Empowering Entrepreneurs

The women’s empowerment event of the year is here. Women United’s 10th annual Women of Influence Summit, presented by Walker-Miller Energy Services, will be held at Ford Field on March 13.

For three years, the event’s iconic Women-Owned Marketplace has been a love letter to local entrepreneurs. By bulk ordering products, the Marketplace creates a money-free networking space where small businesses can connect with 900 potential customers.

“Shopping local keeps your community afloat— we know we’re not corporations and things are a little harder, but small businesses try harder and we actually give that personal touch,” said Quintina Withers, founder and CEO of Q’s Corner. “By supporting local, you keep the communities and cities going, and you keep everything beautiful.”

Since 2023, the Marketplace has invested over $120,000 directly into small women-owned businesses. This year, the free shopping experience was made possible by the Empower Hour Sponsor, The Knight Foundation, and the Economic Mobility Sponsors: Bosch USA, Danialle + Peter Karmanos Jr., The Kresge Foundation, MadDog Technology, PwC and Stellantis.

The 2026 Marketplace will include: August Ave., B’ Jeweled Jewelry & Accessories, Cass Natural’s, D’Marie Inspirational Designs, Gift Box Detroit, Inkcourage, Lotusbtr., Mend on the Move, NOGI RASMI, P.U.R.E. Lip, Q’s Corner, Rugged Beauty, The Coloring Museum and Wildewood Botanicals.

“I’m really looking forward to connecting with individuals, organizations and just appreciating the event,” said Quintina. “We have to lean on each other as resources, and I’d just love to stay connected with some women.”

SUPPORTS ALL AROUND

This year’s summit provided a new resource opportunity; Accenture’s workshop, “She Builds: Empowering Entrepreneurs”. The half-day event offered 23 past and present Marketplace business participants the opportunity to learn how AI can support their business goals.

Women United member and board member for United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Lisa Cawley helped organize the event and offered to reconvene the group in 90 days to talk about progress after the summit. Keynote speaker, Nedra Dickson, opened with her experiences working with women-owned businesses along their growth journeys.

“Today, I hope women walk away with a sense of collaborating with each other, but also with AI to enhance your business,” said Nedra, Interim President and CEO of Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). “It’s really important to know you don’t have to go on this journey alone.”

With the right support, starting a small business is even possible with a full-time job. In many cases, AI makes it easier by automating simple tasks and freeing up time to focus on the goals that move a business forward.

United Way sat down with three 2026 Marketplace business owners to talk about how they came to run a business alongside full-time work. Read on for three insights from Allie Ciak from Wildewood Botanicals, Quintina Withers from Q’s Corner and Tanissa Smith from Lotusbtr.

1. YOU ONLY NEED TO SEE IT TO BE IT

It takes inspiration to venture from the conventional path. Allie’s craftiness and health-consciousness pushed her into candle-making, but it was encouragement from a mentor that helped her leap into the entrepreneurial world.

“My very first boss out of college was a strong, badass, queer woman who opened up Unicorn Feed and Supply in Ypsilanti on her own,” said Allie. “Something that’s really stuck with me was that she’d always say, ‘Everyone has their superpowers,’ so I took the chance, trusted in myself and what I have to offer to start my own business.”

Seeing women in small business shows us what’s possible. When Tanissa was a child, she was inspired by her aunt finding success in her own way.

“My first influence into entrepreneurship was an aunt who sold Mary Kay, I never necessarily understood what she was doing out all day— she was just really hustling,” said Tanissa. “She ended up being one of the first people in Detroit with a pink Cadillac and I remember looking at her like, ‘Wow, I want to sell my own things too.’”

2. VALUE BONDS OVER BUDGETS

When deeply rooted in their community, entrepreneurs are able to recognize a problem and intentionally fill the gap.

“I noticed people want to show they care, but are often short on time,” said Quintina. “My gift basket company, Q’s corner, is a solution for gifting that feels thoughtful and personal.”

Now, Q’s Corner flexibly adapts to fill clients’ needs. While her standard wait for a custom gift is two days, Quintina keeps an inventory of baskets for people to buy quickly.

“Q’s ready-to-go gifts are complete with packaging and cards so that my customers can simply pick up their gift and head to their event,” said Quintina. “I want to let people know that I’m here, and I’m a small business available to help with their busy lives.”

While prioritizing relationships, small businesses value trust and transparency. When tariffs impacted Wildewood Botanicals’ prices, Allie communicated that with customers.

“I was navigating how much of the costs do I eat as a business owner and when I can’t anymore, how can I communicate that with my customers?” said Allie. “I made sure to be specific and reinforce opportunities like our jar recycling program for discounts.

“Transparency is very important; it’s all about trust and being able to build those relationships.”

3. CREATE CREATIVE BALANCE

With only 24 hours in a day, entrepreneurs must find creative ways to incorporate self-care into their day-to-day practices. Tanissa, who’s the owner of Lotusbtr., a manager at ProsperUs Detroit and a martial arts instructor, shared it’s a “work in progress” to carve out time for herself.

“Unfortunately, I have been one of those people who is go, go, go until my body shuts down,” said Tanissa. “But lately I started an Instagram series, ‘It’s only Tuesday,’ where I say, ‘It’s been a long week,’ and I’ll break out a Lotusbtr. Bath Bomb.

“I’m making content that really forces me to sit down and relax, I trick myself into it.”

When most people clock out, our three all-star business owners clock in. Allie spoke to the drive it takes to balance two jobs and how she copes with the additional hours.

“Any business owner will tell you that it can be a struggle to balance everything, and I really like to describe it as juggling because you’re switching priorities every day,” said Allie. “When I come home, I’m not off work for the day, I’ll start doing something for my business.”

“Making the candles recharges me,” continued Allie. “It’s really nice to sit in silence, have a podcast or music in the background and use my senses, smell and touch, it’s a very grounding experience.”

Learn more about all the 2026 Marketplace Businesses, here. Interested in joining Women United for future events? Sign up today!