New Group Empowers Female Entrepreneurs

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

Utah woman builds a directory full of resources to connect and encourage women in business.  

Jen Silver had some questions after launching her business back in 2019. After the Salt Lake City roofing company she was working for went under, she launched her South Salt Lake-based firm.   

As the operator of Roofing Utah, she looked for a community of women within her industry to discuss issues and pool resources with, but found it hard to connect with other women business owners.  

“It was hard at first as there are almost no women in construction,” Jen told the Standard-Examiner. “I wanted to find a like-minded woman who had pushed through but I couldn’t find any.” 

Now, Jen is paving the way for women launching their own businesses, offering the resources she craved as she started out in a male-dominated industry. Women Owned Businesses of Northern Utah, or WOBNU, seeks to become a resource for future female entrepreneurs, working as a directory for consumers looking to support female-owned businesses.   

Jen’s vision with WOBNU is a quick and accessible place where women can feel comfortable asking advice or feedback, offering information on a multitude of issues from cash-flow to proper business attire.  

“Our goal is to give Utah women the confidence to start new businesses or grow their existing businesses. And that’s good not just for the women of Utah, but it’s good for all of Utah,” Jen told The Standard-Examiner. 

The effort has moved forward quickly. Already over 25 business operators have reached out to be included in the directory. Jen is reviewing businesses from a variety of industries from salons to bakeries, hoping to get 50 businesses in the directory before the nonprofit goes live.  

Jen looks forward to continuing to create and grow a space where women feel empowered.  

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