Julia Fields grew up immersed in a family business that had been thriving for a century before she took the reins in 2016. Taking on the role as the fourth generation—and the first woman—to lead Birnn Chocolates of Vermont, she had a solid understanding of truffles but sought the help of the SBA to delve deeper into the business aspects.
Fields got valuable training through the Vermont Women’s Business Center, which she credits for helping her grow her business. One significant change she implemented was hiring employees to work year-round, rather than seasonally, which improved employee retention. Today, the company is expanding, offering 150 different kinds of truffles. The business is also embracing innovation, utilizing new technology and equipment for services like same-day shipping, recyclable packaging, and even printing logos, symbols, and other infographics on their chocolates—advances her great-grandfather could only dream about when he founded the company in 1915.
In honor of International Women’s Day, it’s important to acknowledge the contributions of entrepreneurs like Fields. While she carries on a family legacy, she is also part of a larger community. Birnn Chocolates is one of 11 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., collectively employing 8.4 million people and generating $1.7 trillion in sales.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is aiding more women in starting, growing, and expanding their businesses. A key resource is the 114 Women’s Business Centers across the nation, which provide counseling to around 150,000 women annually, typically free of charge. Research indicates that women often benefit greatly from counseling or mentorship—what I refer to as “a little wind beneath their wings.” According to the latest WBC client survey, the help they received enabled them to make significant progress, regardless of their business stage:
– 21% hired new staff
– 36% increased their profit margins
– 47% increased their sales
– 56% who applied for financing were successful
– 91% would recommend the WBC program to other women
Many clients also noted that their experience with WBCs enhanced their self-sufficiency and confidence—qualities that, while harder to measure, are crucial for entrepreneurial success.
Each local WBC tailors its programming to its community. Julia Fields, for instance, completed the Power Forward! class through the Vermont Women’s Business Center. This 13-week business development program trains women-owned food and product businesses to scale up. The curriculum covers topics such as branding, pricing strategies, supply chain management, digital marketing, and financial planning, aiming to help these businesses overcome growth barriers to increase revenue and create jobs.
This spring, the SBA is exploring its own growth potential. Alongside the White House and Departments of Labor and Treasury, it will launch a new interactive digital platform for women entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses. This platform offers practical advice tailored to the specific needs and timelines of users and will be exceptionally beneficial for women entrepreneurs in rural areas with limited access to WBCs or SBA district offices. We are eager to support more entrepreneurs like Julia Fields and help them achieve their own success!
