Risk worth the reward for local women entrepreneurs – Scranton Times-Tribune

Report on Women’s Entrepreneurship and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the entrepreneurial endeavors of two local businesswomen, Maggie Calpin of Nibbles & Bits and Vikki Kenyon of Purrfect Mugs Cat Cafe. It highlights how their businesses, supported by institutional partnerships, align with and actively contribute to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Fostering Gender Equality and Economic Growth (SDG 5 & SDG 8)

Local institutions are playing a critical role in empowering women entrepreneurs, thereby advancing gender equality and promoting inclusive economic growth. The Wilkes University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) exemplifies this commitment.

Institutional Support for Women Entrepreneurs

• Over the past four years, the Wilkes University SBDC has provided no-cost, confidential assistance to 772 women entrepreneurs.
• The SBDC’s support framework focuses on sustainable business practices, including:
  1. Conducting project feasibility studies.
  2. Ensuring a viable return on investment for entrepreneurs.
  3. Assisting in the creation of comprehensive business plans and models.
• This targeted support directly contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering women to achieve economic independence and leadership roles.
• By fostering the creation and success of small businesses, the SBDC is a key driver for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) within the local community.

Case Study: Purrfect Mugs Cat Cafe

Vikki Kenyon’s Purrfect Mugs Cat Cafe, established in May 2021, presents a business model that integrates community development, animal welfare, and strategic partnerships, aligning with multiple SDGs.

Community Engagement and Well-being (SDG 11)

• The cafe was intentionally designed as a safe and inclusive public space for the community to gather and relax.
• This initiative supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by enhancing the social fabric and providing a unique community-focused destination.

Advancing Animal Welfare (SDG 15)

• The primary mission of the business is to provide a safe, temporary home for homeless cats awaiting adoption.
• This model has resulted in the successful adoption of over 400 cats, a direct contribution to SDG 15 (Life on Land) by protecting and promoting the welfare of terrestrial animals.

Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

• The cafe’s success is built on key collaborations, demonstrating the power of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• A critical partnership exists with Whiskers World, a local, women-led, foster-based animal rescue, which supplies the cats and expertise on proper pet care.
• The business also leveraged foundational support from the Wilkes University SBDC for business planning, licensing, and zoning guidance.

Case Study: Nibbles & Bits

Maggie Calpin’s ownership of Nibbles & Bits for over 16 years illustrates long-term economic contribution, resilience, and sustainable growth, directly impacting local employment and production.

Job Creation and Economic Resilience (SDG 8)

• The business has demonstrated significant growth, expanding to employ nearly 30 individuals during its peak season. This provides decent work and stimulates the local economy, aligning with SDG 8.
• Calpin’s enterprise has achieved certification as a woman-owned small business for government contracting, enhancing its economic opportunities and promoting gender equality in public procurement (SDG 5).
• The business has shown remarkable resilience in overcoming significant challenges, including a devastating fire, by adapting its operations to ensure continuity.

Local Production and Institutional Partnership (SDG 12 & SDG 17)

• The decision to establish in-house chocolate production, with over 100 items now made on-site, supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by localizing the supply chain.
• Calpin’s journey began with crucial support from the University of Scranton’s SBDC, which provided the necessary guidance to secure initial funding and develop a 300-page business plan. This partnership was instrumental to the business’s launch and long-term success (SDG 17).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article’s central theme is women’s entrepreneurship, highlighting the successes of two female business owners, Maggie Calpin and Vikki Kenyon, in celebration of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. It explicitly mentions the support provided to women in business, noting that the “Wilkes University Small Business Development Center has worked with 772 women entrepreneurs over the past four years,” directly addressing the goal of women’s economic empowerment.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article focuses on the creation and growth of small businesses, which are key drivers of economic growth. It details how entrepreneurs like Calpin and Kenyon created their own employment and subsequently generated jobs for others. Calpin’s business, for example, grew to have “almost 30 employees during our peak season.” The role of Small Business Development Centers in fostering “entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation” is also a major focus.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Vikki Kenyon’s Purrfect Mugs Cat Cafe is presented not just as a business but as a community asset. Her stated priority was to create “a place for the community to come together, to have a safe place to come relax.” This aligns with the goal of creating inclusive and safe public spaces that strengthen community bonds.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Both entrepreneurs relied on partnerships with Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) at local universities for guidance and support. Furthermore, Kenyon’s business model is built on a partnership with “Whiskers World, a local foster-based rescue,” and Calpin’s journey involved securing a loan through a partnership with “First Liberty Bank.” These examples illustrate effective public-private and civil society partnerships.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
  • The article provides case studies of women, Calpin and Kenyon, who have achieved leadership roles in economic life by founding and running their own successful businesses. Their stories serve as examples of women’s full participation and leadership as entrepreneurs.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
  • The SBDCs mentioned in the article directly embody this target by providing services “at no cost” to help entrepreneurs with “creating a business plan,” assessing “feasibility,” and navigating access to finance. Calpin’s story of being rejected by seven banks before the SBDC helped her secure a loan from First Liberty Bank is a direct example of facilitating access to financial services for a small enterprise.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…
  • Kenyon explicitly states her business was designed to be “a place for the community to come together, to have a safe place to come relax, hang out with cats.” This mission directly contributes to creating an inclusive and accessible community space.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…
  • The article highlights several such partnerships: the collaboration between entrepreneurs (private sector) and university SBDCs (public/academic); the partnership between Purrfect Mugs Cat Cafe (private) and Whiskers World rescue (civil society); and the partnership between Nibbles & Bits (private) and First Liberty Bank (private financial sector), facilitated by an SBDC.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Implied and Mentioned Indicators

• Number of women entrepreneurs supported: The article provides a direct statistic that the “Wilkes University Small Business Development Center has worked with 772 women entrepreneurs over the past four years.” This is a clear indicator of progress in supporting women’s economic participation (SDG 5 and SDG 8).
• Number of jobs created by women-owned businesses: An indicator for economic growth (SDG 8) is mentioned when Calpin states her business has grown to employ “almost 30 employees during our peak season and multiple full-time employees.”
• Number of homeless animals adopted: A specific, measurable outcome of Kenyon’s business model is that they have “adopted out more than 400 cats.” This serves as an indicator of the positive social and animal welfare impact of her community-focused business (related to SDG 11).
• Formation of cross-sector partnerships: The article implicitly points to the number and effectiveness of partnerships as an indicator of success. The explicit mention of collaborations with SBDCs, an animal rescue, and a bank demonstrates the existence of these partnerships (SDG 17).

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thetimes-tribune.com