Montpelier’s Inspiring Women
By Rachel Pierce, Certified French-to-English Translator and English Copywriter, and Montpelier Community Member
March means Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women and the myriad contributions they make to society. Montpelier’s woman-owned small businesses run the gamut from Althea’s Attic Boutique to Zutano. There are also Montpelier mavens breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries. Show your support for all women by giving them your business this month—and every month.
Don’t be fooled by the name because Montpelier’s independent repair station Auto Craftsmen is actually owned by Amy Mattinat, an auto repair marketing and business expert. A big believer in giving other women a boost, she mentors fellow female shop owners and runs a women’s car care clinic. Although the automotive industry is still largely male-driven, Amy feels it’s a “welcome and inviting space” with huge potential for women who want to work with their hands but have no hands-on experience. Mom-and-pop (and just pop) shops are closing all the time and there’s an ongoing shortage of technicians and service advisors. Amy anticipates the industry will look a lot different in 5 to 10 years. Why not help make that happen by taking your next tune-up to Auto Craftsmen?
Moving from car care to self care, there’s Myles Court Barbershop on State St. Employee-turned-employer Nicole Corey bought the shop in 2019. One of the challenges she faces is getting men to “feel the trust” that a young woman can be both razor-savvy and business-sharp. New customers tend to do a doubletake when they find out she’s the boss. Fortunately, that’s not the case with her mostly male staff, with whom she has a great rapport. So if your Movember moustache has morphed into March muttonchops, the talented team at Myles Court takes appointments and walk-ins.
Tucked away on the second floor at 18 Langdon St. is Sacred Vessel Tattoo, owned by Esmé Hall, who has been making her mark in the body art industry for over 25 years. In the early days, she was a bit of an odd woman out and couldn’t find an inclusive space to hone her craft. So she made one, launching her first business in 2009. “The only limitations in life we have are the ones we set for ourselves,” she says. Esmé has watched the ink industry evolve over the years and feels female tattoo artists have become a “force to be reckoned with.” If you’ve been putting off getting a(nother) tattoo, Esmé and her team at Sacred Vessel offer a high-end experience in a gracious environment.
Interested in supporting other local woman-owned businesses this month? Check out the interactive map at This Way Up Vermont, a campaign to find and promote female entrepreneurs across the 802. Are you a female entrepreneur? Be sure to take the quick survey and put your business venture on the map. Keep making history, ladies!
