Women are getting down to business in downtown.
Once dominated by male business owners and managers, downtown Kinston has seen a recent upturn in the number of women who own or manage their storefronts and other businesses.
Candice Skinner opened C&G Imports in the downtown 15 years ago when there were few woman business owners.
“The only person I can remember being a woman and being active,” she said, “was one woman — she had The Tea Room.”
After Hurricane Floyd brought devastating floods, Skinner moved to Benson and continued operating her auction gallery, which she’s owned for 18 years. Later, she was asked to come back to Kinston.
“I said, ‘If I could buy a building, I would come here,’ ” Skinner said.
She bought that building nine years ago and opened Echoes of Time Emporium on Queen Street.
Skinner said she was told by one business owner who later closed her shop that she would do well in the downtown. Her business is thriving today.
In 2006, Leraine Tolston opened Natural Body Pilates on Queen Street; she recalls there were only a few women who owned businesses. In October 2011, she opened Queen Street Deli & Bakery.
“They want a change,” she said is one reason woman open a business. “I think women are more aggressive than men. They’re willing to make a change and put more time and effort into it.”
The standard thought is it takes about two years to begin to make a profit, but Tolston said it takes longer than that.
Shelia Stroud opened Designs by Shelia on Herritage Street in 2009. By that time, new businesses owned by women were beginning to increase.
Stroud had been designing jewelry at the Kinston Community Council for the Arts for a few years when she decided to open the storefront, which offers clothing and custom jewelry.
“I have always wanted to have my own ladies’ clothing store,” she said.
Stroud said she saw the need for classic clothing for women ages 40 and up.
“I honestly think,” she said, “pioneers came in here with a vision and really said, ‘OK, I’m just going to take a gamble.’ ”
One reason Stroud said she believes the businesses catering to women are doing so well these days is because the downtown has become a safer place.
“People were afraid to shop,” she said. “… Now you’ll see a police officer walking down the street.”
Cynthia Dunn manages The Overland Gallery, which is one of the newest downtown businesses. Like Skinner, Dunn left the area and came back. She retired after many years as a nurse.
Dunn said it’s a combination of reasons why she wanted to run a business. It was partially her unplanned circumstances and partly because of her interest in pottery, as well as reaching retirement age.
“I’m at an age that I don’t have to work full-time,” she said.
An art gallery was one of the businesses city planners wanted to see, and it fell in line with her interest in art, she said.
“I’m a huge proponent of women doing in life whatever they wish to do,” Dunn said.
Women tend to add little touches that create a mood — a vase of flowers or other “nice visuals” or an enticing scent or music, she said.
Stroud, who credits Stephen Hill for bringing new life to the downtown, said many women have raised children and been involved in the schools, so they tend to have what it takes to succeed in business.
Before leaving office, former Gov. Bev Perdue visited Skinner’s shop and asked her questions about being a woman in business.
“I think what it is,” Skinner said, “is that women want to stand out for themselves without their husbands.”
She said female customers appreciate being treated as individuals and made to feel at home. Some men business owners tend to “pounce” on their customers — like the stereotypical car salesmen — but women need time to look around, yet know someone is there when they need assistance, Skinner said.
She makes phone calls to her regular customers, letting them know what’s new in the shop.
“I think that other women, and even men,” Skinner said, “are more comfortable when approached by a woman.”
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
For more information on the business women of downtown Kinston, visit the Pride of Kinston at downtownkinston.com