Behind many of Triangle’s most beloved local businesses are women whose passion, perseverance, and vision deserve to be celebrated this March. This month, we’re spotlighting five incredible women-owned businesses in North Carolina that are making an impact through creativity, leadership, and dedication to their craft. Each of these entrepreneurs brings something unique to our local economy, proving that strong brands are built on passion, purpose, and community connection.
Cindy Nañez, the owner of Divine Marketing Group & DMG Center. She strives to help small business owners build and expand their branding and marketing efforts locally and online. She teaches others how to grow their small businesses and helps give small business owners and management teams access to the tools that will help them become more successful. We highly applaud and appreciate Cindy’s huge contribution to the Clayton community, placing local businesses on the map, and bringing traction and brand awareness to every single industry.
Gabriella Woodson is the owner of Chefella’s Catering and Event Planning. She’s one of the top three best food catering businesses out here in Clayton, North Carolina. Her mission is to exceed people’s expectations and make their dream event a reality. Inspired straight out of culinary school, Gabriella knew she loved hospitality but wanted to build something different, an environment where people were treated with care, respect, and purpose, so through prayer and faith, she stepped out and opened her own business, trusting the direction the Lord placed on her heart. Nine years later, that leap of faith has grown into five thriving businesses, each guided by faith and purpose, transforming not just into successful companies but into ministries that impact lives and the community. From praying over every catering order to filling her faith-based smoothie and juice bars with scriptures, encouragement, and hope, Gabriella has seen firsthand how small moments like a Bible verse on a cup can uplift someone’s entire day. She credits her growth to staying prayerful, planning intentionally, and surrounding herself with strong mentorship, and she encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seek God’s direction first, do thorough research, build a solid business plan, find trusted mentors, and only launch when clarity and preparation align because for her, true success comes from faith-led vision, proper planning, and a heart for serving others.
Women-owned businesses are more than a trend — they’re a powerful movement reshaping industries, communities, and the future of entrepreneurship. From bold startups to legacy brands, these inspiring leaders embody resilience, creativity, and fearless determination. The modern Girl Boss isn’t just building a company; she’s building opportunities, breaking barriers, and redefining success on her own terms. There’s so much to admire about these incredible women — their courage to take risks, their commitment to their vision, and the meaningful impact they make every single day. This is only the beginning of their stories. Read more in Part Two, where we continue highlighting the innovation, challenges, and triumphs of women-owned businesses making waves everywhere.