AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 27, 2026
Celebrating Women’s Small Business Month in the CSRA
October marks National Women’s Small Business Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the impact and leadership of women in the world of small business. Across the CSRA, women entrepreneurs are sharing their stories, illustrating that running a business means more than just making a profit—it’s about community and leadership.
Spotlight on Local Women-Owned Businesses
Two women-owned businesses in the CSRA stand out for their commitment to offering supportive, welcoming spaces within their communities. Danna Lusk, owner of Dear Soul Candle Company in Aiken, South Carolina, and Alice Garner, owner of Brown Suga Cafe by Alice, have each faced and overcome unique challenges as women small business owners.
Balancing Business and Life: Personal Experiences
Running a small business presents a distinct set of challenges, particularly for women balancing additional roles. Danna Lusk emphasized the difficulty of managing various responsibilities, sharing, “Being a woman in business, especially if you run a small business and you work from home, like in my instance, there are so many different obstacles. I will say, you know, like having a baby, running a house, being the, the wife, the mom, all of these other hats.” Lusk further noted the ongoing challenge of time management, saying, “Challenging thing about running this business is the fact that I am a mom. I have limited hours in the day, just like everybody else. We all have the same 24 hours, but it is difficult to juggle making products, going to different venues, doing events.”
Alice Garner, reflecting on female business leadership, stated, “Is great because you get to see a lot of women in business that you didn’t even know that was in business. And being a woman myself, I think is a great highlight. For people to know.” She also highlighted the specific difficulties small business owners face regarding affordable working spaces, saying, “Being able to actually afford the, the space because you have a lot of empty buildings around here. But it cost a whole lot just to get the building.”
Entrepreneurship and Community Impact
For these women entrepreneurs, building their businesses is about forging deeper community connections as much as brand recognition. Both have worked to make their businesses platforms for support and community engagement, showing the broader impact of local women owned ventures during Small Business Month.
Supporting Women Small Business Owners
With National Women’s Small Business Month continuing, the journeys of Lusk and Garner serve as a reminder to support women entrepreneurs and foster a strong business community. Their stories reflect both the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship, from work life balance to the ongoing need for community support. The month also underscores the significant role of female business leadership in shaping the region’s economy.
Upcoming Local Business Events
- Brown Suga Cafe by Alice: Thursday, October 29th at the Warren Road Community Center of Augusta (300 Warren Rd, Augusta, GA 30907), 2026 Halloween Candy Crawl, 6PM-9PM.
- Dear Soul Candle Company: Saturday, November 7th at Local Threads (142 Laurens St SW, Aiken, SC 29801) in Downtown Aiken, Candle Making Workshop, 11AM-1PM.
As Women’s Small Business Month continues, the CSRA’s women business stories highlight ongoing entrepreneurship challenges and the vital importance of business community support for continued growth and innovation.
Source: wjbf.com.
