Event highlights contributions of Utah's women-owned businesses

As women grow in their roles as business owners, they can become a growing force in international trade, Ana M. Guevara, deputy assistant secretary for U.S. field operations of the U.S. Commerce Department, told a recent gathering at the International Women’s Day Celebration hosted by the Women’s Business Center of Utah and World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah).

“Companies that women start, own or run tend to be less likely to trade internationally than those owned by men,” said Guevara, keynoting the event and identifying creative connections as a solution. “As women become an even larger force in trade and business, the U.S. Commercial Service can be a partner from the outset for any women-led businesses with an exporting objective.”

Celebrating the economic and social contributions of women on a global scale, the Women’s Business Center of Utah and WTC Utah, in partnership with the Emerald Hills Institute, hosted the gathering. The event’s theme, “What Women Bring to Our Community,” highlighted successes and obstacles Utah women have experienced while growing their businesses both locally and internationally.

Attendees were told that, within the state of Utah, nearly 84,000 women-owned businesses generate $14 billion in revenue. Nationally, over the past five years, the annual growth rate in the number of women-owned firms has been more than double that of all businesses. 

“This is a trend that we are eager to see continue,” said Courtney Smith Rae, international program manager for WTC Utah. Rae organizes trade missions on behalf of the state and leads business delegations abroad. “One of WTC Utah’s objectives is to take Utah companies to the world. An increase of women-owned businesses representing the state on an international level would make Utah more competitive, resulting in a win for all of us.” 

“Each year, international sales add $5 billion in additional revenues for small businesses in Utah,” said Miles Hansen, president and CEO of WTC Utah. “Through their persistence and ingenuity, many women business leaders are creating prosperity here in Utah and proudly represent our state around the world. WTC Utah is committed to setting aside sufficient resources to ensure that each and every woman-owned business ready to pursue international growth can fully utilize our free services and trade promotion grants. We want to be full partners in catalyzing the next generation of Utah’s business leaders who will follow in the footsteps of the inspirational women we heard from today.”

As part of the event, WTC Utah events manager Hannah Lowry moderated a panel discussion of local businesswomen that included Mary Lamoureux, senior director of customer service for OOCL; Crystal Low, executive vice president of treasury management at Zions Bancorporation; and Maxine Turner, founder of Cuisine Unlimited Catering & Special Events.

Each panelist reflected on her path of success, discussed the opportunities that defined her career, the resources that proved the most valuable and the advice they would like to share with women in similar positions.