Women-owned businesses in Charlotte, NC, uplifted with market event
The market showcased women-owned businesses at Resident Culture Brewing’s annual event.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte brewery transformed into a marketplace highlighting female entrepreneurs Saturday as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.
Resident Culture Brewing hosted its annual women-owned business market, giving local artisans and business owners a platform to showcase their crafts and connect with the community.
“It’s really empowering being around women,” said Vianey Soetanto, owner of Culture Palette. “Being able to be a part of this event and seeing other women do the things that I’m also doing, which is push your small business forward — it’s a vision that I have.”
Soetanto’s business focuses on a unique artistic experience called Ebru, an art form that has surprised many visitors to her booth.
“There are a lot of people here that think that ‘I’m not an artist’, but when they come here and they experience the art of Ebru, they can see how the water and the colors just flow, and it’s meditative, and it’s very relaxing,” Soetanto said.
The marketplace featured a diverse array of businesses ranging from art and jewelry to motivational products, all seeking to connect with Charlotte residents in their own unique ways.
Kaylee Dillworth, owner of Perpetual Vibes, emphasized the importance of women supporting each other in business.
“I love when girls support girls, when women support women,” Dillworth said.
Her jewelry business allows customers to create custom pieces.
“I love all of that aspect that goes behind picking the piece, and you get to custom create whatever you want. So that adds an extra element of connection,” she explained.
Beyond selling their products, many of the entrepreneurs see these events as opportunities to inspire others, particularly women considering starting their own businesses.
“The inspiration can be like, it’s never too late to start something. You can do new things whenever you want to, and it can be fun and exciting. It also could be scary, but I think — I hope — that that inspires other people to do something fun,” Dillworth said.
The event is part of a growing trend of businesses creating spaces to celebrate female entrepreneurship and provide platforms for women-owned businesses to reach new customers.
Resident Culture Brewing’s International Women’s Day celebration has become an anticipated annual event in South End, highlighting the brewery’s commitment to supporting local female business owners.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.