Women Thrive in Importing

Here's what's relevant:

• Its owners say they have been able to thrive in what was once a male-dominated business by offering personalized service and competitive pricing.

• But the women noted that the challenges of owning a small business have changed significantly in 30 years. In the beginning, the sales industry was largely dominated by men, they said. "It was difficult to get loans from the bank," recalls Roz who still dresses as elegantly as her daughter.

• "Thirty years ago, the Fair Credit Reporting Act was enacted," says Cook. "Before that ... you needed a man to co-sign for a credit card, a loan or even a mortgage."

• "I deal with a lot of women even on the wholesale side of the industry," Jackie says echoing Kuc's claim. "There are a lot more women around than there used to be."

• ... and the top two concerns for women business owners now are business expansion and cash flow," says Cook. "They are not as concerned with how do I survive or how do I get a credit card. They are concerned with growth."

Read the article here: Irish Importers Thrive on Personal Touch

Separately and from the book "Women Who Changed The World:"

Chapter 4
Hildegard of Bingen

With nature's help, humankind can set into creation all that is necessary and life sustaining. ~ Hildegard of Bingen