It’s hard to believe that next week is The Shoe Hive’s 20th anniversary. We have lots of emails and posts in Stylebook this week about the celebrations; there are so many great events. But I would be shortsighted if all I talked about were the festivities. Twenty years of business means more to me than parties. It’s a time to reflect and thank all the people who got us here. Of course, the customers are what matter the most. Our clients are very loyal, and if I didn’t have the support of this town we wouldn’t still be here.

The other reason we’re still around is because of the Alexandria business community, which in my opinion is pretty much run by women. And that’s what makes it so great. Many of these small business owners have been my closest friends and biggest support system. The women that you have been reading about on Instagram are listed below; they are the ones I have leaned on when times were lean, whose brains I’ve picked when I needed advice, whose chemistry I have needed in collaboration, and who make being in business a team effort for me. I could go on for days and days featuring the female powerhouses of this town. Here’s a start, and believe me, the list is so much bigger than the women I’ve highlighted, I have gratitude for all.

I can say with confidence that if I had my store anywhere else during Covid I wouldn’t still be in business. There isn’t a more collaborative and supportive community than Alexandria. And I know plenty of stores like ours in other places that weren’t so lucky. Not only am I still here, I have grown. So celebrate with me, and help me lift up the other women who row the boat in what is the best woman-owned business community you’ll find– Alexandria!