandparents lived here in Maplewood and worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad, so a piece of my heart has always been in this neighborhood. It was truly my dream to own a business right here in Maplewood.
Lisa Brunette Brunette Games
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
A few years before I started Brunette Games, I was at a happy hour in Seattle, talking smack with a bunch of tech types, and I declared that somebody needed to form a studio made up of game writers. A woman at the table looked at me dead serious and said, “If you do, I will come work for you.” That stayed with me, so when some games I worked on as a freelancer took off, bringing hordes to my door, I turned the opportunity into Brunette Games. We’re now a team of five.
If you could speak to a younger you, what advice would you give her?
Ha, ha, I know this sounds impossible, but someday your talent as a writer will actually provide you with a decent income.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Brunette Games and Brunette Gardens are the third and fourth companies I’ve owned, so I guess that makes me a serial entrepreneur. Even when I’ve worked for other companies, I’m the person who builds a team or department from scratch or steps in to “fix” a troubled program! I used to think of this tendency as a burden, but now I see it’s a blessing.
Melissa Dierker Complete Harmony
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
There is no easier way to reach people and start a conversation than with food or a beverage; I have always enjoyed cooking for people as a way to show them love and gratitude.
Food and beverage has been my career for a very long time, and I always enjoy the creativity that it offers. My brain has no off switch, so the ideas for menu items, events, décor, drinks, flavors, staff motivation and community involvement always keep coming. I decided to start my own my own business in order to watch my dreams grow, feed hungry stomachs, and cultivate happiness among others!
If you could speak to a younger you, what advice would you give her?
I would tell a younger me to have a great work life balance and spend as much time as possible with your daughter and dogs. I would tell myself to put away my to do lists and agendas and just do what feels right. I would also tell myself that it’s okay to be fluffy:)
Anything else you’d like to say?
My grandparents lived here in Maplewood and worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad, so a piece of my heart has always been in this neighborhood. It was truly my dream to own a business right here in Maplewood.
Maria Giamportone Asador Del Sur
What are the challenges facing your industry right now? How are you addressing them?
Besides COVID, we are a new theme restaurant so educating our Midwest patrons on our unique culture was a little challenging at first. Inflation has really affected our restaurant, but on a good note it has made us even more creative.
What is your personal mantra, fight song, or anthem right now?
Not sure if it’s a mantra but my beliefs are to enjoy life to the fullest, travel, and respect Mother Earth.
Anything else you’d like to say?
I think I have repeated this so many times, but I have been so blessed to open my restaurant in such a great place like Maplewood. I want to believe that even in the middle of the pandemic when it is the worst case scenario that no one has planned for, I open a restaurant surrounded by the most caring strangers. I feel lucky and truly thankful for this amazing community stepping up the way they did, welcoming us with open arms and hungry stomachs 🙂
Jennifer Hansell Edward Jones
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
While in undergraduate school I worked for 2 years under a financial advisor. This taught me a great deal about the importance of saving and investing at a young age, as well as the impact financial security has on others. I had always been passionate about people, problem solving and found that I had the aptitude for financial planning. Out of college and graduate school I went into a different field that involved travel, long hours and limited work/life balance. As a single mom I needed to take control of my schedule and re-entered finance. Nearly a decade later, I have developed a client base of individuals, multiple generations of families and business owners who I have personal relationships with, helping them all build and protect their financial security and navigate changes in their own lives while having flexibility for my own families needs.
If you could speak to a younger you, what advice would you give her?
Change and adversity can be unsettling but you have the drive and confidence and will not fail. I wish I had made the change sooner.
Carolyn Mantia Clarity Street Realty
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
I have been a serial Entrepreneur most of my adult life. I think I was successful because while I needed to be financially stable, helping or developing other was always 1st. I take great pride in the fact that there are a LOT of well trained, high integrity, REALTORS® out there who started their careers with me in the past 20 years. They don’t realize I still keep an eye on them. I am SO proud of every single one of them.
Do you have mentors, or people that you admire or look to for navigating life and business? If so, who are they?
Yeah there are LOTS of them. But here are the 2 that come to mind. #1 Sandy Hancock – Owner of RE/MAX Results. I was a manger for her for 10 years. She is one of the smartest people I know… She taught me a lot about business, real estate & management. The biggest thing she taught me making hard decisions is required. #2 Kristy Ponticello is next. Kristy owns Mystic Valley. She patiently answered my questions as I dove into the metaphysical world head 1st. It was the message I got from one of her spiritualist that sent me on a journey to what will be the next part of my life’s journey & work. Had she not had the disciplined divine insight to connect me to that person my life might be completely different today.
