A Source of Renewal and Resilience

When I launched Make Your Money Matter – Michigan, I knew I wasn’t just creating a business directory, I was building a love letter to the women and communities who show up, open shop, and do the work that keeps our cities not just running, but thriving.

This is for the women who unlock their storefronts before sunrise and flip the sign to open with pride and purpose. It’s for the women who make neighborhoods feel like home, one cupcake, curated linen, or boutique treasure at a time. They are the lights left on when the world feels uncertain. They are the heartbeats of our downtowns.

Where Women Build Belonging

One example of a community thriving with women in business is the City of Berkley.

Take Shaun, owner of Heavenly Pound Cakes. She and her husband, Kevan, serve up desserts so smooth and soulful that you'd swear the banana pudding had healing properties. They aren’t just baking cakes, they’re baking up belonging and community, one slice at a time.

Or Katie, the creative behind June and December, whose products celebrate the natural world with such reverence and elegance, it feels like you’re bringing a piece of poetry into your home.

Then there’s Robyn, the visionary behind Sum Girls Boutique, who built a resale clothing store not only to give secondhand fashion a stylish second chance, but to show her two daughters what girl power looks like in action. Her shop is rooted in sustainability, style, and the belief that a good outfit and determination can change the world.

And Perch 313, founded by Molly Patterson. She saw potential in a tired, unassuming building in Berkley’s Coolidge Shopping District. She tore down the walls and brought in light, beauty, and a design-forward space that has redefined the block. Perch isn’t just a shop; it’s a statement. It says, “We belong here. And we’re here to elevate.”

But not every woman who keeps the lights on has a storefront. Some are the power behind the scenes, the quiet force helping other women rise.

Like Ashley of Rad Hatter Marketing, a Marketing Consultant whose genius lies in translating passion into visibility. She doesn’t just help women-owned businesses get noticed; she helps them gain credibility. Through thoughtful strategy and a deep respect for her clients’ values, Ashley ensures their message cuts through the noise and lands in the hearts of their ideal audience.

And Rachel of ProfitNet LLC, a Fractional CFO, is who you want in your corner when the stakes are high. With spreadsheets as her second language and vision as her compass, she empowers entrepreneurs to make smart, sustainable financial decisions. For women

business owners who often face higher hurdles and fewer resources, Rachel isn’t just a numbers person; she’s a guide, a partner, and a game-changer.

These are just a few of the women from our Make Your Money Matter directory. Each one is a reminder that economic power is personal, and when we invest in women, we invest in communities, culture, and collective strength.

Because Every Dollar Tells a Story

When I say “Make Your Money Matter,” I’m not just talking about mindful spending; I’m talking about a movement. I believe every dollar is a small but mighty vote for the kind of world we want to live in. And when we choose to spend locally, with women-owned,

BIPOC-owned, and LGBTQ+-owned businesses, we’re saying: We see you. We believe in you. We want you to thrive.

Spending money isn’t just a transaction; it’s a declaration. It says, “I want my community to be diverse, welcoming, equitable, and full of possibility.” That’s why this movement isn’t about shopping small for a season — it’s about shifting how we think, live, and connect every day.

A New Kind of Network

What makes this movement so powerful is that it’s not just about the businesses themselves; it’s about the relationships being built around them. Women aren’t just opening shops; they’re opening doors for one another. They’re sharing knowledge, resources, and encouragement in ways that ripple far beyond the cash register.

From Instagram DMs to neighborhood meetups, from Friday café chats to after-hours coworking sessions, women are finding each other, celebrating one another, and lighting the way forward together. It’s not competitive; it’s connective. And that’s a radical shift worth noticing.

Creating Your Own Circle of Light

I started by gathering a small group of women who were literal lights in my life, encouragers, truth-tellers, vision-holders. Over time, we became known as the Circle of Abundance. It began with a handful of us committed to meeting monthly, not just to talk business, but to stay grounded in who we are and what we’re here to do.

We shared what we were creating, what we were carrying, and how we were keeping our heads up, our hearts full, and our purpose clear. That circle became the place where Make Your Money Matter – Michigan was born. I introduced the idea there, and with their belief, feedback, and fierce support, I found the courage to bring it into the world.

You can create something just as powerful:

• Start small, but stay consistent. A monthly coffee, Zoom call, or porch sit is all it takes to create momentum.

• Focus on intention, not perfection. The goal is connection, not performance.

• Create space to dream, vent, celebrate, and be real. Let your circle be a soft place to land and a strong place to launch from.

• Keep the light moving. Celebrate each other’s wins, offer support in the valleys, and speak life into each other’s ideas.

Whether it’s other women in business or trusted friends with big hearts and good energy, your circle can become a source of renewal and resilience. We weren’t meant to do this alone, and when we’re purposeful about who we surround ourselves with, how we spend our money, and what we’re building, we don’t just survive. We shine.

To the women out there imagining a life where you call the shots, this is your nudge. That dream doesn’t belong on a someday list. Whether it’s a bakery, a boutique, or freelancing your talents, there’s space for you.

There’s a circle of women who will cheer you on, share their playbook, and remind you that you’re not alone. We are natural nurturers, but we’re also fierce builders of dreams. Through communities, coworking spaces, MORE magazine, and even late-night comment threads in women-led online groups, you’ll find support, strategy, and sisterhood.

The lights are already on, we’re just waiting for you to walk through the door.

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Written by Bridget Mahrle, the founder of Make Your Money Matter – Michigan, an online directory and social movement that connects values-driven consumers with local businesses committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community. To Bridget, spending money isn’t just a transaction; it’s a declaration of what we stand for and who we choose to uplift.

Images Courtesy of Make Your Money Matter and Crosby Hinze