March represents “Women History Month” with International Women’s Day on March 8th. As a Chamber, we are proud to have so many women-owned businesses and women professionals from different fields. 40% of our Board of Directors is women, and our staff is women, too.
But, what does it mean to celebrate women? For us, it’s more than making sure a woman’s voice is heard and that there is a spot at the table for them. To celebrate women means to celebrate all the different lives they lead. From motherhood, entrepreneurship, career goals, friendship and more, women experience life in such an enveloping way. To celebrate women is to celebrate connection, community, new ideas, and diversity. Empowering women means being brave enough to listen rather than speak. To harvest a community where we are inclusive of races, genders, ideas, and businesses: not work in silos. Female empowerment is the hope that one-day equality will be an understanding, not a topic of discussion.
On International Women’s Day, we want to highlight Women-Owned Businesses that are making a difference in our community. Please visit their stores, share their social media, and continue to shop local.
Lisa Hodes, Owner of Sweetie’s Candy Cottage
Sweeties Candy Cottage is more than just your classic candy store. It has been a Long Island icon since 1995 with its distinctive yellow and pink candy cottage appeal on the outside and its floor-to-ceiling candy-covered old-fashioned appeal inside. Lisa Hodes’ (the owner-operator) mission is to change the world one smile at a time. She purchased the store almost 17 years ago as a means to raise her children as a single parent. The store runs like a family operation that extends out to the community at large. The Sweeties staff are professional chocolate artists who specialize in customer service. For almost 27 years, they have been designing centerpieces, custom chocolate creations, party favors, and goody bags for any event, including weddings, birthdays, christenings, communions, bar/bat mitzvahs, sweet 16’s, and more…Sweeties Candy Cottage is dedicated to helping you celebrate your special occasion with the favor you want…in your theme, color, candy type, AND budget.
Visit their website
Shreena Bindra, UOTech
Shreena Bindra, co.Founder and COO has over 15 years of experience in leadership and entrepreneurship in the Environmental, Social Policy, and Healthcare verticals. Shreena and her partner, Michael Maser, founded UOtech in 2016. UOTech.co is an employee-owned and operated IT managed services, IT consulting, and information security company based out of Long Island, NY. As a leading-edge, social-enterprise technology company, UOTech.co integrates unmatched innovation with adherence to the highest standards of security and compliance, all while bettering its social and environmental impact and empowerment of its community. UOTech.co offers an affordable subscription-based IT support model that features unlimited helpdesk access, remote device management and monitoring, a full enterprise-grade antivirus and security platform, and more, all for a fixed, manageable, monthly rate. We believe businesses and non-profits, small to large, deserve access to high-quality tech support, peace of mind that their data remains private and protected, and enterprise-class information security.
Digho Image Marketing
Owned by Diane Palma and Maria Misko, Digho Image Marketing focuses on the client. From logo design to trade show displays or web site banners, they start by getting personal. To artistically express your image requires an intimate knowledge of the owner, his or her vision, their corporate culture and long term goals. Digho always take the time to get to know you first because their ethos is “Total Collaboration”. Digho will work with your marketing and sales departments, your web designers and your printer. Total Image Creation requires collaboration with anyone who is involved in representing your image.
The Friedman-Weil Team, Compass
Michele Friedman and Arlene Weil joined forces in 2021. Both came from past careers in the medical industry and transitioned to real estate 12 years ago. Their mission is to provide their clients with superior, individualized attention and the peace of mind that comes with that.
Whether buyers or sellers, Michele and Arlene’s clients are impressed by their exhaustive knowledge of properties coming onto the market,and their meticulous attention to pricing trends in each local market. Their mastery of and attention to the details, expert negotiating skills, and boundless energy are the qualities that explain why a large majority of their client list are either repeat clients or personal referrals from past clients. Compass was the best fit. Compass is a technology-driven company, with a commitment to its clients. Their platform, marketing, and community culture make them an outstanding force in today’s ever-changing real estate landscape.
Visit their website
Scents 4 My Soul
We at Scents 4 My Soul, carry distinctive scents that will stimulate the mind, body and soul. Our unique selection of quality therapeutic-graded essential oils are 100% pure. They are selected and hand-picked by Carolyn Miles CEO and owner. At Scents 4 My Soul we stock a variety of home scents, women and men body oil fragrances imported from China, India, Spain, France and other countries recognized for their scented oils. Our exclusive collection of premium incenses will inflame a sense of serenity while caressing the depths of your soul.
Visit their website
