Business Ledger News Editor Mark Thomton recently exchanged e-mails with Susie Duboe-Bryant, owner of Hinsdale Furriers and co-founder of the West Suburban Women’s Entrepreneurs. She addressed the state of WSWE on the occasion of its fifth anniversary as an organization that provides educational seminars, support and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Q. Why did you decide to start WSWE?

About 5 1/2 years ago, Linda Calabrese (who at the time owned Gracious Goodness) and Sharon Keogh from Monograms and More asked if I would help them start a group for women entrepreneurs from the western suburbs similar to the Network of Women Entrepreneurs, which meets in Chicago. I was a founding member of NWE.

I said I would help get them started but I didn’t want to ever have to hold a board position. We set up some guidelines and publicized a first meeting. We had so many women RSVP that the local restaurant couldn't hold us as planned—so out with the fur displays and in with the tables and chairs (borrowed from Hinsdale Bank and Trust) and the first meeting was held at Hinsdale Furriers with over 60 women in attendance.

Q. What is the current market for women entrepreneurs in the suburbs?
Women entrepreneurs seem to be growing in numbers since we formed WSWE. When I first bought this business in 1978, salespeople would come in and walk right by me to the nearest man. Now, when I look back, it could have been because I started so very young but most likely because I was a woman. Now salespeople come in and speak to whomever is at the front desk—usually it is our store manager Melissa, who is 26 years old. So, I hope that I helped make a difference in the way women business owners are treated by vendors, bankers and insurance agents. I have a story about my first insurance agent but it has nothing to do with WSWE, so I won't bore you.

Q. What have you learned from starting WSWE?

I think I learned the same thing I have learned through my charity work—give and you will receive. I helped to form this organization as a favor to two of my business friends. Through doing this I have received the gift of many new friendships, support when I lost my mother-in-law and dealt with illness of my own not to mention business referrals.

Q. What do you see in its future?

The future of the organization is in the strength of the dynamic women I have come to know in the past five years. I only see it growing and offering support to more women starting or growing their businesses. I love the mentoring aspect of everything done in this organization. I mentored WSWE in starting the organization but I have been mentored by other members in different aspects of my life.