In honor of Women’s History Month, The Local Palate Marketplace invites you to celebrate female owned businesses and entrepreneurs all over the South. The women on this list have exhibited an uncanny ability for creating and running bustling businesses that offer everything from popcorn to syrups and sauces. They remind us how important it is to cheer on and empower female-owned businesses all year round.
Jill Santa-Lucia was inspired by her daughter, Ella, and her love for popcorn. This inspiration led to an8th birthday party sweet popcorn snack that launched a bustling popcorn business carrying both sweet and savory flavors. Ella, the impetus for the project is now in college and helps her mother package orders whenever she’s home, making this venture a booming business idea but also a bonding experience for mother and daughter.
With Martha Bourlakas as its head, Storied Goods is a woman-owned and operated team with dedication to empowering women in small businesses around the South. Her collection of flavor-infused sugar cubes take Virginia hospitality to the next level and beautify everything from coffee and cocktails to crepes and other desserts.
What started out as a porch pick-up business targeting a Facebook group of Charlotte-based moms, is now an enterprise with elderberry syrup in more than 380 stores, all thanks to women like Stephanie Rickenbaker and new owner, Morgan Smorgala.
For Kelly Han and her daughter Hannah Yee, food has always been a central part of life. With the help of Louisiana State University (LSU) Food Incubator, family recipes were transformed into consumer-ready products with a long shelf-life that shares authentic Korean flavors with a large American audience.
Rainbow Trout Kitchen is the definition of a family business, untraditionally passed from son to mother. Now Jakie Bowles and her friend and business partner, Ashley Wallace, run a booming granola business, inspired by her son Peter’s love for fishing and need for a healthy, nutritious snack while on the water.
Tara Pate worked multiple jobs to achieve her dream of creating the “not so simple syrup” of her own invention. Daysie syrups transform any cup of coffee into a masterpiece and complement everything from a quiet moment alone to conversations with friends.
In 2019, Jaclyn Glatzer became one of the founders of the company World Select Cuts and launched her brand Aussie Select, setting out to revolutionize the accessibility and affordability of lamb as a protein across the globe.
