In honor of National Women’s Small Business Month, the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance is planning its annual celebration for Thursday, October 22 at Silver Harbor’s Union and Social in St. Joseph.

The center’s Brandy Jaquez tells us the event is all about honoring those women who have gone into business in Southwest Michigan while giving them a chance to mingle and hear stories. She says women entrepreneurs have a big impact.

“According to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact on Women-Owned Business Report, women-owned businesses are more than 14 million women-owned businesses, which represent about 39% of all businesses in the United States,” Jaquez said.

Jaquez says the ELEVATE Entrepreneurship event will celebrate the first graduates of the center’s “Business Plan Certified” program with a ceremony, and there will be a special keynote speaker.

“We have Sarah Jollay from Jollay Orchards and also the Bainbridge Brewery Company. For those that don’t know her, she is a strong female entrepreneur. She also serves her community on a number of boards.”

The event will also include a lunch by Silver Harbor and desserts by WBC client, Bake Effect, a gluten-free bakery based in St. Joseph.

Tickets are available now. You can find them right here.