What is your personal mantra, fight song, or anthem right now?
Put you mask on 1st! Like the flight attendant says, “in the event of an emergency, put your mask on before helping others”. You can’t help anyone if you are unconscious or dead, take care of you 1st!
Kristy Ponticello Mystic Valley
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
Fate. Simply fate. Mystic Valley is a family business and started working for full time for my father when I was 20. At that time working for my dad was the plan. After his unexpected passing less than 6 months later of me coming to work full time, that all changed. My sisters and I became entrepreneurs practically overnight.
Do you have mentors, or people that you admire or look to for navigating life and business? If so, who are they?
I can’t say that I have one particular mentor or someone I admire. There have been so many wonderful people through the years that have offered advice or help. Mostly I have always relied on myself and my sisters. Owning a metaphysical store, we always say it’s best to look within for guidance.
Anything else you’d like to say?
We have been so fortunate to be where we are today. We have the best customers and the best community. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Thank You!
Karmen Rayburn The Blue Duck
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
After being laid off from the corporate world, I stayed at home with my oldest child and took up baking. That lead to us finding a small restaurant that allowed me to expand my baking opportunities and here we are now 12 years later!
If the state of your business was a season (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall), which season would it be and why?
Spring: Constant threat of a tornado, but things are blooming and new growth opportunities surround us.
What’s up next for you?
We are always looking at expansion opportunities…so wait and see! 🙂
Lindsey Reichelt Compass Realty
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
I was definitely born with an entrepreneurial spirit. Before I was old enough to go to school, I set up shop in front of my parents’ business selling my drawings and rocks (on some days earning more than they did). Fast forward a few years, and I was stocking my cardboard pencil box (remember those?!) with candy and doubling my allowance by opening up “Lindsey’s Sweet Shop” for my classmates before the bell rang each morning. My entrepreneurship has taken on many forms since then, but I have absolutely found my place in the world with my real estate business.
If you could speak to a younger you, what advice would you give her?
Take risks; don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is not the opposite of success, but an important part of it.
Wil Seyer State Farm
Do you have mentors, or people that you admire or look to for navigating life and business? If so, who are they?
My father! He did not get pass the 2nd grade of a formal education. Thru perseverance, self guided education and travel he built his legacy that will touch generations to come.
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
I come from generations of business owners. So when I started my career it was with the idea to learn and understand my trade from the ground up so that I would properly run my own business one day.
If you could speak to a younger you, what advice would you give her?
To trust her future self more. All the answers are within her. She just has to listen.
Kara Sullivan Flavor 360
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
Growing up, the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls and fresh bread baking often woke me up early in the morning, and family meals were gatherings where friends were always invited. When we welcomed our first daughter into their lives, I started Flavor 360 to teach other moms how to make baby food from local ingredients, giving their children the best from the moment they took their first bite. By the time our second daughter arrived, I had already grown Flavor 360 into a full-service catering business with unique menus focused on local ingredients.
If the state of your business was a season (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall), which season would it be and why?
Summer! We always focus on fresh, bright flavors that people can enjoy with family and friends
Joan Swartz Law Offices of Joan M. Swartz
In a nutshell, what is your story to becoming an entrepreneur?
I am an attorney, I started my career at a large firm in St. Louis. I decided I wanted to represent more small businesses and individuals. So I went on my own in 2000 to do just that, and have been operating my own law firm since.
If you could speak to a younger you, what advice would you give her?
Be fearless in your pursuits. If you win–well you won so bravo! If you lose, you gain a valuable lesson (because I have always learned more from my mistakes/failures, then my successes).
What are the challenges facing your industry right now? How are you addressing them?
The biggest challenge facing our industry is making legal services affordable and accessible to those in need, including small businesses. I am accustomed to tailoring our services and the scope of of my work to the needs of small businesses. But this is the greatest challenge facing attorneys in the US.
Jennifer Q. Williams Saint Louis Closet Company
Do you have mentors, or people that you admire or look to for navigating life and business? If so, who are they?
My husband and fellow Maplewood Business Owner, Matt Williams has been by my side since 1994 as a constant sounding board, mentor and supporter. We both began our businesses very young and have grown our businesses through the years leaning on each other’s strengths and experiences.
If the state of your business was a season (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall), which season would it be and why?
I’d say we are St. Louis weather – Hot, Cold, Sunny, Rainy, Stormy, Snowy, Sleet, Hail, and everything in between all 365 days of the year!! What it’s like to be an entrepreneur, every day is different and brings new challenges.
