Empowered Women Empower Women

Sarah Thurstenson, Sarah Thurstenson Design

International Women’s Day March 8, 2017

“Empowered Women Empower Women” has been a recurring theme in my life the last two years. The launch of my businesses threw me into a very special group of women who long to encourage and uplift other women to greatness. They have a deep desire to help other young women, mothers, career women, and retired women meet and exceed their expectations. 

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These women are committed to helping them connect the dots of faith, family, career, dreams, fun, finances, community and generosity. ​

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I have met woman after woman express to me personally, this need to empower other women. Or they are actively creating situations to be more inclusive to each other and to educate. I’m sure this has been going on for a long time or women would not be where they are today! 

On this “International Women’s Day” it is appropriate to say thank you to all of you who have gone before and those who encourage me now and have brought me into your “tribe.” Every day is a good day to be aware of the blessings we have to run our own businesses and be happy in our work—whatever that is. It is nothing short of a blessing to be reach out to others and improve the world around us while raising our families, caring for our parents, and staying healthy and strong to carry out these goals. It takes all of us to accomplish that.

In the spirit of community, I formed the networking group, Siloam Springs Women in Business. The first step I took was to create a group on Facebook. To be a part of this private group you need to first be a woman business owner and also be doing business in the immediate Siloam Springs area. 

The group was born out of my need as a graphic designer and owner of two businesses to connect with other businesses owners in town. I wanted to ask and find answers to these recurring questions. How can I interact with others like me and learn from their experiences. How can I offer my services to other businesses if I don’t know who they are? How can we connect to each other and maximize our advertising dollars? We know our town is exceptional. How can we help each other understand the unique culture of the Siloam Springs consumer? 

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We can now give each other permission to talk about our business’
triumphs and tragedies and encourage each other to
​keep going until we see the light of success.

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Women definitely have unique strengths that we bring to the table. Women in this group were encompassing, welcoming and anxious to hear from each other. During the evening, I heard the heart of what drives us to take up the burden and blessing of being in business for ourselves. “I love getting people what they need in a home…I love being a place for people to enjoy themselves and be happy…I love being a safe place of community…I love helping small business owners get started seeing their dreams come to reality…I love helping people.” This is who we are and why this group of women— networking in this special town— is vital to it’s growth and preserving the character of Siloam Springs. 

We need each other!