Carol Fisher Linn
In a 2021 report of businesses in Cattaraugus County referencing 2017 numbers, men owned 752 businesses or firms, while women owned 123 (census.gov/quickfacts). The numbers change annually with more women at the helm of established businesses or entrepreneurs who create their own.
In today’s world, we are all much more aware of words like collaboration and empowerment, and the mechanics thereof. Today’s women, particularly, rely on the sisterhood as they lift each other up, willingly helping each other along the way. Local stories abound about established women giving a leg up to newcomers: Dina DiPasquale, owner of “Dina’s” helping Nicole get her “Flowers off the Farm” flower business running, Jessica Gilbert at “Ava Grace” revealing how to market online to other entrepreneurs in Ellicottville during the terrible days after the visit from Covid; Joan Ess from “Alexandra” bringing in hand made goods made by women refugees living and working in Buffalo and learning English, also through the energy and caring of Ms. Ess. The stories of women helping women in small business communities are ubiquitous.
“Schoolhouse (hair) Salon” (which was housed in the 1887 building, pictured above) is unique in that we operated differently back in the 1970’s. Except, it turned out, Hanni operated with collaboration and empowerment in the days when those words were
The story of the Hanni Ruszkowski and the “Schoolhouse (hair) Salon” is unique in that we operated differently back in the 1970’s. Except, it turned out, Hanni operated with collaboration and empowerment in the days when those words were not necessarily part of our business vernacular. Here is her story in her own words.
“Holly Smith opened a beauty shop in the 1887 Building in the late ‘70’s. When my youngest son started school, I was ready to resume my career in the beauty business. I walked into Holly’s shop and asked her if she would be interested in selling it. She said yes, and so I became a businesswoman in Ellicottville.
It was a good start for me because a lot of Holly’s clients stayed. I get emotional to think back how Ellicottville people accepted me. Soon the shop got too small, and I added more space by building out into the hallway. Pete Widger was my contractor, Halloran’s did the electric, Rex Malmberg the plumbing. Lynn Dubey joined me by renting a booth. It was a good opportunity for her since she was ready to move to Ellicottville full time from Cleveland. She later opened a salon on Monroe Street. Several young hairstylists got their start in the business with Lynn. She had a lot to teach. Meanwhile, I kept doing hair at my location for 25 years.
When I was ready to retire from the beauty business I happened to run into Debby Halloran. I knew she had recently gotten her license, so I asked her if she was interested in buying my shop. I told her, since I was about to go on a trip to Germany to visit my family, she could work at the shop and then decide whether or not to buy it. She did so well that she bought it. Soon, her daughter joined her and when the building closed, they moved to Fillmore Drive.
So, 5 women got their start at the little shop in the 1887 Building, as well as the young ladies that branched out from Lynn’s shop. Ellicottville’s warm and welcoming spirit was key to the success of all these enterprising businesswomen.” Hanni Ruszkowski
No doubt, the environment in Ellicottville may indeed serve as kind of incubator for entrepreneurial women. Going back to the ‘70’s Hanni referenced, one could wander up and down main street and find many businesses owned by women or in tandem with their husbands (often the power behind the thrones). Today, Ellicottville offers readers a chance to catch up the news thanks to three women owned papers. Shirley Reinhart followed in the footsteps of Thelma Lane, introducing the hunt of the antique to our community. Women are at the helm of public service programs, charities, and food pantries. A woman oversees our library; women sit on our town and village boards, guiding the future of our community as only women can. In a conversation with Lynn Dubey, she did, indeed help prepare several women to launch into their own hair styling businesses who successfully operate to this day, and they in turn, did likewise. No offense intended to the male business owners, but women seem to have an inborn “edge” when it comes to women helping other women. Must be in the feminine DNA!