Union County Women in Business

06/23/2026

New gift certificates came in this week🎉 A perfect gift for anyone!

06/11/2026

Fun visit to Nookandkey1893 today for our no-agenda Union County Women in Business gathering! ☀️

The weather was too beautiful to stay inside, so we spent most of our time on the front porch—but we couldn’t resist taking an insider tour of the house too. Absolutely beautiful!

Our conversation wandered from old home remedies (some of which would probably require a call to Poison Control today 😆) to mystery books, drinking from the hose, the price of beef, and all the other random topics that come up when good women gather.

Sometimes the best meetings are the ones with no agenda at all. ❤️

05/26/2026

So exciting to see UCWIB member Sarah Farr of The Dome At Blueberry Hill featured on the show!! 🎉🎉

🎙️ THIS THURSDAY ON SMALL TOWN BIG BUSINESS 🎙️

What happens when you leave successful careers behind, move across the country, and build your dream from the ground up?

Join us this Thursday morning as we sit down with Sarah and Jeremy Farr, owners of , one of Southern Illinois' most unique glamping destinations.

From relocating from Texas to Southern Illinois, to assembling a one-of-a-kind geodesic dome, to earning over 160 five-star reviews, their story is packed with entrepreneurship, hospitality, creativity, and a passion for showcasing everything our region has to offer.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, tourism supporter, or someone who loves hearing inspiring local success stories, you won't want to miss this one.

🎧 New episode drops Thursday at 8:00 AM

05/18/2026

There's still time!!!!!

Carol is generously donating 20% of sales to the WIB Scholarship Fund, and the party link will remain open through the end of May!

If you’d still like to shop, support local, and help invest in scholarships for our community, here’s the link:
https://www.redaspenlove.com/party/UWIBScholarship2026/

Thank you for supporting WIB and the women and students we serve!

Social Selling company Red Aspen offers beauty products including press-on nails, eyelashes, skincare and more. We combine e-comm and social networking with playful, fun and imaginative marketing.

05/09/2026

We hope to see you in Cobden today! We are all set up and ready for shoppers.

All proceeds go towards the Union County Women in Business Scholarship Fund!

05/06/2026

Our May Membership Meeting was held today at The Villa-Pizza Villa.

We were honored to welcome Jessica Wills, APRN-FPA, FNP-BC, as our guest speaker. Jessica shared an inspiring and informative presentation on “Wellness for Every Woman: Building Strength, Balance, and Longevity from 30–80.”

As a nurse practitioner serving our area for 11 1/2 years, Jessica discussed the growing need to shift from simply managing chronic disease to being proactive about our health and wellness. She also shared information about her functional medicine approach, focusing on identifying and addressing root causes rather than only treating symptoms.

Together, we explored the 5 Pillars of Women’s Wellness:
✨ Nutrition (Protein First)
✨ Strength & Resistance Training
✨ Sleep & Stress Regulation
✨ Hormonal Health
✨ Spiritual & Emotional Health

We ended the meeting with a guided meditation, leaving everyone with a reminder to slow down, breathe, and take care of ourselves from the inside out.

Thank you, Jessica, for sharing your knowledge and passion with us, and thank you to all who attended and continue supporting women in business and in life.

05/06/2026

Our Member, Carol Messamore, will be set up at the yard sale in Cobden this Saturday. She is donating 20% of sales to the WIB scholarship fund. Here is a link to her party. The link will be open through the month of May!!! Share the love!!!!

Social Selling company Red Aspen offers beauty products including press-on nails, eyelashes, skincare and more. We combine e-comm and social networking with playful, fun and imaginative marketing.

05/02/2026

✨ Downtown Anna Crawl Recap – Union County Women in Business ✨

What an incredible day celebrating the heart, hustle, and creativity of our local women-owned businesses right here in Downtown Anna! 💛

We kicked things off at beautiful Kenz Boutique with a Candle Bar, where Diana Howell shared her inspiring journey—proof that sometimes the winding road leads you exactly where you’re meant to be. She also gave us a sneak peek at her upcoming Perfume Bar (hello, perfect girls’ night idea! 👀✨).

Next stop: Whimsy Wingdings & Wares by AnnRae Hochheimer — a true hidden gem filled with unique, handcrafted pieces from multiple talented artisans (and AnnRae herself). From gorgeous wrap saris (beach trip ready! 🌊) to one-of-a-kind gifts, this shop is a must-visit if you haven’t been yet! (She also offers make and take craft parties for 4 or more)

We then welcomed newer member Deanne Ellis at Ms D's Melts & More —and wow, talk about growth! What began as wax melts has blossomed into a full storefront featuring tanning, a water massage bed (yes, we tried it—10/10 recommend 😄), handmade cosmetics, and so much more. The “More” definitely delivers!

Our final stop was Kiki’s Coffee House, where Kathy Bryan shared her heartfelt story of how it all began—showing us why Kiki’s truly is the heart of Downtown Anna. 💕

We were treated to a flight of best-selling sandwiches, a fresh strawberry salad (heavenly 🍓), and a strawberry crepe for dessert. And the drinks?! Strawberry mimosas, margaritas, cosmos, and daiquiris—because it’s strawberry season in Union County and we leaned ALL the way in! 😍

We also heard from Carol Messamore with Red Aspen Glam, sharing how the brand has grown from lashes into exciting skincare—and those nails sound like a game changer! 💅

And Jennifer York-PC Kitchen brought the fun with her Pampered Chef favorites—everything from a wine opener/preserver (perfect for the wine trail 🍷😉) to delicious seasonings like street corn and lavender lemonade.

Reach out to Carol or Jennifer if you’d love to host an online party!

We wrapped up the day with full bellies, full hearts, and a deeper appreciation—not just for these incredible businesses, but for the friendships that continue to grow within this group. That’s what makes this so special. 💛

04/29/2026

Are you a local (Union County) business owner or decision maker? Have you ever wondered what we do in Women in Business? Join us Wednesday, May 6, 2026, for our next Membership Meeting.

We’re excited to welcome Jessica Wills, who will be sharing Wellness for Every Woman.

04/11/2026