March celebrates International Women’s Day and what better way to promote our female entrepreneurs than to highlight some of the brilliant women-owned businesses right here in Shenandoah County, Virginia.

Among the villages and towns of Strasburg, Bayse, Toms Brook, Woodstock, Edinburg, Mount Jackson, New Market, and Shenandoah County itself, you’ll find over one hundred businesses of all sizes and styles owned and operated by women. Some owners are brand new to entrepreneurship, while others are well-versed in making a business successful. Let’s meet some of them…

The ButterCup, LLC

One of our county’s new businesses is The ButterCup, a fashion boutique specializing in women’s fashion, accessories, and home décor items, owned by Cristi Koryell and opened November 28, 2020.

“I’ve loved boutiques and been their customer for many years, always stopping in them in the towns we lived in across the country. But I never felt like this was something I could do. When I happened upon the space in New Market, the right doors opened and opportunities presented themselves,” Koryell said.

“I have a strong desire to support other women through free trade companies supporting women around the world and through our local makers. We try to offer small-batch products from other women-owned businesses. The local community to me is where the heart and soul is. I call them part of my ButterCup family!

A former elementary education teacher and wine educator, Koryell, age 43 had grown several businesses for other people and wanted to see if she could do the same for her herself. “We’ve been super-blessed by the locals who gravitate to the culture and climate we create here at The ButterCup. It’s beyond everything I could have hoped for and it’s lovely to see my story unfold.”

"We have a lot of resources here in Shenandoah County,” Koryell explained. “We have women in positions of power in the community and county, and both Chambers of Commerce. I’ve never felt for one minute that I couldn’t do this.”

Edit to Add: The ButterCup has moved its location to a shop in Downtown Woodstock next door to Flour & Water Bakery, another women-owned business.

 

 

Coffee to Grow

Jada McClanahan, owner of Coffee to Grow in Mount Jackson, is one of Shenandoah County’s youngest business owners. Jada was inspired to own a coffee shop both from her love of coffee from a young age and a trip to Costa Rica with her dad that changed her life. 

In Costa Rica, Jada learned about the art of pourover brewing which she says makes a smooth and flavorful cup of coffee. Coffee to Grow offers not just simple pourover coffee but also delicious flavors and Jada says the chocolate banana topped with whipped cream is a fan favorite. Paired with a pastry or a few light lunch offerings, Coffee to Grow has blossomed into a wonderful gathering place in the town of Mount Jackson.

Step into Coffee to grow and you'll find not just a cozy and friendly place to sip a warm cup, but you'll be surrounded by plants which is Jada's other passion. The shop has shelves of houseplants which are for sale and creates a great atmosphere. 

On starting a business in Shenandoah County, Jada believes it is the people and the families here that make this place so special. 

 

Woodstock Café

The owner of Woodstock Café, Nikki Grant, was born and raised in Strasburg, Virginia and had left to follow her career that took her to Chicago and Washington, D.C. She returned to the area and decided to look into opening a business here.

Opened in January 2019, Woodstock Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the main meals focused around Chef Jose Arevalos’ homemade pastas and fresh breads that are made in house, using as many local products and purveyors as possible. The restaurant is also known for its wine & cheese shop that features around 400 bottles. “I select wines that aren’t found in the big box stores to offer things people may not have tried before,” Grant said.

“I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and had only ever been around people who had their own business. It was something I always wanted to do, but I didn’t know what until I met Jose. He’s so unbelievably talented that it was clear that the business should be a restaurant.”

Jose and Nikki laugh that they didn’t hit it off when they first met while each were working at RPM Italian DC and assigned in Chicago. “I was in the events department and Jose was the executive chef, and we did not like each other very much,” she explained. “He thought I was snotty and I thought he was a jerk! We were both completely wrong.”

One day, back in the District, she had arisen early to do a TV spot and upon returning to the restaurant, “there he was, a familiar face,” she said. “I ran over and he gave me the biggest hug. We never stopped hanging out again.”

“I was impressed with the support that we got from the town initially,” Grant said. “They really welcomed us and made us feel a part of the community before we even opened, asking us ‘What do you need,’ and ‘How can we help?’ There is a lot of opportunity here, especially when you come from a big city like we did. It’s very affordable.”

Her advice? “Just do it. I’m 41 now, and at the end of my life, I would have regretted not doing this, not taking a chance, and not bringing back something to the community that raised me and made me who I am today. I think we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be, doing exactly what we’re supposed to be doing.”

 

Shenandoah Caverns/American Celebration on Parade/The Yellow Barn

When Kathy Hargrove Kelly was just eight years old, her father, Earl Hargrove purchased Shenandoah Caverns. She grew up working in her father’s business, starting from the ground up and ending up in sales and marketing. Then she left to raise a family.

When Mr. Hargrove passed away six years ago, Kelly took the helm. “I was 58 years old and running a hole in the ground! What was I thinking!” she said. “But as I became more involved in learning about the cave, I had a strong desire and commitment to keep this legacy alive and to keep employees employed. It is my father’s legacy, and I love seeing the excitement of the people who come through the door. It’s a natural attraction—not man-made—and something that brings joy to people.”

Over the years, the family grew the business by adding a family of attractions. It now includes Shenandoah Caverns, American Celebration on Parade, the Yellow Barn, the Caverns Café, Earl’s Place (an Airbnb), Main Street of Yesteryear, and a Gemstone Mining Sluice. It is a family-friendly place to visit for locals and tourists alike, and a popular events venue. In 2022, Shenandoah Caverns celebrates its 100th anniversary, with many events planned throughout the year.

“Follow your dream—it’s worth it,” Kelly advises. “At age 58 I was able to reinvent who I was. Starting your own business gives you great confidence in yourself, and in Shenandoah County, you have the support of so many incredible people and organizations like the town, the Chambers of Commerce and the tourism board. There are many groups that will do anything in their power to make sure you’re successful.”​

 

Black Valley Creative 

Katherine Manley quit her job of four years as a Brand Manager and Wholesale Developer for a small local jewelry company and branched out on her own, opening her business- Black Valley Creative. There she is a Brand Manager, Social Media Manager & Creative Director with a focus in the
Small Business Industry. She lives and breathes creativity and is committed to helping her clients stand out in the social media universe. 

With an eye for all things beautiful and local, Katherine and her team can elevate any business whether it is through branding, photography, content creation/content writing, graphic design and graphic ads

 

We wish we could introduce you to all the fabulous women business owners throughout Shenandoah County. You’ll just have to come here and meet them yourselves.