| The Women’s Business Center (WBC) at Cornerstone Alliance celebrated its 20th anniversary this month with a gathering at Sunrise Farms event venue on Hillandale Road, east of Benton Harbor. The milestone event brought together a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, exhibitors, and sponsors, all united in their commitment to supporting women in business.
During the celebration, the WBC team, including Brandy Jaquez, WBC Director, and Chrissy Meek, WBC Manager, announced what the group calls an exciting shift in strategy, refocusing on its core mission of empowering women entrepreneurs and addressing the growing needs in a sector where women are leading the charge. With 90% of their clients being women and 50% representing minority groups, the WBC organization sees a significant opportunity to tailor its approach and drive impactful results by aligning efforts with the unique needs and aspirations of these specific entrepreneurs. The WBC unveiled its new mission, vision, and values: MISSION: To empower women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to achieve financial independence within Southwest Michigan. VISION: To be the leading entrepreneurial service creating a powerful, inclusive community of woman-owned small businesses that drive economic impact in Cass, Berrien, and Van Buren counties. The WBC’s six core values—Empowerment, Trust, Collaboration, Inclusivity, Creative Solutions, and Accountability—will guide the organization as it strives to fulfill this mission. Looking ahead, the WBC says it will adopt a new approach that prioritizes women-owned businesses. The organization is committed to dismantling barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, including improving access to funding, providing tailored technical assistance, offering mentorship and networking opportunities, celebrating successes, and facilitating transitions from in-home to out-of-home business operations. A notable initiative includes a new programming plan for Cass County, set to offer dedicated training and events there in 2025. Brandy Jaquez, Director of the Women’s Business Center, declared, “As we celebrate two decades of empowering women, we are more committed than ever to being their biggest champions. Our new strategy will ensure that we meet the evolving needs of our clients and create lasting economic impact in our communities.” Additionally, the organization recognized its exceptional Start Up grant finalists: Diamond London of Diamond’s Tidy Cleaning Services Tara Kelley of The Dirty Baker Debby Uhrik of Isabella Grace LLC Ted Simpson of RV Trading Post. Guests had the opportunity to vote for their favorite business after listening to each finalist’s pitch. The WBC then announced the grant winner who was selected by the audience: Tara Kelley from The Dirty Baker. Tara is a master baker who turned to baking as a therapeutic outlet after over 30 years of experience as a mother, grandmother, and daycare provider. Her mission is to spread joy through homemade cookies, cake balls, and cupcakes, including custom creations made possible by her new edible printer. She has transformed a 1966 tagalong trailer into a mobile dessert shop, ready to cater to events and special occasions. Tara plans to invest her winnings into marketing efforts to expand her reach within the community and beyond. She truly embodies the spirit of “baking a difference” through her craft. Learn more about the WBC at www.cornerstonewbc.com
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